U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Montana -- Official Campaign Website » News

Missoulian: Bill to honor Fort Harrison-based Devil’s Brigade passes U.S. House

max — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:38:18 +0000

When World War II ended, the Devil’s Brigade had suffered more than 2,300 casualties – nearly 135 percent of the unit’s original combat strength. The force won five U.S. campaigns and eight Canadian battle honors, and it captured more than 30,000 prisoners of war.

“The Devil’s Brigade represented the very best of our Greatest Generation that defeated tyranny around the world,” Tester said. “The Congressional Gold Medal is a small token of this nation’s gratitude, but an everlasting reminder of the sacrifices these men made for all of us.”

Missoulian: Military sex abuse has long-term impact for vets

max — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:37:00 +0000

Even though the VA’s statistics indicate that a greater percentage of military sexual trauma victims are getting benefits, lawmakers believe more action is required.

“If half of them are being denied their claims, that’s still a lot of people,” said Rep. Chellie Pingree. Pingree and Sen. Jon Tester are the lead sponsors of the legislation that would allow the veteran’s word to serve as sufficient proof that an assault occurred. The legislation is named after Moore, who spent years fighting for disability benefits.

ABC Fox Montana: Tester Hosts Workshop On Tourism

max — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:08:09 +0000

ABC FOX MONTANA NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS – KTMF/KWYB

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Tester business workshop focuses on tourism

max — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:07:06 +0000

Tourism may still play second fiddle to agriculture as Montana’s leading industry, but not for long if some of Montana’s small business owners have their say.

About 300 of those business owners traveled from around the state to attend Sen. Jon Tester’s 13th Small Business Opportunity Workshop on Friday at Montana State University.

This is the third time Tester has held the workshop in Bozeman, and this time, the focus was Montana’s tourism economy.

Havre Daily News: Tester: Seizing press phone records ‘flagrantly crossed the line’

max — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:48:45 +0000

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has sent a letter to the head of the U.S. Department of Justice, expressing “serious concerns” about revelations the department seized phone records of lines assigned to The Associated Press and its journalists, and has co-sponsored legislation to increase protection of journalists.

“As reported, these actions represent a blatant violation of privacy … and directly interfere with the Constitutionally protected rights of the press to do its job free from government intrusion or direction,” Tester wrote U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. “Such actions are not what Americans expect. And they’re not what Americans deserve.”

Billings Gazette: Tester awards three veterans service medals

max — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:10:03 +0000

Three veterans whose service included WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam were awarded medals by Senator Jon Tester on Friday afternoon.

Great Falls Tribune: Lawmakers seek to offer vets farming opportunities

max — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:01:10 +0000

Nearly half of those serving in the military come from rural communities and offering veterans more farming opportunities makes sense, according to Montana’s senators.

Last week, Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester introduced legislation to use farming as a tool to increase veteran employment and plan to attach the provisions to the farm bill, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. Baucus is a senior member of that committee.

Billings Gazette: Food fight brewing over genetically modified ingredients

max — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:23:20 +0000

A new bill requiring labels on foods with genetically modified ingredients is dividing Montana farmers and consumers.

The federal bill, dubbed the “Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act,” mandates that all food containing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, be clearly labeled. It has bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, including from that body’s lone farmer, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Billings Gazette: Once left for dead, U.S. Army veteran hailed as ‘American hero’

max — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:00:29 +0000

Seventy years after World War II U.S. Army combat veteran Dean E. Galles was wounded and left for dead, he was hailed Monday as an American hero.

An emotional Galles, 93, of Billings, was presented with the Silver Star citation for heroism and the Bronze Star medal with a V for valor. He also received an ornate, signed copy of the entry U.S. Sen. Jon Tester read into the Congressional Record on the Senate floor.

Galles was wounded on three occasions during some of the bloodiest fighting of World War II.

“I don’t deserve this,” Galles said, wiping his eyes. “I just served my country and did the best job I could. What about all the others, particularly those who gave their lives?”

Beartooth NBC: Vietnam Veteran receives medals

max — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:15:21 +0000

Vietnam Veteran Bill Rich received 13 medals for his service in the Navy at today’s ceremony at Fort Harrison. He retired in 1996 after serving 30 years. Tester says it’s important to bring recognition to veterans like Rich, because every soldier deserves to be honored.

“They are all for recognition of his service, some in Vietnam one was in Antarctica, all over the globe where he has served.”