2002 Op-ed Archives
Celebrating The Holidays In Middle Tennessee
December 20, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- The holiday season is always an enjoyable time to be with family and friends. These festive gatherings allow us to share laughs and reminisce about the past year.
Giving Thanks In America
November 25, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- As all of us sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, we will thank God for all the blessings we've been given during this past year. Leslie and I are very thankful for all our wonderful blessings, especially the one who came into our lives on March 21, 2001. And we are looking forward to sharing our second Thanksgiving with our daughter, Peyton.
Middle Tennesseans Face Everyday Challenges
October 8, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Rising unemployment rates, soaring health-care costs and falling stock-market prices are taking a toll on Middle Tennesseans despite rosy pictures of a healthy economy being painted in Washington.
Team Up For Fire Safety
September 27, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined and is the third leading cause of accidental death in the home. Between 1994 and 1998, an average of 4,400 Americans died and another 25,100 were injured annually as a result of fire.
America Remembers The Tragedy And Sacrifice Of September 11
September 6, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- One year ago this nation suffered a devastating attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon where thousands of innocent Americans died. September 11, 2001, will forever be etched in American history as the day this nation had to face a depraved enemy and a sobering reality: international terrorism.
Tobacco Buyout Legislation Moves Forward
August 5, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Tobacco is more than just an agricultural product for many Middle Tennessee farmers. The extra income tobacco generated on the farm has helped put many a child through college, made a long-remembered vacation possible when family budgets were stretched to the limit, or paid for replacing that old refrigerator. That's why the future of tobacco is so important to folks in Middle Tennessee.
Court Verdict A Victory For Walking Horse Industry
July 12, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Since coming to Congress, I have worked to sustain a healthy, viable walking horse industry. I was pleased, therefore, with the U.S. District Court's decision, handed down earlier this week, to uphold the legality of the industry-U.S. Department of Agriculture operating plan.
One Nation Under God
July 3, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Middle Tennesseans have told me they are outraged about the federal court ruling in California calling the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of the words "under God." It caught me just as off guard as it did most of the rest of the nation, and I agree with my friends back home that the ridiculous decision should not stand.
Struggle For Independence Never Ends
June 28, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- This Independence Day takes on additional meaning as we fight an ongoing war against terrorism. Too often in the past we took our liberties and our safety for granted. After September 11, 2001, though, most of us realized just how precarious freedom and democracy are.
Helping Middle Tennesseans Buy Affordable Homes
June 25, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Although home ownership has increased over the last decade, many hard-working Middle Tennessee families remain unable to own a home. Down payments and closing costs are cited as major obstacles for these families.
Medicare Program Needs A Prescription Drug Benefit
June 14, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Many senior citizens on fixed incomes struggle daily to pay their day-to-day expenses. And those efforts are getting harder to manage as the costs of prescription drugs continue to skyrocket.
Protecting Student-Athletes From Shady Sports Agents
June 7, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- We've all heard the stories of greedy sports agents who tempt college athletes with cash and gifts just to represent them in a future lucrative payday with one of the professional sports leagues. This behavior is highly unethical and can jeopardize not only the athlete's opportunity to get an education, but it can jeopardize his or her school through lost revenue and scholarships, as well.
Uniting in a Fight for a Tobacco Buyout
May 30, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- WASHINGTON - The time has come for members of Congress to put their collective heads together and find the best tobacco buyout solution we can.
Remember Veterans With More Than Ceremonies
May 10, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Our country's commitment to the men and women who died to secure our freedoms is recalled every Memorial Day in ceremonies and speeches. Our commitment to the veteran who fought and lived should be no less remembered - and we do that by honoring the promises we made.
Working Together To Find The Best Solution
May 3, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- For generations, tobacco production has been an integral part of Middle Tennessee's economy, and I know how important tobacco still is to our farming families and communities.
What's The Best Deal For Middle Tennessee?
April 26, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- For many Middle Tennesseans tobacco is more than an agricultural product. The extra income tobacco generated on the farm has helped put many a child through college, made a long-remembered vacation possible when family budgets were stretched to the limit, or paid for replacing that old refrigerator. That's why the future of tobacco is so important to me and my friends in Middle Tennessee.
Nation's Economy Too Dependent On OPEC Oil
April 22, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Gasoline prices have increased rapidly over the last several weeks, causing much concern among motorists and economists. And as the summer-driving season gets closer and more families head out on the road, gas prices will likely increase even more because of the supply-and-demand principle.
We Must Recruit More Nurses
April 12, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- We are facing a serious nationwide shortage of nurses that requires immediate attention. This is both a supply and a demand problem. The supply problem is due to the current nurse workforce aging while fewer people are entering the profession.
Walking Horse Meeting Proves Fruitful
March 1, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- I have worked closely over the years with owners, trainers, and participants, as well as officials in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to help find a balanced approach at sustaining a vibrant Tennessee walking horse industry.
Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
January 25, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- It is always troubling when I hear from Middle Tennesseans victimized by identity theft. After enduring the shock, anger, and hassle that results, the next question for the victim is, "What is the government doing to stop these crimes?"
Congress Must Tackle Important Issues This Year
January 11, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- Our War on Terrorism has brought this country together like no other event in modern history. We are working hard to recover from the devastating attacks that killed thousands of innocent Americans on September 11.
Education Reform Will Benefit Tennessee Schools
January 4, 2002, by Bart Gordon -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Capping off a year of unprecedented bipartisanship, the House of Representatives has passed the most substantial piece of education reform legislation in decades, reminding us of what can be accomplished in Congress when we focus on what is best for our country.
