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	December 18– Congressmen Zach Wamp and Jesse Jackson Jr. were invited to the Oval Office of the White House to join President Bush in a private bill signing ceremony. The President signed legislation sponsored by the Congressmen that designates the great hall of the new Capitol Visitor Center as Emancipation Hall. “It is really the right thing to do and the right time in history,” Zach said.
	December 17– Congressman Wamp joined Deborah Hester and other officials from the Tennessee Department of Workforce Development to tour their Chattanooga Career Center location. The Career Center serves more than 7,500 employers to screen potential employers for available positions in Tennessee and provides training that builds the skilled available workforce while addressing shortages in areas such as healthcare, education and skilled trades.
	December 12 – A market-based health insurance system for individuals will result in lower prices for everybody,” Congressman Wamp said at a news conference introducing the Patients Health Care Choice Act. The bill would allow residents of one state to buy health coverage available in and regulated by another state. Zach said, “If we’re going to provide a legitimate alternative to government health care, we have to use the market, and we’ve got to give patients what they need.
	December 11 – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and Congressman Wamp discussed some of issues of importance to the Cherokee Nation, including the Trail of Tears. Zach updated Chief Smith on the latest Trail of Tears study, which is currently working its way through the approval process at the National Parks Service.
	December 3 – Brian Shulman, a former Auburn football player, developed STAR Sportsmanship to address the explosion of unsportsmanlike behavior at the high school and youth sports level. Knowing of Congressman Wamp’s reputation as an advocate for the physical, spiritual and mental development of children led Brian and his business partner John Thornton to present the program, which uses sports to teach character education. Zach encouraged them to continue this important program saying, “The return is so much higher on preventative programs, like STAR.”
	November 28– Congressman Wamp provided the Oak Ridge Rotarians a brief overview of the many issues still before Congress including appropriations, taxes, the War on Terror and immigration. “There are many things on the agenda that are not going to happen - this happened under Republican leadership and now it is happening under Democratic leadership,” Zach told the group. Because there is so much work left unfinished, the House may be working right up until Christmas as their target adjournment date is December 22.
	November 28– Congressman Wamp was in Oak Ridge to tour Saint Mary’s school and speak to the students about serving in Congress. As part of the tour he visited the science lab to see firsthand the student’s science fair projects using fruit juices and yeast to find alternative fuels for cars. “The single, most powerful way to produce energy is to save energy,“ Zach told the students.
	November 21– “Claude’s main legacy is his touch with the people. He’s never changed; he’s always had that down home, genuine way with the people he has represented in all the different aspects of his public service," Zach said at the ceremony to rename the Harrison Post Office as the Claude Ramsey Post office. At the ceremony, the Congressman presented Mayor Ramsey a signed copy of the bill he introduced and the pen used by President Bush to sign it into law.
	November 20 – Congressman Wamp joined UT officials to announce the establishment of the National Center for Computational Engineering on the UTC campus. “The SimCenter has developed a very strong reputation, but as it grows and partners with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the sky is the limit in terms of where we are and what we do,” Zach said. The National Center will use research and education programs to establish next-generation technologies.
	November 19 – “If you’re going to be competitive, you have to pull together as a region, and economically we see the benefits of this kind of regional cooperation,” Congressman Wamp said at the Tennessee Valley Corridor Fall Partnership Event in Greenville, S.C. TVC leaders partnered with key South Carolina institutions and leaders for an event focused on how the South can take leadership of the nation’s push for innovative automotive and alternative fuel technologies.
	November 14 – Congressman Wamp, his fellow co-chair of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus Congressman Mark Udall, and former Senator John Breaux addressed the importance of energy efficiency at a Community Power Alliance event. “You can get more sources of energy or get more mileage out of the sources you already have,” said Zach. “The greening of America isn’t just about the environment – it’s about the greening of the economy and creating job opportunities for our people.”
	November 12 – “I congratulate Cleveland State Community College for being ahead of the curve,” Congressman Wamp said as he announced a $75,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for the Cleveland/Bradley Energy Business Incubator. “Energy Technology will lead to a robust, export driven U.S. economy that is good for America and good for the world, and CSCC can help train the people to make it happen.” After the announcement, Zach toured the Business Incubator with college president Carl Hite.
