Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Senate HELP Committee Approves Burr’s Bipartisan Public Health and Medical Preparedness and Response Bill
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions today unanimously approved S. 3678, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act authored by Senator Richard Burr. Cosponsors of the legislation include: Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Bill Frist (R-TN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Ted Kennedy (D-MA). "We have learned from Katrina and 9/11 that we must do more to improve our public health and medical response systems must respond faster," said Senator Burr. "This legis… Continue Reading
07.18.06
Burr Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Nation’s Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness, today introduced S.3678, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act to improve our public health and medical preparedness and responses during emergencies and disasters. Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Bill Frist (R-TN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) joined Senator Burr in co-sponsoring the legislation. "Last week I went down to New Orleans to meet with health care … Continue Reading
06.29.06
Senators Burr and Lincoln Introduce the Helping Sole Community Hospitals Act of 2006
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) today introduced the Helping Sole Community Hospitals Act of 2006. The legislation would provide Sole Community Hospitals (SCH) monetary relief by waiving the 12 percent cap on disproportionate share hospital payments. Approximately 156 Sole Community Hospitals nationwide would benefit from the legislation including four hospitals in North Carolina. The hospitals in North Carolina that would benefit from the legislation are: Spruce P… Continue Reading
06.29.06
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $21 Million for Port of Wilmington
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Energy and Water spending bill for fiscal year 2007. Dole and Burr successfully advocated for the bill to include $21 million for the Port of Wilmington's construction and maintenance. "The Port of Wilmington is an economic powerhouse for North Carolina, as I saw firsthand when I visited the facility earlier this month," said Dole. "It is critically importa… Continue Reading
06.29.06
Burr Announces Federal Funding for the Triangle Urban League in Durham
Senator Richard Burr today announced $75,920 in federal funding for the Triangle Urban League (TUL) in Durham. The funds were awarded by the Employment and Training Administration in coordination with the United States Department of Labor's Faith Based and Community Initiatives Office. "I applaud the Triangle Urban League's hard work and dedication to provide employment skills training to at-risk teens. Community initiative organizations like TUL are doing vital work for those in need ac… Continue Reading
06.29.06
Burr Announces Federal Funding for Reading Connections, Inc. in Greensboro
Senator Richard Burr today announced $74,498 in federal funding for Reading Connections, Inc. in Greensboro. The grant was awarded by the Employment and Training Administration in coordination with the United States Department of Labor's Faith Based and Community Initiatives Office. "I am pleased with the services Reading Connections, Inc. provides to Guilford County," Burr said. "Reading skills are necessary for day to day life. These funds will help teach more adults to re… Continue Reading
06.28.06
Burr Announces Visits Over July 4th Recess
Senator Richard Burr will visit Buncombe, Caldwell, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania counties during the July Recess. Burr will tour health care facilities, visit non-profit organizations, meet with local elected officials, and deliver remarks to civic groups. 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. … Continue Reading
06.27.06
Burr Statement on the Flag Protection Amendment
-- U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today made the following statement on the Flag Protection Amendment: "I feel strongly that our flag is a symbol of the spirit, principles, and system of government on which this nation is founded. We should view the flag as a national monument and treat it with respect and protect it. I am a co-sponsor of this resolution. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass this resolution by one vote. Sixty-seven votes are needed to … Continue Reading
06.22.06
Burr’s Veterans Homelessness Bill Approved Today by Veterans Affairs Committee as Part of Comprehensive Veterans Package
Today Senator Richard Burr's Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act, S. 1991, was approved by the Veterans Affairs Committee as part of Committee Chairman Senator Larry Craig's (R-ID) Veterans Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006, S.2694. 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,… Continue Reading
06.22.06
Burr Applauds Senate Approval of Whitney Nomination
Senator Richard Burr today applauded the Senate for confirming the nomination of Frank Whitney to be a United States District Court Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. Mr. Whitney was nominated by President Bush on February 14, 2006. "I am pleased that the Senate has approved the nomination of Mr. Whitney. Frank is exceedingly qualified to serve on the federal bench. I am confident he will continue his record of public service with honor and distinction. This is a good da… Continue Reading
06.20.06
Burr Announces Over $2.1 Million for North Carolina Ferry System
