Congressman
John Shimkus

Hurricane Ike will disrupt oil production.

In the past few days, I’ve received numerous calls to my offices regarding the possibility of price gouging and seemingly unpredictable prices at the pump. While the possibility of price gouging should not be dismissed, rapidly changing prices are far more likely an effect of refinery closings and production cuts in preparation for Hurricane Ike.

About 19 percent of domestic refinery capacity is shutting down as Ike barrels toward Texas and the Gulf Coast. Suspending production in the eight Houston area refineries alone takes 2.22 million barrels-a-day off the market – 13 percent of total US Production. Not only are refineries closing but the Coast Guard has also shut down the Port of Houston in preparation for Ike’s landfall – inhibiting imports of already refined petroleum products.

These disruptions drastically and rapidly affect the price consumers pay at the pump. While uncertainty may compell consumers to stock up on gasoline -- I would urge you to only purchase what you need. "Panic buying" drives up prices for everyone. Prices will stabalize after the storm.

If you do suspect price gouging, I encourage you to contact Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline in Springfield at (800) 243-0618 or Carbondale at (800) 243-0607.

One of the issues I often hear about as I travel the 19th Congressional District is how many veterans in rural areas of the district have to travel long distances to be seen at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility. It is a burden compounded by the high gas prices we have been seeing. I am pleased to note that the House of Representatives has taken action to help these men and women who answered the call to service for their country. H.R.1527, the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act, passed the House unanimously September 10.

The act, which now heads to the Senate, would allow a "highly rural veteran" who is enrolled in the VA healthcare system to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA healthcare provider. A "highly rural veteran" is defined as one who resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs). This bill also directs the VA to furnish a highly rural veteran such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury.

Another bill, S. 2617, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008, would increase the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, starting December 1, 2008. In addition, the act would tie increases in benefits to the same percentage that Social Security benefits increase. S. 2617, which also passed the House unanimously September 10, already was approved by the Senate, so it now goes to the President for his signature.

This week I joined my House colleagues in passing legislation requiring the Secretary of Transportation to terminate a one-year pilot program which allows certain motor carriers based in Mexico to operate throughout the United States.

On September 6, 2007, the Department of Transportation began a pilot program to allow certain Mexican trucks to operate in the United States, as well as some American trucks to operate in Mexico. Previously, Mexican trucks were prohibited from operating beyond a 20-mile commercial zone near border crossings. The pilot program was an effort to comply with the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

While free trade is important, we cannot risk the safety of American motorists as Mexican trucks may not meet the same safety and inspection requirements as US trucks.

Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies.

Some financial advisors and consumer advocates suggest that you review your credit report periodically. Why?

• Because the information it contains affects whether you can get a loan—and how much you will have to pay to borrow money.
• To make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or apply for a job.
• To help guard against identity theft. That’s when someone uses your personal information—like your name, your Social Security number, or your credit card number—to commit fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit card account in your name. Then, when they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate information like that could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job.

An amendment to the FCRA requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

For more information, see Your Access to Free Credit Reports at ftc.gov/credit. And to request your report, visit annualcreditreport.com.

Hosted annually by First Lady Laura Bush, the National Book Festival will be held on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on the National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets in Washington, DC. The First Lady will be joined by more than 70 authors and illustrators including Tikki Barber, Daniel Schorr, Bob Schieffer, Kimberly Dozier, Dionne Warwick, and others. Authors will give readings, participate in book signings and discuss their work in open forums across the Mall. Should you be in Washington on the 27th, I would encourage you to visit and participate in this exciting program. You can learn more at loc.gov/bookfest.

This is also a good opportunity to make you aware of other valuable programs offered by the Library of Congress: Veterans History Project; educational resources for teachers; American Memory—Online Access to the Library Collections; Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; along with a host of others programs that can be found at loc.gov/

On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, residents of Wayne City and Louisville can meet with Dora Rohan of my Collinsville District Office. In Wayne City, she will be at the Wayne City Village Hall, located at 103 Mill Street, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. In Louisville, she will be at the Louisville City Hall, located at 177 South main, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

On Monday, September 22, 2008, residents of Ridgway and Elizabethtown can meet with Jed Nelson of my Springfield District Office. In Ridgway, he will be at the Gallatin County Farm Bureau, located at 216 South Murphy Street, from 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. In Elizabethtown, he will be at the Elizabethtown Village Hall, located along Locust Street, from 10:30 a.m. – noon.

The House will be in session from Monday, September 15 to Friday, September 19 and plans to consider the following legislation:

• H.R. 6842 - National Capital Security and Safety Act (Oversight & Government Reform)
• Possible Democratic Energy Legislation

To view the Calendar for the 2nd Session of the 110th Congress, click here.

For information on the upcoming schedule, please visit the Office of the Clerk’s web site.  This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.

No American can forget the catastrophic events on the morning of September 11th, 2001. The uncertainty, fear, sadness, and anger felt that day are irreversibly scorched into the minds of all Americans. As we mark another anniversary, we recall the emotional rollercoaster of 7 years ago as well as the brave and courageous civilians who gave their lives that day – showing us what it means to be an American.

Take for example, Rick Rescorla, 62, vice president for corporate security at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co on the 44th floor of the World Trade Center South Tower. After the plane struck the first building he remained calm, insisting his co-workers follow their evacuation plan despite building security’s instructions to stay. With his megaphone, the boisterous Mr. Rescorla went to the stairwell and lead the lost and frightened out. After clearing stragglers floor by floor, ensuring his group's safe evacuation, he returned to the burning South Tower.

Rescorla was last seen on the 10th floor escorting the remainder of his colleagues out of the building. Just before the tower collapsed he called his wife and said, "I don't want you to cry. I have to evacuate my people now. If something happens to me, I want you to know that you made my life." It was then, the phone went silent.

The first 9/11 memorial was completed and opened on September 11th, 2008 at the Pentagon. Though we will never forget the events of the day, this memorial was created to commemorate the bravest among us. It symbolizes that Americans are willing to ignore their fears and risk their lives in service to their fellow citizens. It will help us remember what it means to be an American.