	November 6 – Congressman Wamp is an original cosponsor of the Secure American with Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE Act), a bi-partisan plan to stop illegal immigration. "When the Senate got together in a bipartisan way, their solution was amnesty. When the House got together, the solution was interior enforcement, border security," Zach said at a press conference to introduce the bill. Ninety Members of Congress have signed on to this three-point plan to secure America’s borders, expand employer verification of workers and strengthen interior enforcement.
	November 5 – “Almost every major technology project in this region has been because of the leadership from Congressman Zach Wamp,” said UTC Chancellor Roger Brown. The Congressman was honored with a classroom in the UTC Challenger Learning Center, which will be known as “Congressman Zach Wamp’s Classroom of Technology” and will serve as a technology classroom for visiting students from all around the country. Chancellor Brown and Flight Director April King opened the new room by placing an engraved plaque with the Congressman’s name.
	November 3 – Constables across the State of Tennessee gathered in Union County for the 1st Annual Constable Appreciation Day. This event was held in honor of the law enforcement officials who provide protection in local communities. Congressman Wamp greeted several constables upon their arrival and commended their efforts in public service.
	October 30 – Congressman Zach Wamp, U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker joined U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and other Members of Congress to commend TVA for taking a leadership role in the rebirth of the nuclear industry. NuStart Energy Development and TVA filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined license to construct and operate a nuclear power plant in Bellefonte, Alabama.
	October 25 – Several Tennessee fire chiefs were in Washington for a leadership summit and discussed their work with Congressman Wamp. Chief Eddie Phillips, director of public safety at East Ridge Fire and Police, thanked Zach for his support of the Tennessee fire service, his efforts on behalf of the FEMA fire grant program and for his help to provide funding for the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Academy.
	October 22 – “There is data that proves students learn more when they get a healthy dose of physical activity to burn more calories,” said Zach. Congressman Wamp spoke with two classes of Ooltewah High School students about his sponsorship of Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act). The FIT Kids Act would amend No Child Left Behind to support quality physical education for all public school children through grade 12 and ensure they receive important health and nutrition information.
	October 20 – “Lincoln Memorial University has made a commitment that will have an extraordinary impact,” Congressman Wamp said during the building dedication of the new DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (DCOM), Tennessee’s newest medical school located on the campus of LMU in Harrogate. “Healthcare is very complicated and we need providers at every level. The five disciplines that will come from this medical school will be generationally beneficial.”
	October 16 – Congressman Wamp and Jeffrey Hunter, director of the Southeast Trail Program in Chattanooga at the American Hiking Society, discussed the growing problem of childhood obesity and the reduction of children engaging in physical activity outdoors and in schools. Zach introduced the FIT Kids Act earlier this year to integrate regular physical education into the No Child Left Behind Act. The Southeast Trail Program addresses the recreation, conservation and health needs of nine southeastern states through development of a 5,000-mile interconnected network of trails.
	October 9 – “Robotics is today’s new manufacturing, which will allow us to compete with low wage countries like China and Mexico. These types of technologies give our country the opportunity to have strong export potential and competitiveness on the global market,” said Congressman Wamp. Zach joined Executive Vice President Don Peters of Tennessee Rand Inc., a leading supplier of automated welding systems, on a tour of the Chattanooga facility.
	October 4 – Former Senator Howard Baker invited Congressman Wamp to speak at a conference on the role of nuclear power in global and domestic energy policy in Washington hosted by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Zach expressed his support of nuclear energy as part of a comprehensive strategy to meet our nation’s energy needs. “The U.S. must lead from innovation – not regulation – to bring energy solutions that we can export to the world. We can do this, we should do this, and a revival of nuclear energy must be part of the solution,” Zach said.
	October 2 – Dr. Nita Ganguly, director of science at Oak Ridge High School, shared with Congressman Wamp a preview of the testimony she will give today before the House Committee on Science and Technology. She is in Washington to testify to the importance of nanotechnology in schools. Zach commended her for choosing to leave teaching at the university level to try and reach high school students to encourage them to consider further study in math and science.
	September 26- Zach spoke to Southeast Tourism Society members at their Congressional Summit before meeting with representatives from Tennessee. “Tourism used to mean a week’s vacation, but now weekend trips are a big trend providing new opportunities for tourism all across the South,” said Zach, a member of the House Travel & Tourism Caucus. “And as we can share history and important cultural information with the visitor, we improve the quality of life in our great country.”