- Senator Richard Burr today announced $2,166,332 in federal funding for the North Carolina Ferry System. The grant will be used to help construct a new 220-foot Sound Class ferry for service between Cedar Island and Ocracoke. The United States Department of Transportation awarded the funds. "The ferry system is vital to coastal North Carolina. It serves both the tourism industry and the residents of communities like Ocracoke," said Senator Burr. "These funds will ensure an e… Continue Reading
06.20.06
Burr Announces Over $1.5 Million in Federal Funding for Iredell County
- Senator Richard Burr today announced $1,507,275 in federal funding to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to reconstruct the Interstate 40 and Interstate 77 interchange in Iredell County. The United States Department of Transportation awarded the funds. "It is important that our highways are safe and modern," said Senator Burr. "These funds will ensure North Carolina's interstates are safe and easy to access and will reduce traffic conge… Continue Reading
06.19.06
Burr Announces Over $2.3 Million for North Carolina State Shipyard
- Senator Richard Burr today announced $2,363,271 in federal funding to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The grant will be used to renovate the North Carolina state shipyard, also known as the Manns Harbor Maintenance Facility in Dare County. The United States Department of Transportation awarded the funds. "North Carolina's ferry system is an important part of our coastal communities," Burr said. "This funding will increase the shipyard's productivity as well … Continue Reading
06.14.06
Burr Calls for Action to Improve Emergency Care in America
Senator Richard Burr today called for action to improve the state of emergency care in America citing the Institute of Medicine's comprehensive report on the future of emergency care. The Institute of Medicine report released today calls for a more coordinated, regionalized, and accountable emergency care system. The report found that this vision for emergency care is impeded because the federal programs that support emergency health care are not centralized, and dispersed among the U.S. De… Continue Reading
06.09.06
Great News: North Carolina’s Economy Is Something to Brag About by Richard Burr
Great News: North Carolina's Economy Is Something to Brag About by Richard Burr I don't know about you, but I am tired of hearing about how bad things are in the United States today. Sure, I want gas prices to come down. I want food and health care costs reduced. I want lower college tuition rates. What I want is not unlike what you want. But, do not conclude that just because gas prices are high or because tuition rates go up each year that our economy is in bad shape. In fact, North C… Continue Reading
06.09.06
Senators Burr and Dodd Introduce Nursing Home Fire Safety Act
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) today introduced the Nursing Home Fire Safety Act of 2006. The legislation would authorize funding through loans or grants to nursing homes to retrofit fire sprinkler systems into their facilities. Automatic fire sprinkler systems greatly improve the chances of survival for the elderly in the event of a fire in a nursing home. "It is important residents in nursing homes not only receive the best care possible, but also live in th… Continue Reading
06.08.06
Burr Statement on Al-Zarqawi
-- U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today made the following statement on the death of terrorist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi: "I am proud of our men and women in uniform for their hard work and dedication in removing such a ruthless, violent terrorist leader. His actions from assassinations to suicide attacks have taken the lives of many American soldiers and thousands of innocent Iraqis. Today's announcement is a step toward a free and stable Iraq." # # #… Continue Reading
06.08.06
Dole, Burr Call for Increased Representation on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr called for increased North Carolina representation on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In a letter to President Bush, the Senators urged the White House to increase the number of North Carolinians on the Fourth Circuit. "As you know, states generally are represented on the federal appellate circuits in proportion to their populations," wrote Dole and Burr. "Based upon this guidepost, one would expect North… Continue Reading
06.08.06
Burr Announces Over $2.8 Million in Federal Education Funding
Senator Richard Burr today announced $2,871,016 in federal funding for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The funding will be used to study the effectiveness of the Early College High School (ECHS) Model by comparing the achievement, behavior, attitudes, and dropout rates of students attending these high schools to students attending more traditional high schools. The United States Department of Education awarded the funds. "It is important we do all we can to encourage st… Continue Reading
06.07.06
Burr Announces Federal Grant Workshop in Fayetteville
Senator Richard Burr today announced his office will sponsor a statewide federal grant workshop in Fayetteville to focus on improving access to federal grants for faith-based and community initiatives. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 9:00 AM at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum located at 100 Bragg Boulevard in downtown Fayetteville. The workshop is part of Burr's North Carolina Economic Development series to make North Carolina more competitive in the federal… Continue Reading
