Representative Government, Semper Fi

With the Senate in recess for the President’s Day holiday, I had the opportunity to work to strengthen the process of representative government.  I also got to witness the graduation of 520 young men and women who will defend our nation with courage and conviction in the U.S. military.

I started the week by conducting constituent meetings in 10 counties in Iowa.  I’ve now held meetings in 36 counties this year.

On Monday, I was in Maquoketa, DeWitt, Davenport, Eldridge, Wilton and Wapello.  On Tuesday, I was in Keokuk, Burlington, Keosauqua and Wayland.  On Wednesday, I was in Amana.  Many of the gatherings were town meetings, but I also went to workplaces for question-and-answer sessions with Iowans who may not be able to attend a town meeting during the work day.  And, I visited service clubs and a high school.

Meetings like these give me a chance to talk face-to-face with Iowans.  This week, we talked about energy, gas prices, the federal debt, the budget, the farm program, EPA regulations, health care, and national defense.  This dialogue, along with other ways of keeping in touch, is needed to make representative government work.  I have a responsibility to go to Iowans to listen to their points of view, and Iowans have a responsibility to share their concerns with their elected representatives.

At the end of the week, I made a trip to Parris Island, South Carolina, where since 1915, the U.S. Marine Corps has performed 12-week Recruit Training, better known as boot camp.

Barbara and I were aboard Parris Island for Family Day and the graduation of our grandson Michael Franklin.  It was a wonderful experience to see the graduation and to have the opportunity to observe the teamwork, discipline, fortitude, and tremendous commitment of all the recruits to defending the United States as U.S. Marines.

Since 1775, when the Continental Marines were formed as naval infantry, the Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict. Marines are known for being the first to fight.  Today, the rapid response capability of nearly 203,000 active duty and 40,000 reserve Marines makes this fighting force a vital component of U.S. foreign policy.