	September 25- Congressman Wamp testified at a hearing today about a bill he sponsored with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to rename the main gathering space at the Capitol Visitor Center from Great Hall to Emancipation Hall. “It is common sense that you cannot have two competing Great Halls, one in the CVC and one in the century old Library of Congress Jefferson Building, which are connected by a tunnel,” said Zach. “The space needs a name that recognizes the importance and history of the Capitol, and naming it Emancipation Hall will tell freedom’s story to the millions of visitors to the Capitol each year.”
	September 20- The Alliance to Save Energy honored Congressman Wamp’s legislative director with its Unsung Heroes Award and induction to its Energy Efficiency Hall of Fame to recognize the often unheralded government employees who champion energy efficiency on a daily basis. “Melissa Chapman has had the difficult task of studying these issues and finding ways to bring people with different motivations together in a bipartisan way to meet our objectives,” Zach said.
	September 18- “The human body was made to move,” said Congressman Wamp as he joined Congressmen Kind and Inslee, the High Flyers Jump Rope Team and the American Heart Association in urging Congress to make physical education a priority through the FIT Kids Act. Physical education in our public schools is waning at a time when it should be at the forefront of No Child Left Behind reauthorization. “Physical activity leads to productivity and, we have an opportunity to stimulate learning and help prevent children from leading a sedentary lifestyle,” said Zach.
	September 12- Congressman Wamp was in Oak Ridge to tour the Oak Ridge High School and see the renovations and expansions taking place. “The importance of civics in terms of your education should be your foundation,” Zach told the 4th period civics class. “What we should all be about is giving back more than we take from our country, community, family and our relationships.”
	September 5- Congressman Wamp spoke with his colleagues on the House floor about the progress of the military surge in Iraq and the upcoming progress report that General Petraeus will present to Congress. “We are hearing in a bipartisan way from Members who recently came back from Iraq and clearly said much progress has been made, and General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will be here next Monday to give us an update. We all want our troops home, but not until it is in our national interest for us to draw down troops on the timeline that secures our liberty and protects our people and our place in the world.”
	September 4- The summer of 2007 will be remembered as the time when the Tennessee Valley Corridor became one of the nation's leading centers of bioenergy research, Congressman Zach Wamp said during a visit to Oak Ridge National Laboratory to talk about a new Department of Energy Bioenergy Center that opens a new chapter in alternative fuel technology. “The lab was selected not just as the research center for biofuels, but what they call the home of the industrial complex, meaning it starts at the lab, but makes its way to the pump, and all the business in between are going to benefit,” Zach said.
	August 30 - Along with Senator Lamar Alexander and Congressman Bart Gordon, Congressman Zach Wamp led a roundtable discussion at the Oak Ridge National Lab about the recently-approved America COMPETES Act. The $34 billion legislation sets basic scientific research at three government agencies on a path to double over the next seven years and establishes or expands a number of initiatives to improve the teaching of math and science to children. "If we want to lead the world in energy technologies, we need to invest now in the next generation,” Zach said.
	August 29 - Breakfast with Jefferson County residents in Dandridge included a wide variety of topics, but the focus was on biofuels. Congressman Wamp speaks with Mat Trzeciak of East Tennessee Zinc Company in Jefferson County about the potential that biofuels offer Tennessee. “This is where agriculture meets commerce and East Tennessee is the center of alternative fuel and energy independence for our nation,” Zach said.
	August 28 - “Good things are happening in this community, and it takes a partnership lead at the local level,” Congressman Wamp told Claiborne County officials. Powell Valley Electric Cooperative was awarded a $300,000 grant through the USDA Rural Development program to construct a new medical office building for the Claiborne County Hospital and Nursing Home. This facility will include new specialists who will provide vital services in an area where quality health care is greatly needed.
	August 23 - Congressman Wamp joined TVA officials Bob Morris, Mike Lorek, Masoud Bajestani and State Rep. Jim Cobb at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant to tour Unit 2, which is scheduled to go online by 2013. “Nuclear energy must be a critical component for a national movement toward energy independence,” Zach said. “With the Tennessee Valley’s growing demand for power, this second unit will be a vital piece to providing energy throughout the region.”
	August 21 - Zach shares his passion for health and physical fitness during a meeting with “Wellness Steps of Bradley County” officials. “All the studies are in and the most effective anti-depressant people can have is sweat, especially children,” said Rep. Wamp. “The more people we can encourage to have a regime of physical activity in their lives and take better care of themselves, the better off we will be as a society. I believe every child by the fourth grade should know there are adverse consequences to a sedentary lifestyle.”
