Throughout our history, Americans have joined together to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. This Memorial Day, let us continue that sacred ritual by paying tribute to those who gave their lives to preserve and protect this great nation. For nearly 150 years, this day has meant giving voice to the fallen and rededicating ourselves to the principles for which they fought and died. In numerous wars over more than two centuries of our history, more than a million... Continue Reading »
The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is dangerous to the United States and to the rest of the world – and diplomacy that leads to an agreement that blocks Iran’s ability to become a nuclear weapon state is, as it always has been, the preferred way for the United States and the international community to achieve its objective. The United States and our P5+1 Partners – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany – are in the midst of pivotal nuclear negations with... Continue Reading »
A lot has changed since the days of Thomas Edison, but if he were alive today, he’d likely recognize one thing: America’s electricity grid. Indeed, the grid has changed little over the past 100 years, and just as it did then, it continues to serve its purpose of moving electricity from power plants to consumers. But today, new and exciting technologies are fundamentally changing the way that we produce electricity and transport it from place to place. More and more, people in Maine... Continue Reading »
In April 1909, a group of Inuit guides shepherded Admiral Robert Peary and Matthew Henson to the North Pole for their final, intrepid assault on the wild lands of the Arctic. Peary, a Bowdoin College graduate, and Henson, the first African-American Arctic explorer, formed an unlikely team that encapsulates the spirit of American adventurism, opportunity, and cooperation. As the United States assumes the Chair of the Arctic Council for the next two years, it is important to keep the... Continue Reading »
Last summer, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge took the internet – and really, the whole country – by storm. The money raised most certainly had a tremendous impact, but the debilitating effects of this terrible disease linger on. But thankfully, the ALS Community got some good news from the U.S. Senate. We can’t seem to agree on a whole lot here in the world’s greatest deliberative body, but this week, we came together to unanimously pass an important piece of legislation... Continue Reading »
One of the most important aspects of being a Senator is listening and learning – it’s what I do every day. And when it comes to learning more about current education issues as they unfold, it should come as no surprise that I listen to Maine teachers, administrators, students, and parents to get a sense of the accomplishments and challenges in Maine classrooms. As Congress works to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), better known as “No Child Left... Continue Reading »
Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities are tremendously important in Maine – historically, culturally, and economically. The outdoors is an inseparable part of our heritage, and recreation serves as a valuable economic driver in the state. And with three Maine sportsmen’s shows during the month of March – in Augusta, Orono and Presque Isle – there is no better time to celebrate our connection to the great outdoors.Maine is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty,... Continue Reading »
Some of the most memorable people in our lives are our teachers. Their names often stay with us for years, along with the valuable lessons they taught us. In Maine, Nancie Atwell is one of those teachers. In 1990, Nancie founded the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb, a nonprofit K-8 independent demonstration school that focuses on individualized teaching in small classrooms with rigorous hands-on learning techniques that are both fun and engaging for students. Through her innovative... Continue Reading »
As our veterans return home from the Middle East and other conflicts across the globe, cities, towns, churches, civic organizations and families have found many ways to honor those who have heroically served our nation. While our expressions of gratitude are many and varied, three people in Maine have added a new dimension to the tribute for veterans in our state. Indeed, about eight years ago, George and Donna Gunning from Windsor heard about an endeavor in Oklahoma called the Eagle Cane... Continue Reading »
On the evening of March 4, Patrick Arnold of the Maine Port Authority was all set to fly from Portland to Washington, D.C., to testify the next day before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about the emerging opportunities in the Arctic region. But the Arctic-like weather had other plans, and his flight was canceled. If Mr. Arnold was going to make it down to Washington in time for the hearing, he needed to act quickly. So he hopped on a bus to Boston, and then caught an... Continue Reading »
Maine students and their parents shouldn’t need an accountant to help them apply for federal student aid or pay back their student loans. But anyone who’s gone through the process knows that it can be difficult, daunting, and down-right frustrating. It’s January, and as many prospective students continue to apply to colleges and wait to hear back from those they’ve already applied to, the time has come to work on a new round of applications: the financial aid forms. For... Continue Reading »
