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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter July 11
Announcing KU Cancer Center Has Earned NCI’s Most Prestigious Status
On Thursday, I announced that the University of Kansas Cancer Center has earned the National Cancer Institute’s Most Prestigious Status – Comprehensive.
This announcement is a significant step forward and a huge milestone for KU Cancer Center. The NCI Comprehensive Designation Status solidifies KU Cancer Center as a national and world leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer and will open new avenues for federal funding, collaborative research opportunities and deeper partnership with NCI. The millions of dollars in increased funding from NCI is absolutely critical to supporting KU’s research and development and translating their findings into effective treatments for patients. As an Appropriator in the United States Senate, I look forward to continue investing in NIH research which will provide NCI a larger allocation to distribute resources to cancer centers like KU. The grants that we frequently apply for, that are too often rejected, now stand a greater chance of being accepted.
My priority is to make Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering and research. But my main priority is to make Kansas a place where we are not only recruiting the top talent in the world to our state, but also keeping our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas. Kansans will have the opportunity to change the world, the globe, right here from home.
KU Cancer Center now joins only 52 institutions across the country that have earned the NCI Comprehensive Designation. There are a number of individuals who deserve a special thanks today, and especially the entire leadership team at the KU Cancer Center. Chancellor Girod, Dr. Simari and Dr. Jensen, should feel immense pride in their team and the work at KU Cancer Center. This is only the beginning, and really good things continue and begin to happen here at the KU Cancer Center. If you have a family member that suffers from this tremendous disease, there is more hope today than there was yesterday. And, God willing, one day we will provide something more than hope. We will provide that cure.
The VA Outpatient Clinic in Kansas City, Kansas is Officially Open
On Friday, it was great to be with veterans in Kansas City as we officially opened a new VA Outpatient Clinic. To open the new VA Outpatient Clinic, we were joined by the first patient to be treated at the clinic and navy veteran, Carroll Hill. Mr. Hill’s grandfather was also the first American drafted in WWI. This is a family that is truly dedicated to serving our country and I thank them for their service. There is no group of individuals I hold in higher regard than those who have served our country, and I’m pleased that this new VA Outpatient Clinic will help veterans like Mr. Hill. This VA Outpatient Clinic will offer many important services to veterans in the KC-area including primary care, labs, pharmacies, tele-health and behavioral-health services.
During the ceremony today, we were also joined by Paul Mimms, the Vice President of the National Blinded Veterans Association. Mr. Mimms presented the VA Outpatient Clinic with a Bronze Braille Flag to be on display at the clinic. I appreciate all Mr. Mimms does for veterans in Kansas and across our country, and I look forward to displaying a replica of the Bronze Braille Flag in my office.
Thank you to Director Rudy Klopfer, Joseph Burks and everyone in the Eastern Kansas VA Health System, as well as Bill Turner, Director of the Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs, for your commitment to serving our veterans.
Attending ATLAS Pod Ribbon Cutting in Emporia
This week, I attended the ribbon cutting for ATLAS (“Accessing Telehealth Through Local Area Stations”) Pod at American Legion Ball-McColm Post #5 in Emporia. The addition of this telehealth pod for the region means better access to quality health care for our veterans, especially those with limited broadband access in rural areas. This event is a significant step for our veteran community, and I was pleased to work with the VA, as well as the American Legion and the telehealth pod designer Philips, to bring the first ATLAS pod to Kansas. During a time when many people across our state and country are turning to telehealth as a convenient option for quality care, it is critical this same benefit is offered to our veterans. Thank you to all of the leadership and members at American Legion Post #5, as well as Joseph Burks, from the Eastern Kansas VA, and Matthew Shuman, of Philips, for their work in making this project a reality for our veteran community here in Kansas.
Announcing a Federal Investment for Emporia State University
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to join Emporia State University to announce a $1.5 million-dollar federal investment to establish a cybersecurity center on campus. Cybersecurity is more relevant now than ever, and I appreciate Emporia State’s commitment to broadening the educational programs that are essential to national security. With this investment, Emporia State can train the next generation of professionals to deter cyber-attacks on both a large scale, and right here in Kansas. Thank you to Dr. Ed Bashaw, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Greg Schneider at Emporia State for allowing me to speak.
Meeting with Upward Bound Students at Emporia State University
While at Emporia State I also got a chance to speak with students participating in the Upward Bound Trio program. It was great to hear these young adults share the positive impacts that Upward Bound has had on their academic success, and I enjoyed learning more about the variation of services this program provides for them. Academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, and financial guidance are just a few of the ways in which TRIO aims to improve educational experiences and sustain retention rates for our high school students. Supporting programs like Upward Bound has been a priority to me during my time in Congress because of the clear effect it has on educational access for young Kansans. I appreciated visiting with the Northern Heights and Emporia High schoolers participating in this program, and I thank the Upward Bound leadership team for their dedication to improving the lives of these promising young adults.
