George Radanovich RSS Articles

Memorial Services Announced for Ethie Weaver Radanovich

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) released the following information regarding the Memorial Services for Ethie Weaver Radanovich, who passed away on Thursday, February 4^th:

Alexandria, VA:

Wednesday, February 10, 12:00 PM

Good Shepherd Catholic Church

8710 Mount Vernon Highway

Alexandria, Virginia 22309

Mariposa, CA:

Sunday, February 21, 1:00 PM

Sierra Meadows Country Club

46516 Opah Drive

Ahwahnee, CA 93601

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mariposa Bears Football League, c/o Dave McNally, P.O. Box 2098, Mariposa, CA 95338 or to Mariposa Parks & Recreation Department for the Mariposa Little League, c/o Shannon Hansen, P.O. Box 732, Mariposa, CA 95338.

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Statement by Congressman George Radanovich

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) released the following statement today after his wife, Ethie Weaver Radanovich, passed away after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer:

“Ethie was the love of my life. Her smile would light up a room and her boundless energy brought joy and beauty to everyone she met. Ethie truly lived life to the fullest— always thinking of King and me and those she loved. Last night surrounded by our family and friends she passed peacefully to be with God. Her tenacity and perseverance throughout her battle with cancer was evidence of her love of life and a commitment to the ideals she believed in. King and I so appreciate all the kind words and prayers from everyone—they kept our spirits buoyed throughout. She was a most wonderful wife and mom—we’ll miss her every day.”

Memorial services will be held in Mariposa, California and Alexandria, Virginia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mariposa Bears Football League, c/o Dave McNally, P.O. Box 2098, Mariposa, CA 95338 or to Mariposa Parks & Recreation Department for the Mariposa Little League, c/o Shannon Hansen, P.O. Box 732, Mariposa, CA 95338.

Ethie, 50 years old, is survived by husband, George, 54, and son, King, 11.

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Radanovich Response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) issued the following statement after President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress:

“Tonight, during his State of the Union speech, President Obama sent the American people a number of mixed messages on his commitment to creating jobs and growing our struggling economy. On one hand, the President said he wants a jobs bill to help jumpstart the private sector, but on the other hand, many of his ideas are just more government spending that we can’t afford. These suggestions only temporarily prop up the private sector and lead to further economic uncertainty in the future. We need a jobs bill that incentivizes small and medium size businesses to grow and create jobs on their own, not more debt enhancing government subsidizes.

“After the overwhelming referendum on President Obama’s key policies in the election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate, the president continued to push for job killing and economy ruining legislation like government run healthcare and a national energy tax. These pieces of legislation are the worst possible prescriptions for an ailing economy—the American people recognize that, but apparently this President still does not.

“While I was pleased to hear the President call for a freeze on some discretionary spending, let’s not forget that this is the same President who has proposed to add $14 trillion to our national debt over the next decade. A spending freeze is only as good as the President’s word, which means he must be willing to use his veto pen if Congress sends him appropriations bills that exceed his freeze.

“The talk of changing the way business is done in Washington and not bowing down to special interests sounds good in a speech, but I have yet to see this Administration or the Democrat majority adhere to those principles. Backroom deals, kickbacks, and payoffs to states, unions or other special interests were at the heart of passing a cap and trade bill in the House and a government takeover of healthcare in both chambers of Congress. I can only hope that the President intends to uphold the principles he spoke about tonight regarding changing business as usual in Washington.

“Due in large part to water shortage problems, Valley families have had as difficult a year as nearly anyone in our nation and are looking to Washington to help create jobs and turn the economy around. Congress needs to get out of the business of politics and back to the business of enacting policy that will help the average American family during these difficult times. I look forward to working with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress during the remainder of my time in office to find solutions to the Valley’s most pressing problems.”

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Radanovich Statement on Decision to Not Seek Re-Election in 2010

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today released the following statement regarding his decision to not seek re-election in 2010:

“During the past 15 years that I have been a Member of Congress representing my friends, family and neighbors from our Central Valley, not a day goes by that I don’t feel a sense of pride and honor in being their voice in our nation’s capital.

“Every decision I make and every vote I cast is based solely on what is best for our Valley, our state and our nation.

“Being a congressman is a full-time commitment that takes one away from family, social events with friends, and cherished time at home. I knew that when I decided to run for Congress and know it today.

“I have also been blessed by having a supportive family with my wife Ethie who is my soul mate and the love of my life. And having a great son like King who makes us complete.

“Often, during those 15 years of service, I have had to put aside my personal life to fulfill my obligations as a public servant. I did it happily knowing that I had the support of my family despite often being disappointed when I wasn’t by their side.

“During the past couple of months, Ethie and I have had deep and often emotional conversations giving thanks for our many blessings and setting our priorities as a couple and as parents. It was during these sessions that it became clear to me that the time has come for me to place my family first and my public service career second.

“As many already know, Ethie has been valiantly fighting ovarian cancer for nearly three years. My family needs me, and I intend to be by their side to win this battle.

“It is for this reason that I have decided to not seek reelection to Congress in 2010.

