Photo Gallery: U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp : 3rd District Of Tennessee

Congressman Zach Wamp, Third District of Tennessee

See Where I've Been Lately

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	November 9 - At a Trust for Public Land celebration in Chattanooga, TN, Congressman Wamp looked at a map of the 145 acres of land conveyed to the National Park Service as part of its Civil War Battlefield Preservation effort. “As a history lover, I am so pleased to see this land set aside into our National Park Service,” Wamp said. “Preserving this battlefield is a legacy which future generations will enjoy.” During the War era, the land was a key position for Union Troops in the Battle of Wauhatchie. “As long as I am able,” the Congressman continued, “I will partner with you in this important work to safeguard historic lands.”
	November 3 - With an overflow crowd spilling into the entryway, Congressman Wamp told the members of the East Tennessee Economic Council in Oak Ridge that despite complaints about harsh partisan election ads, there has been no blood shed and no military presence as our country peacefully holds another national election. "But we all woke up this morning in the absolute glory and splendor of East Tennessee where we have so much to be thankful for. Let's continue to lift up our country and to preserve the things that we believe in and extend that to the next generation."
	November 2 - At the annual conference of the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association, Congressman Wamp praised the environmental missions in Oak Ridge and explained the budget challenges we face. “Our EM missions are state of the art in this country and we have responsible leadership using the resources to get our federal projects done on time and on budget,” Wamp said.
	October 26 - While lunching with local citizens at one of his favorite places for country cookin’, Breedings restaurant, Congressman Wamp spoke with Blaine city officials about their ongoing sewer project. “Extending Blaine’s sewer lines is a priority for the region,” Congressman Wamp said. “Many Tennesseans will benefit from this project and we will work hard for it.” The project would extend sewer lines from Knoxville County into Grainger County.
	October 25 - At an Innovation Valley Technology Council luncheon in Oak Ridge, Congressman Wamp and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Director Vayl Oxford announced competitive Department of Homeland Security grants awarded to two Oak Ridge companies. Zach congratulated Ortec executives and told them, “This is an exceptional opportunity to enhance our national security and strengthen our borders including the security of our ports.” The companies produce portable radiation detection systems that will be used at U.S. ports.
	October 18 - As someone who started his career in commercial real estate, it was like a reunion when Congressman Wamp spoke at the Chattanooga Association of Realtors luncheon on Wednesday about how his real estate experience prepared him for his work in Washington. “Integrity is worth more than any dollar you’ll ever make,” Congressman Wamp said recalling the advice of former mentors. The Congressman went on to share the four cornerstones of American fabric: family, church, the free enterprise system and government. “The Association of Realtors exemplifies these characteristics,” Wamp said. “Our free enterprise system is the envy of the world proving that government is most effective when it is limited and closest to the people.”
	October 17 - At a monthly lunch for the Homebuilders Association of Southeast Tennessee in Hixson, Congressman Wamp addressed illegal immigration and what Congress has accomplished in just one year to secure the border. "The border is much more secure today than it was just one year ago," Wamp said. "But there is still more work to be done."
	October 16 - With a competitive grant from the Department of Homeland Security, the University of Tennessee opened its Center for Agriculture, Food Security and Preparedness in Knoxville, TN. Congressman Wamp was on campus to announce the new national training program, which will provide the country with tools to prevent and deter terrorist attacks targeting our agriculture and food supplies. “It is especially rewarding to see a competitive grant announcement for this outstanding university in an area of research that is crucial for our country at this point in history,” Wamp said. “For this institution to win this grant is a huge compliment, it says we can play a great role in defending our nation against those who want to do us harm.” Joining the Congressman at the new center were UT President John Peterson; Rick Shipowski, Deputy Director of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security; Dr. Michael Blackwell, Dean of the UT College of Veterinary Medicine; John Sanford, TN Department of Agriculture; and Dr. Sharon Thomas, director of Partnership Programs at the veterinary college.
	October 12 - “The four cornerstones of a healthy U.S. society are the family, church, free enterprise system, and government,” Congressman Wamp said during a question and answer session with a12th grade government class from Chattanooga Christian School. He stressed the importance of having limited government. “We can not expect government to take care of all our needs and solve our problems,” Wamp said. “Government was not created for that purpose.” The Congressman answered questions ranging from how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. House of Representatives to his district work on the Trail of Tears. He also made sure the students understood the continued threat our country faces in dealing with terrorism. “This generation must be willing to overcome terrorism just as the “Greatest” generation met the challenges of their time.”