	August 20 - “Recruiting great people to do this work for our country is commendable,” Congressman Wamp told BAE representatives while touring their facility in Jefferson City. BAE Systems produces Modular Light Weight Load Bearing Equipment, soft body armor and improved outer tactical vests for members of our Army, Air Force and Special Ops Forces in the field. More than 600 BAE employees work hard to ensure that the men and women of our armed services are protected with the gear they need.
	August 16 - Along with officials from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga SimCenter, Dr. K.R. Sridhar of Bloom Energy Corporation and David Rayburn of Modine Manufacturing Company, Congressman Zach Wamp announced that if a House-passed defense bill becomes law, the first 100-kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell will come to UTC’s campus for a demonstration project. "The 100-kilowatt unit goes into a shipping container that fits into a parking space, yet produces enough energy to heat and cool a downtown office building of five stories," Zach said.
	August 16 - Rep. Wamp speaks with Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield about energy technology initiatives before his keynote address at a Chattanooga Technology Council luncheon. “The Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor has established itself as a center for energy technologies in the nation,” Zach said. “Chattanooga is a complete partner in the Tech Corridor.”
	August 16 - Congressman Wamp spoke to Battle Academy fifth graders at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Challenger Center about how fast technology changes. “In less than 100 years, we went from the first flight at Kitty Hawk to regular space shuttle missions. Just think what can happen in the next 100 years. If you want to lead in these areas, continue to love and learn as much as you can about math, science and computers.”
	July 31 - Duane King, executive director of the Southwest Museum of the Autry National Center in Los Angeles and one of the country’s foremost experts on the Trail of Tears, pens a message to Congressman Wamp in a copy of his book The Cherokee Trail of Tears. The book is a photo-essay that pays tribute to the 17 Cherokee detachments that were pushed westward into Oklahoma in 1838. When presenting the book to Zach, Duane thanked him for sharing his passion for Cherokee culture and history and for his dedication to preserve and recognize the Cherokee Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
	July 27 - Refugee children from Western Sahara spoke at a reception on Capitol Hill, asking for American assistance to end their 30-year exile from their homeland. The Saharawi Children’s Program, which began in 1999, has made it possible for more than two hundred Saharawi refugee children to visit homes in the United States. Members of Congress, including Rep. Zach Wamp, a strong supporter, heard dramatic details of harsh desert life in the refugee camps and pleas for self determination for the people of Western Sahara. The dispute over Western Sahara is one of the longest, unresolved conflicts in United Nation’s history.
	July 26 - Oak Ridge City Councilwoman Jane Miller is the city’s newly elected mayor pro tem. For the next two years, she will fill in for Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan in his absence. While in Washington, D.C., Congressman Zach Wamp and Jane discussed the new city council, the economic future of Oak Ridge and the Y-12 National Security Complex.
	July 24 - Barbara Simpson Ector, 8th grade teacher at Cleveland Middle School is one of the recipients of the 2007 American Civic Education Teacher Awards, which is given to teachers of civics, government and related subjects who have demonstrated special expertise in motivating students to learn about the Constitution, Congress and public policy. Zach told Barbara that her passion was contagious and commended her exemplary work preparing and encouraging her students to become informed and engaged citizens.
	July 19 - At the Capitol Hill Modeling and Simulation Exhibition in Washington, Congressman Zach Wamp looked at the latest Joint Training Enterprise technology from the Joint Forces Command. The Joint Forces Command will use this technology to train members of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. Zach is a member of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus.
	July 10 - Oak Ridge Associated Universities celebrated its site dedication of the New Center for Science Education, which is scheduled to open in December 2008 and will house a state-of-the art classroom for teachers and students to focus on educating the next generation of scientists. “The United States will not be as competitive in the future as it has in the past unless we stimulate young people’s interest in science and math,” Congressman Wamp said. “Your productivity, involvement and growth intellectually will keep our country competitive in the future,” Zach told the students, who participated in a Lego Robot Competition.
	July 10 - Congressman Wamp was in Oak Ridge to celebrate the dedication of Y-12’s new privately financed buildings, The New Hope and Jack Case Centers. “These two facilities change the face of Y-12. This is one of about four things in a row that completely prepare Y-12 to lead the country and be the model of how to transform a facility like this from the cold war vintage era to a premier facility,” Zach told the packed auditorium. Along with Congressman Wamp, Randy Spickard, of BWXT; John Fees, CEO of The Babcock and Wilcox Companies; Naomi Brummett former resident of the New Hope Community; George Dials, General Manager of BWXT Y-12; Tom D’Agostino, Deputy Director of NNSA and Ted Sherry, Manager of the Y-12 Site office of NNSA attended at the ribbon cutting of the New Hope Center.
