TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Office of Congresswoman Kuster
DATE: 08/16/2013
RE: Make It In America, Military Sexual Assault, and More
This week, Congresswoman Kuster continued to underscore the need for action to address the growing epidemic of military sexual trauma. During a roundtable discussion at Nashua Community College, Kuster provided an update on Congressional efforts to prevent sexual assaults in the military and sought input from local stakeholders and advocates from across New Hampshire, including representatives from the New Hampshire National Guard, the White River Junction VA Medical Center, and the New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services.
Kuster also continued to tout the “Make It In America” plan that’s focused on creating the best conditions for businesses to innovate and create jobs here in New Hampshire and across the country. At a “Congress at Your Company” visit to Corfin Industries in Salem, Kuster highlighted the importance of expanding and making permanent the federal R&D tax credit, and training a 21st century workforce in the Granite State. Earlier this month, Kuster joined other House Democrats to announce that eight new bills, including her Workforce Development Investment Act, have been officially added to the “Make It In America” jobs plan.
For more on these updates and others, please continue reading below.
“Kuster to host roundtable on military sexual assault”
U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster will host a roundtable in Nashua on Aug. 13 to discuss ways to combat military sexual assault. The roundtable is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Nashua Community College, located at 505 Amherst St. Kuster, a Democrat representing New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, will lead the discussion along with representatives from the New Hampshire National Guard, the White River Junction VA Medical Center, and experts on military sexual assault. Earlier this year, Kuster joined a bipartisan group passing legislation to improve upon whistleblower protections for reporting of assault allegations. (Windham Patch, 08/09/2013)
“NH rape victim joins forum on sexual assault in military”
Judy Atwood-Bell is speaking out as a rape survivor, hoping to be the voice for veterans who have suffered similar sexual assaults. The New Hampshire resident and veteran of the U.S. Army shared her personal struggles during a roundtable discussion Tuesday at Nashua Community College…"I want to give other veterans hope," she told participants in the roundtable discussion, including Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster. Kuster hosted Tuesday's event, which gathered advocates and other leaders from New Hampshire who are attempting to combat military sexual assaults. (Union Leader, 08/15/2013)
“Forum: ending sex assault in the military will take a ‘change of culture’”
Ending sexual assault in America’s armed forces will require making a big change in the military culture, experts said Tuesday. Those experts also agreed that it won’t be easy. “Culture change can take 10, 20 years,” said Jill Rockey, director of the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire and a former Detective Sergeant for the New Hampshire State Police. “It’s not just prosecutions, not just therapies … it’s changing the culture.” Tuesday’s roundtable on the issue was called by U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, who has become involved as part of service on the Armed Services Committee of Congress and the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus. “For 20 years, the military has been coming to Congress, talking about a zero-tolerance policy, and it’s not happening,” said Kuster, D-N.H., during the discussion. “If you have some other type of threat to the safety and well-being of the troops, they’d be all over it.” (Nashua Telegraph, 08/14/2013)
“Army vet shares post-rape healing process”
Listen as Judy Atwood-Bell of Hudson, a retired U.S. Army veteran and military rape survivor, talk about her commitment to changing the culture of shame, blame and retribution within the military for service men and women who suffer sexual assault. Atwood-Bell was part of a panel discussion with Congresswoman Annie McLane Kuster Tuesday at Nashua Community College. Kuster planned to discuss bi-partisan legislation in the works, and draw input from the group. (Nashua Patch, 08/13/2013)
“Kuster hosts roundtable on efforts to combat military sexual assault”
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today convened a roundtable to address the growing epidemic of sexual assault in the military with key experts and stakeholders from around the Granite State. During the discussion, Kuster addressed efforts currently underway in Congress to address the rise of sexual assaults reported in the military. She was joined by representatives from the New Hampshire National Guard, the White River Junction VA Medical Center, the New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services, and other advocates and experts, who shared their thoughts and experiences with the issue. “Sexual assault in the military has reached a crisis point, and it’s time for us to come together as a country to make sure it comes to an end,” Kuster said. (08/13/2013)
“Kuster promotes jobs, research in Salem”
