In a special staff report, Andrew Powaleny reports on the AIDS population, the causes and the solutions in Washington DC. (8:14)

 

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Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio.) while hosting a conference call this morning discussed  his belief that the continuing high cost of oil is not only affecting Americans daily life but our national security. Voinovich commented that numbers released by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) showing America’s deficit had climbed 750 billion dollars means that the country is not only at a financial disadvantage but a national security risk. Voinovich also noted that the national debt at the end of this year is estimated to be at ten trillion dollars.  (more…)

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio.) does not believes that America should tap into the Stategic Petroleum Reserves to relieve high gas prices. Voinovich says that he is “worried” about America’s national security and for a slight reduction in the cost of oil does not think it’s worth the risk to open the reserve. (0:51)

 

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Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio.) believes that America is at a high national security risk. Voinovich cited that due to high energy costs and relationships with foreign governments America is reliant on countries that wish the Unted States harm. In addition, Voinovich commented that according to the Stanford University Modeling Forum the odds of a foreign oil disruption happening over the next ten years are slightly higher than 80 percent. If global production were reduced by more than 2.1 percent that would have a serious effect on oil prices and our economy. This would be more so than Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (0:49)

 

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Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) comments on the recent news that Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska.) was indicted with seven federal charges for making false statements to federal authorities. (0:05)

 

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Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) comments about recent news that Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska.) has been indicted for seven counts of making false statements to federal authorities.

 

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Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) makes comments after first hearing that Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska.) has been indicted on seven federal counts. (0:07)

 

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Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) responds to the news of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska.) has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements after a federal probe into ties between an energy company and lawmakers in his home state. (0:11)

 

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Honoring America’s African American men and women of the Armed Forces was the theme in the Capitol’s rotunda as members of Congress, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Robert Gates celebrated the 60th anniversary of President Truman’s Executive Order which integrated the U.S. Armed Forces. Prior to the start of the event, patriotic anthems played including “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” with a Revolutionary War procession kicking off the ceremony.

The speakers spoke of President Truman’s actions in signing Executive Order Number 9981 as “remarkable and worthy of praise,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Defense Sec. Robert Gates said “no aspect of black American’s quest for justice and equality under the law has been nobler than has been called the fight for the right to fight.” Gates said that in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the integration of the U.S. Armed Services, it reminds us of what it took to get there and “yet how much remains to be done,” said Gates.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) honored two African Americans who served in World War II. Captain Spencer Moore and Sergeant A. Williams Perry, who had been Buffalo soldiers of the 92nd infantry division in World War II were recognized for having served in racially segregated units. While speaking Moore said “God truly blessed us with the leadership of President Truman.” Moore posed the question though at the end of his speach that led to the standing ovation of the audience “What took us so long to live up to our creed?” said Moore.

After receiving a standing ovation, former Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke of the effects that Truman’s Executive Order had on him personally. “When I went in [to the Armed Forces] they no longer cared whether I was black or white, immigrant or not, the only thing my commanders ever told me from 1958 to the rest of my career was ‘can you perform?’ And that’s all we have ever asked for and throughout our history we have demonstrated, we can perform, let there be no doubt about it,” said Powell.

Powell’s remarks concluded when he stated “let us remember that there is still minorities in our country, African Americans, Hispanics others who are not in the military who are still looking for that dream who still need to be helped, let us not rest on our laurels. Let’s not rest on our laurels as long as there is one kid out there who grows up wondering ‘can I dream in America? Can I go to the very top?’ The answer has to be yes you can.”

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks about the obligation America has towards protecting its citizens and helping each citizen fulfill the American Dream. “Let us remember that there is still minorities in our country, African Americans, Hispanics others who are not in the military who are still looking for that dream who still need to be helped, let us not rest on our laurels. Let’s not rest on our laurels as long as there is one kid out there who grows up wondering ‘can I dream in America? Can I go to the very top?’ The answer has to be yes you can,” stated Powell. (1:41)

 

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