Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Burr: Lowering High School Drop-Out Rate Achievable
The state of North Carolina has recently released its most current public high school graduation statistics. The numbers are alarming—only 68% of our students graduate from high school. The numbers are bleaker for various subgroups of students—a 60% high school graduation rate for Black students, 55% for low-income students, and 52% for Hispanic students. Eighty percent of the Nation's high schools with the highest number of dropouts are in only 15 states--North Carolina is one of those states. … Continue Reading
03.20.07
Burr: High Passport Demand Calls for Advance Planning; Expect Delays in Processing
Today Senator Richard Burr called on North Carolinians who need passports to plan ahead and expect delays due to the unprecedented high demand at the U.S. Department of State for passport services. Recent changes requiring American citizens traveling by air to Mexico or Canada to have a passport have contributed to the increased volume in requested passport services. "I encourage all North Carolinians to plan ahead and take the necessary steps to ensure passports are updated in advance o… Continue Reading
03.20.07
Burr: Army Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline Now Available
Today Senator Richard Burr highlighted the creation of the Army's Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline which will provide wounded Soldiers and their family members another way to resolve medical issues. The hotline will provide Soldiers an opportunity to share their health care related issues with senior Army leadership in order to improve the way the Army serves health care needs. "Our men and women in the military deserve the best medical care available. Anything less than that is un… Continue Reading
03.14.07
Burr Reintroduces “Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act”
Today Senator Richard Burr reintroduced the Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act, S. 874. Burr's legislation provides supportive services to keep low-income veterans in permanent housing so they do not become homeless. It will increase veterans' access to assistance for housing, physical and mental health services, health insurance, and vocational and financial counseling. "I am grateful to the veterans who have given so much to our country. While we can never fully repa… Continue Reading
03.13.07
Burr, Dole Re-Introduce the Scott Gardner Act
Today U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole re-introduced the Scott Gardner Act. The legislation requires the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The bill is named for Scott Gardner, a Gaston County native, who was killed by a drunk driver while traveling on vacation with his family in 2005. The driver was an illegal immigrant with four previous DWI convictions. U.S. Representative Sue Myrick introduced a similar bill in the House of Repres… Continue Reading
03.06.07
Burr Introduces “Graduate for a Better Future Act”
Today U.S. Senator Richard Burr introduced the Graduate for a Better Future Act. Burr's legislation aims to help public high schools improve graduation rates by focusing on the 3 R's of high school reform: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. The bill establishes a competitive grant program targeted at school districts and high schools with the lowest graduation rates. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is the lead co-sponsor of the legislation. "I believe investing in education is one of… Continue Reading
02.15.07
Burr Announces Visits Over February Recess
Senator Richard Burr will visit Bertie, Chatham, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Durham, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Lee, Northampton, Vance, and Warren counties during the February recess. Any media wishing to cover one or more of Senator Burr's visits MUST contact the host site or organization prior to the event. Please contact Senator Burr's office to schedule separate interviews. Monday, February 19 11:00 AM Senator Burr to participate in USDA Rural Development Home Tour First Home on… Continue Reading
02.14.07
Burr Introduces Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act
Today U.S. Senator Richard Burr introduced the Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act. Burr's legislation provides supportive housing, which combines housing with supportive services such as mental health, substance abuse, and employment opportunities for chronically homeless individuals. The bill establishes a grant program through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help end chronic homelessnes… Continue Reading
02.09.07
Burr Announces Military Academy Nominations
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today announced his nomination of fifty North Carolinians to serve at one of our nation's military academies. The nominees were selected after an application and interview process conducted by Senator Burr's Academy Selection Committee, which is comprised of military academy graduates, veterans, and community leaders from across the state. The nominees, their hometown, parents' names, and high school are listed below the academy to which they have been nominated. Uni… Continue Reading
02.09.07
Burr Congratulates John Queen for his Election as President of National Cattlemen’s Association
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today congratulated John Queen, a native of Waynesville, North Carolina, for his election as president of the National Cattlemen's Association. Since its inception in 1898, the association has only had two other presidents from the southeastern United States. "John will be a grassroots champion for cattlemen and North Carolina's agriculture community," Burr said. "I congratulate him and look forward to working with him." Queen was elected … Continue Reading
02.08.07
