Rep. Grier Martin has been appointed by House Speaker Joe Hackney to lead a joint bipartisan committee that will study issues related to emergency preparedness and disaster management.

The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Recovery will study state building codes in hurricane and flood areas; public health infrastructure; hurricane/flood preparedness, evacuation, and response; energy security; and bioterrorism. 

Rep. Martin and Sen. Martin Nesbitt will co-chair the 30-member committee. They are expected to make a final report by the end of 2008 and have the authority to issue interim reports before then. Rep. Martin replaces Rep. W. Pete Cunningham, who resigned from the General Assembly in December.

Grier jumped rope with a gym full of students at Washington GT Magnet Elementary School today.  Washington has a jump rope club that is part of a program to encourage life long wellness.  "It was a joy to see kids enjoying good exercise", said Grier.

Read more about the jump roping and see a picture of Grier trying to jump rope on the Raleigh News & Observer's "Dome" blog: "Martin Gets Roped Into Competition" and read the News & Observer article "Lawmakers Jump Rope to Encourage Wellness".

Since I was first elected, I've knocked on thousands of doors throughout Raleigh.  And, I'm out again knocking on more doors to hear what's on my constituents' minds.  If I missed you, or if I haven't gotten to your door yet, please let me know what's on your mind.  I work for you and can't do my job unless I know what's important to you.

Please email me at info@griermartin.com or call at 781-2102. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Grier

Rep. Martin and Rep. Ty Harrell addressed the 1st Battalion/130th Aviation Regiment of the NC National Guard at a ceremony unveiling the unit's new AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.  The 1st/130th has served in Afghanistan and is the first reserve component unit to field the new model Apaches.  While Rep. Martin noted the significance of the equipment, he said that "the technology means nothing without the smart, highly trained women and men who fly and maintain it."

ABC 11 has coverage of the ceremony here and Army Times here.

Louise, Sara and I wish you all a happy holiday season.  We'll be celebrating Christmas here in Raleigh, then off to Winston-Salem to be with Louise's family, and then to Chapel Hill to be with mine

As you celebrate with your families, please take a moment to remember Americans serving overseas who are away from their families.

Rep. Martin visited Broughton High School today to learn about the Broughton Transportation Academy.  The Academy is a new School to Career initiative that exposes students to careers in aviation and other transportation career fields.  As part of the event, a NC National Guard Apache helicopter landed and was available for students to see up close.

Rep. Grier Martin gave the keynote speech at this year's Veterans Day ceremonies at the Old Capitol grounds in Raleigh on November 10.  He spoke of the pride veterans have in their service, noting:

"Pride is something that every American servicemember seems to have. I haven’t met one yet that doesn’t think they have the most important job in the entire military. Be they a paratrooper or fighter pilot or a cook or a radioman, a marine rifleman, artilleryman, or a recruiter. Everyone of them thinks the war would be lost without them. And, they're right.  They are so proud of what they do. If you take a moment to ask them about their job, set aside half and hour or so, because they’ll talk your ear off. And, it’ll be about the best way you could spend a half-hour."

For more on the ceremonies, read the Raleigh News & Observer coverage here.

Rep. Martin participated in the annual NC OPT-ED conference in Greensboro today. NC OPT-ED seeks to increase the number of minority students receiving doctorate degrees in science and math and is a joint program of NC A&T, UNC-CH, and NC State. As part of the conference, Rep. Martin saw presentations of several research projects.  An added bonus was a lunchtime performance by the 82d Airborne Division All-American Chorus.

Grier gave introductory remarks at a screening in Raleigh of the movie "The Kite Runner."  The event was sponsored by Generation Engage, "a nonpartisan youth-civic-engagement initiative that connects young Americans to political leaders, to other civic organizations, and to meaningful debate about the future they will inherit." (from the Generation Engage website)

"The Kite Runner" is set partly in Afghanistan from the 1970's up to a time just before the September 11, 2001 attacks. Grier discussed the tribal, religious, political, and other divisions he saw while serving in Afghanistan in 2002-03.

Rep. Martin was the keynote speaker at today's Constitution Day Assembly at Durant Road Middle School.  He was asked to speak on what the Constitution means to him.  In his speech, Martin said that the Constitution means not just the freedoms it provides us, but also our duty to work hard to preserve these freedoms. The program also featured  performances by the school band, the chorus, and a dance ensemble, all focused on honoring our Constitution.

Grier attended the annual meeting in Greensboro of the State Employees Association of North Carolina.  "It was an honor to visit with state employees from around North Carolina," Grier said, "and to thank them for their service to our state."

Grier went for a canoe ride on the Neuse with several other elected officials yesterday.  The trip highlighted the need to protect this vital source of water for North Carolinians.  While Sen. Neal Hunt and Raleigh City Councilor Russ Stephenson got wet when they overturned their canoe, Grier managed to stay dry in the canoe he shared with Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown.

Read more about the trip in the Raleigh News and Observer here.

On August 25, Grier spoke at the annual meeting of the North Carolina Air Force Association. He discussed the importance of veterans becoming involved in the political process and urged members to get in touch with their elected representatives.

 From the AFA website: the Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation.