... and we receive responses. Yes, I do write to and call my Maryland Senators about many topics that concern me. I even have their phone numbers programed into my cell phone. Yeah, I call that much. The nice thing is that they - or an office staffer - takes the time to send a letter back. I have written and called Senators Sarbanes' and Mikulski's offices concerning the Avian Flu and the coming pamdemic. I am both concerned and scared of this flu and I want to keep on our officials about being prepared. The first email I received...
... is from Senator Sarbanes office.
*****Begin*****
Dear Mr. Burnham:
Thank you for getting in touch with me to express your
concerns about efforts to prevent an outbreak of avian influenza.
As one who also concerned with protecting the health of our
citizens as well as the economic vitality of Maryland's poultry
industry, I appreciate having the benefit of your comments.
As you may know, following the 2004 discovery of avian
influenza-infected poultry at a Maryland farm, I gathered with
members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, poultry
producers, and state and federal agriculture inspectors to discuss
containment of a potential outbreak, protection of Maryland's
citizens from contamination, and maintaining the vitality of the
State's poultry industry. In addition, I worked with a number of
my colleagues to secure an additional $13.7 million in funding for
the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Avian
Influenza Program, which would, among other things, increase
inspection and surveillance of poultry farms and markets.
You may also be interested to know that S. 969, the
Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005 would
require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand
domestic influenza surveillance and preparedness activities. The
bill was introduced on April 28, 2005 and referred to the Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Although I
am not a member of the HELP Committee, please be assure that I
will keep your views in mind should S. 969 come before the full
Senate for consideration.
Again, I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this
important matter. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me in
the future about issues of importance to you.
In the future please visit my web site at http://sarbanes.senate.gov rather than
clicking reply.
With best regards,
Paul Sarbanes
United States Senator
*****END*****
I see avian influenza becoming the next "catch-phrase hysteria" that the press grips the nation - no, the world - with. Now that Katrina and The Waves ratings are dying in the daily news, and everyone's sick of the war coverage, S.A.R.S is done with, everyone's fogotten about El Nino, West Nile....I could go on.
You all are welcomed to laugh at me when I'm one of the billions who are plagued with the coming pandemic and am dying a terrible death. I'm sure it'll be said that I deserve it.
Posted by: SteveK on October 7, 2005 02:49 PM