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D.C. and District Talk

· Katrina Hearings

Over the past few weeks, I have participated in three Congressional hearings in the Energy and Commerce Committee regarding the handling and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The hearings focused on the disruptive and destructive nature of the hurricane, and how these disruptions have impacted the energy, health, and telecommunications sectors of the nation’s economy.

The first hearing highlighted Hurricane Katrina’s effect on our energy supply. Witnesses including Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi and several representatives from the production, refining, pipeline, and marketing sectors of our energy industry testified on September 7th. The testimony from this hearing proved the overwhelming for a new energy bill, and I was proud to take part in the crafting of the legislation this week.

To address health care issues following the hurricane, a hearing entitled, “Assessing Public Health and the Delivery of Care in the Wake of Katrina” was held on September 22nd. We heard from two expert panels of witnesses, including Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, and representatives from the American Red Cross, the American Medical Association, and many other organizations.

On September 29th, I participated in a hearing that focused on telecommunications issues after the hurricane. Kevin J. Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testified on the government’s role in alleviating the problems we saw after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina in the telecommunications sector.

For more information regarding these hearings, please visit the Energy and Commerce Committee website at http://energycommerce.house.gov/.

· Refineries Bill

Following the events of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our eyes have been opened to the need for more refineries to deal with energy problems that may arise. Approximately 47 percent of U.S. refining capacity and 28 percent of oil production is concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico.

To confront this problem, the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked hard to get H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for America’s Security Act of 2005, through the committee and on its way to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote next week.

H.R. 3893 attempts to provide some relief to the pressures on the U.S. oil markets by increasing refinery capacity, promoting geographic diversity in siting new refineries, improving delivery infrastructure, promoting conservation, vigorously investigating charges of price-gouging, and expanding the capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

I have also introduced a couple of amendments to this bill. One, introduced by Congressman Rush of Illinois and me, will focus on making sure that new refineries will be energy efficient through the type of lighting they use throughout their area.

The other will not only look at expanding the number of refineries, but also the types of refineries. There are many technologies out there that are worth exploring, such as coal-to-liquid-fuels (CTLF). This can produce cleaner-burning, sulfur-free transportation fuel using an abundant domestic energy source.

For more information regarding this bill, please visit the Energy and Commerce Committee website at http://energycommerce.house.gov/.

· Majority Leader Steps Down

As I am sure that you have heard, the House of Representatives Majority Leader, Representative Tom DeLay, has stepped down from his leadership position. Pursuant to House GOP rules, following a grand jury indictment, one must temporarily remove themselves from a leadership position.

Representative DeLay has stepped aside until he is cleared of all charges. No trial has been preformed, and in our nation, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Constituent Corner

· SIUE Economic Development Center

I am pleased to announce $158,527 of federal investment toward the creation of an Economic Development Administration University Center at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

This money comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and is to be combined with almost $500,000 in funding from SIUE, the Southwest Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, county governments, the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center, and private industry. It is part of our commitment to keep America working and is expected to create 200 new jobs.

For more information on this, please visit www.commerce.gov.

· Network Knowledge

In an effort to keep public broadcasting up to date with current technologies, I am happy to announce a $358,341 grant from Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) to help upgrade the West Central Illinois Education Telecommunications Corporation in Chatham.

This group operates WSEC, WQEC, and WMEC, also known as Network Knowledge. This will help keep public broadcasting from falling behind other stations in the technology it is able to offer.

For more information on this, please visit www.ntia.doc.gov.

· Violence Against Women

As a cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, H.R. 2876, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Acts of 1994 and 2000, I am happy to announce federal grants for two Illinois Organizations.

The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault will receive $85,457 to help along their mission to first, end sexual assault violence, and then to alleviate the suffering of victims. They plan to use these funds for education, public policy advocacy, and to assist with the healing process.

Also, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $85,475. Their mission is to eliminate domestic abuse with a focus on women and children. Their funds will be used to coordinate responders, increase compliance, enhance accountability, encourage appropriate response, and increase coalition building.

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

· Fire Grants For Seven Departments

I am pleased to announce that seven fire departments in the 19th Congressional District have been selected as recipients of funding through the Unites States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This money comes from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Administered by the DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration.

All of the following departments are receiving grants for operations and safety are the Clin-Clair Fire Protection District, Albers, $38,000; New Burnside Fire Department, $51,196; Okawville Community Fire Protection District, $116,280; Olney Fire Department, $101,839; Patoka Fire Protection District, $136,483; Rochester Fire Protection District, $160,819; and Teutopolis Fire Protection District, $30,737.

I congratulate all of them, and thank them for keeping our communities safe. For more information regarding these grants, please visit www.firegrantsupport.com.

· HUD Money

I am happy to announce a grant for the Springfield Housing Authority from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

They will be receiving a grant in the amount of $42,000, through the Housing Choice Voucher-Family Self Sufficiency Grant program. These funds will be used for the salary of a program coordinator and homeownership coordinator.

For more information on this grant, please visit www.hud.gov.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Thursday, October 27, 2005, Dora Rohan of my Collinsville district office will be available to help the residents of Clay City and Willow Hill. In Clay City, she will be at the Clay City Village Hall on 140 South Main Street from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In Willow Hill, she will be in the Willow Hill Township Building on 101 South Cumberland from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary, so feel free to drop by at any time. 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. 3402 – Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 through 2009 (Rep. Sensenbrenner – House Judiciary Committee)

o H.R. 3824 – Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005 (Rep. Pombo – House Resources Committee)

· 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 Thursday and Friday of next week. Some of the legislation which will be considered includes:

o H.R. 3893 – Gasoline for America’s Security Act of 2005 (Rep. Barton – House Energy and Commerce)

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

Did You Know?

· Supreme Court

John Jay was appointed the first Supreme Court Chief Justice by our first president, George Washington, in 1789. In over 215 years, our nation has had only 16 Supreme Court Chief Justices. This week, the United States Senate confirmed the 17th Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Glover Roberts Jr.

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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