“During this same time, I had numerous conversations with my most trusted advisors and colleagues including Congressman David Dreier, State Senator Dave Cogdill, Assemblyman Mike Villines, Mr. Richard Spencer and others, seeking their advice and counsel regarding my decision. They were all most supportive as you would expect friends to be.

“Finally, I intend to finish this session of Congress as I pledged to the voters in my district and will continue to fight to unite our valley in helping us get the water we need to save our state’s number one industry—agriculture.”

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Radanovich Lauds Congressional Forum in Fresno on Valley Man Made Drought

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today released the following statement after Rep. Doc Hastings (WA-04), ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04), ranking member of the Water and Power Subcommittee, announced that they will hold a congressional forum on resolving the San Joaquin Valley water crisis in Fresno, California on Monday, January 25, 2010.

“My Republican colleagues and I have made multiple requests to Chairman Rahall and Chairwoman Napolitano for a field hearing on the San Joaquin Valley’s regulatory drought and have thus far been ignored,” said Rep. Radanovich. “There is not a bigger issue in California than the ability for the Delta pumps to deliver water to the Valley’s hardworking agriculture community. For this Congress to simply ignore people’s cries for help and dismiss the problem Congress created is absolutely inexcusable and shameful.”

“I want to thank ranking members Hastings and McClintock for calling this congressional forum and am looking forward to hearing from anyone who wants to work together to solve California’s man made drought,” said Radanovich. “Bringing water to the Valley will continue to be my number one priority in Congress—we simply cannot endure another year of record low water deliveries because of a three inch fish.”

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Radanovich: Democrats Continue to Spend More Money That We Don’t Have

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today voted against H.R. 3288, the Democrats $447 billion omnibus appropriations bill.

“The Democrat majority carried on business as usual in Washington DC today—more spending of money that we don’t have,” said Rep. Radanovich. “At a time when Valley unemployment is on the rise and families struggle to pay their bills, Congress continues to increase that burden by shoveling debt on our children and grandchildren.”

The legislation increases FY 2010 spending by $49.7 billion or 12.5% compared to last year, and by $87.7 billion or 24.4% compared to FY 2008 at a time when the country is running record setting deficits.

“This economy is not going to recover if we continue to throw billions of taxpayer dollars against the wall and hope that something sticks,” said Radanovich. “Private industry is going to get our economy back on the right track and put people back to work, not a bigger government.”

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Radanovich to Obama: If You Are Serious about Job Creation, Start with 40,000 Ag Jobs in San Joaquin Valley

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today, as President Barack Obama held a Jobs Summit at the White House, and following the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announcement of 5 percent total contracted water deliveries for 2010, asked the President to save 40,000 jobs in California’s San Joaquin Valley by waiving Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations on the Delta pumps.

“Just this week the California Department of Water Resources announced a meager five percent water allocation from the State Water Project, the lowest initial allocation in history—leaving the hard working people of the San Joaquin Valley without water to farm, without jobs and standing in food lines…At a time when the Democrat controlled White House and Congress are desperately trying to ‘save or create’ jobs, there are 40,000 jobs in the San Joaquin Valley being sacrificed for a three inch fish,” wrote Rep. Radanovich. “Mr. President, if you are serious about job creation, you will waive ESA regulations on the Delta pumps and put 40,000 California farm workers and farmers back to work feeding this country…”

In February 2009, Rep. Radanovich introduced H.R. 856, the California Drought Alleviation Act, to temporarily suspend ESA provisions as they apply to the state and federal pumping facilities in the Delta during a time of drought. Radanovich has also repeatedly called for President Obama to convene the God Squad—a group of federal officials who have the authority to waive the Endangered Species Act if the restrictions are found to cause excessive destruction to jobs and the economy.

December 3, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama
President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Dear President Obama:

Today you hosted the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth at the White House with business leaders, economists, and government officials, including City of Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, from across the country to discuss ideas and policies to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Nowhere is the need for this more apparent than the economic crisis facing the San Joaquin Valley, where there is an opportunity to save 40,000 jobs without spending a cent of taxpayer dollars.

By now you should be well aware of the staggering unemployment rate in Fresno County of 15.8 percent, several points higher than the state and national unemployment averages. In some smaller farming communities in the San Joaquin Valley, unemployment has skyrocketed to an unheard of 40 percent. This economic devastation in the Valley is due to overzealous environmental regulations, which stopped the Delta pumps from providing necessary water for agriculture production and has caused a man-made, regulatory drought.

Just this week the California Department of Water Resources announced a meager five percent water allocation from the State Water Project, the lowest initial allocation in history—leaving the hard working people of the San Joaquin Valley without water to farm, without jobs and standing in food lines.

Agriculture is the number one industry in the San Joaquin Valley, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. You have the ability to save 40,000 jobs, at no taxpayer expense, by suspending the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and restoring water to agriculture in the Valley. The precedent was set for this action in 2004 when Congress passed a bill to provide water to New Mexico, despite ESA restrictions. There are currently two pieces of legislation pending in Congress to restore water to the San Joaquin Valley, the California Drought Alleviation Act which I introduced in February 2009, and Representative Devin Nunes’ Turn on the Pumps Act, for which I recently signed a discharge petition.

