Cardin release

THREE MARYLANDERS NOMINATED TO SENIOR FOREIGN POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT POSITIONS BY OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Cardin introduces Bethesda’s Ian Kelly to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ian Solomon and Walter Jones, both of Silver Spring, also Nominated for International Development Posts

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced Ian Kelly of Bethesda as President Obama’s nominee to be U.S. Representative to the 56-country Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

“The OSCE is at a critical juncture. The organization still confronts such challenges as resolving protracted conflicts in the Caucasus, addressing the prospect of renewed inter-ethnic conflicts in the Balkans, and resolving our impasse with Russia over the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty,” Cardin said. “In the human dimension, challenges persist and are increasing with several OSCE States backsliding on commitments to democracy, rule of law, tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of media and religion. Mr. Kelly’s expertise and long-time service in Moscow and throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union will greatly benefit him in this new role should he be confirmed.

“As the former State Department Director of Democratic Initiatives to the Newly Independent States, Mr. Kelly coordinated the activities of nearly a dozen federal agencies involved in democracy building in the former Soviet Union and oversaw an $80 million annual budget. As a regional public affairs officer he visited all twelve former Soviet republics, experience that will be invaluable as the organization this year is chaired for the first time by a former Soviet state, Kazakhstan. He is fluent in Russian.

“The follow through Mr. Kelly showed after our first meeting proved he is committed to strengthening U.S. participation and leadership in Vienna. Mr. Kelly may be relatively new to the OSCE as an institution, but I can think of few people who know the OSCE region better.”

If confirmed, Mr. Kelly, the State Department Spokesman since May, would fill an ambassadorship that has been vacant for more than a year.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee also held hearings this week on the nomination of Ian Solomon of Silver Spring to be Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Walter Jones, also of Silver Spring, to become the U.S. Executive Director African Development Bank (AFDB).

Ian Solomon will become U.S. Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. With many years in academia and government, including his current post advising the Secretary of Treasury, he will be instrumental in crafting multilateral financial architecture at the Bank with many of our partners during this challenging time in the global economy.

Walter Jones leaves a senior position at Overseas Private Investment Corporationand brings more than 20 years in international development, finance, law and business to become the U.S. Executive Director African Development Bank. In his new role, he will use his long experience to help guide loans and develop strategies to support the 53 member countries fight poverty in their own countries.

Press Release of Senator Cardin

CARDIN STATEMENT ON REVERSING DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today on President Obama’s stated intention to allow LGBT Americans to serve openly in the U.S. military.

“America is fighting two wars, supporting humanitarian operations in Haiti, and fighting against al-Qaeda and other terrorists around the world. We should be grateful for the bravery and sacrifice of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines – gay or straight – who defend our nation. Sexual orientation, race, religion or gender, should never be used to determine the contributions any man or woman makes to our military or anywhere in our society. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ runs contrary to the core American belief of equality and Congress should repeal it promptly.”

Press Release of Senator Cardin

CARDIN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET

We must make targeted investments and pay for them as we go.

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Monday, February 1, 2010

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“Our economy is beginning to show signs of growth after the most serious crisis since the Great Depression, but we have much work ahead before American families and small businesses see and feel the oncoming recovery. Like the President, I believe that we must invest in job creation and I believe we must do so in a fiscally disciplined way. Effective middle-class tax relief must be paired with targeted investments that we pay for as we go.

“I applaud the Administration’s significant increase in funding for small businesses, the very entrepreneurs and innovators who will create the jobs that will drive our economy firmly out of this recession. I was heartened to see the inclusion of increased loan limits and I look forward to working with the administration to ensure that qualified small businesses have access to essential credit. This robust funding increase will ensure that the SBA has the resources to provide small businesses with the financial and technical assistance they need.

“The President’s budget reflects the reality that job creation will come from many sectors in our economy. With an eye on controlling our deficits, it promotes job growth through targeted investments in clean energy technology and water infrastructure, while moving us closer to health insurance reform that will provide affordable, quality coverage for all. It recognizes the importance of all levels of education in workforce development. The President’s budget also recognizes that even as our economy moves closer to recovery, we have a responsibility to enact strong regulatory and fiscal reforms to help return security and stability to our nation.

“As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I look forward to exploring the details of this budget with Administration officials to ensure that it supports broad initiatives that will spur job growth and uphold the priorities important to Marylanders without adding to our long-term debt.”