	October 11 - Welcoming a crowd of 250 people in Chattanooga for the Outdoor Industry Association annual conference, Congressman Wamp discussed the importance of staying active and making health a priority. “We've got to change our sedentary culture and this charge has to be lead by organizations like the Outdoor Industry Association. Americans are in danger of experiencing higher healthcare costs if we don't stress the importance of preventive healthcare with an active lifestyle”, the Congressman said. Founded in 1989, the OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the Outdoor Industry. Also, the Outdoor Industry Association is a growing organization with member companies in all fifty states. OIA President Frank Hugelmeyer thanked Congressman Wamp for providing an excellent example of a healthy lifestyle and for being a champion of outdoor recreation.
	October 10 - “Improvements to fire departments are vital to their ability to act effectively and efficiently during a crisis,” Congressman Zach Wamp told members of the Meigs County Chamber. Mayor Dean Henry presented the congressman with a key to the city after showing the Congressman a new and improved fire truck that was purchased with a Department of Homeland Security grant. “Safety comes first always,” Wamp said. The competitive DHS grant was awarded to fire departments around the country to help America to be better prepared for emergency situations one community at a time. “It took four or five applications,” Mayor Henry said. “We could not have done this without Congressman Wamp’s help and we are very appreciative of his support.”
	September 29 - “The Coast Guard is vital to the Department of Homeland Security and to our nation as a whole,” Congressman Wamp said as he met with Admiral Thad Allen to discuss the role of the coast guard in national security and emergency response. The congressman serves on the Homeland Security subcommittee of the Appropriations committee which oversees the Coast Guard. Admiral Allen assumed the role as the 23rd Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard in May, 2006 after serving as the USCG headquarters Chief of Staff for almost five years. Throughout his career, the admiral served as Chairman of the Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Requirements Council; as the Principal Federal Official for Hurricane Katrina response; and led the USCG Atlantic Forces in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.
	September 27 - The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) presented Congressman Wamp with an award for a strong small business voting record during the 109th Congress. NFIB gave the Congressman a rating of 100 percent on issues pertaining to tax relief, affordable healthcare, liability reform, and regulatory reform. On a key NFIB issue, Wamp voted for a $5 million compromise on ending the death tax, so that families who work to build up their businesses do not lose up to 55% of it to the government. “Small businesses drive our economy,” Wamp said. “It is important that the Congress do all it can to remove undue burdens on them that will hinder their successes.”
	September 20 - “When people exercise, they are less tired, on time to work, and much more productive – not to mention more healthy,” Congressman Wamp said. “Our goal is to have employers encouraging their staff to be more physically active.” Wamp hosted a tour for Members of Congress to get a look at the new house gym. George Mason Coach, Jim Larranga, who’s team made it all the way to the “Elite Eight” NCAA men’s basketball tournament got a close up look as well. “I always told my team to give it all they have – mind, body and soul,” Coach Larranga said. “What you are doing here with the Fitness Caucus is vitally important to our nation.” The staff gym opened recently after four years of planning. Congressman Wamp has been a champion of preventive medicine – staying healthy and lowering the cost of healthcare with physical activity and proper nutrition.
	September 17 - “Our nation recognizes Sergeant Charles H. Coolidge as an icon of the greatest generation, and it is most appropriate that the country he fought so gallantly to liberate is now paying proper tribute to his extraordinary service,” Congressman Wamp said. At Chattanooga's Coolidge Park which was named for the Sergeant, the Consul General of France, Phillippe Ardanaz, announced that the President of the French Republic signed a decree naming Coolidge “Chevalier” or “Knight” of the Legion of Honor. This is France's highest honor, given to individuals of great merit and accomplishment. Sergeant Coolidge received the Medal of Honor in 1945, our nation’s highest military award, for his heroism and superior leadership during the liberation of Europe in World War II.
	September 13 - “One of the advantages to having experience in the House is the privilege and awesome responsibility given to me by the Speaker to preside over house business,” Congressman Wamp said. He spent two hours in the chair as “Speaker Pro Tempore” or “Speaker for a Time.” During the formal Congressional proceedings, Wamp presided over the rule vote recognizing the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. He also chaired the debates and conclusions of two bills - one to authorize major veteran medical facility improvements, and the second to amend the Indian gaming Act to restrict off-reservation gaming.
