News
Russian Community News (Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland)
An overview of the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on July 6, 2010 - 10:01am.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I spent much of last week participating in the confirmation hearings of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. It was almost a year ago, that I also participated in Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing and I consider both to be historic moments.
BP Oil Spill Is a Wake–Up Call to Our Nation
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on June 12, 2010 - 1:51pm.
As Americans continue to watch the failure of BP to turn off the oil spigot caused by the Deepwater Horizon explosion, we are distressed by the loss of life and sickened by the destruction to our Gulf Coast. Americans also are concerned about potential damage that could be caused as currents carry the oil eastward around Florida and possibly up the Atlantic Coast. As we watch and pray for a resolution of the biggest oil spill in our nation’s history, there are several key points we need to keep in mind.
What Really Happened: "I Was There". Letter from an Israeli Soldier
Submitted by editor on June 6, 2010 - 3:41pm.
First of all, I want to apologize for the bad try to write in English. But its really important.
If u heard or not, the Israeli navy took over 6 ships that try to get in to Gaza on Sunday. The media as usual, try to represent Israel as killers and cruel, but I was there, and I want u to know what really happens there.
Friday morning we left Haifa port as a command ship to find the “peace activity” ships. In one day we found theme all 6, south of Cyprus.
It’s Time to Prohibit Airlines from Charging for Carry-On Baggage
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on June 1, 2010 - 10:06am.
The summer travel season has started and many air travelers are planning ahead for what they may encounter. Unfortunately, over the years air travelers have become all too familiar with the additional fees that are often tacked on for traveling. From the cost of food to headphones to blankets, the number of amenities that often require an additional charge -- unfortunately -- has become common place and is growing. In fact, one carrier recently announced it will charge $45 for carry-on baggage.
We Need a Permanent Moratorium on Drilling Off the Atlantic Coast
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on May 7, 2010 - 9:55am.
Our nation is currently witnessing what could become the largest, most catastrophic environmental disaster in our history - a disaster that I do not want to see repeated along the Mid-Atlantic Coast, possibly threatening Ocean City, Assateague Island National Seashore, the Chesapeake Bay, and the economic health of Maryland.
For the first time in history there was a Russian Princess on Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC
Submitted by editor on April 24, 2010 - 1:32pm.
An annual National Cherry Blossom Festival has been celebrated in the U. S. Capital since 1935. This tradition began to commemorate the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.
Nonresponse Follow-up Operations Launch Locally. Census Takers Begin Door-to-door Data Collection
Submitted by editor on April 15, 2010 - 12:35pm.
Congress Acts to Put More Money into Pell Grants and Other Federal College Aid Programs
Submitted by editor on April 1, 2010 - 10:56pm.
Families who have struggled – or who are currently struggling -- to send a child to college will be pleased that Congress has acted to remove the middle man from student loan programs and put the money that is saved into helping more students attend college.
Congress recently voted to stop providing costly subsidies to banks to make student loans. Ending these subsidies to banks will save approximately $61 billion over the next 10 years, savings that will go directly to strengthening the Pell Grant program. Today, 85,000 Maryland students receive Pell Grants to help them attend college, and it is anticipated that increasing funding for the program will make it possible for an additional 15,000 Maryland students to receive Pell Grants.
International Women's Day Celebration at Washington. WEAR a HAT to succeed!
Submitted by editor on March 11, 2010 - 10:51pm.
Violence against Women Has Become a Global Epidemic
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on February 24, 2010 - 6:44pm.
Violence against women is an epidemic of global proportions. It ranges from domestic violence to rape, from acid burnings to so-called honor killings, and it threatens one out of every three women worldwide, with rates reaching up to 70 percent in some countries.
As Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I recently joined efforts to tackle this egregious problem by co-sponsoring the International Violence Against Women Act, S.2982
U.S. Census Bureau Offers Language Assistance Services to Help Russian Americans Complete the 2010 Census Form
Submitted by editor on February 23, 2010 - 10:40pm.
The Census Bureau has launched the 2010 Census Language Assistance Program to help residents in the Russian American community who don’t speak English complete their census form. Building on the success of the Census 2000 Language Assistance Program, the Census Bureau offers resources to help each community achieve an accurate 2010 Census count. The Language Assistance Program also helps reduce the cost of the 2010 Census by reducing the number of census takers that must go door-to-door to help residents fill out the form.
The Key to Job Creation is To Help Small Businesses
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on February 9, 2010 - 3:14pm.
2010 Census Hits the Road with «Be Counted» Message
Submitted by editor on January 26, 2010 - 6:38pm.
On January 4, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour started its journey across the United States and Puerto Rico to educate communities about the 2010 Census. One national and 12 regional vehicles drive around targeting high-attendance events, celebrations and ethnic community gatherings to reach out to the diverse U. S. population. To connect with the Russian-speaking population, the Road Tour vehicles will visit some Russian American neighborhoods, encouraging everyone to complete the 10-question form when it is released in March 2010.
