Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Burr, Dole Resolution Commending Appalachian State’s National Championship Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate last night passed a resolution commending the Appalachian State University Mountaineers for their third straight national title in the Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision. Senators Burr and Dole sponsored the Senate measure. The Mountaineers beat the University of Delaware 49 to 21 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee on December 14. Appalachian State is the only team to win three straight Football Championship Subdivision titles. The resolution was unanimousl… Continue Reading
12.18.07
Burr Celebrates Anniversary Of Pandemic And All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)
Senator Richard Burr toured the Secretary's Operation Center (SOC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, DC today to celebrate the one year anniversary of the enactment of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) (P.L. 109-417). The SOC serves as the central point of communication and coordination for the Secretary of Health and Human Services in responding to disasters, emergencies, and ongoing health threats such as bird flu. The tour was led b… Continue Reading
12.18.07
Burr Applauds Passage Of Veterans Benefits Legislation
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today applauded Senate passage of the Blinded Veterans Paired Organ Act of 2007 (H.R.797) which makes it easier for veterans who are legally blind to qualify for additional disability compensation payments. It also provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more authority to issue headstones and grave markers, extends the VA's work study program for veterans, and provides states with federal assistance in maintaining their veterans' cemeteries. The legisl… Continue Reading
12.14.07
Burr Pleased By Confirmation Of North Carolina Judicial Nominee
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today praised the Senate's confirmation of Thomas Schroeder to serve as U.S. District Court judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. President George W. Bush nominated Schroeder on January 9, 2007. The Senate unanimously approved Schroeder's nomination today. "I would like to commend my Senate colleagues for confirming Tom Schroeder," Burr said. "Tom Schroeder's professional experience and excellent legal knowledge will make him an outstanding … Continue Reading
12.14.07
Burr Praises Senate Confirmation of Dr. James Peake
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today praised his Senate colleagues for acting quickly to confirm Dr. James Peake to serve as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). The nomination was approved by the Senate tonight by unanimous consent. "I am very pleased the Senate took quick action to confirm Dr. Peake to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs," Burr said. "Dr. Peake told me that he can think of no higher calling than serving the country and caring for veterans. This attitude, … Continue Reading
12.14.07
Burr Lauds Accomplishments For Veterans In Defense Authorization
Senator Richard Burr, the Ranking Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, praised today's passage of the conference report to H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The conference report contains a number of provisions that help veterans, including enhanced education benefits and expansion of health services for veterans with traumatic injuries and their families. "The Defense Authorization Act touches on a number of important issues faci… Continue Reading
12.14.07
Burr Votes To Support North Carolina’s Livestock And Poultry Farmers
Senator Richard Burr today voted against the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R.2419) because the legislation contained provisions that would harm North Carolina's livestock and poultry farmers. The bill prohibits meat packers from owning livestock and poultry or joining in price agreements with farmers for future sale. This provision would bring a great deal of instability to North Carolina's agriculture industry, since livestock and poultry farmers would have to sell their anima… Continue Reading
12.14.07
Senate Passes Burr’s Chimpanzee Protection Bill
The Senate approved Senator Richard Burr's chimpanzee protection bill, S.1916. The legislation amends the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act of 2000 (CHIMP Act) which established Chimp Haven in Keithville, Louisiana. The haven was created to house chimpanzees retired from federally-sponsored research labs. The measure precludes the National Institutes of Health from using retired chimpanzees for further medical research. Animals are chosen for retirement based upon r… Continue Reading
12.13.07
Burr Praises Progress in VA Construction Project in Durham
Senator Richard Burr today praised the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for moving forward with plans to renovate the Durham VA Medical Center. The VA announced today that it awarded an $8.4 million construction contract for the renovations. The demolition and reconstruction project calls for the construction of three new wards with larger patient rooms and private bathrooms for female veterans. "I am glad this important project is moving forward," Burr said. "North Carolina's ve… Continue Reading
12.13.07
Burr Applauds Committee Approval of VA Nominee
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today applauded the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs for unanimously approving the nomination of Dr. James Peake to serve as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The vote took place today in a special session of the committee held off the Senate floor. "Dr. Peake has spent most of his life caring for military personnel," Burr said. "Dr. Peake's service record and personal dedication to veterans make him very qualified to serve as Secretary of… Continue Reading
