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D.C. and District Talk

· One Year Anniversary of War in Iraq
Today we recognized the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq. A year later, while much has been accomplished, hard work still must be done. For the first time the Iraqi people have been given the opportunity to create a lasting democracy and stable government for their children. I commend the service of America’s armed forces in bringing the chance to have such freedoms in Iraq.

I know there are those who disagree with the war. However, no matter what your beliefs on this issue, it is important to remember that it is through the service of our American soldiers that our right to voice our opinions is protected, a privilege Iraqis have been without for years. Today I am asking everyone to please take a moment out of your day to remember and pray for those who have lost their lives or been injured while serving our country. We are forever indebted to them for their service. To view President’s Bush’s speech regarding the year anniversary of the war please visit <http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/03/20040319-3.html>.

Constituent Corner

· Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center
The Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center (SWIEC) located at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was created last fall to support entrepreneurial activities on campus as well as the Southwestern Illinois region.

SWIEC will help build high growth potential companies, primarily in Madison and St. Clair counties. By leveraging the intellectual capital of the University, and the resources of the state and private sector, the Center will accelerate regional economic development through job growth and wealth creation.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has established an award program to be administered by SWIEC. The purpose of this award is to support the creation of new and expansion of existing businesses in Southwestern Illinois. The award allows entrepreneurs and existing small and mid-size businesses to gain access to a broad range of professional services to accelerate the formation of new businesses and growth of existing businesses. The award is available on a competitive basis for specific projects to achieve significant business goals to support the business growth targets.

For further details and to discuss the awards program, please contact Jim Mager, Program Director, at 618-650-2166 or jmager@siue.edu, or Theresa Ebeler, Assistant Director, at 618-482-8330 or tebeler@siue.edu.

The deadline for applications is approaching soon so please let anyone you know who may be interested about this exciting new program!

· National Institutes of Health Launches New Career Exploration Web Site
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Science Education (OSE) introduces "LifeWorks", <<http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks>>, an interactive Web site featuring more than 100 careers in the health and medical sciences. It is designed as a resource for middle school and high school students, parents, educators, and school guidance/career counselors to explore the diversity of careers in the field. According to the Department of Labor, this field is expected to produce the fastest growing job sector in the nation over the next 10 years.

OSE launches "LifeWorks" this month, as a part of the national celebration - Excellence in Science, Technology, and Mathematics Education (ESTME) Week. For more information, visit the NIH Office of Science Education Web site at <http://science.education.nih.gov>.

· Homeownership Expanding for All Americans
On Monday President Bush met with first-time homebuyers and housing counselors in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to discuss his homeownership initiative and aggressive agenda to dismantle the barriers to homeownership. The overall U.S. homeownership rate set a new record of 68.6% in the fourth quarter-its highest level ever.

President Bush's initiative to dismantle the barriers to homeownership includes providing down payment assistance through the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, increasing the supply of affordable homes through the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, increasing support for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities Program, and increasing home-buying education and counseling. For more information on these programs please visit: <http://www.hud.gov> and <http://www.americandreamdownpaymentassistance.com/>.

· Department of Labor’s New Resource for Employment Regulations
The Department of Labor (DOL) has created a set of free easy-to-use tools to help the business community and workers better understand the employment laws and regulations it administers. Some of the tools that are now available are:

o e-Laws Advisors
The e-Laws Advisors are Web-based tools that help employers and workers understand and comply with federal employment laws. Available at <http://www.dol.gov/elaws>, this service is an interactive Web site that mimics the interaction a person may have with an employment law expert. One of the newest e-Laws Advisors, the FirstStep Employment Law Advisor, helps employers simply and quickly determine which of the major employment laws administered by DOL apply to their business or organization and provides easy-to-access information about how to comply with each law's requirements.
o DOL Compliance Assistance Web Site
By accessing the DOL Compliance Assistance Web site at: <http://www.dol.gov/compliance>, you can access a wide range of information and resources on DOL's rules and regulations any time, day or night. The site also offers the opportunity to ask questions about employment and regulatory issues via e-mail.
o Employment Law Guide
The Employment Law Guide describes DOL's main laws and regulations in plain language for employers needing introductory information to develop wage, benefit, safety and health and nondiscrimination policies for their businesses. It is available in English and Spanish, both in print and online. Employers can obtain a free copy by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL or by visiting <http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm>.

For more information on all of the tools the DOL offers to consumers please visit their web site at <http://www.dol.gov>.

· Salem Gets $2 Million in Federal Funds
I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Nat Wienecke has presented a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment grant to the city of Salem. The investment will help build a new waste water treatment plant to support commercial development and will also create new jobs in an area that has seen factory closings in recent years.

EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA partners with states, units of local government and community nonprofit organizations in economically distressed areas, regions and communities in order to alleviate conditions of poverty and substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at <http://www.doc.gov/eda>.

· Hamilton County to Receive Federal Help
I am happy to announce that Hamilton County is due to receive a new federal grant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Department of Rural Development will provide a grant of $150,000 to the Hamilton County Economic Development Commission. These funds will be used to resurface township roads and renovate 2.9 miles of a railroad spur. The improvements will allow existing businesses to expand and new businesses to locate to the area.

· Littlefuse Workers are Ruled Eligible for Assistance
I am pleased to announce that workers from Littlefuse, Inc. in Centralia have been ruled eligible to apply for adjustment assistance by the U.S. Department of Labor. These workers will now able to take advantage of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) that Congress had provided for those negatively affected by trade acts. While the economy is rebounding, we are not feeling the effects as quickly in southern Illinois, particularly in and around Marion County. I hope this designation will help those impacted by the closure. For more information, employees should contact their local office of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). You can visit the IDES website at <http://www.ides.state.il.us/>.

· Traveling Help Desk Locations
On Wednesday, March 24, Matt Pickett of my Centralia and Olney district offices will be available to help the residents of West Salem and Geff. In West Salem, he will be at the West Salem Village Hall on 106 East South Street from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In Geff, he will be in the Geff Village Hall on 220 West Mechanic Road from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, March 31, Mary Ballard of my Springfield district office will be available to help the residents of Watson and Findlay. In Watson, she will be at the Watson Town Hall on Monroe Street from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. In Findlay, she will be in the Findlay Village Hall on 101 E. South Second Street from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit my web page at <http://www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.htm>. I hope you stop by!

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.Res. 522 - This legislation would express the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a critical need to increase awareness and education about heart disease and the risk factors of heart disease among women.
o H.Con.Res. __ - A concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2005.

· Want to know more? Keep an eye on the Committee Central web page at <http://www.gop.gov/committeecentral/docs/pubs/WeeklyFloorBriefing>. This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.

Did You Know?

· New Source for Consumer Vehicle Information
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a new website, <http://nhtsa.dot.gov>, that will provide a wealth of information on consumer vehicles. Whether new or used vehicles, this site provides the latest in vehicle information including recall information, known safety problems, crash testing information and statistics, injury prevention, star ratings, fuel economy and more. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new car any time soon, this is an invaluable resource. I encourage everyone to check it out!

Thank you for the interest in my newsletter! Remember to tell your friends about it as well--they can sign up on my web page at <http://www.house.gov/shimkus>.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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