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Constituent Corner

" Unemployment in the 19th District
I wanted to take the opportunity to respond to the concerns about the unemployment issue in Marion and surrounding counties. I know many workers have been negatively affected in recent years as a result of the changing economy in Illinois and throughout the United States. That is why I have taken the lead in promoting legislation in Washington, DC, that addresses the problem.

I was a cosponsor of H.R. 2185, which extended unemployment compensation through the end of 2003; the bill passed Congress and was signed into law by President
Bush on May 28, 2003, as Public Law #108-26.

Currently, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3270, the "Workers Assistance Extension Act," which is pending in the House Ways and Means Committee; this new bill extends the current unemployment insurance program through June 30, 2004, with a phase-out through September 30, 2004. It would provide an additional 13 weeks of coverage in all states and an additional 13 weeks beyond that for five states with extremely high unemployment rates (those states are Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Alaska, and Michigan).

I voted in favor of House Amendment 462 to H.R. 3030, which authorizes an additional six months of unemployment compensation benefits through the Community Services Block Grant program. It passed 227-179 and is now pending in the Senate.

In addition, I worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to create a one-stop center in Marion County to allow quick access and coordination of the many different programs offered to unemployed workers.

I worked with local economic development officials and city officials to bring needed infrastructure improvements to Marion County to help attract new jobs. One example is the recent $2 million grant to the city of Salem in which the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce came to Marion County to highlight the plan to upgrade Salem's wastewater treatment plant, a crucial need when prospecting for more jobs. Other examples are:

* Hotze Road and sewer improvements, Salem, $1.090 million;
* Centralia Industrial Park Road Plan, Centralia, $863,000;
* Water transmission line upgrades, Centralia, $2.3 million;
* Ensuring the long-term water supply, Centralia, $500,000;
* Planning grants to create economic development strategies, $307,000.

I fought for US Department of Labor approval for Transitional Adjustment
Assistance (TAA) and NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance for the former workers of Meridian Automotive and Littlefuse, Inc., which were granted, and Quebecor and Sealed Air Corp, which were not.

Without a doubt, the most important piece of legislation that would create thousands of jobs throughout Illinois is the Energy Bill. However, even though it has passed the House of Representatives with my support, Democrats such as our own Dick Durbin continue to hold this vital bill hostage in the Senate. Illinois, with its vast supplies of coal, is in a unique position to benefit from the legislation.

I support the proposed Peabody Energy project in Washington County and the clean coal project in Fayette County, but environmentalists continue to oppose those job-creating developments. In addition, I have been heavily involved in pursuing the President's proposed FutureGen project for southern Illinois, which would develop zero-emissions technology and could be an enormous boon for Illinois coal.

I urge all those concerned about jobs for Illinois to push for these goals so that we can put the unemployed back to work in Marion County and around the state.

Just as I did last year, I will continue my efforts to provide additional unemployment compensation for those in need. There is clearly more that we can and should do to help our neighbors, and I am hopeful that the Senate will move forward on passing H.R. 3030 in the very near future.

" Full Scholarships Available for Exchange Program
On April 14th I had the pleasure of meeting with two German young professionals who are currently studying in America. Neils and Katiya told me a little bit about their program called the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. This prestigious program has been helping prepare ambitious young people for a global future since 1983. There are 280 full scholarships available for American high school students to live with a host family and attend school in Germany for a year. This is a great opportunity for any students that would be interested in experiencing another country first hand. Not only will participants have the opportunity to learn a new language and a new culture, but also help debunk stereotypes of Americans. For more information and to download an application please visit: <http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/>.

" Federal Income Tax Benefits for Farmers
I am pleased to announce that farm households will receive over $4 billion in Federal income tax relief in 2004 from the provisions in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. This legislation accelerated marginal tax reductions and other relief that was scheduled to be phased-in under the 2001 Act. Over 86% of all farm households will receive some tax relief in 2004 as a result of the 2003 Act. For more information on the specific provisions and benefits please visit: <http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/fs0150.04.html>.

" National Peace Officers Memorial Day
I wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know that flags will be flown at half mast on May 15 in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1994 Congress passed Public Law 103-22 requiring the U.S. flag to be flown at half staff as a special tribute honoring the thousands of American law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Every 53 hours a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty and I will be proud to honor those who have fallen.

" New Plan to Help Our Troops Call Home
I am pleased to announce that there is a new plan that will allow constituents to purchase calling cards with the lowest rates negotiated by the military. The rates our constituents have been charged have been extreme in many cases. The military has worked hard to make it easier and less expensive for service members and their loved ones to stay in contact. This new plan will make it even easier.

Under the new "Help Our Troops Call Home" program, anyone - whether or not normally authorized to make purchases through the Exchange Online Store - may purchase a prepaid calling card for our troops serving overseas in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. Prepaid calling cards are available for both land-based and ship-based personnel. The cards can be mailed to a specific address or the Exchanges will arrange to distribute to any service member. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is the executive agent for the program. AAFES and the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) updated their web sites (www.aafes.com and www.usmc-mccs.org) in the past week to begin the sales. The Navy Exchange Service Command (www.navy-nex.com) will soon have the link, too.

" Traveling Help Desk comes to Dale and Mill Shoals
On Wednesday, April 28th, Bill Olson of my Springfield district office will be available to help the residents of Dale and Mill Shoals. In Dale, he will be at the Town Hall on Main Street from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. In Mill Shoals, he will be at the Mill Shoals Village Hall on 500 East Street from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit my web page at <http://www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.htm>. I hope you stop by!

Legislative Week in Review

" H.R 1779 - Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2003 Passes House
H.R. 1779 will allow guardsmen or reservists who are activated for more than 179 days, to make penalty-free early withdrawals from their IRA or pension fund. In addition, to ensure their future retirement financial security, this legislation also encourages repayment of the withdrawn funds to the IRA/pension account within two years of ending this active duty, and temporarily lifts the contribution cap up to the amount of the withdrawn funds to allow the repayment.

" H.R. 2844 - Continuity of Government Act Passes House
On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 2844, the Continuity in Representation Act. This bill would to speed up special elections to replenish its numbers when 100 or more lawmakers die in an attack. Under the legislation, the Speaker of the House could declare "exceptional circumstances" when 100 or more seats in the 435-seat body are left vacant by a catastrophic event. These special elections in affected districts would be held within 45 days.

Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week

" Congress will be in session from Tuesday through Thursday of next week. We have yet to receive a floor schedule but check <http://www.congress.gov/house.html> for a schedule as soon as it becomes available.

Did You Know?

" Did you know where you can fill up your tank with biodiesel fuel in Illinois?
There are actually several locations throughout Illinois where you can fill up your tank with environmentally friendly biodiesel fuel. To find out if there is a location near you please visit: <http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/showstate.asp?st=IL>.

Thank you for the interest in my newsletter! Remember to tell your friends about it as well--they can sign up on my web page at <http://www.house.gov/shimkus>.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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