News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter
 By  admin Published 
4:58 pm Monday, March 7, 2011

Sen. Shelby talks NASA, Redstone in visit to Madison County

More than 1000 people woke up early for Sen. Richard Shelby’s Washington Update at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce breakfast March 7.

“That’s a tribute to the way we think of him and what he’s done for our area,” said Charlie Kettle, board chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Shelby said the current national issues were especially relevant to Madison County.

“There’s a certain connection between Huntsville and Washington,” Shelby said.

He praised Huntsville’s emphasis on technology and discussed issues relating to the area.

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep Huntsville relevant in a big way,” Shelby said. “I’m not sure where NASA is going, but we’re going to try to keep it going. A lot of good things come out of NASA.”

Shelby also talked about Madison County’s importance concerning defense.

“You’re in the driver’s seat here,” Shelby said. “We need a robust missile defense. We needed it yesterday.”

He said he wants missile defense to be a high priority and does not support decreasing it.

“To cut it back is like cutting off your leg,” Shelby said.

Shelby, a ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, answered questions from the audience and commented on national issues such as the budget, oil prices and bank recovery.

Shelby supports decreasing the budget and called the current deficit “financial suicide.”

“We’ve got a long way to go and it’s not going to be easy,” he said.

The closure of 300 banks in the last year is one reason Shelby said they need more capital and more liquid assets.

“There were years of easy credit,” Shelby said. “A lot of banks are still sick.”

He believes the price of oil will continue to impact the economy and “will choke off the recovery we’re trying to do.”

Despite the tough national economic times, Shelby thinks the future looks bright for Madison County.

“Huntsville will do well, but not without a fight,” he said.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *