The Officer January/February 2011 : Page 13
and Veteran Affairs committees. Of further note, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D–Minn.) lost his reelection bid; he also held a keen interest in roles and missions as an ex officio member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee. Other Democratic losses on the committee include Michael A. Arcuri (N.Y.), John A. Boccieri (Ohio), Christopher P. Carney (Pa.), Phil Hare (Ill.), Steve Kagen (Wis.), Betsy Markey (Colo.), Michael E. McMahon (N.Y.), Harry E. Mitchell (Ariz.), Mark H. Schauer (Mich.), Dina Titus (Nev.), Mr. Taylor (Miss.), Mr. Hall (N.Y.), Mr. Ortiz (Texas), Mr. Perriello (Va.), and Mr. Teague (N.M.). In addition, Brian Baird (Wash.) retired. While the media only mentioned the six-seat Republican gains in the Senate, the dynamic is much greater. Of 35 offices up for election, 16 senators will leave at the end of the 111th Congress. Sens. Evan Bayh (D–Ind.), Roland Burris (D–Ill.), Carte Goodwin (D–W.Va.), Edward Kaufman (D–Del.), and George LeMieux (R–Fla.) will all vacate the Senate Armed Services Committee. All were appointees, but Mr. Bayh who is retiring, and Sens. Arlen Specter (D–Pa.) and Burris will leave the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The Defense “While the media only mentioned the six-seat Republican gains in the Senate, the dynamic is much greater. Of 35 offices up for election, 16 senators will leave at the end of the 111th Congress.” Appropriations subcommittee will lose Sens. Robert Bennett (R–Utah), Kit Bond (R–Mo.), Sam Brownback (R–Kan.), Byron Dorgan (D–N.D.), Judd Gregg (R–N.H.), and Mr. Specter. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Specter both lost their primaries, while the others are retiring. Sens. George Voinovich (R–Ohio) and Burris opened up spots on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Others leaving the Senate include Jim Bunning (R–Ky.), Christopher Dodd (D– Conn.), Russ Feingold (D–Wis.), and Blanche Lincoln (D–Ark.). While Rep. Lincoln was not on a defense or veterans committee, ROA worked closely with her office on veteran and Guard and Reserve issues. For House and Senate committees and ROA, 2011 will be a rebuilding year. Many Capitol Hill relationships ended with the election. New members for both the Democratic and Republican parties will join defense and veteran committees, and ROA will be continuing office visits to reintroduce the association and its accomplishments. It is our hope that ROA members as constituents will help refresh ROA’s brand on Capitol Hill. Legislative Assistant Elizabeth Cochran and Sarinoglu contributed to this report. intern Erim Minuteman Losses in 2010 The Reserve Officers Association presents its Minuteman of the Year award each year to “the citizen who has contributed most to National Security during these times.” The award is normally given to a member of Congress, rotating between Senate and House, Democrat and Republican, and has also been presented to members of the Executive Branch. At the end of the 111th Congress in 2010, six Minuteman of the Year winners had left: Sen. Robert Byrd (D–W.Va.) 1990* Sen. Blanche Lincoln 2010 (D–Ark.) 2010 Rep. John Murtha (D–Pa.) 1992* *Deceased **Retired Rep. Ike Skelton (D–Mo.) 1995 Rep. Steve Buyer (R–Ind.) 1998** Rep. Gene Taylor (D–Miss.) 2007 the O fficer / J anuary –f ebruary 2011 13
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