	September 11 - Congressman Wamp joined a bipartisan group of Congressmen and Senators to again sing “God Bless America” on the U.S. Capitol steps in commemoration of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks. The event was a reenactment of the day, five years ago, when legislators stood together in heart and mind and sang spontaneously. In a non-partisan show of unity, leaders from both political parties praised the patriotism and heroism displayed on that tragic Tuesday morning. Lawmakers reiterated that it is freedom and democracy that make this country strong. Members of Congress also stood in silence to pay solemn tribute to the victims, their families, and the heroes who risked their lives to save fellow Americans.
	September 6 - “The challenges we face today are tremendous, but we have an opportunity to lead the world. Energy technologies, such as alternative fuels and advanced transportation, are ways to do so.” Congressman Wamp addressed students at Lee University encouraging them to rise up and meet the new challenges as the “greatest generation” did years ago. The Congressman said that the U.S. needs to launch a 10-year initiative to be energy independent. Encouraging production of alternatives fuels, such as E85, will give Americans a choice, drive prices down, and be good for everyone.
	September 1 - “Conservation and preservation, allows you to feel the connection to your history and heritage. That is why we must continue to protect such jewels as Moccasin Bend,” Congressman Wamp said. The Tennessee Preservation for Public Trust hosted a reception honoring Wamp for his longtime efforts to preserve Moccasin Bend. In 2003, the Congressman led the charge by presenting legislation establishing Moccasin Bend as a National Archaeological District within the National Park System. Moccasin Bend is the first and only Archaeological District in the United States. Over 12,000 years of human history remain intact on nearly 1,000 acres of land carved out by the Tennessee River. Many studies prove these lands were inhabited by a variety of Native American tribes. Before the program began, Congressman Wamp spoke with Erik Boehm and his uncle, Jeff Boehm, Chairman of the Tennessee Preservation Trust.
	August 31 - “It has been my privilege to serve with you for 12 out of your 20 years in office. Polk County has accomplished much under your leadership,” Congressman Wamp encouraged outgoing County Mayor Hoyt Firestone. ”We are grateful for your faithful service.” Wamp presented two flags at the Polk County Court House. The flags were flown over the nation’s Capitol in honor of Firestone as well as Veterans Affairs Service Officer Edsel Beavers.
	August 30 - “Even as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to proclaim that the Holocaust is only a myth, WWII Veteran SSG James R. Carson can attest to the atrocities of Nazi Germany as he led a squadron of 25 men in the seizure of the infamous Dachau concentration camp.” SSG Carson, 86, sat in humble silence as Congressman Wamp presented him with his WWII service medals including the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster. At the age of 23, SSG Carson was recommended for this high honor by Major General Thomas E. Moore for meritorious service as a Squad Leader in connection with military operations in Western Europe against an enemy of the United States. His son, Mitchel, said his father rarely spoke of the war, but he vividly recalls listening to stories regarding the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Mitchel said one thing his father always described was the stench of death and how the camps could be smelled as far as 10-miles away.”
	August 28 - “Every generation is called to meet a challenge and we are facing ours today in terrorism. It is now time for our nation to pull together and meet the challenges and difficult times that lie ahead,” said Zach. The Congressman addressed a crowd of over 300 students at Bryan College during their daily Chapel period. Zach spoke about the importance of securing our southern border to prevent crime, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and terrorism. After Chapel, the Congressman had a question/answer lunch with the Bryan College Young Republicans. Students asked questions ranging from border security to alternative energy sources. Bryan College was recently named one of the top comprehensive colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
	August 24 - "Oak Ridge is at the front of the line for future missions for Energy, Homeland Security, and even the Department of Defense because we have proven we can complete large-scale projects on time and on budget. This is government efficiency and accountability at the very highest level, " Zach said. Congressman Wamp was in Oak Ridge to tour the recently completed Spallation Neutron Source, the world's most powerful pulsed neutron facility. Standing inside one of the research instruments (a backscattering spectrometer) at the $1.4B facility, SNS Director Thom Mason explains how neutron scattering can unlock the secrets of the atomic-scale structure and behavior of materials. Research at the facility will lead to advances in fields ranging from energy to information technology to biology.
