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Teaching

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the New Simpson Hill School in Tunnel Hill, Illinois. As a father of three and a former teacher, I love to get back in the class room and talk to young people about my job as well as current events.

REMINDER:

· Medicare Part D Sign Up

This is a very important opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those who do not have a prescription drug benefit plan, to obtain one through Medicare. I want to make sure that seniors and others who apply, first, get all the information they need to make a decision; second, that they understand they have choices and options and need to make a decision that fits their personal needs.

While the Medicare Part D program officially began on January 1, 2006, Medicare beneficiaries currently on Medicare actually have until May 15, 2006, to make their choice without penalty.

There are numerous plans available to Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois, and I’m sure there are still some questions.

I will be hosting a seminar on May 9, at the library in Brookport. This is a chance for Medicare beneficiaries to gather additional information on the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit and to sign up. To find more information, as scheduling is finalized, visit my website at www.house.gov/shimkus.

Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is the best place to get assistance in making your Medicare prescription drug plan choice. Feel free to contact them at 1-800-548-9034 or visit the Illinois SHIP website, http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Ship/ship_help.asp.

For more information on how to sign up, please visit my website, www.house.gov/shimkus.

D.C. and District Talk

· Confronting High Gas Prices

This week, the President unleashed his plan to confront high energy prices.

This plan consists of four main areas: (1.) Ensuring that American consumers are treated fairly at the gas pump, (2.) Promoting greater energy efficiency, (3.) Boosting our supplies of crude oil and gasoline, and (4.) Investing in alternatives to oil.

This plan covers a whole spectrum of problems in dealing with ever increasing gas prices. We have to make sure that people are not being taken advantage of at the pumps. Also, we need to go through our current tax system to make sure that any unnecessary tax breaks to energy companies are not continued.

In promoting greater fuel efficiency, we must make sure that buyers of all hybrid vehicles and clean diesel vehicles are receiving tax credits. We also must work to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) Standards.

While we work to transition into alternative fuels, such as ethanol and biodeisel, we must ensure that we have the oil that we currently need. We can increase our supply by lowering deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for a short period, as well as increasing our refinery capability and our domestic oil production.

For more information on this plan, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/energy.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is planning to hold hearings on the gas price issue in the next few weeks. I look forward to continuing to work toward a comprehensive and affordable national energy policy.

Constituent Corner

· National Military Appreciation Month

The month of May is dedicated to National Military Appreciation Month.

This is a time for us to remember the many men and women who are protecting our nation in times of peace and war, both at home and abroad. I would like to personally thank all of them for what they do for all of us. Please take the time to join me in thanking these brave individuals.

For more information, please visit www.nmam.org.

· Military Academies

There will be an informational All Academies Meeting (Army, Navy, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine) for high school students and parents on Sunday, May 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

This meeting will be held at Edward Jones, National Headquarters, at the Northeast Corner of I-270 and Manchester (12555 Manchester Road), St. Louis, MO. Topics will include: Presentations by each academy on applications and admissions; and questions and answers on academy life and the academies.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with your name, high school name, class year, and the number of persons attending (including parents) to: 314-515-1117.

· Funding Announcement

I am happy to announce federal funding through the United States Department of Agriculture to three regional water districts. All of these funds have been awarded through the Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.

Lincoln Prairie Water Company, based in Dieterich, received funding for two projects. They will receive loans of $1,696,000, and grants in the amount of $836,000. Additional funds for these projects will come from the Community Development Block Grant program in the amount of $2,050,000 and $140,000 in connection fees.

The Montgomery County Water Company, based in Hillsboro, will receive a loan of $500,000 and a grant of $640,000, along with an additional $400,000.

Also, the EJ Water Company, based in Dieterich, will be able to reach hundreds of additional people and will receive a Community Development Block Grant of $2,034,000 and $147,000 in connection fees.

For more information on these grants, please visit www.usda.gov.

· Radio Shows

Next week, I will have the pleasure of being on a few radio shows to discuss some issues. The dates and times are as follows:

o McGraw Milhaven Show: Tune into KTRS radio in St. Louis on AM 550 at 11:00 am cst on Monday, May 1.

o Brian Byers (host): Tune in to WSOY radio in Decatur on AM 1340 at 8:00 am cst on Thursday, May 4.

o Tom Miller (host): Tune in to WJPF in southern Illinois on AM 1340 at 8:20 am cst on Friday, May 5.

I hope that you will tune in.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Monday, May 1, 2006, Mary Ballard of my Springfield district office will be available to help the residents of Windsor and Mt. Auburn. In Windsor, she will be in the Windsor City Hall at 1016 Maine Street from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. In Mt. Auburn, she will be at the Mt. Auburn Village Hall on South Broad Street 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!

Legislative Week in Review

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

o H.R. 5020 – Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Rep. Hoekstra – House Intelligence)

· 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 next week from Tuesday through Friday.

o H.R. 4975 – Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Rep. Dreier – House Rules)

· 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?

· Gas Prices

While our gas prices are high, there are ways to make your fuel go further. Driving slower and keeping your vehicle properly maintained are just a couple of the ways to do so.

For more information, please visit www.energy.gov/3464.htm.

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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