Burr Raises Concerns Over Lack of Funding for BRAC Military Transition
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today on the Senate floor raised concerns about lack of funding in the Continuing Resolution for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The lack of funds may affect a wide-ranging list of military construction and quality of life projects such as barracks, family housing, child care centers, and military training. The Continuing Resolution is a budget measure to fund the government for the remainder of the 2007 fiscal year. The Senate is expected to take up … Continue Reading
02.06.07
Burr Applauds U.S. Trade Representative for Challenging China on Unfair Trade Practices
Senator Richard Burr today praised the U.S. Trade Representative for challenging China's inconsistent trade practices which harm America's businesses. Last week, the U.S. Trade Representative filed suit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to initiate dispute settlement consultations with China regarding its use of unfair trade subsidies. "I believe it is important to confront China on its unfair trade subsidies, because these trade issues significantly impact North Carolina's eco… Continue Reading
02.05.07
Burr Announces North Carolina Economic Development Summit on Health Care
Senator Richard Burr today announced he will cosponsor a North Carolina Economic Development Summit focusing on wellness and prevention solutions and health care research and development on Tuesday, February 20 at the Durham Civic Center in Durham. Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health, will deliver the keynote address at the summit. The summit will be moderated by North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services Carmen Hooker Odom. "The health car… Continue Reading
01.23.07
Burr Statement on the State of the Union Address by President George W. Bush
-- U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) made the following statement regarding the President's State of the Union Address: "Tonight, President Bush outlined an aggressive domestic agenda as well as reiterated his strategy forward in Iraq. I was heartened to hear him talk about increasing access to affordable health care, improving fiscal responsibility, reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy and enhancing our nation's energy security, strengthening our public schools, and pa… Continue Reading
01.11.07
Burr Settles Orange Bowl Bet with McConnell
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today honored his bet with Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) by delivering an authentic North Carolina barbeque lunch to McConnell's Washington office. Senator McConnell's alma mater, Louisville beat Burr's Wake Forest Demon Deacons 24-13 in the Orange Bowl on January 2. Prior to the game, the senators placed a friendly wager - a Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch for North Carolina barbeque on the outcome of the game. "I am proud of the successful season … Continue Reading
01.10.07
Burr Statement on President Bush’s Remarks on Iraq
-- U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today made the following statement regarding the President's remarks on Iraq: "I have always believed we must succeed in Iraq. Failure is not an option. We owe it to our troops and to the Iraqi people to remain committed to supporting a free and stable Iraq. The Iraqi leadership must rise to the challenge—the world is watching. It is critical for the Iraqi government to take immediate steps to disband the sectarian militias and death squads, pass key oil… Continue Reading
12.27.06
Burr Statement on the Death of President Gerald Ford
Today U.S. Senator Richard Burr issued the following statement on President Gerald Ford's death: "We have lost a true American hero. President Gerald Ford was a distinguished leader and statesman. He helped bring our nation together during a time of turmoil and his legacy and contributions will be remembered for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with the Ford family during this sad and difficult time."… Continue Reading
12.19.06
Burr’s Biodefense and Pandemic Preparedness Legislation Signed into Law
Today President Bush signed into law S. 3678, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act authored by Senator Richard Burr. This legislation represents the culmination of two years of bipartisan work within Congress on important issues of preparedness for all-hazards public health emergencies be they chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats as well as deliberate, accidental or natural disasters. "I am thrilled President Bush signed this important piece of legislation int… Continue Reading
12.14.06
Burr Announces Over $800,000 for Mayland Community College
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today announced $899,000 in federal funds for Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine. The money will be used to build a new health sciences building, which will develop the college's nursing and medical assistant training program. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce through its Economic Development Administration. "I applaud Mayland Community College for playing an important role in helping Mitchell County's economy prosper," Burr sa… Continue Reading
12.14.06
Burr Announces $1 Million for Cleveland Community College
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today announced $1,000,000 in federal funds for Cleveland Community College in Shelby. The money will be used to build a new workforce training facility, which will enhance the college's allied health programs. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce through its Economic Development Administration. "I applaud Cleveland Community College for expanding its allied health program," Burr said. "These funds will provide Cleveland County ci… Continue Reading