Speaking to Emporia Lions Club Meeting
While in Emporia, I had the opportunity to join the Emporia Lions Club to speak with them about the issues facing their community and the surrounding area. I also want congratulate the Emporia Lions Club for marking 100 years of serving their community!
It takes generations of Kansans committed to serving their neighbors to achieve this goal. Civic clubs like Emporia bring us together and offer us the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people close to us, which is truly one of the most impactful ways we can live. I also appreciate the insight this group provided as we discussed the importance of providing opportunities for students in the local area who are interested in STEM. Thank you to Tammy Edmiston, President of the Emporia Lions Club, and all of the other Emporia Lions Club and Emporia State members who joined in this discussion.
Announcing New Federal Resources for Riley County Police Department
This morning on my way back to Washington, D.C., I joined Interim Director Kurt Muldrup of the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) to announce new federal resources for the department to purchase a vehicle for the Hazardous Evidence Response Team. As the lead appropriator for the Department of Justice, I worked to secure this investment for our law enforcement in order to address the growing problem of issues with hazardous materials across our state. In a time when others have called to defund the police, I have made every effort to support our law enforcement community, and to provide them with the resources necessary to fulfill their mission of protecting and serving our Kansas communities. I will continue to work alongside our Kansas law enforcement to make certain they receive the support they need.
To those who serve our country in blue uniforms, thank you. You deserve our respect and gratitude for risking your lives to protect us, our families and our neighbors. I want to recognize the work of Interim Director Kurt Moldrup, Sergeant Dustin Weiszbrod and everyone else who serves with the Riley County Police Department. Thank you also to the local and state elected officials who joined us today to show support for our law enforcement, and to discuss the ways in which we can work together to provide necessary resources for our police and to keep our communities safe.
Touring AdventHealth in Ottawa
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit AdventHealth in Ottawa for a tour of their facility. During the visit, I saw firsthand the efforts of the staff at AdventHealth to provide quality health and wellness care for the surrounding community. This center offers a wide variety of services for nearby Kansans, including senior and children’s care, diabetes treatment, a full spectrum of cancer care, emergency and urgent care services, occupational medicine, neurology and neurosurgical care, orthopedic services and lab testing. Thank you to AdventHealth CEO Dallas Purkeypile, Ottawa Mayor Eric Crowley, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Coen, Ottawa City Manager Richard Nienstedt, Kansas Hospital Association President Chad Austin and all of the health care providers at AdventHealth for hosting me during my visit.
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KS Launches Mental Health Lifeline
Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates the Launch of the 9-8-8 Mental Health Lifeline in Kansas
~~Starting July 16 Kansans Can Call 9-8-8 During Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Emergencies~~
WICHITA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that launches 9-8-8 as the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Beginning Saturday, July 16, Kansans and all Americans can call 9-8-8 during mental health and substance abuse emergencies. Governor Kelly joined Sedgwick County Commissioners, legislators, and local advocates for the celebration at the Sedgwick County Courthouse.
“With 9-8-8, we are on the path to reversing our country’s mental health crisis and getting Kansans the help they need,” Governor Kelly said. “Just as every American knows to call 9-1-1 in times of emergency, every American – and every Kansan – will soon know to call 9-8-8 when they or a loved one is facing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.”
Governor Kelly announced in January of this year that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) received the Lifeline’s 9-8-8 State Planning Grant through the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health to develop plans to build the infrastructure for and grow access to the Lifeline’s new three-digit 9-8-8 number. Governor Kelly signed SB 19 in June so that going forward, each July 1 $10 million in state general funds will be appropriated to fund 9-8-8 with no access fee for Kansans.
The new “9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline” will connect callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and offer a broader range of services for people experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use crisis. Callers will be connected to resources in their local community and to in-person crisis services where available. Kansans who dial 9-8-8 will be routed to a local crisis specialist trained to address unique concerns and needs, which may include assessment, stabilization, referral, and follow-up.
“Kansas is the 14th state to fund 9-8-8 through legislation and we are excited for the national launch of 9-8-8,” KDADS Behavioral Health Services Commissioner Andrew Brown said. “KDADS has been working throughout the Kelly Administration to increase the infrastructure in Kansas for suicide prevention and crisis intervention in preparation for 9-8-8. This will be the first of several milestones that will help Kansans experiencing a crisis get improved access to the help they need during a crisis.”