Press Release of Senator Cardin

CARDIN TALKS JOBS AT CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE CENTER JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Monday, February 1, 2010

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CAMBRIDGE, MD — U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today met with nurse assistant trainees at the Chesapeake College Cambridge Center to talk with them about the importance of job training in this difficult economy. Dorchester County has an unemployment rate of 12.1 percent, the second highest in Maryland. The statewide unemployment rate for December 2009 is 7.5 percent.

Senator Cardin recently introduce the Boosting Entrepreneurship and New Jobs Act (S. 2967), which is designed to spur job creation and strengthen our economy. His bill would make urgently needed capital available to small businesses, establish a refundable small business tax credit for job creation and provide a tax credit for health insurance expenses for companies with up to 25 employees.

“We need to ensure that our workforce has the skills and training that are needed to succeed in this very difficult job market,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. “At the same time, we also have to make sure that businesses – particularly small businesses — have the working capital needed to stay in business and to be profitable.”

Chesapeake College offers job training programs for new and experienced workers interested in acquiring new skills. The nursing assistant training program, which the Senator visited, receives funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board also has received more than $363,000 in ARRA funds, making it possible to provide jobs skills training to 323 individuals. In addition to its training program for nursing, Chesapeake College also offers job training in the fields of business management, law enforcement, paralegal, refrigeration/heating and food service management, along with many other fields.

While at the Cambridge Center, Senator Cardin also stopped by the Mobile One-Stop Job van and visited with individuals who were receiving job search assistance, including advice on resume preparations, GED counseling and other resources to help in their job search.

Press Release of Senator Cardin

TEAM MARYLAND ANNOUNCES $5.6 MILLION TO PREPARE FOR THOUSANDS OF BRAC JOBS

Funds will support road improvements near Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Monday, January 25, 2010

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SEVERN, MD – U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD)joined Congressmen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, (MD-2), John Sarbanes (MD-3) and Frank Kratovil (MD-1) today to announce $5.6 million in new funding to help prepare Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground for the thousands of new jobs that will be heading to Maryland through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The federal funds, which were included in the FY 2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that passed Congress in December, will pay for much-needed road improvements near Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill also included $2.5 million for BRAC-related improvements to Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County. Additionally, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Act, which also passed Congress in December, includes $130 million for BRAC-related improvement for the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. A total of 30,000 BRAC-related jobs are expected to come to Maryland at the four sites.

“The relocation of thousands of BRAC-related jobs to Maryland brings with it great responsibility and enormous economic opportunity,” said Senator Cardin. “This year, Team Maryland secured more than $138 million in BRAC-related infrastructure improvements for Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties that will make it possible for employees to get to their jobs safely and efficiently.”

“I fought to BRAC-proof Maryland’s bases, now I am working to BRAC-ready our transportation systems. Fort Meade will house high-tech, high-pay jobs of the future,” Senator Mikulski said. “Their genius club at NSA, and soon-to-be DISA and Navy’s Cyber Command, will combat cyber spies, cyber criminals and cyber terrorists trying to steal our secrets and take our systems down. I wanted to make sure they – and the surrounding community – weren’t stuck in a traffic logjam. I am proud to partner with my Team Maryland colleagues to make BRAC a success and secure the federal funding needed to meet the increased demands on our communities.”

“In these trying economic times, additional high-paying jobs are music to our ears,” said Congressman Ruppersberger, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “But we need to make sure that we preserve the great quality of life that residents experience all across the state, especially here in Anne Arundel County. Together, Team Maryland has worked hard over the last four years to make sure we have the proper infrastructure in place – everything from roads to schools to hospitals to public safety – to make the transition as smooth as possible as we welcome our new residents.”

“BRAC is bringing thousands of new, good paying jobs to Maryland during difficult economic times,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “It is critical that we bolster our transportation infrastructure around Fort Meade so this economic growth is not stunted by traffic gridlock and does not diminish the quality of life in the surrounding area.”

“BRAC will bring new jobs while reinvigorating the workforce, commerce and economy of our region; but we need to be ready in order to fully realize the economic benefit it presents,” said Rep. Frank Kratovil. “We fought for these funds because they represent a significant federal investment in the future Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the surrounding counties and the families who live there.”

“The Maryland Department of Transportation’s relationship with Congressman Ruppersberger and our other federal partners has brought much needed and greatly appreciated funding for projects that benefit all who travel throughout Maryland,” said State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “The funds announced today will certainly help prepare for enhanced safety, improved traffic flow and ease of congestion for the Ft. Meade community.”