	July 3 - Thousands turned out in Collegedale, Tenn., to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and a patriotic concert performed by the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. Congressman Zach Wamp inspired the crowd at Veterans Memorial Park with his tribute to our nation’s most enduring virtues. “As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, let us rededicate ourselves to the cause of serving others. Let’s leave this place committed to the principles of freedom, liberty, service, justice and those tenets that make this nation the beacon of hope and opportunity to the world.“
	June 26 - Capitol Visitor Center Project Communications Officer Tom Fontana reviews some of the exhibits planned for the new Capitol Visitors Center with Stephen Ayers, the Acting Architect of the Capitol, and Congressman Zach Wamp. Zach is the Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, which provides funding and oversight for the 580,000-square-foot facility. The CVC is expected to be completed by late 2008.
	June 25 - The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and the Washington Literacy Council will receive between $75,000 and $100,000 from the proceeds of the 2007 Congressional Baseball Game. After taking an early 1-0 lead, Democrats trailed the Republicans by three runs in the bottom of the sixth and seemed to be mounting a late game rally. Republicans, who relied heavily on their defensive skills all game, called on Congressman Zach Wamp to turn a double play at shortstop and the comeback was soon an afterthought. With a large expression of bipartisanship from both dugouts, the game ended with the Republicans in a 5-to-2 victory over the Democrats.
	June 11 - Chairman Jim Hall and Richard Brown listen as Zach welcomes new member Susan O’Hare to the Board of Directors at The Enterprise Center’s annual Council of Manager’s meeting. Ms. O’Hare was selected to replace Marshal Mize who fulfils his commitment on June 30. The Enterprise Center was created to promote technology growth and economic development in the Chattanooga area.
	June 11 - Congressman Wamp shared lunch with soldiers from the 181st Field Artillery Battalion who are leaving tomorrow morning to train for deployment to Iraq. In an informal gathering, Zach expressed appreciation to each soldier, and their families, for their willingness to serve. The troops will train at Ft. Bliss, Texas, before heading to Iraq where they are expected to be deployed for about a year.
	June 6 - During his first markup as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, Congressman Wamp pointed out that the Legislative Branch spending bill is “one of the few bills that was under the president’s request.” He told the subcommittee that one of the biggest challenges facing the committee is the Capitol Visitor Center and that more supervision in this area is needed. Zach also spoke about his plans to offer a future amendment to rename the CVC’s Great Hall to avoid confusion with the Great Hall located in the Library of Congress.
	May 30 - "Our region is leading the way to energy independence: TVA will lead the way in nuclear energy, Eastman will lead the way in cleaner coal and the University of Tennessee will lead in biofuels. If it's going to happen, it will be led from here," said Congressman Wamp while moderating a session on advancing America's energy security at the Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit.
	May 29 - Zach listens to participants at the 13th Annual Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit in Kingsport just before the summit welcome and opening dinner on Advancing America’s Competitiveness, where he discussed how the region's outstanding partnerships in national security and energy help advance our nation’s competitiveness. “When we work together across regions and across boundaries, we’re helping our country. When we work together like this we defy the skeptics, allay the cynics...in the South we just 'get 'er done,'" said Congressman Wamp.
	May 28 - “Thank you to every brave soul that gave their life in defense of our country, so that we may live in freedom,” said Congressman Wamp as he spoke to more than 300 people at the Chattanooga National Cemetery Memorial Day service. Zach walked over to thank Gold Star Mothers, Herta Lemons and Zelma Phillips, for their support of our veterans and troops. The Gold Star Mothers organization is a group of mothers that have lost a son or daughter in service to our country.
	May 18 - “The Senate Immigration proposal is the wrong approach to solving America’s immigration issue. The legislation will be almost impossible to enforce and will double immigration over the next ten years." Congressman Wamp discussed the problems of the Senate Immigration proposal with WRCB Channel 3 reporter Matt Johnson in Chattanooga saying, “We need to stand firm in the House of Representatives and reject this legislation.“
	May 15 - “The 2005 Energy Bill was a good start, but we need to offer more incentives to demonstrate that the federal government has a long-term commitment to becoming energy independent,” said Congressman Wamp at the U.S. Fuel Cell Council Expo. “Talk is cheap. We need action. In today’s geopolitical climate, we don’t have time to wait.”