	August 23 - “If you look at a time in US history where the challenges we face and the solutions that are being offered are comparable, you have to go all the way back to 1861. And these challenges are so far greater than the solutions being offered today. Now that is critical but a fair analysis,” said Zach. The Congressman was the keynote speaker at the East Tennessee Regional Leadership’s luncheon held in Oak Ridge. The ETRLA provides a networking opportunity for community leaders from 16 counties in the East Tennessee Region and provides a regional approach to addressing key issues vital to all East Tennesseans. “In our East Tennessee region to have this kind of organization grooming and pulling together the great intellectual resources of each of these counties, I think is a fantastic thing and bodes very well for our future,” Zach said to the leadership class.
	August 23 - Louise McKown of Oak Ridge was recently awarded the Paul G. Hearne award in Washington DC for dedicating her personal and professional life to improving the lives of people with disabilities in her community. Earlier this year, Congressman Wamp went to the floor of the United States House of Representatives and also honored her for her dedication: “Ms. McKown’s life is an example for other Americans, showing that nothing and no one can hold you back if you put your mind to achieving what you want. In the words of her friends, she is truly a woman on a mission and I am proud to stand here on her behalf today,” said Zach.
	August 21 - “I want you all to have a goal that allows you to be willing to serve others in your life. We were created first to serve God and then our neighbors”, said Zach as he spoke to the 4th and 5th graders from Chattanooga’s Battle Academy. The Congressman was invited by Principal Aimee Randolph and teachers Hollie Steel and Jamelie Kangles to discuss his role in government and how a bill becomes a law. The thirteen members of the Battle Academy Student Government recited the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights as a presentation to the Congressman. Afterwards, Zach praised the faculty for their hard work and dedication to improving the quality of education by saying,”The impact you all are having on these young people will be everlasting and I thank you for your commitment!”
	August 18 - “I thank the Kiwanis for what you do around the world, for young people, and the needy. You truly represent what is good in America” said Zach. The Congressman brought greetings during the 88th annual Kiwanis’ Kentucky Tennessee District Convention at Chattanooga Convention Center. W. Leonard Fant, Kiwanis KT District Governor from 1982-1983, thanked the Congressman for taking the time to welcome the conference to Chattanooga. The Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to evaluating both children’s issues and community needs. In one year, Kiwanis clubs sponsored 147,000 service projects around the world while raising and spending nearly $100 million and contributing 6.2 million hours of volunteer time. The Kiwanis club is a shining example of what it means to give back to people and there communities.
	August 17 - U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials joined Congressman Wamp in a workshop organized to coach interested companies in East Tennessee on how to do business with the United States Department of Homeland Security. “I have been approached by several companies asking how they can obtain government contracts. DHS is a large 22 agency organization that has tremendous opportunities for local businesses. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and we are here today to encourage you to be proactive and show you how this process works,” said Congressman Wamp.” Several East Tennessee companies were represented at this meeting and were eager to learn about contracting opportunities. This workshop provided area businesses the opportunity to ask experts questions on the DHS contracting process and to meet with state and national officials.
	August 17 - Lincoln Memorial University is taking bold steps in establishing a new College of Osteopathic Medicine on its campus in Harrogate, TN. The idea of a school of medicine has been a long time dream for this University and that goal will become a reality when classes begin in the fall of 2007. The College of Osteopathic Medicine will address a severe shortage of healthcare professionals by training primary care physicians to serve in the rural, underserved Cumberland Gap region. “Here at Lincoln Memorial University, you are ahead of the curve. There is not an institution that has more momentum than LMU and no matter what your role here is, you should be proud,” Congressman Wamp said during the annual LMU Faculty and Staff Conference.
	August 16 - “The YWCA is an important part of our communities. With strong Christian values, it provides young women with skills and confidence to not only lead better lives but to also contribute positively and meaningfully to society." At a ceremony in Oak Ridge, Congressman Wamp presented awards on behalf of the YWCA to local women who have made a significant contribution to the community. In addition to honoring these outstanding achievements, Zach attended a benefit dinner that raised funds for YWCA programs, including the Y’s Family Violence Program. As a leading voice in the fight against domestic violence, Zach strongly supports the Family Violence Program; one the YWCA's most successful.
