John Salazar (CO-03)
John Salazar
Candidate for Congress
Colorado (CO-03)
"Fighting Dem"
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"John Salazar is committed to ending America’s dependence on foreign oil. His plan to deliver low-cost, renewable energy to Colorado and America is strong and realistic: invest in renewable fuel technology and promote conservation and energy efficiency. We need John in the United States Congress to partner in the effort to create energy independence.
“John Salazar’s leadership and effectiveness in understanding the needs and expectations of rural voters provides Democrats with a blueprint for how to turn districts from red to blue. We need John Salazar in Congress to continue to lead by example and give rural Americans a voice in Washington.
“John’s perspective as a father, farmer, and public servant truly represent the values and interests of the American people. John Salazar will continue to fight tirelessly in Congress with the courage to make the difficult decisions necessary to lead our country in the right direction."
~ Wes Clark
About John Salazar
John Salazar
Candidate for Congress
Colorado (CO-03)
"Fighting Dem"
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“I am proud to represent the people of rural Colorado. For me, the right choice has never been about politics – the right choice is what rings best with rural values. We need to work together and do what’s best for our communities.” – Congressman John Salazar
A veteran and lifelong farmer, John Salazar has put his natural understanding of rural values to work as rural Colorado’s voice in Congress.
Putting the principles of hard work, honesty, integrity ahead of partisanship, Congressman Salazar has been an effective advocate for rural communities.
Congressman Salazar is one of only a handful of active farmers in Congress and he still works the land his family has been farming for six generations.
With his seat on the Agriculture Committee, Congressman Salazar is working on the 2007 Farm Bill to protect the interests of family farmers. In Congressman Salazar, local producers have found a strong advocate who understands their needs firsthand.
As the only Coloradoan on the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Salazar has been in a unique position to make sure the rural Colorado receives its fair share of federal tax dollars.
Congressman Salazar secured a record $50 million for much needed highway development in rural Colorado. Rural development has been ignored for years and Congressman Salazar remains dedicated to securing federal funding for local water and development projects
Congressman Salazar is also the only veteran from the Colorado delegation.
With a father who served in World War II and a son who served in the National Guard, Congressman Salazar has been committed to keeping the promises our nation made to veterans, service members, and their families.
The Colorado State Board of Veteran’s Affairs recently awarded Congressman Salazar the title “Outstanding Colorado Legislator”. Congressman Salazar’s efforts on behalf of our veterans have been recognized nationally as well, earning him a much coveted seat on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
Congressman Salazar and his wife, Mary Lou, have been married for nearly 30 years. The couple has three sons: Jesus, Esteban, and Miguel and one grandson: Charlie.
Colorado Congressman John Salazar Joins House Dems in backing revised GI Bill
John Salazar
Candidate for Congress
Colorado (CO-03)
"Fighting Dem"
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Colorado Congressman John Salazar Joins House Dems in backing revised GI Bill
October 18, 2006
By JOE HANEL | CHIEFTAIN WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON - Troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would get a package of new benefits if the GI Bill for the 21st century introduced Tuesday wins passage.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark at a Capitol press conference to promote the bill.
Salazar said the new legislation would do more than offer "lip service" to veterans by increasing benefits for people who serve in the military. He joined Pelosi and 13 other House Democrats in offering the measure.
The new GI Bill would:
- Pay the full cost of college plus three years of living expenses during school. The current GI Bill pays about two-thirds the cost of college, sponsors said.
- Boost health care spending for veterans by $3.2 billion a year and offer better mental health care.
- Allow veterans to keep both their disability pay and their full pensions.
- Increase survivor benefits for spouses and children.
- Protect National Guard and Reserve troops who face a pay cut when they are called up.
Many families of guardsmen "have actually lost their homes because of the cut in pay from serving abroad," Salazar said.
The bill also seeks to increase the size of the military to "adequate" levels, adding perhaps 20,000 to 30,000 new troops. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., made increasing troop levels a key part of his failed presidential bid last year.
"Our military is now overextended, and our troops are having to spend extended stays in Iraq," said Salazar, who served in the Army from 1973 to 1976.
At the press conference, Salazar read the names of some of the troops from Colorado killed in action in Iraq, including Marine Cpl. Randy Rosacker, Sgt. 1st Class Randall Rehn, Capt. Russell Rippetoe and Lance Corporal Thomas Slocum.
"The (new) GI Bill increases survivor benefits for those who have no father and no breadwinner," Salazar said.
The American Legion, which drafted the original GI Bill in 1944, supports the new version. Supporters of the new legislation credited the 1944 measure as one of the most important laws Congress ever passed.
Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, the senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said the current generation of veterans could rival the World War II generation, which returned home from the war to build the American middle class.
"It's my prediction that if we treat them right through this GI Bill - do more than put a bumper sticker on your SUV - that they, too, will become another ‘Greatest Generation,’ ” Skelton said.
The Rocky Mountain News Endorses John Salazar (CO-03)
John Salazar
Candidate for Congress
Colorado (CO-03)
"Fighting Dem"
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The Rocky Mountain News Endorses John Salazar (CO-03)
3rd District. Many lawmakers claim to be politically moderate, at least when they're running for office. But John Salazar, a Democrat representing an area that leans Republican, seems to be the genuine article: a fellow who both campaigns and legislates from the center.
Sure, he's voted with a majority in his party on many occasions since his election in 2004. But he's also bucked the party mainstream in a number of striking ways: favoring reform of the Endangered Species Act and ending a moratorium on drilling in the outer continental shelf. He's also voted to shield gun manufacturers from the posse of tort lawyers.
Salazar is one of the few working farmers in Congress, and landed a spot on the Agriculture Committee in hopes of promoting economic development on the Western Slope and in the San Luis Valley, where he's from.
It's hard to gain a foothold against a Democrat who has attracted the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.