Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stanczak:

Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter upon his retirement from the Supreme Court.

When I introduced Chief Justice Roberts to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his nomination hearing, I discussed the importance of focusing on a nominee's qualifications and judicial temperament rather than how a nominee would "vote" on a particular controversy of the moment. I listened to the testimony of Judge Sonia Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee, carefully reviewed her public service record, and reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents and colleagues here in the Senate. I do not agree with every decision Judge Sotomayor has made, but she is qualified and she demonstrated a judicial temperament during her nomination hearing.

Thank you, again, for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator

Thank you for taking the time to share with me your concerns about food safety legislation, specifically S. 510.

I have heard from a number of Hoosiers concerned that this bill would regulate or prevent home gardening, sales of locally grown foods at farmers markets, or regulate small farmers. The legislation considered and passed unanimously by the United States Senate does not provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the authority to do any of these activities.

As both a Hoosier farmer and United States Senator, I believe that food safety is a critical issue. For roughly a century there have been federal food safety regulations in place. However, as evidenced by a number of food recalls based on food borne illness concerns, it is important that our food safety systems keep pace with ever more complex food production and increased imports.

It is also important that food safety proposals are not overly burdensome to individuals and do not restrict trade and food donation, or interfere with practices such as growing your own food. I will carefully follow implementation of this law. Thank you, again, for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator

Dear Mr. Stanczak:
 
Thank you for contacting me with your views on health care reform.  I share many of your concerns.  
 
I would like to share with you a statement that I made regarding the health reform debate in Congress:
 
"A majority of the Members of Congress share President Obama's humane goal that millions more Americans might