KDADS partnered with the Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ, Johnson County Mental Health, COMCARE of Sedgwick County, HealthSource Information Solutions, and TBD Solutions LLC, to develop clear roadmaps to address coordination, capacity, funding, and communications surrounding the launch of 9-8-8 and collaborated with state leadership, suicide prevention experts, people with lived experience, and others to create a 9-8-8 implementation plan and support the Lifeline’s operational, clinical, and performance standards that allow access to care.
Individuals will still be able to access the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) after the July 16 implementation of 9-8-8. The current Lifeline and 9-8-8 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via call, text, or chat. All phone service providers are required to connect callers who dial 9-8-8 to the Lifeline.
Letter to the Editor: Randy Nichols
I have dealt with the issue of abortion throughout my 40 year medical career. I understand and respect the views of those opposed to abortion. I also understand and respect the difficult decision women in my practice sometimes had to make regarding whether to continue their pregnancy. Dr. George Tiller was an attending physician for our Family medicine residency. He practiced Family medicine, did abortions, was active in the Wichita community, was a deacon in his church. One Sunday he was murdered in that church by a “pro-life” advocate. So, as the old song says, I’ve “looked at life from both sides now.”
The “Value them Both” amendment is the most prejudicially written ballot issue I remember reading. So understand what voting yes on this amendment really says. It says that you are giving up your right to personal choice. You are handing your freedom of choice to the government. I personally support our constitutional right to separation of church and state. I support the right of women’s freedom of choice. Understand that pro-choice is not necessarily pro-abortion. I trust women to make the right choice based on their religious and personal beliefs, their family and life situation, the circumstances of their pregnancy and their health risks. Don’t give the government the right to tell you what to do about this most personal of decisions. I’ll be voting “NO” August 2nd.
Randy Nichols MD
Chamber After Hours July 12
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UPDATE: K-31 road work delayed
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has delayed plans to close K-31 west of Fulton to replace two crossroad pipes. The road work, which was scheduled to take place this Tuesday and Wednesday, July 12-13, has been postponed until a later date. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 11
D. J. Brown/Bourbon County Review at Free Friday Concert
DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The local four-piece band plays classic rock, country, and Red Dirt. Band members are Danny Brown on acoustic guitar and vocals, Robert Uhler on drums, Jerry Bahr on banjo, electric, acoustic and bass guitars, and vocals, and Randy Brasuell on mandolin, fiddle, bass and electric guitars, and vocals.
“These talented guys have been playing together for quite some time and are a crowd favorite,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We’re pleased to welcome them back to perform in our downtown pavilion. Bring a friend and join us for a great show.“
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Loading Dock at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
Bourbon County Dems Summer Social is July 17
Bourbon County Democrats will hold their Summer Social on Sunday, July 17th, from 2 – 4 p.m., in the Buck Run Community Center’s Little Gym.
Provided will be cool refreshments, music by the Hemphills, drawings, and a silent auction.
Guest speakers will be Jeanna Repass, who is running for Kansas Secretary of State, and Reverend Mark Holland, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Join them for an entertaining and informative afternoon. Anyone in the community is invited to join, as this is a social event.
Submitted by Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like them on Facebook
Reading suggestion: They Want to Kill Americans by Malcolm Nance
History of White Supremacy and current state of it.
“Serving Bourbon County’s Registered Democrats”
Do You Know the Way to San Jose? by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Dionne Warwick received her first Grammy Award in 1968 for her mega-hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.”
As a child growing up in East Orange, New Jersey, she began singing in church. As a teenager, Dionne and her sister started their own gospel group, The Gospelaires. Later known as the artist who “bridged the gap,” Warwick’s soulful blend of gospel, pop, and R&B cut across race, culture, and musical boundaries.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David co-wrote the song and pitched it to Dionne, who didn‘t want to sing it, because she thought it was a silly song. But the two gentlemen talked her into recording it and she later giggled all the way to the bank. Warwick earned the nickname, “Princess of Pop,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” became one of her most-successful international hits. After 54 years, this clever song title, catchy tune, and upbeat tempo still plays in my internal jukebox.
Whether it’s about a career choice, who to marry, which church to attend, or which route to travel on vacation, people all over the globe are wanting to know which direction to go. There’s four choices: up, down, or one side or the other. God will always lead believers up (forward). “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV). God’s powerful direction for His children is always active, opening new ways forward.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites relied on a priest, judge, or prophet to give them directions. When Saul and his friend were searching for the lost donkeys and couldn‘t find them anywhere, the friend said, “…Behold, there is a man of God [Samuel] in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go” (1 Samuel 9:6 ESV).
