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I would like to apologize for any problems with last week’s newsletter. We are working on switching over to a new process and have come across a few bugs. If you received multiples of the newsletter, it is not a problem in your system, it is a problem in ours. Thank you for bearing with us as we get used to the new process.

D.C. and District Talk
· Children’s Safety Act

This week the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3132, the Children’s Safety Act. This bill will significantly enhance the ability for states and local school districts to protect children from harm while at school. One of the main additions to this legislation, proposed by Representative Porter of Nevada, would allow schools, when hiring for a position, to access national criminal information databases.

On top of that new advantage in the hiring process, this bill will also do a great deal to stop horrible crimes against our children. H.R. 3132 will increase mandatory sentences, require sex offenders to register in person twice a year, and require any change in the offenders’ residence or work to be reported within 5 days.

I was proud to support this bill, not only as a Representative, but also as a parent. For more information on the National Sex Offender Public Registry, please visit www.nsopr.gov.

Constituent Corner
· Hurricane Katrina Help

The state of Illinois has established a one-stop hotline for displaced Hurricane Katrina victims coming to Illinois. By calling (800)843-6154, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, evacuees can get information on state services such as health care, counseling, and temporary housing, food, and clothing allotments.

· Emergency Preparedness

Following an executive order issued by President Bush on July 22, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a web site containing information to help ensure safe and secure transportation for persons with disabilities in the event of a disaster or emergency.

This website will show the accessibility and evacuation of different modes of transportation, such as rail and transit systems. Also included are links to the Department of Homeland Security web pages that provide information on specific emergencies, whether natural or man-made.

I would like to encourage you all to visit www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/emergencyprep.asp. This is very good information for everyone to know if case of an emergency.

· IRS Optional Standard Mileage

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department announced an increase to the optional standard mileage rates for the final four months of 2005. The rate will increase from 40.5 cents a mile to 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven between September 1 and December 31, 2005.

With the prediction of declining gas prices over the coming months, they will wait until closer to January to set the 2006 rate.

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

· Hiring Military Families

Following an initiative sponsored by the Department of Defense, a new group has been formed in the metro-east. The group, IMPACT JEMS (Jobs/Employment for Military Spouses), has begun working to connect local employers with military spouses from Scott Air Force Base.

Anyone who would like to get involved can learn more about this great program on the web at www.impactjems.com, or by calling (800)980-0101.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Thursday, September 22, Doug Bugger of my Collinsville district office will be available to help the residents of Dale and Enfield. In Dale, he will be at the Dale Convention Center on Highway 142 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. In Enfield, he will be in the Enfield Village Hall on 115 East Main Street 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. 3649 – Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Amendments Act of 2005 (Rep. Young (AK) – House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

o H.R. 3132 – Children’s Safety Act of 2005 (Rep. Sensenbrenner – House Judiciary Committee)

o H.R. 3768 – Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (Rep. McCrery – House Ways and Means Committee, House Budget Committee)

o H. Res. 437 – A resolution to establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (Rep. Dreier – House Rules Committee)

o H.R. 889 – Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005 (Rep. Young – House Transportation and Infrastructure 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 from Tuesday through Thursday of next week. Some of the legislation which will be considered includes:

o H.R. 2123 – School Readiness Act of 2005 (Rep. Castle – House Education and the Workforce Committee)

o H.R. 250 – Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005 (Rep. Ehlers – House Science Committee)

· 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?

· On Saturday, September 17, 2005, we are celebrating the 218th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. This day is known as Constitution Day. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered in Pennsylvania and came up with a great and intricate system of checks and balances. It was decided that our government would have an executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The decision for a bicameral legislative branch came from the argument between the smaller and larger states. The larger states wanted more representation because they had more people, forming the House of Representatives. The smaller states wanted equal representation of every state, forming the Senate.

For more information, please visit www.constitutionday.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 www.house.gov/shimkus.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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