	August 16 - "A government program helped extend a man's life. You don't hear that very often,” Congressman Zach Wamp told labor leaders at a ceremony to begin the Department of Energy's new mobile lung cancer screening program in Oak Ridge. The Atomic Trades and Labor Council hosted local and federal officials for a ribbon-cutting and demonstration of the new, state-of-the-art Siemens CT scanner which will help in the early detection of lung cancer. Art Hensley, a former worker told the crowd that a DOE lung-cancer screening saved his life. He is nearing his second year of cancer-free living. This new health screening program is another expansion of DOE’s Workers Health Protection Program which has been strongly supported by Congressman Wamp since it's inception in 1996.
	July 31 - “Every time freedom has been handed down from one generation to the next, it has been by men and women in uniform . We honor them today , ” Congressman Wamp said at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial which honors the Marines who fought in the Chosin Reservoir battle. Zach continued by quoting John Stuart Mills saying, "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse.” Afterwards Marines retold their stories, expressed their feelings of gratitude, and shared with each other rememberances of their brothers in arms who did not return from the war. Throughout the event, Zach continued to point to the “incredible sacrifice and commitment of these Korean War soldiers.”
	July 25 - Congressman Wamp spoke to a group of East Tennessee college students about the escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel. "The attacks launched on Israel validate our fears as Hezbollah remains committed to the destruction of Israel and maintains its status as a top-tier terrorist organization." Zach went on to address America's role in the Middle East conflict and commented that "it is more important than ever to clearly communicate the facts to the American people; and it is great to see young East Tennesseans engaged on this matter." These young people from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga and Carson Newman College in Jefferson City visited Washington with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
	July 25 - “Unfairly traded imports from China, India and Indonesia have flooded the U.S. market in the past few years and that threatens jobs in my district and across America,” Congressman Wamp said. Because of the paper industry in the Third District, Zach was invited to testify before the International Trade Commission Tuesday at hearing on whether action should be taken against those three countries . Each country heavily subsidize its paper industries with government money and then dump s their products at an unreasonably high volume and low price in an effort to unfairly corner the market. “As long as there is a level playing field and the rules are the same for all the players and countries involved, I am confident that American workers and companies can compete with producers anywhere in the world,” Congressman Wamp said.
	July 20 - “I thought $2 per gallon for gasoline would be the critical mass to get people pushing for fuel cell technology, but even at $3 per gallon our economy is so strong that we have yet to see significant demand. The need for this technology, however, is crucial.” Congressman Wamp informed a crowd at the Congressional Fuel Cell Expo with what Congress is doing to make this technology a viable solution for the country’s everyday energy needs. Alongside Undersecretary of Energy, David Garman, Zach listens to one of the many firms expanding this technology for domestic use. Fuel cells work by combining hydrogen and oxygen in a process to produce electricity, with water and heat as its only by-products. This clean, quiet, and highly efficient process will be the key to American energy independence.
	July 17 - “We hear you when you say, ‘We are only doing what we have been training to do’, but I want you to know that all of us at home recognize that each time freedom has been handed down from one generation to the next it has been done by brave men like you.” At the National Guard Armory in Chattanooga Zach greeted members of the 196th Field Artillery Brigade Armory that have returned home from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Commanding Officer Col. Joe Geren said the 196th was primarily responsible for training soldiers of the new Afghan army, but was also tasked to complete various infrastructure projects throughout Afghanistan...at times in areas dangerously high with insurgent activity. Joined by the Tennessee Army National Guard Adjutant General Gus Hargett and Col. Geren, Zach shook hands with Christopher Fisher, son of SFC Harry Fisher, and told him he should be very proud of his brave father.
	July 15 - Congressman Wamp joined city and state officials Saturday to celebrate Boeing’s 25th anniversary. “We are grateful Boeing chose to locate in East Tennessee and grow here. The world is changing by the hour. Boeing is here to face those challenges with its robust manufacturing base. Without U.S. manufacturing, our economy will sink, said Zach. Boeing is located in Oak Ridge and employees over 450 East Tennessee residents. During a tour of the manufacturing facility, Congressman Wamp examined the high quality products that can only be produced by American workers and which the future of our strong aerospace industry depends.