	May 14 - “You see these authentic log cabin elements and mountain stone and you know you are passing through the gateway to the mountains of East Tennessee on your way to raft the Ocoee, tour the Tennessee Aquarium or visit Ruby Falls and Rock City,” Congressman Wamp said at the grand opening of the I-75 Welcome Center. TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely and Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield were also there to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new facility and kick off National Tourism Week.
	May 14 - “We’ve gone from having some bad feelings between the United States and Japan to now witnessing extraordinary reconciliation and healing between our countries,” said Congressman Wamp. Zach spoke with Hitoe Engelbrekt, a Japanese citizen and volunteer from Chattanooga’s National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History at his Chattanooga office today. She plans to return a 62-year-old Japanese Battle Flag to the family of the fallen World War II soldier.
	May 7 - “You do not have to be completely off of oil to be independent from the oil producing nations, you just have to have a competitive market force like an ethanol alternative so you do not have to buy their oil and the price will fall,” Congressman Wamp told members of the Chattanooga Transportation Club. Alternative fuels, such as E85, are a relatively short-term solution to achieving that end. Zach noted that car manufacturers are working to make every American car flex fuel by 2010 to give people a choice.
	May 4 - The 58th Annual Armed Services Parade storms through downtown Chattanooga with such honor and patriotism. Zach joined other officials in paying tribute to our veterans and those currently serving to protect our country. The Congressman spoke with four star General Bruce Carlson of the United States Air Force and thanked him for his commitment to our country.
	May 2 - Zach takes questions from members of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce after speaking at their National Issues Forum in Washington about the importance of states working together to benefit the region as a whole. “Geography has bound us together over the years and we are naturally connected in this region. We have the opportunity to work together to increase economic development based on where the assets are in our region,” said Congressman Wamp.
	May 2 - The Wamp team refuels after completing the 26th annual Capital Challenge, which is a three-mile race in Anacostia Park. Zach was one of only 25 members of the House of Representatives to lead a five-member team in today’s race. Congressman Wamp is the founder and current co-chair of the Congressional Fitness Caucus, and is a strong proponent of physical activity for both children and adults to help prevent obesity and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
	April 25 - “Regionalism is a trend, not a fad,” said Congressman Wamp at a breakfast briefing for the Blount County Chamber, Oak Ridge Chamber and the East Tennessee Economic Council in Washington, D.C. “We will be successful in economic development if we join together as a region to be competitive.”
	April 23 - “It’s important to focus more on our environmental responsibilities and to push the technologies as fast and furious as we can to solve these problems,” Zach said. Congressman Wamp spoke to a standing room only group of members of the East Tennessee Economic Council on a variety of key issues facing our country including global warming, climate change and alternative energy. “We better be very careful about whether we restrain U.S. productivity to the point that we move toward third world countries while the third worlds move toward industrialized nations.”
	April 23 - “This is where leadership brings government and community together to make things happen,” Congressman Wamp said during the Earth Day 2007 event in Blaine. Rural Development joined Congressman Wamp and local officials at Blaine City Hall to announce an investment of $1,786,500 for a new wastewater treatment system to 249 households in Blaine. “I'm pleased that the city of Blaine will be able to upgrade its wastewater system, meet the needs of the growing population and ensure that area residents will have access to a cleaner environment because of this grant,” said Congressman Wamp.
	April 21 - “The only thing more precious than the security felt at the sight of a Marine in uniform, are Marines in uniform returning home to the secure arms of their mothers,” Congressman Wamp said as members of the Mike Battery return from Iraq. The Chattanooga community showed its patriotism as people lined the streets and filled the Reserve Center to welcome home their spouses, children, parents and friends from a 7-month deployment. This is only a brief R&R for some, but the resolve of these soldiers was well stated by 22-year-old Lance Cpl. Cody Michelena, who commented on the pending redeployment, “We’re Marines…this is what we do.”
	April 18 - “The human body was made to move,” said Congressman Wamp at the first National Walk at Lunch Day event. Zach is the founder of the Congressional Fitness Caucus and helped lead the walk on the National Mall. He spoke about the problem of obesity around the country and urged attendees to participate in lunchtime walks as a way to get moving and increase daily physical activity.
