New Bipartisan Working Group on Energy Includes Capito

Op-Ed

New Bipartisan Working Group on Energy Includes Capito

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Efforts to tackle our energy challenges got a bipartisan lift this week with the creation of a new working group of Republicans and Democrats concerned about finding energy solutions. West Virginia seniors were also front and center this week, as I highlighted new legislation that would help fund an Amber Alert-style notification system for Alzheimer's individuals.

Bipartisan Group Formed to Tackle Energy Needs

In an attempt to seek real solutions for our energy needs, earlier this week I joined more than 20 of my congressional colleagues to form a bipartisan working group on energy. Equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, our group's goal is to work together to reach a bipartisan agreement and consensus to address high gas prices.

We're a wide-ranging group that includes Democrats like Rep. Neil Abercrombie from Hawaii, and Republicans like Rep. John Peterson from Pennsylvania, but we all want the same thing - to combine our efforts and breakthrough the partisan gridlock that has taken over the energy debate.

I've been very pleased with the commitment that our group's members have made to finding a solution, and I'm hopeful that we can have a real impact on this discussion. Folks are tired of the arguing and they're looking for action. With this group, I think we can work together on solutions that can make a difference.

ST. ALBANS - Rep. Shelley Moore Capito at the Hansford Senior Center in St. Albans where she highlighted new legislation to provide funding for a Silver Alert notification system for Alzheimer's individuals.

Silver Alert System Subject of House Bill

While many of us are familiar with the Amber Alert System for locating missing children, there's also a real need to establish a system to help locate and protect missing Alzheimer's individuals.

We have nearly 50,000 West Virginians who suffer from Alzheimer's or other dementia-related illnesses and when Alzheimer's individuals go missing, we need to have the infrastructure to locate them and keep them safe. With the Silver Alert Program Act we can provide additional support to help states establish and improve their Silver Alert programs.

In West Virginia, we benefit from the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return program, and this new legislation could be a great compliment to the current program.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any assistance. It is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

In Case You Missed It...

We need the spirit of '76 to help solve the energy problem
Hoppy's Commentary - West Virginia Metro News
Hoppy Kercheval
July 18, 2008

I'll confess to, at times, lapsing into "bumper sticker" debate on the energy issue: To drill or not to drill?

Yes, that is a question, but it's not the only question. If it were that simple then we could fight it out with the stronger side prevailing.

Now, I do think we should drill more, but that won't solve our nation's energy problems just as not drilling won't bring us to our knees.

It's more complicated than that. But complication and nuance don't play well in today's talking points environment that generates political winners and losers.

Maybe, just maybe, there is another way.

What if—and just hear me out here—all sides worked toward a compromise. I know, it sounds crazy, so crazy it just might work.

On Capitol Hill, progressive Democrat Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and conservative Republican John Peterson (R-Pennsylvania) have put together the House Bipartisan Energy Working Group to try to develop compromise legislation that would address the nation's energy predicament.

The group, which includes West Virginia Republican Shelley Moore Capito, meets without lobbyists or leadership. That way, Abercrombie told me on Metronews Talkline Thursday, they are free to come up with solutions that are better for the overall good of the country rather than a particular group.

Inevitably, compromise is on the table...

Capito backing alert system for senior citizens with dementia
Daily Mail
Mary Childress
July 15, 2008

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito is advocating a bill that will act as an Amber Alert signal for senior citizens with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

The Silver Alert Grant Program Act that Capito is backing would provide grant funding for states to establish or improve their notification systems.

To be administered by the United States Department of Justice, the legislation would authorize $5.6 million per year for five years to support grants of about $100,000 each.

The bill will give states more help to work with law enforcement and authorities in finding Alzheimer's patients that have become lost or wandered off from their home or care facility.

"We have an aging population and we need to have the infrastructure in place to protect our loved ones," Capito said. "We've seen the success of the Amber Alert System for our young people and now we have an opportunity to expand investment in a system to protect our seniors."

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