	July 14 - These are very troubling times as the terrorists who comprise Hezbollah are now in a huge military conflict with Israel and using Lebanon as their battleground,” Congressman Wamp said at a press conference in his Chattanooga office. Zach explained to reporters that the rapid escalation of violence that is edging towards all out war in the Middle East has a central connection and that means America has to be steadfast in its defense of freedom. “We need nations that have the guts to stand with us because the United Nations Security Council has proven it is impotent and incapable of handling peace and security in the World,” Zach said. "The real battle here is with Islamofascism – Islamic jihadists who embrace the radical elements of Islam – and so we now have challenges on every front and to get through this we’re going to have to step up and be very tough."
	July 13 - Since its formation in 2005, the Tennessee Alliance for Early Education has already garnered awards for its work in pre-kindergarten learning programs. Congressman Wamp presented the Alliance with the "Pre-K Champion" Award for its success in raising funds to expand early childhood education programs throughout the state of Tennessee. "The expansion of such opportunities is important to getting our children off to a good start and with the skills they will need," Zach stated. The Alliance was established as part of Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen's plan to increase pre-kindergarten learning across the state and consists of a broad coalition of individuals and groups dedicated to that purpose.
	July 13 - As Congressional Fitness Caucus co-chairman, Zach and Rep. Mark Udall of Colorado, kicked off Blue Cross & Blue Shield's WalkingWorks competition in front of the Capitol. WalkingWorks is a national campaign to encourage more Americans to get outside and exercise. Another goal of the program is to highlight the importance of taking care of our health by scheduling short, convenient walks such as during lunch or after work. House and Senate staffers are competing against one another to see who can walk the longest total distance. Congressman Wamp is a strong advocate of fitness, both to improve quality of life and reduce the drain that health care costs take on personal finances. “The most effective and practical way to combat rising healthcare costs is for people to get healthy, and walking is a great start," commented the Congressman.
	June 30 - A former boy scout himself, Congressman Wamp recalls some of his memories about the Capitol building to the young Oak Ridge men of Troop 129. “Where you are standing right now today is where our most distinguished and inspirational national leaders lay at rest. This is where the nation paid our final respects to Rosa Parks last year and President Reagan the year before.” The Capitol building not only houses the legislature, but its many artistic features memorialize and give testimony to our nation’s history. The two large oil paintings behind Rep. Wamp depict scenes of early New World contact between Native Americans and colonial Europeans.
	June 29 - Sporting a University of Tennessee baseball jersey and displaying a steady glove and keen hitter's eye, Congressman Wamp contributed to a sixth straight Republican victory in the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Zach topped his flawless performance at third by reaching base three times and effectively put the game out of reach by adeptly sliding home in the third inning. Receipts are still coming in from the game and it is too early to determine just how much money Members raised for local causes, such as the Washington Literacy Council, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, but organizers predict it will be substantially more than the $130,000 raised last year. Zach commented "I enjoy getting out and playing, but doing so for charity makes what’s really just a game so much more worthwhile." Zach was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored. The Republicans won, 12-1.
	June 22 - Rising obesity rates caused in part by sedentary lifestyles are raising the portion of families’ incomes spent on healthcare and in turn limiting other opportunities for Americans. Congressman Wamp believes this is a growing problem for Americans and the nation’s economy and discussed it with the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. To nip this worrisome trend in the bud, Zach presented his goal to make all fourth graders more aware of the nutritional and lifestyle decisions they make day-to-day through education, and is seeking funds for in-school programs. As a founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fitness Caucus, Congressman Wamp believes "we need a culture of personal responsibility to combat this epidemic and can do a better job of instilling responsibility in our children. Youngsters need more encouragement to get off of the sofa, get outside, and get active."
	June 21 - Oak Ridge holds a special place in the history of the United States. The Secret City was formed around America’s atomic bomb work during World War II, what we now know today as the Manhattan Project. While efforts to build the bomb and maintain a nuclear deterrent throughout the Cold War have been key to the growth of Oak Ridge, another project is equally important today: cleaning up the dangerous wastes that era left behind. Congressman Wamp recently discussed clean-up plans with board members from the Energy, Technology, and Environmental Businesses Association. ETEBA represents more than 130 businesses offering ecological and support services to federal agencies. A majority are located in Oak Ridge. Congressman Wamp noted, "This large clean-up effort will make the Oak Ridge area safer for our children and families, create jobs, and build sustaining expertise at both Y-12 and ORNL.”
