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NATO Parliamentary Assembly

At the end of January, I had the great pleasure to escort colleagues from the Defense Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to San Diego, CA. While there, we were able to view a portion of the United States' extensive Naval facilities and visit with sailors and marines aboard the U.S.S. Howard (DDG 83). Joining me on the deck of the U.S.S. Howard (pictured here) are two of the ship’s crew along with Parliamentarians from Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Estonia and Italy. You can view all of the photos on my website at www.house.gov/shimkus/gallery_natopasandiego.shtml.

D.C. and District Talk

· Tuskegee Airmen

I would like to draw your attention to H.R. 1259, which would authorize the President to grant the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal.

During Black History Month, it is important that we remember and honor the more than 1,000 Tuskegee pilots, bombardiers, and navigators, who overcame racial segregation and prejudice to become one of the most respected Army Air Cop Fighter Groups of World War II. This group was instrumental in the desegregation of the U.S. Military that followed this war.

These individuals completed 15,500 missions as a segregated unit, and earned the distinction of never losing an American bomber under their escort. Sixty members of the unit lost their lives and many were wounded.

I am proud to join my colleagues as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1259. For more information on this legislation, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov.

Constituent Corner

· Lifeline and Link-Up

Lifeline and Link-Up programs provide discounts on telephone service and installation for income-eligible consumers.

Lifeline Across America is a comprehensive, nationwide initiative announced last July by the FCC, NARUC, and NASUCA to draw more income-eligible consumers into federal and state Lifeline and Link-up programs. They have announce a new website to attract more of these individuals to their services.

If you would like to learn more about these programs or find out if you are eligible, please visit www.lifeline.gov.

· National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans

The week of February 12 through February 18 is the annual National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.

The Veterans Administration invites all individuals and groups to participate in hospital visits, valentine distributions, essay contests and more. This week reminds us to pay tribute and express appreciation to hospitalized veterans, increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center, and encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved as volunteers.

Please take time to thank these individuals next week, and keep them in mind so as never to take the freedoms and blessings of our country for granted.

For more information, please visit www.va.gov/volunteer/nshv.html.

· Veterans

Veterans can now access their DD-214 online using the website provided by the National Personnel Records, http://vetrecs.archives.gov. A person’s DD-214 is their discharge papers, which includes the records of the individual’s service.

This service is open to military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members.

· “Live Green – Go Yellow”

I was proud to sponsor an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which required auto manufacturers to label the inside of the gas doors if the vehicle is capable of running on flexible fuels.

I am happy to announce that General Motors has started this process in their vehicles under the slogan “Live Green – Go Yellow”. These vehicles will have yellow fuel caps to identify them as Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV).

FFV’s can use E85, which is a blend of fuel that uses 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 is continuously becoming more available with over 100 fueling stations offering this blend in Illinois alone.

Ethanol is made from crops, such as Illinois corn. This increases the future of our Nation’s energy security while lowering our greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more, please visit www.gm.com/company/onlygm/energy_flexfuel.html.

· IGIP Internship

The Illinois Governmental Internship Program (IGIP) is looking for qualified individuals to gain experience in an array of state government agencies.

IGIP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Springfield Public School District. Students from any public or private high school in Illinois can apply during their junior year for participation in the fall or spring of their senior year. Students chosen to participate will receive credit in order to meet graduation requirements.

Applicants should exhibit maturity, leadership, and communication skills. If selected, interns are placed in government agencies covering the fields of law, politics, media, transportation, social services, or medicine. They work Monday through Thursday at their assignment and gather together on Friday for seminars.

The Interns live with a host family in the Springfield area. Vehicles are allowed, but not necessary to participate in the program.

Applications are available through your high school guidance office or on the website www.springfield.k12.il.us/ilgovintern.

· Madison County Health Volunteers

The Madison County Health Department is seeking volunteers to help in the event of a disease breakout or the occurrence of a public health disaster.

The Madison County Health Department is the entity in charge of providing medication in the case of a terrorist attack or the breakout of a naturally occurring disease. Volunteers will only be needed in case of emergency. There are a wide array of areas in need of volunteers, such as clerical helpers, people to assist with human traffic flow, dispensing medications, and restocking supplies.

Also needed are licensed professionals, such as doctors, nurses, EMT’s, dentists, and veterinarians. This is for the dispensing of preventative medication in a timely manner. Those who are sick will be taken care of at the hospitals.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Chris Lilley at 618-296-6096 until July 2006. Following that, please contact Debra Tscheschlok at 618-296-6080.

· RFD Radio Appearance

On Monday, February 13, I will be a guest on the Illinois Farm Bureau radio program, RFD Today at 9:30 am central time. Ten radio stations carry the program live, while several others air the show at later times.

Check out their website, www.ilfb.org/viewdocument.asp?did=35, for a list of stations and times. I hope that you will tune in.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Thursday, March 9, 2006, Matt Pickett of my Springfield district office will be available to help the residents of Carrollton and Brighton. In Salem, he will be in the Carrollton City Hall at 621 South Main from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. In Brighton, he will be in the Brighton City Hall at 206 South Main from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

On Thursday, March 16, 2006, Ruth Buettner of my Collinsville district office will be available to help the residents of Salem and Odin. In Salem, she will be in the Salem City Hall at 101 South Broadway from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In Odin, she will be in the Odin Community Center at 108 East Kirkwood from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit my web page at www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.shtml. I hope you stop in to see us!

Website Theme

Each month, my website has a new theme to share interesting facts and helpful information. This month, the theme is “America’s Presidents”.

You may find my website at www.house.gov/shimkus.

Legislative Week in Review

· To keep up to date on legislation as it moves through the legislative process please visit http://thomas.loc.gov and type in the bill number.

Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week

· Congress will be in session from Tuesday through Thursday of next week.

· Keep an eye on the Office of the Clerk’s web site for upcoming legislation: http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/index.html. This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.

Did You Know?

· American Competitiveness Initiative

The President recently stated, “One of the great engines of our growing economy is our Nation’s capacity to innovate. Through America’s investments in science and technology, we have revolutionized our economy and changed the world for the better.”

He then introduced the American Competitiveness Initiative, which will help America to remain a leader in these areas. For more information, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/competitiveness.

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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