12.05.07
Burr Opening Statement
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, my colleagues. I thank you for scheduling this hearing in a very timely manner to consider the nomination of General James Peake to the secretary of veterans affairs. A number of my colleagues have said on this panel that it's important, especially now, to have a permanent leader at the helm of the Veterans Administration. With that in mind, I hope this committee can schedule a markup as soon as possible after this hearing. I think we can move this nomination to … Continue Reading
12.04.07
Dole, Burr and Easley to Navy: OLF Must Have Local Support
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley today wrote to Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter to reiterate their position that the general support of the local population is essential for locating an outlying landing field in North Carolina, and to press the Navy to identify potential economic benefits to affected communities. "The Washington County site is universally opposed and should not be considered as a viable option," wrote Dole, Burr and Ea… Continue Reading
11.21.07
Burr: We Have Many Reasons To Be Thankful
As we approach Thanksgiving this year, we have much to be thankful for. Our freedom and economic prosperity continues to offer opportunity for our citizens, and through education and hard work, we're continuing to grow our economy. As we gather to be with our friends and family, it is good to remind ourselves of the many reasons to be thankful. Unfortunately, for many families, there are empty seats at the Thanksgiving table this year. Today, America's Armed Forces are continuing to fight t… Continue Reading
11.16.07
Burr Praises Renaming of Asheville Veterans Center
The President yesterday signed H.R. 2546, an act designating the Asheville VA Medical Center as the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. According to the legislation, this designation became effective as soon as the President signed the bill into law. The measure passed the Senate on November 1. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives in June. "I am pleased the Asheville VA Medical Center will bear the name of a North Carolina hero," Burr said. … Continue Reading
11.15.07
Burr, Dole Introduce Bill To Expand Pisgah National Forest
Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole introduced legislation today that would authorize the forest service to acquire twenty-three acres of land near Catawba Falls and the Pisgah National Forest. Congressman Heath Shuler recently introduced companion legislation in the house. Purchasing the property would allow the Forest Service to open a public trail to Catawba Falls. The land would be acquired from the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, who purchased the property in July using pri… Continue Reading
11.15.07
Burr, Dole Introduce Bill To Study Perquimans River
Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole introduced legislation today that begins the process of providing the Perquimans River with federal protection. The Perquimans River Wild and Scenic Study Act of 2007 would authorize the National Park Service (NPS) to study the Perquimans River and its tributaries to determine if the waterway qualifies for Wild and Scenic designation. The designation would not affect private property rights or re-zone any land around the river. "As North Carolina … Continue Reading
11.14.07
Dole, Burr to Easley: Seeking more potential OLF sites not the right course of action
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr today responded to North Carolina Governor Mike Easley regarding his letter about the outlying landing field and the OLF Study Group's findings. "While we agree with your assessment that North Carolina residents and officials in potentially impacted areas are overwhelmingly opposed to an OLF, we disagree with your view that the best course of action is now for the congressional delegation to recommend that the Navy develop yet another list of pote… Continue Reading
11.14.07
Text of Letter to Governor Easley
Dear Governor Easley, Thank you for writing to us concerning the Navy's proposed outlying landing field and the conclusions of the Study Group you commissioned earlier this year. While we agree with your assessment that North Carolina residents and officials in potentially impacted areas are overwhelmingly opposed to an OLF, we disagree with your view that the best course of action is now for the congressional delegation to recommend that the Navy develop yet another list of potential locatio… Continue Reading
11.14.07
Burr Lauds Committee Passage Of Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Health Care
U.S. Senator Richard Burr, the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, applauded the committee's passage of several pieces of legislation addressing veterans' health care needs. "I'm glad the Committee focused its attention today on the health care needs of our nation's veterans," Burr said. "In particular, I am proud to cosponsor the mental health bill that passed the Committee today," he added. The Mental Health Improvements Act of 2007 (S. 2162), … Continue Reading
11.02.07
Sen. Burr Introduces Legislation To Help Medical Students Facing Economic Hardship
Senator Richard Burr today introduced a bill that will help struggling medical students as they get started in their careers. Burr is offering an amendment to the Higher Education Act to restore the 20/220 rule or the medical student loan deferment program. Unfortunately the rule was eliminated in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2699) and has a negative effect on medical residents and their ability to repay their student loans. The legislation was passed by Congress earlier th… Continue Reading