	June 21 - Strength and courage are attributes not often evidenced in young children. Emily Ransom, of Hixson, Tennessee, was not a typical child. Diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that occurs in infants and young children, she battled and never gave up. In the same courageous spirit, Emily’s family has created a foundation in her memory, Emily's Power for a Cure for Neuroblastoma. They hope to raise awareness and funds for neuroblastoma research. A number of families in the Chattanooga area are afflicted with this terrible disease and Congressman Wamp spoke with Emily’s family about Congress' role in the fight, "We must do everything we can to prevent, find, and cure this awful disease. No child should have to endure it and we must do more to enable substantive hope in the families and loved ones of the stricken."
	June 20 - “This isn’t just about being green, it’s about greenbacks!” Congressman Wamp hosted the showcase of clean energy technologies at opening of the 9th Annual Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo on Capitol Hill. He explained how we balanced the budget in the last decade because of economic boom created by the leadership American entrepreneurs showed in information technology. America is again set for huge economic advances as our companies are making great strides in the areas of solar and wind energy, bio-fuels and fuel cell technology - sectors of American industry often called “Entech.” Congress can help get these innovations from testing labs to the production lines and spur additional economic growth by extending the soon-to-expire tax incentives that hastened their development. “The Energy Policy Act is good legislation,” Congressman Wamp said, “but we need to keep pushing because the fiscal benefit will be 100 times what we put into it.”
	June 15 - Standing with Tennessee National Guardsmen at the base of the sculpture of famous Tennessee statesman John Sevier in the U.S. Capitol’s Statutory Hall, Congressman Wamp recounts General Sevier’s Revolutionary War call for Tennesseans to join and fight the Redcoats. The General’s call was heeded, and the British were met and routed at King’s Mountain in South Carolina. Those Tennessee men set the example that is Tennessee’s enduring legacy: volunteer spirit, courage, independence, and teamwork. The Congressman added, "That volunteer spirit has been a cause of pride for generations of Tennesseans. The same spirit exists today in people such as yourselves, as you continue to serve our communities, our state, and our nation.”
	June 8 – America's leading taxpayer advocacy organization, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), presented Congressman Wamp with the "Hero of the Taxpayer" award. ATR rewards those members who most consistently vote in the interest of taxpayers and not those of special interest. “I am committed to lowering taxes and creating a fairer and simpler tax code for all Americans,” said Congressman Wamp. Grover Norquist commended the Congressman for being “squarely on the side of taxpayers.”
	June 5 - As a member of the appropriations subcommittees funding the rebuilding of Southern Louisiana, Congressman Wamp arranged a follow-up tour of the areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina with the Department of Homeland Security, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Zach was particularly concerned that when he visited with a Congressional Delegation in March, storm debris was not being removed from private property where the bulk of it lay. “I was very encouraged by the progress I saw this time,” Zach said. “But people will not return until we have a plan to relocate them to areas safe from storm surge. This is where local governments in Louisiana must step up to the plate and work with the feds and with a new hurricane season already upon us they need to do it now.”
	June 1 – The donation of TVA’s electric vehicle test track will make Chattanooga a living laboratory for alternative fuels and transportation. Congressman Wamp joined TVA Chairman Bill Baxter and UTC Chancellor Roger Brown to announce a new partnership between TVA, Advanced Transportation and Technology Institute and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This important venture was announced during the Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit. “This facility can be a feeder for the technology and breakthroughs of all types of next generation vehicles. When the day comes when we land advance transportation manufacturing in this city, this will be an important part of the equation,” Congressman Wamp said. “We have all types of opportunities for this compound, a 52-acre facility and 1-mile test tract.”
	March 30 – Economic development took a big step forward in East Tennessee with an opportunity for technology companies to locate on the campus of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Congressman Zach Wamp told participants at a kick off ceremony that the Technology Park, to be located in the center of the lab, will provide new opportunities to transfer technological discoveries at ORNL into viable consumer products. Lab officials thanked Zach for his help in making this innovative concept a reality. The first of its kind in the nation, the new tech park will have Pro-2-Serve, an Oak Ridge company, as its anchor tenant. A $15 million construction project will begin soon. Lab officials hope the park will speed the removal of old, unused buildings at the lab and continue the cleanup of the central lab campus.