	April 17 - Zach joined former Brigadier General Donald Scott, acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns and others to discuss the importance of the Veterans History Project, which is an oral history program run by the Library of Congress. “It's so important for the future of this great nation and the entire free world,” said Congressman Wamp at the event. The mission of the project is to collect the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with future generations.
	April 16 - “If I could only have another hundred individuals like Zach Wamp serving in Congress then our country would be a better place,” said former 3rd District Congressman and U.S. Senator Bill Brock of Tennessee. Zach and Senator Brock joined each other for an interview conducted by Chattanooga Times Free Press Executive Editor and Publisher Tom Griscom. They discussed a wide range of issues covering such topics as the Iraq War, education and the state of politics in America.
	April 4 - “This grant is another step in pursuing enterprising research and development,” Rep. Wamp said at the announcement of the Advanced Technologies for Transportation Research Program. The Congressman was on hand at the kick-off of the new engineering program at UTC. Afterwards he toured the lab where students have designed and are building a vehicle to compete in the Mini Baja design project competition.
	March 31 - "'Freedom is not free' is something these young people understand," Congressman Wamp told parents at the Young Marines graduation ceremony on Saturday. He congratulated the group for completing a 13 week “boot camp” that challenged them physically, mentally and spiritually. The Young Marines program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
	March 26 - “Jefferson County has a tremendous future with a dedicated workforce,” Zach told officials from East Tennessee Zinc Company. East Tennessee Zinc Company is adding to that future with the reopening of three local mines. These mines have created over 300 new jobs and will be a huge boost for the local economy. Congressman Wamp visited the Young Mill operation where he saw first hand the zinc mining process. Zinc from these mines is widely used to galvanize steel but has a number of other uses.
	March 19 - "Healthcare is the most complex issue that Congress will try to address. If we don’t change our lifestyles, our Medicare and Medicaid systems will be overwhelmed ," Zach told the Chattanooga Association of Health Underwriters." Defo Spencer and Marilyn Mercer spend a few minutes with the Congressman before the breakfast began.
	March 12 - “Our flag stands for one thing and that is freedom. This flag is a symbol of what is great about our country,” Zach told Allen Elementary students as he presented an American Flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capital. The Congressman was assisted by Andy Becker, Pierce Beckett, James York, and Zachary Ledbetter with putting up the new flag. Before the flag presentation, Zach had a lunchtime question and answer session with the entire 5th grade class.
	March 5 - “Every dollar counts in the competitive economy we live in today and alleviating the flooding problem in the downtown business district of Cleveland is a top priority”. Congressman Wamp assured Mayor Tom Rowland, Whirlpool management and several members of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce that he is committed to completion of this project. Zach was briefed on the progress of three detention ponds designed to relieve flooding which affects several businesses, including the City’s largest manufacturer, Whirlpool. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring on the largest pond with all three ponds completed by April 2008.
	March 2 - “The Oak Ridge retirees pension is an issue we will continue to make a high priority,” Congressman Wamp told CORRE officials in Oak Ridge. “A significant increase in benefits is not an easy goal nor will it be quickly attained but the main thing you can do is share information, stay united and passionate but be reasonable,“ Wamp said. “Your group and Dave Reichle have always been amazing at how you gain information and share it with us to help you make the case for the retirees.”
	March 2 - “Consider a life of public service,” Congressman Wamp said to a packed auditorium of juniors and seniors at Anderson County High School. “We have a way of life where if citizens are not responsible when you have freedom built into a constitution, it does not work. The ultimate responsibility is to go into public service and serve the people. Wamp told the students that to live a fulfilled life they can be proud of, “help others first.”
	February 28 - One of the leading figures in the world’s democracy movement shared his life experiences with Representative Wamp and other Members of Congress at an informal luncheon at the Library of Congress. Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, held an engaging discussion on human rights and stressed the importance of Americans speaking courageously to the leaders of countries that don't value democracy and freedom. "You are a great inspiration," Zach told the world renowned prisoner of conscience.
	February 12 - At the Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Congressman Wamp joined 4th graders to discuss his role in Congress and the value of service to others. “I would rather be called a public servant than a politician,” Wamp emphasized. “God created us to serve our brothers and sisters in every way possible.” Barger Academy is a Hamilton County magnet school, which specializes in a fine arts based curriculum.
