Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

Weekly Washington Wrap

• Washington is a ghost town this week (a very hot and humid ghost town) as Congress is away for its one-week Independence Day break.  Last week’s flurry of legislative activity before leaving town left unfinished business on spending bills that await Congress’s return.  The “extenders” bill that would continue unemployment benefits and several expired tax breaks until November of this year repeatedly failed to surpass the 60 votes needed in the Senate, and the “emergency supplemental” bill to fund military operations was postponed for consideration in the House.  Fiscal concerns are preventing speedy passage of these measures.
• Two legal filings captured Washington’s attention this week.  On Tuesday, the Obama Administration sued Arizona over the state’s new immigration law.  The 25-page complaint filed by the Department of Justice claims that Arizona’s attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants conflicts with federal law.  Also on Tuesday, the Department of Justice asked the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to reinstate a moratorium on deepwater drilling.  The filing was in response to a lower court blocking the moratorium last month.  The court in Louisiana will hear arguments on the drilling moratorium today. 
• Yesterday, President Obama used his recess appointment power to make Donald Berwick head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), bypassing the Senate’s authority to approve nominations.  The President’s nomination for the top health care policy official in government was likely to face fierce opposition and aggressive questioning over the implementation of the new health care law, which has become a heated election-year issue.  The recess appointment lasts until the end of this session of Congress (January 3, 2011). 

Jammin' With the Jacobsons

David and Susan Wilkins were honored to attend Sunday's big bash at the residence of the US Ambassador in Ottawa. 

The annual Independence Day celebration once again lived up to all expectations, boasting some 4,000 guests on the sprawling front line of the historic home.

Ambassador David Jacobson and his wife Julie were gracious hosts, showcasing their Illinois state pride with delicious food ranging from sausage and cheesecake to perogies and hot dogs. 

There was only one slight disappointment of the day for the former residents of the ambassador's residence:  popcorn replaced the beloved boiled peanuts of the Wilkins' years.  (Editor's note:  besides David and Susan Wilkins, does anyone really miss that uniquely South Carolina fare?  We think not…)

Anyway, despite the popcorn vs. peanuts dilemma, David and Susan much enjoyed attending the party and visiting with as many old friends and colleagues as possible in a few short hours.   It was great to see pals Susan Delacourt, Bob Deluce, Lorna Counsell, Minister of State of Transport Rob Merrifield and his wife Brenda, Tom and Susan d'Aquino, Donna Jacobs, Jacques Shore, John McDermott, Mark Clatney, Dawson Hovey, Don Newman, Dr. Bob Roberts, as well as so many other cherished Canadian friends.  The Wilkinses also got to visit with the top deputy at the US Embassy, Terry Breese, and his wife Claudia and other former staff and colleagues who were invaluable to them during their years in Ottawa. 

Ottawa Outings

The Wilkinses arrived in Ottawa last week just in time to enjoy a gorgeous, hot and sunny weekend. 

On Saturday, David and Susan were treated to a boating excursion on the Ottawa River skippered by our friend and client David Luxton who is president and CEO of Allen-Vanguard.  Also aboard were the Wilkinses' buddies Grant and Pam Hooker of Beaver Tails fame. 

It was the perfect ending to a perfect day when the Wilkinses met up for dinner that evening at Ottawa's favorite stomping grounds – Hy's Steakhouse.

They were joined by friends Tom and Suzanne McDougall, Jack and Lyn Murta and Greg Kane. 

On Sunday, the Wilkinses enjoyed church services at the historic St. Bartholomew in New Edinburgh where the Reverend Canon David Clunie officiated.  Two years ago, the church celebrated its 140^th anniversary and was the Wilkinses' home church for the years they were privileged to serve in Canada. 

Calgary Cares

David Wilkins may have ended his week in his former hometown of Ottawa, but he began it across the country in Calgary. 

Last Monday, Wilkins attended the Jim Prentice and Stephen Ames Charity Golf Tournament for Kids at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club.  Since 2005, the annual event has raised more than one million dollars for various children's charities. 

The next night Wilkins attended a special reception hosted by Minister Prentice and his wife Karen.  Wilkins was delighted to see so many familiar faces from government and industry including his great friend Minister Gary Lunn. 

While in Calgary, Wilkins had a number of business meetings and also attended a luncheon at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce which was attended by more than 400 folks all eager to hear Canada's Ambassador to the US Gary Doer deliver the keynote address.  As usual, Ambassador Doer did not disappoint. 

Sweet Win for South Carolina

So it wasn't exactly the South Carolina team Wilkins was hoping would win, but the current Chairman of the Board of Clemson Trustees was nonetheless proud of our other team – the University of South Carolina (USC) and the fightin' Gamecocks – for their impressive win in the College Baseball World Series last week in Omaha, Nebraska.

While Wilkins earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University, he did receive his law degree from USC and so felt perfectly justified cheering on the Gamecocks in their final – and series defining – win against UCLA. 

USC beat UCLA 2-1 in a nail-biter of a game that happened to be the first College World Series decided in extra innings since 1970.  It also represented the first time USC has earned a men's national championship title.