	May 30 - “Warren Beavers has lived a life shaped and formed by his dedication to serving God, family, and country and is a true testament of public service.” Zach presented the Purple Heart medal to Master Sergeant Warren G. Beavers for wounds he received in combat during the battle of Tulagi. After the war, MSGT Beavers returned home where he earned his GED and enrolled in Lee College. He went on to earn a Bachelors Degree and a Masters in Theology which prepared him for his next phase of public service as a Minister of the Gospel. During the medal presentation MSGT Beavers noted that, “Nothing means more to me than to have my family present with me at this special time.”
	May 23 - “I am involved in several things that are much bigger than my career or my life, and I have to tell you that we could not be engaged in a more important enterprise than trying to secure our energy future as a nation,” Zach said. As an author of the Energy Efficiency Cornerstone Act and speaking at the third annual Great Energy Efficiency Debate, Zach said it is important that legislation in the coming fiscal year strongly supports renewable energy and energy efficiency programs as well as President Bush’s Advanced Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and solar energy. And more needs to be done. “One of our problems with energy is that some people don’t think there is a problem,” Zach said. “I had always thought that $2.50 per gallon was that magic number that would get people and politicians out of their chairs and active at the grassroots level, but that is obviously not that case.”
	May 17- Immigration and Border Security are top priorities on the minds of American citizens, including Congressman Zach Wamp. An initiative to enhance security was presented in a meeting today by the director of US-VISIT program, Jim Williams. “I encourage you to stay on the job and work toward your goals,” Zach said, “I want this program to be a success story to convey to the public what has been done and what is being implemented to control and protect our borders.” By using 21st Century technology called biometrics, US-VISIT will build an identity management system to manage the enforcement of our immigration laws. Bio Visas will collect digital photos and fingerprints from foreign visitors and keep a record of each individual entering and leaving through US airports, seaports and land borders.
	May 22 - “Dedicating your life to serving our country is one of the greatest sacrifices an individual can make”, Zach said as he congratulated the Military Academy appointees from Rhea, Bradley, and Hamilton County. The Congressman announced the remaining 5 appointees from the southern portion of his district. The appointments included Dan Hall, Will Brant III, Drake Carter to U.S. Military Academy, Jeffrey Garrett to the U.S. Air Force, and Ian Meredith to the U.S. Naval Academy. The Congressman went on to stress the value of these appointees by saying, “This is a tremendous honor to have these young men willing to make such a sacrifice when our nation is at war. It is certainly an honor for me to have them represent the 3rd district and our great country”.
	May 22 – “We’ve got to have the necessary workforce to compete in today’s global economy. This workforce must be fundamentally sound in manufacturing and construction, which are at the heart of a strong economy,” Congressman Wamp said. He joined Chattanooga State Community College and the local building and construction industry to open the Building and Construction Institute of the Southeast (BCIS). BCIS is a partnership with the University and a multitude of construction industry representatives to create a qualified workforce to meet the needs of the Chattanooga region. The BCIS will provide a central location for educational programs where workers can develop and hone the advanced skills necessary in today’s building and construction industry. The Congressman was thanked for his support by Elliot Davenport with Stein Wood Products.
	May 17 - “The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act is legislation designed to encourage people to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles by offering financial incentives to do so,” Zach said. “It makes economic sense because Medicare costs would go down, Medicaid costs would go down and workplace productivity would increase.” Congressman Wamp was honored for his advocacy of fitness and healthy living with the “Champion of the Year” award at the annual meeting of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. Zach said there is now a good chance the WHIP Act could become law by year’s end and he encouraged elementary school students to get away from their computer screens once in a while. "The technological age that we live in disconnects us from playing and moving about,” Zach said. “A sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for failing. You’ve got to be physically active to experience all the joys of life."
	May 17- Matters of insurance weigh heavily on minds of members of the Tennessee Association of Realtors. The group joined Congressman Wamp in his Washington office to discuss health and also homeowner insurance related issues. “These things are really important and I want to help,” Zach explained to the group. Members from the association hope that legislation will soon pass to allow state realtor associations the opportunity to offer all members affordable and uniform health care coverage. The Tennessee Association of Realtors also hopes to improve flood and natural disaster insurance for homeowners. Members told the Congressman that these types of insurances should be made more affordable as well as available to homeowners who live in flood or disaster prone areas.

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