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Weekly Washington Wrap 

• The intensity of campaign season is heating up in Washington, building towards Congress's return next week.  The Senate is expected to quickly take up a small business stimulus bill that started as a relatively non-controversial measure, but will likely be the vehicle that will crystallize economic policy differences between Democrats and Republicans.  President Obama is promoting tax breaks for small businesses in the legislation, and he insists that tax breaks should only extend to the middle class.  Republicans are critical of parts of the small business bill that narrowly limit tax breaks and create larger government lending programs reminiscent of TARP.  Republicans are focusing on parts of the president's plan that will allow for several tax breaks to expire in three months.  They argue that raising any taxes will stall the economic recovery.
  
  
• On Wednesday, BP issued its investigative report on the cause of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion.  The report contained 25 recommendations for improving off-shore drilling safety, and it was released on the same day the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement released its assessment of agency efforts to regulate oil and gas exploration and production.  Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar referenced the Bureau's report in his plea for more inspection and enforcement resources.
  
  
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) visit to Canada this week prompted several environmental groups to criticize the Canadian Oil Sands.  Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall joined Speaker Pelosi and Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice at a dinner Wednesday night in Ottawa.  According to press accounts, the officials had a candid discussion of North American energy policy.

Myrtle Beach Loves Canada

This week, David Wilkins was the guest of honor and featured speaker at the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

As many of our loyal readers know, each year Myrtle Beach hosts its Can-Am Days in March, celebrating a week of all-things Canadian and welcoming more than 10,000 to the sunny seaside city.  During the Wilkinses posting in Ottawa, they were proud to lead two delegations of distinguished Canadians down to Myrtle Beach to mark Can-Am Days.  One year featured former Canadian Chief of Defense Staff and General extraordinaire Rick Hillier who offered a rousing and poignant speech on the Canadian Forces' brave work in Afghanistan. 

Wilkins reminded the South Carolina audience of the strategic importance of our northern neighbor and ally to both our state and country – talking trade, energy and the dangers of protectionism.

With next year marking the 50^th anniversary of Can-Am Days and chamber officials promising a week bigger and better than ever before for their Canadian guests – it proved perfect timing for Wilkins to talk about the value of our bilateral relationship.

SEUS-South Carolina

After the Ambassador's remarks, there was a surprise announcement made by Clark Thompson with the South Carolina Department of Commerce.  Thompson told the crowd that Myrtle Beach has been chosen as the 2012 site for the annual meeting of the Southeastern U.S.- Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Alliance and that Ambassador Wilkins will serve as chairman of the event.

Here's the release from the South Carolina state government website SC.now:

Myrtle Beach leaders announced Tuesday the city will play host to an international conference. The 5^th Annual Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance Conference (SEUS-Canada) will take place in May of 2012.

The conference ties in with Myrtle Beach’s 50^th anniversary of Canadian-American Days. The SC Dept. of Commerce is working with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to organize the event.

SEUS-Canada Alliance is a partnership between Southeastern states and member provinces from Canada. It works to promote trade between host sites in Canada and the United States.

Each host state or province is required to select a private sector chairman to preside over the event. Gov. Mark Sanford selected Ambassador David Wilkins to serve as South Carolina’s Chairman of the conference.

Biloxi, Mississippi hosted the event this past May and the Province of New Brunswick will have the event in 2011.

Never Forget

This Saturday marks the 9^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States of America.  It is a most solemn occasion – a time to honor what we lost, but as importantly, to celebrate the heroes who emerged that day, our country's fortitude in the face of evil, and our profound gratitude for the friends and allies around the world who stood with America through our darkest hour.

We here at Team Wilkins are profoundly aware of how Canada supported the United States in the wake of September 11.  We honor all those Canadians who opened up your hearts and homes to thousands of stranded air travelers; the 100,000 who stood vigil on Parliament Hill and in towns big and small across Canada.  And always, always – we pay tribute to the Canadian Forces and their families who continue to serve and sacrifice in Afghanistan.

May God bless all those who willingly carry freedom's light into the darkest corners of the world and defend us at home and abroad. 

In honor of our military heroes and liberty-loving people everywhere, we leave you today with the words of Reverend Wintley Phipps:   

…Because of this tragedy,
we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood. What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together.
May we always remember.

Indeed. 

Thank you, Canada. 

May God bless your great country and God bless the United States of America.