	February 9 - Energy independence and the upcoming farm bill dominated the discussion at the annual Tennessee Farm Bureau legislative breakfast. “The shortest distance to U.S. energy independence is through alternative fuels - using feedstock, such as switch grass, grown right here in southeast Tennessee,” Wamp said. “Giving tax incentives to farmers who grow these crops is good policy.” Energy incentives are to be included in the Farm Bill, which is due for a five-year reauthorization this spring.
	February 7 - Named “a champion of Renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives” by the Alliance to Save Energy's President, Kateri Callahan, Congressman Wamp spoke to members of the organization about the energy policy outlook for the 110th Congress. “The stars are aligned politically and geopolitically for us to have a meaningful discussion about American production of renewable energy,” Wamp said. “There will be an energy title in the new farm bill and, hopefully, a follow up energy bill with incentives to bring new fuel sources to the marketplace.”
	February 5- Newly selected Superintendent Shawn Benge and Councilwoman Sally Robinson told Congressman Wamp they will hold public meetings to plan the Moccasin Bend National Park's new “Interpretive Center.” Moccasin Bend is the only archeological site in America with over 10,000 years of history buried in it. Congressman Wamp introduced legislation to add the 780 acres to the National Park System in 2003.
	January 30 - Congressman Wamp and members of the National Federation for the Blind from Tennessee discussed how Congress can help the blind keep up with their sighted counterparts in the changing world. They were proposing voter privacy, internet capabilities in libraries, and Braille high school textbooks that arrive on time for blind students not to fall behind. Each year, the Congressman meets with NFB representatives and works to help them move their agenda forward.
	January 24 - Congressman Wamp received the Family Research Council’s “true blue” award for a perfect, 100%, pro-family voting record during the second session of the 109th Congress. “The family is the cornerstone of our society and we must all stand with values that are time honored and have served us so well,” Wamp said. “Groups that put the family first are doing the most important work for the future of our country." Key votes included the Marriage Protection Amendment, the Pledge Protection Act, the Public Expression of Religion Act, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, and the Embryonic Stem Cells Research Act. “Keep on educating Congress and the public,” Wamp continued, “because knowledge is power.”
	January 19 - Congressman Wamp and Senator Corker visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center where Sue Downes, a soldier from Claiborne County, TN, was recovering from injuries suffered during her tour in Afghanistan. “You embody the bravery and honor of the men and women of our armed services,” Wamp said. “You volunteered to place yourself between a threat and our free, civil society. That is patriotism at the highest level and we are so grateful for your service.” Along with the lawmakers were Chattanooga native and Walter Reed Chaplain, Rev. Randy Nabors, as well as Sue’s husband, Gabe, who was injured while in armed service training.
	January 18 - The Trust for Public Land; Land and Water Conservation Fund; and Forest Legacy Program invited Congressman Wamp to speak at their Washington, D.C. conference about the appropriations process and funding outlooks for their organizations. “You’re all involved in some of the best work for the country and many of us in Congress feel passionately about the issues,” Wamp said. “The future of your organizations looks bright.” As a lover of history, archaeology, land preservation, and water conservation, the Congressman served for the past ten years on the Interior Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.
	January 10 - With a vision for new ways to bring thousands of future jobs to East Tennessee, representatives from Y-12 National Security Complex came to Washington to meet with Congressman Wamp. Randy Spickard outlined a 10-year plan that would take advantage of the renaissance in the nuclear power industry and increasing opportunities in security and nuclear non-proliferation. "Y-12 is situated to take advantage of opportunities because of the expertise you all have and the way you think outside the box to benefit others," Wamp said.
	January 6 - "It is a great honor to be in the presence of American patriots who volunteer to serve our country because you are committed to freedom and the American way of life," Congressman Wamp told soldiers and their family members at the Chattanooga Choo Choo during the Freedom Salute Campaign. The event honored the 96 Tennessee National Guardsmen of the 196th Field Artillery Brigade for distinguished service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest national efforts in history to recognize National Guard soldiers who have been deployed overseas.
	January 05 - "This is not my office, but your office as citizens of the third district of Tennessee," Congressman Wamp said. "Thank you for allowing me to continue serving as your Representative." The Congressman welcomed those who came up to the nation's capital from Tennessee to witness the start of the 110th Congress and the oaths taken by Congressman Wamp and newly elected Senator Bob Corker. "The Senator is an ally and has been a close, personal friend of mine for years," Wamp said. "He will be an effective and hard-working Senator."