eNewsletter: Bill's Update From Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

 "Sit Down With Seniors"  

During the month of August, I met with seniors throughout Eastern and Southeastern Ohio to discuss what I am doing to guarantee the promises of Social Security and Medicare so that current seniors continue receiving their fully funded benefits. Also, I talked about what I am doing to preserve these programs for future generations.

                                                                   
Bill Johnson has been hosting "Sit Down With Seniors" up and down the Ohio River.
                                                
The purpose of these informal meetings is to talk about issues that are important to seniors. If the President and Congress do not act to guarantee the promise of Medicare to America's seniors, the program will be unable to pay full benefits by 2024. I support legislation to strengthen and preserve Medicare and am a cosponsor of a bill called the Social Security Preservation Act, which would prevent Congress and bureaucrats in Washington from dipping into the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for pet projects. It is important that we guarantee the promises of these vital programs to both current beneficiaries and future generations.

These discussions are very important to me because I get to hear directly from you. Thank you to everyone who has attended one of these events; your feedback is very important to me.


Fighting For USEC Jobs

Bill Johnson stopped at USEC during a day of visits in Scioto County and the surrounding area on August 24, 2012. Click on the image above to watch a video describing the day's events.

During a swing through Lawrence and Scioto Counties, I traveled up U.S. 23 to visit USEC and the American Centrifuge Project in Piketon. During debate over funding for the 2013 Fiscal Year, I led the effort to secure Department of Energy funds necessary to maintain the project - which will retain and create potentially thousands of jobs. Additionally, being able to produce a domestic source of uranium is absolutely critical to our national security. It would be a direct threat to our security if we had to depend on foreign sources for uranium needed for our nuclear infrastructure and defense needs.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to stop by the facility and renew my commitment to job creation and important projects taking place in Southern Ohio.

For more on my visit to Scioto County and the surrounding area, you can read this local news article.


Cutting Through Red Tape                      

                                                                  
Bill Johnson presented an American flag that flew over the United States Capitol to representatives of MPR Supply Chain on August 16, 2012 in Bellaire.

On August 16, I spoke at the new home of MPR Supply Chain in Bellaire. Working with Senator Rob Portman and local community officials, we cut through federal red tape and secured the transfer of the abandoned land, which was previously the home of the United States Armory Reserve Center. This process allowed the land to be acquired by the Belmont County Port Authority so MPR could expand and bring new jobs and economic opportunity to the area.

After a large group of community officials cut the ribbon to officially open the business, I was honored to present an American flag that flew over the United States Capitol. It was a special ceremony, one that symbolized the American dream in action, as we saw a vacated government property transformed into a job creating facility. This project represents the very best of government and business collaboration; the site will once again be put to good use and become a source of pride for the entire community.


A Very Special Ceremony

                                                                   
Bill Johnson at the American Legion in Columbiana on September 4, 2012, with Carl Will, who received several medals he earned in World War II.

On September 4, I was honored to present World War II Air Force Veteran Carl Will with several medals he earned, yet never received, until now. The ceremony was held at American Legion Post 290 in Columbiana. 

Due to a fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, documentation on Mr. Will's service was destroyed. His grandson reached out to my office, and we began the process of reconstructing his records. I was pleased to be able to assist in this effort to recognize the sacrifice Mr. Will made for our country and be on hand for the surprise ceremony.
 
Will earned seven medals and several badges for his service, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

A local television station covered the presentation, and you can watch the video here.

                                                                         

I am humbled and honored to represent you in the United States House of Representatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of service or if you have any questions or concerns.