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· War In Iraq

I would like to share some information that I have recently received with regards to our forces and the Iraqi forces that are joining the fight for Iraqi freedom.

The war in Iraq is making much progress. I am sure that you have heard of the many successful votes and free elections that the Iraqi people have held and participated in, as well as the Constitution created and passed by the free Iraqi people. Many things, I am sure that you haven't heard about.

For instance, in August, 2004 there were a handful of active Iraqi Army battalions. Today there are over 100 Iraqi Ministry of Defense combat battalions in the fight. In July of 2004, there were no operational Army division or brigade headquarters, now they have 8 brigade headquarters and 37 battalions that have assumed battlespace. There are now 28 special police, public order, and emergency response units under the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior. Today there are over 227,000 trained and equipped security forces.

The U.S. Military says 40 percent of Iraq's combat battalions are effective enough to have taken a lead role in fighting the insurgency, which obviously shows great advancements towards our end goal of a self-sufficient Iraqi state.

I am proud of our men and women in uniform and continue to thank them for their work in the war on terror and the fight for freedom around the globe.

· Economy

I am happy to hear in recent reports that our economic indicators are telling us that our economy is doing well.

The unemployment rate continues to fall and is at a four and a half year low of 4.7%. This is a lower rate than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Consumer confidence has risen to a three year high, and disposable income rose by 0.4% in January, following an increase of 1.4% in 2005.

The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index indicates continued expansion of our manufacturing sector. Over the past four quarters, our country's overall productivity has increase by 2.3%. Also, I am happy to hear that the Consumer Price Index fell 0.1%, which shows a decrease in energy prices.

For more information with regards to our economy, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/esbr.html.

· Belarus

This week, I introduced H. Res. 673, “expressing the support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006.”

President Bush recognized as far back as October 2004, that Belarus was not heading in the right direction when he said, “The fate of Belarus will rest not with a dictator, but with the students, trade unionists, civic and religious leaders, journalists, and all citizens of Belarus claiming freedom for their nation.”

Since that time President Alexsandr Lukashenko has returned Belarus to Soviet-style governmental rule. Independent media have been closed, and the KGB has returned.

Lukashenko has moved up Belarusian elections were moved up to March in a move designed to prevent the opposition parties from being able to adequately prepare for a nationwide election and keep the Belarusian people under the iron fist of the Lukashenko regime.

This resolution is a testament to the people of Belarus. I want them to know that the United States is not going to stand idly by while they fall under the control of a dictator. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has already called this regime the “last true dictatorship in the center of Europe.”

I am happy to show U.S. support of free elections for the citizens of Belarus. For more information on H. Res. 673, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov.

Constituent Corner

· Energy Prices

I am still hearing many worries about current energy prices. They are stabilizing, but we all know that prices are still far too high.

While this increase is due to many complications from the disasters on the Gulf Coast and worries about future refinery capability, we must make sure that it is still under control. There are some worries with regards to price gouging, and the Department of Energy is providing a direct resource to report these possible occurrences.

If you believe that someone in your area is price-gouging, please visit http://gaswatch.energy.gov/.

· Fire Grant Awarded

I am happy to announce another community in our district receiving funding from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This money comes from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program administered by the DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness in Cooperation with the United States Fire Administration.

Altamont Fire Protection District will receive $9,121 for fire prevention. Fire Prevention and Safety Grants are intended to reduce incidences of death and injuries among firefighters.

For more information on this grant, please visit www.firegrantsupport.com.

· Presidential Freedom Scholarship

The Presidential Freedom Scholarship is a great chance for high schools and students to promote community service, while gaining access to scholarships.

Each high school in the country may select up to two individuals, junior or senior, who show excellence in community service. They must have contributed at least 100 hours of service in the past 12 months. Obviously the more service that they have done, the better.

All applications must be filed by March 12, 2006. For more information, please visit www.learnandserve.gov/about/programs/pfs.asp.

· Higher Education Scholarship

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association has 105 scholarships that they will be awarding to qualified individuals throughout the State of Illinois.

These scholarships will be given to students who are going to pursue higher education during the 2006-2007 academic year. These individuals must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois. Applicants must be full-time Illinois residents.

All applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2006. I encourage all who are interested to apply. For an application or more information, please visit www.ilsheriff.org.

· Hometown Video Awards

To promote and honor community media and local cable programs that are first distributed on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels, Alliance for Community Media is announcing the Hometown Video Awards.

These awards will be given to creative programs that “address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television in a different way.” All entries must be received by March 11, 2006, and must be for programming that had their first telecast on a local cable access channel on or between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005.

For more information on these awards, please visit www.alliancem.org.

Legislative Week in Review

· The following bills were passed by the House of Representatives this week:

o H.Con.Res. 341 – A concurrent resolution condemning the Government of Iran for violating it international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Council. (Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – House International Relations)

o H.Con.Res. 322 – Expressing the Sense of Congress regarding the contribution of the USO to the morale of our servicemen and women of our armed forces and their families. (Rep. Jeff Miller – House Armed Services)

o H.Res. 629 – Supporting the goals and ideals of a Day of Hearts, Congenital Heart Defect Day in order to increase awareness about congenital heart defects, and for other purposes. (Rep. Tom Price – House Government Reform)

· 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 recess next week for President’s Day. We will be back in session on February 28, 2006.

· 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?

· Deadlocked Presidential Election Ends

On February 17, 1801, Vice President Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of the United States over his running mate, Aaron Burr, following a tie vote between the two of 35 votes each.

At this time, electors were allowed two votes, one of which must be from a state other than their own. The individual with the most votes would be named President and the next in line, Vice President.

For more information on this election, please visit www.historychannel.com.

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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