New Testament believers have the Holy Spirit living inside us to tell us the way we should go. We’re never left to our own devices in decision making, but often we neglect to ask for direction. And sometimes when we receive it, we shrug off the Holy Spirit’s promptings or ignore His leadings — which is when we fall off the log. The Christian’s life is like walking on a log that’s laying across a creek. If we get distracted and lose our balance we’ll fall off. There’s also a chance of being knocked off by a tree branch we didn’t see, but the solution is still the same. Get back up on the log and go at it again. We’ll eventually get to the other side even though we’re wet and bruised up a bit.
Recently, I was watching someone sketch a property map and I was having trouble visualizing it. I asked an important question, “Which way is north?” With the answer, I was able to get my bearings and make sense of the map. The Holy Spirit is the believer’s internal compass who keeps us heading due north toward God. There’ll be a few bumpy detours, but keep following the map (Bible), listening to the GPS (Holy Spirit) and we’ll find our way up for every day. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27 NLT). Jesus clearly states that He knows us, He speaks to us, and then it’s our responsibility to listen to Him and follow (obey) Him. Jesus also said, “Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God“ (John 8:47 NLT).
The Key: Following the Holy Spirit’s direction will never take you the wrong way.
Community Christian Church VBS: July 25-29
Community Christian Church will have their annual Vacation Bible School July 25th through the 29th from 9am to noon daily. As always, kids ages 4 through 5th grade are welcome to join in the fun. To register, household parents or guardians may use the link pinned to the top of Community’s Facebook page.
This year’s theme is Make Waves! What if God made you to make waves that could spread across the world around you? You are made in God’s image, for a purpose. You were made to follow and trust Jesus, to love others, to change the world around you and to MAKE WAVES. At VBS we will do that through awesome worship, learning truths of the Bible, playing games, making crafts and having lots of fun!
Community would love to pack the house with Fort Scott and surrounding area kiddos. If you have any trouble registering, please call the church office between 9am and noon on weekdays so we can help! 620-223-1500
For a preview of what your children will experience at VBS, we would love to invite you to our Sunday VBS sermon series, happening now! Our service times are 9:00am and 11:00am every Sunday.
Shrinking by Gregg Motley
I have reported in earlier columns that Bourbon County and the other 16 counties that make up SEK are all shrinking; every one of us lost population between the 2010 and the 2020 census. The final count for Bourbon County was an 813 person drop from 15,173 to 14,360, a 5.4% decrease. Another way to think about it is that we lose about 81 people a year.
Who are these people? Are we losing the rich or the poor, the young or the old, the employed or the unemployed? These are important questions to answer, because those of us who want to stay are faced with an ever increasing tax burden, especially if those leaving are wage earners, property owners and those with a higher income. Let’s take a look at what the numbers say:
| Category/Year | 2010 | % | 2020 | % |
| Under age 18 | 3,886 | 25.6% | 3,590 | 25.5% |
| Ages 18 to 64 | 8,659 | 57.1% | 7,869 | 54.3% |
| Ages 65 & Over | 2,628 | 17.3% | 2,901 | 20.2% |
| Total Bourbon Co.Pop. | 15,173 | 100.0% | 14,360 | 100.0% |
| People in Poverty | 2,412 | 15.9% | 2,082 | 14.5% |
The good news is that we are holding our own on percentage of young people, and the number of impoverished residents of our county declined significantly in the last 10 years; let’s hope they earned their way past the poverty line rather than moving away. The trend that hurts is the drop in the number of working age adults, which is almost exactly the net number that moved away. Yes, some of those people stayed here and account for much of the increase in the over 64 population (present company included), but either way, it means less wages earners paying taxes in Bourbon County.
How do these trends compare with the four counties around us? I reported last week that we are the county with the lowest percentage of working age adults and the highest in average income. Looking at 2019 poverty statistics, four of the five counties experienced declining poverty; Crawford was the exception with a slight increase. Linn County has the lowest poverty rate by a wide margin at 12.0%; we are a distant second. All five of the counties considered have a higher poverty rate than the State of Kansas as a whole.
Who cares about this? Governments and businesses need this data for planning. Site selectors from corporations considering another location find this information invaluable. These are numbers that heavily influence decision-makers and have a large say in our future prosperity.
In the short run, schools need to plan for declining enrollment. Governments need to consider that there are fewer taxpayers in their jurisdiction when they consider levies and spending. Strategies need to be considered on a comprehensive basis as to how to reverse these trends. Most importantly, those strategies need to be formulated and executed across jurisdictional lines. Now is not the time for emotional parochialism.
We have many positives we can leverage. We need to play economic development offense and administrative cost defense. Let’s decide to put aside our petty differences and work together on solutions.