October 2007

Bayh Demands Answers in
Death of Indiana Guardsman

Senator Evan Bayh is demanding a timely investigation into the death last month of Sgt. Gerald Cassidy, a member of the Indiana National Guard, at Fort Knox, Ky. According to press reports, Cassidy may have lay unconscious for up to two days and dead for at least several hours before being discovered in his room on a military base.

According to Cassidy's family, he had been diagnosed with TBI following an attack while he was on duty in Iraq in June 2006. His family raised concerns over the level of care Cassidy received while at Fort Knox and over delays in granting Cassidy access to care at private medical facilities. In a letter to Army Secretary Preston Geren, Bayh wrote he was "troubled by the possibility that systemic shortcomings in our treatment of soldiers with traumatic brain injury may have contributed to Sgt. Cassidy's death."

Bayh also raised concerns over the Army's current ability to ensure the best care possible for wounded solders following the deficiencies that came to light at Walter Reed Medical Center earlier this year. Specifically, he called attention to a recent Government Accountability Office report that found that the Warrior Transition Units created to ensure better care have been understaffed, and nearly half of eligible wounded soldiers have not yet been assigned to a unit.

[ read the letter ]

Bayh Calls on Zoellick to Reform the World Bank

Senator Bayh this week urged World Bank President Robert Zoellick to implement a series of substantive reforms to more effectively measure the success of Bank-funded projects and guard against corruption and misuse of Bank funds. Bayh suggested that the Bank has deviated from its core poverty-fighting mission by making loans to countries that do not need them to achieve economic growth.

"China has over $1.4 trillion in foreign exchange reserves which it could draw down rather than borrow from the Bank," Bayh said. "It is difficult to justify taxpayer support for an institution that lends money to countries that have access to other resources and do not truly need the Bank's assistance."

[ read more | read the letter ]

Bayh Sponsors 5th Annual Service Leaders Summit this Saturday

Calling student volunteers some of our nation's most valuable resources, Senator Bayh selected more than 100 Hoosier students to attend the fifth annual Indiana Service Leaders Summit.

Senator Bayh and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) cosponsored the summit in Indianapolis on Saturday, Oct. 27 (National Make a Difference Day) to draw attention to the outstanding community service work performed by high school students across Indiana and to inspire them to continue volunteering throughout their lives. The event is part of Senator Bayh's broader efforts to promote community service by expanding volunteer opportunities.

Bayh Urges Senate to Confirm Indianapolis Native
John Tinder to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals

Senator Bayh encouraged the Senate to confirm Indianapolis native John Tinder to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, stating:

"John Tinder is the embodiment of good judicial temperament, intellect and even-handedness. He has been praised from both sides of the political spectrum for his service in the Southern District of Indiana, and I am confident he will receive those kinds of reviews, as well, on the 7th Circuit. He enjoys my wholehearted support."

[ read more ]

Bayh Urges Treasury Secretary to Take Steps
to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Senator Bayh urged Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to focus more energy on persuading mortgage lenders and those who service mortgages to take steps to help homeowners avoid foreclosures.

In a letter to Secretary Paulson, Bayh expressed concern over a possible sub-prime traffic jam that could turn into a monumental pileup that would result in hundreds of thousands of homeowners losing their homes.

[ read more | read the letter]

Bayh Encourages Women to Get Mammograms

Senator Bayh last week encouraged all women over age 40 to participate in National Mammography Day by scheduling their annual mammogram. After years in which increasing numbers of American women have had mammograms, according to the American Cancer Society, recent data suggest a decline in the percentage of women who are having regular breast cancer screening. Senator Bayh has been a long-time supporter of funding for breast cancer research. His mother, Marvella, served as one of the first national spokespersons for the American Cancer Society following her breast cancer diagnosis, becoming one of the first prominent American women to speak publicly about her condition.

[ read more ]

Indiana Receives Help for Hoosiers Facing High Energy Costs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Indiana will receive $2.8 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency fund to help Hoosier homeowners and renters struggling to pay their home energy bills. Last month, Senator Bayh sent a letter to President Bush urging the administration to release the funds.

[ read more ]

Indiana Receives Funds for Critical Projects

Senator Bayh successfully fought to obtain Senate appropriations for several important Indiana projects included in the Department of Defense Appropriation Act; Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriation Act; and the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation Act. The bills now go to a House-Senate Conference Committee. The highlights include:

Questions or comments?
E-mail us at bayh_press@bayh.senate.gov or call us at 202-224-5623