It was only 22 years ago that Corfin Industries — a growing local aerospace and defense contractor — opened for business with just a handful of employees. Now, the Raymond Avenue company is up to 90 employees and doing business around the world, producing electronic components for everything from high-powered missiles to medical devices. Expanding the federal government’s research and development tax credit program will help the company continue to prosper, according to Donald Tyler, Corfin’s managing director. “That’s something we are going to take advantage of,” he said. Tyler and other Corfin executives met with Congresswoman Annie Kuster, D-N.H., yesterday to see how they could work together to help make that happen. “The R&D tax credit, for me, is trying to give American companies an innovative advantage to try and stay on the cutting edge,” Kuster said. (Eagle-Tribune, 08/15/2013)
“Salem firm struggling to find help”
With his Salem-based firm continuing to grow, Donald Tyler, managing director of Corfin Industries LLC, said it's been increasingly difficult to find qualified help these days. The company, a leading manufacturer of component preparation services to a variety of industries, has more than 90 employees. Tyler, who has been with Corfin for more than two decades, said increased demand for his products, particularly in the defense and aerospace sectors, means additional growth is anticipated in the not-so-distant future. "We know there are further opportunities for us outside the United States," Tyler said. "And we've learned over the years that trying to sell ourselves over the phone or by emails isn't nearly as effective as meeting with potential clients face-to-face." During a visit Wednesday with U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, Tyler shared his concerns for the future with the District 2 Democrat. (Union Leader, 08/15/2013)
“Kuster touts workforce development, R&D tax credits at Salem company”
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) stopped by Salem's Corfin Industries Wednesday as part of her ongoing effort to promote local economic growth. The visit was a continuance of Kuster's "Congress at Your Company" series, which she launched during her first month in office. Corfin Industries, which started 22 years ago with just a few employees, has since expanded to about 90 people. The company began in telecommunications but has emerged as a manufacturer providing component preparation services to a variety of industries, including defense and medical. Corfin Industries has also become a preferred supplier of high reliability electronic systems in the global manufacture of missles, avionics and medical devices. A focal point of Kuster's discussion with the company staff included her fight to expand and make permanent the federal research and development (R&D) tax credits. (Salem Patch, 08/15/2013)
“New law renames NH air center for employee”
President Obama has signed into a law a bill that renames an air traffic control center in Nashua after a longtime worker. It’s currently called the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center. It will be renamed the “Patricia Clark Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center.” Clark has worked as an administrative assistant at the facility since it first opened in 1963. She does scheduling, travel arrangements and payroll, and hasn’t taken a sick day. The New Hampshire congressional delegation worked together to pass legislation in the Senate and the House to rename the control center in her honor. “Over the course of her career, which spans five decades, Patty has shown an unparalleled dedication to public service. We’re incredibly proud of her, and this is a fitting tribute to her extraordinary service to our state,” said Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte, and Reps. Carol Shea-Porter and Annie Kuster. (Associated Press, 08/15/2013)
Kuster announces $58,078 grant to Berlin Housing Authority
U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that the Berlin Housing Authority will receive a $58,078 federal grant to help maintain and upgrade its housing facilities. The grant, administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is part of the agency's Capital Fund Program, which provides funding annually to public housing agencies for building improvements and management. Berlin Housing Authority administrators will use the funds to install new emergency generators in several of its apartment buildings. "The Berlin Housing Authority, like others around the state, provides essential housing services to some of our must vulnerable friends and neighbors," Kuster said. "This funding will help keep apartments around Berlin safe and secure, and it will allow the housing authority to continue to do its vital work." (Berlin Daily Sun, 08/13/2013)
Kuster announces $798,000 grant to Nashua Housing Authority
The Nashua Housing Authority received a financial boost this week when it was awarded $798,002 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money was part of $4.7 million sent to the state as part of the annual Capital Fund Program. The program provides money to all public housing authorities in the United States to build, repair, renovate and modernize the public housing in their communities. In New Hampshire, Nashua’s grant funding was second only to Manchester’s, where the public housing authority received $1.3 million for repair and improvement projects. (Nashua Telegraph, 08/10/2013)
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