Honolulu, Hawaii -- In his speech this evening, the President appropriately focused on the issue of security--the paramount concern of the American people at this defining moment in our Nation's history. Whether it be national security, homeland security, or economic security for their families, Americans are committed to winning the war on terrorism and rebuilding our economy. I will continue working with the President in a bipartisan effort to vigorously prosecute the war on terrorism and protect our country and citizens against future attacks.
As the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support and the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I will work with the President and his Administration to protect Americans domestically and abroad. Over the next several months, we will undertake a careful evaluation of the President's budget request in light of the fiscal constraints that we are currently facing. The readiness of our military forces to carry out their mission in the war on terrorism remains a top priority. Our Armed Forces were admirably represented in the House chamber this evening by several honored guests, including Captain Jason Amerine, commander of an Army special forces unit that fought behind enemy lines in Central Afghanistan and played a critical role in routing Taliban forces that led to the surrender of Kandahar. Jason Amerine is a local boy, a graduate of Roosevelt High School and West Point. We are extremely proud of Captain Amerine and the men of the Army's 5th Special Forces Group, and all our men and women on duty around the world.
Congress and the Bush Administration must also pay greater attention to policies impacting federal employees who contribute significantly to our national security. That is why I am advocating homeland security education legislation to improve language, science, and math skills to meet our future national security requirements and invigorate the federal workforce.
The education reform bill that the President signed into law earlier this month illustrates how we can work in a bipartisan manner to address our Nation's domestic needs. I look forward to working with him to address important national priorities. Before the end of the year we must act to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, enact a real Patients' Bill of Rights, update welfare reform, and protect retirement security and worker pensions from employer mismanagement.
We also need a fiscally responsible economic stimulus package to help those workers affected by the current recession. Unemployment in Hawaii is up 1.3 percent, 6,100 jobs were lost in 2001, and our visitor and hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the significant decrease in business and leisure travelers since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Short-term tax cuts, small business emergency relief, increased federal Medicaid payments to the states, and extended unemployment benefits are effective, common sense measures to assist unemployed workers and stimulate the economy. Regrettably, Congressional Republicans are advocating an acceleration of the tax and economic policies which have taken us from record budget surpluses back to deficit spending. The Republican economic stimulus proposal would actually cost the State of Hawaii $21 million dollars in revenue and force the state to consider deeper budget cuts this year. It is imperative that we maintain fiscal discipline over the long-term to ensure sustained recovery and growth in the future.
Our great Nation is less than five months from the horror of September 11th and our men and women in uniform are on the front lines of the war on terrorism; but the state of our Union is strong and the American spirit is resolute. I applaud the President for his leadership in the war on terrorism and offer my continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen homeland security and address the serious economic and budgetary problems facing our country.