Maryland Is Poised to Lead Our Nation’s Cybersecurity Defense against Terrorists
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on January 21, 2010 - 6:21pm.America is under constant attack from cyber criminals, terrorists and unfriendly nations that seek to do us harm. But cybersecurity involves more than identity theft and stealing money, it is about our national defense and homeland security.
As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, I am committed to strengthening our nation’s defenses against an attack via the Internet – an attack that could wreak havoc with our economy, bring our transportation system to a halt, alter the delivery of our energy resources, and much more.
Census Bureau Launches 2010 Census Advertising Campaign
Submitted by editor on January 14, 2010 - 11:48am.
The Sleeping Beauty. Mariinsky Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Submitted by editor on January 3, 2010 - 11:11am.
Universal Health Coverage and Affordable Care for All Americans
Submitted by editor on December 23, 2009 - 11:02pm.Cardin to Chair Water Subcommittee Hearing Examining Two of America’s Great Water Bodies the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf Of Mexico
Submitted by editor on November 6, 2009 - 8:04am.On Monday, November 9 at 3:00pm, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will chair a legislative hearing on Great Water Body Legislation: S. 1816 and S. 1311. Senator Cardin is the author of S. 1816, the Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act of 2009. S. 1311, the Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act, is sponsored by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS).
U.S. Census Bureau Seeks Partnerships with Russian American Organizations
Submitted by editor on September 16, 2009 - 6:59pm.Washington, D.C. Sept. 16, 2009- The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking to partner with Russian American organizations to increase participation of hard-to-reach Russian communities for the 2010 Census count. Russian American organizations can educate their audiences about the benefits of the 2010 Census and stress the value of a complete count for projections of Congressional representation. Following the census, results determine how more than $400 billion in funds are allocated to states for the development of hospitals, schools, police stations, roads and other critical community services. “It is extremely important for our community to be accurately counted,” stated Rabbi Alexander Milchtein, the Milwaukee Synagogue for Russian Jews (MSRL).
Cardin Announces Details of Draft Chesapeake Bay Reauthorization, Including New Funding For States and New Enforcement Provision
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on September 8, 2009 - 4:51pm.Amendment to the Clean Water Act strengthens the Chesapeake Bay Program
Auto Dealers Got a Raw Deal from Chrysler and GM
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on July 1, 2009 - 10:38am.Senator Cardin is a member of five Senate committees: Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, Budget, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. His web site is: cardin.senate.gov. He also can be found at YouTube.com/SenatorCardin
In May, Chrysler and General Motors (GM) announced they were closing more than 3,100 auto dealerships nationwide, including 30 in Maryland. Since then, I have met with a number of Maryland auto dealers who have talked to me about the arbitrary and capricious nature of the decision by the automakers to close their dealerships.
Congress takes important step to regulate tobacco products
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on June 18, 2009 - 10:37am.Senator Cardin is a member of five Senate committees: Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, Budget, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. His web site is: cardin.senate.gov. He also can be found at YouTube.com/SenatorCardin
After more than a decade, Congress has taken the important step of empowering the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products, including the power to remove harmful ingredients from tobacco products and to stop false claims made by the tobacco industry regarding the addictive nature of nicotine.
My Meeting With Judge Sonia Sotomayor
Submitted by Benjamin L. Cardin on June 9, 2009 - 10:00am.
This is an exciting time to be a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee as we move forward in vetting President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to become a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week I met with Judge Sotomayor. She is a remarkable individual and I was very impressed by the breadth of her legal experience. During our meeting, we talked about a wide range of issues including the protections found in the U.S. Constitution. I found her responses to be very frank and open. I was impressed by her candor and willingness to answer my questions about how she would go about deciding constitutional issues that might come before her, should she be confirmed.
Cardin praises Obama speech to the muslim world, calls on the president to press for human rights throughout the Middle East
Submitted by editor on June 4, 2009 - 4:27pm.Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address in Egypt:
“President Barack Obama’s speech today took an historic step in attempting to bridge the enormous, dangerous gulf of misunderstanding between the United States and the Muslim world. His intention, to reach out an open and peaceful hand to the Muslim community, is necessary and worthy. I salute the President for his eloquence in representing important core truths to the world about American principles -- principles that the President himself uniquely symbolizes for so many here in the United States and around the world.
Cardin joins EPA in announcing $121.6 Million in ARRA Funding for Maryland clean water projects
Submitted by editor on June 2, 2009 - 2:09pm.Funds Will Support Water Quality and Drinking Water Projects in Every County
BLADENSBURG, MD – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined Congressman Christopher Van Hollen (MD-8), officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to announce $121.6 million in funds for Maryland water quality and drinking water projects under President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