At a time when the Democrat controlled White House and Congress are desperately trying to ‘save or create’ jobs, there are 40,000 jobs in the San Joaquin Valley being sacrificed for a three inch fish.

Mr. President, if you are serious about job creation, you will waive ESA regulations on the Delta pumps and put 40,000 California farm workers and farmers back to work feeding this country, at no cost to taxpayers.

Sincerely,
/s/
GEORGE RADANOVICH

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Radanovich Statement After President’s Speech on Afghanistan

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) released the following statement after President Barack Obama’s speech on moving forward with a new strategy in Afghanistan and the addition of 30,000 American soldiers in the region.

“While matters such as sending additional American troops into a war zone should not be made in haste, I believe the President has had more than enough time to make this decision and tonight’s announcement is long overdue. The safety of our troops currently serving in Afghanistan and the safety of the Afghan people depends on the President getting this decision right.

“General Stanley McChrystal has made recommendations to President Obama regarding the amount of troops that are necessary to successfully carryout the counter-insurgency strategy and I am encouraged that the President has, for the most part, take the advice of his commanders on the ground. A successful counter-insurgency in Afghanistan will bring political, economic, and social stability to the country as well as deny the Taliban and al Qaeda from using the country as a breeding ground for future terrorist acts against America and our allies.

“However, I am concerned about the possibility of the Obama administration setting an arbitrarily determined troop withdraw before the new strategy has had time to be successful.

“Our military is the best in the world and I am confident there isn’t anything they can’t accomplish when the proper tools and resources are at their disposal. Every American owes their safety and freedom to our brave military men and women and we are forever grateful for their service.”

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Democrats Use Doctors as Political Pawns in Passing Irresponsible ‘Doc Fix’

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the ‘doc fix’ legislation that will add over $200 billion to the federal deficit.

“Today, Speaker Pelosi used doctors as political pawns to add over $200 billion dollars to our federal deficit. The need to permanently remove the Sustainable Growth Rate that makes it difficult for our hardworking doctors to provide care to the elderly should not be used for political posturing—we need to work together to fix the SGR problem once and for all.

“While this Democrat majority continues to pile debt onto the back of our children and grandchildren, Republicans have a better way to address the current problems with the Medicare payment rate. I hope doctors around the country will see the bill that passed today for what it is: reckless government spending fueled by political gamesmanship.”

NOTE: Following is a summary of Republicans’ better solution to reimburse physicians fairly and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the health care they need in a fiscally responsible way:

• Provide physicians with a two percent Medicare payment rate increase in each of the next four years. This would erase the scheduled 21 percent cut in 2010 and the roughly five percent cuts in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The remaining savings ($26.3 billion) generated by the reforms included in the GOP alternative will be used to address future cuts. At a cost of $210 billion, the Democrats’ bill would provide for a 0.8 percent payment rate increase in 2010, but physicians could see their rates cut as early as 2011.

• Avert the scheduled Medicare physician cuts in a fiscally responsible way by including reforms that would fully offset the cost of the bill. These reforms would:

Implement comprehensive, meaningful medical liability reform, ending junk lawsuits and costly defensive medicine by protecting doctors from overzealous trial lawyers who are looking to get rich quick (savings of $54 billion; H.R. 1086 introduced by Rep. Gingrey);

Use existing resources available to the HHS Secretary contained in the “Medicare Improvement Fund,” which is designed to improve physician payments (savings of $22.3 billion);

Create an approval process at FDA for biosimilar products with appropriate patent and market protections that continue to encourage innovation, providing Americans with access to affordable biologics and reducing the cost of health insurance (savings of $5.7 billion; nearly identical to H.R. 1548 introduced by Reps. Eshoo and Barton); and

Enact health insurance administrative simplification policies, eliminating inefficiencies that unnecessarily drive up health care costs, by creating greater standardization in health care forms and transactions (savings of $19 billion.)

Unlike the Democrats’ bill, the GOP proposal would not increase the deficit.

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$5,740,757 in 9 Phantom CA Congressional Districts = 24.2 Phantom Jobs

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today welcomed the addition of nine new, phantom California Congressional Districts created by President Obama’s Recovery.gov. Shockingly, of the nine new districts (one of which is without a number), the Obama Administration has spent over $5.7 million to create 24.2 fake jobs—in the “64th Congressional District”, the Democrats’ failed Stimulus spent $1,350,000 to create one tenth of a job.

“I am pleased to welcome the nine new congressional districts to the California delegation,” said Radanovich. “I can only hope that President Obama recognized the disparity between Democrat and Republican districts in California and had the foresight to designate the new districts as ‘Republican.’”

“All kidding aside, this is exactly the kind of waste, fraud and abuse that my Republican colleagues and I warned about before voting against the Stimulus,” said Radanovich. “You can guarantee that this same irresponsible government spending will happen with a new government run healthcare plan or a cap and tax energy scheme.

“So far, the Democrats’ failed $787 ‘stimulus’ has resulted in 10.2 percent unemployment and over 3 million jobs lost,” said Radanovich.

A state-by-state breakdown of the phony congressional districts can be found here.

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