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D.C. and District Talk

· Bullying Legislation Introduced
I have introduced legislation that would require schools to develop policies and programs to prevent and respond to instances of bullying and harassment.

My legislation, H.R. 284, was developed in a bipartisan manner not as the solution to the problem of bullying, but as a beginning. This legislation would add bullying to the report that schools already submit to the Department of Education under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, which is part of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Schools would have to include bullying in their policies on discipline; establish procedures for students and parents to use, if necessary; and make federal grants available to schools for professional development or student education programs on Bullying.

There have been numerous reports in the media on bullying. And while the issue continues to be talked about, we still have no consensus on how to deal with those who bully others – physically and via e-mail and Internet harassment.

I fully support local control of schools, but children who are fearful of attending school are not receiving the education they deserve and must be protected.

This legislation is being cosponsored by Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, so I hope that we will be successful in this endeavor.

Constituent Corner

· SAFER Grant Program Applications Available

I want to alert my constituents that the application period for awards under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP), Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 “SAFER” Firefighter Hiring Program will open Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2005.

The FY 2005 “SAFER” Firefighter Hiring Program provides financial assistance to local fire departments for the purpose of hiring additional, front line firefighters, and, to support recruitment and retention programs aimed at the volunteer fire service. Specific grant guidance is available now at www.firegrantsupport.com. Actual awards will be made in the fall of 2005.

Interested applicants should consult www.firegrantsupport.com or call the DHS Fire Grant Help Desk, toll free, at (866) 274-0960, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

· New Grant to Assist Illinois Crime Victims

I am pleased to announce a $15.3 million grant from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to aid victims of crime in the state of Illinois.

The funding supports programs that provide direct services to crime victims, such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, child abuse programs, and victim service units.

The Office for Victims of Crime in the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs is providing $15,325,000 for Fiscal Year 2005 to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, which disperses grants on a competitive basis to local community-based organizations throughout the state.

The money for this Crime Victims Fund is not supported by taxes but by fines, penalties and forfeitures from convicted federal offenders. It is a very worthwhile program.

For more information on the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority please visit http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/index.cfm.

· New Firefighter Grant for Divernon

I am happy to announce funding through the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Divernon Fire Protection District. The money comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration.

The Divernon Fire Protection District will receive a Fire Prevention and Safety grant for $20,074. Such awards are year-long grants made to assist state, regional, national or local organizations address fire prevention and safety issues with a focus toward the high-risk target groups of children, seniors, and firefighters. Program activities include public education and awareness, fire code enforcement, fire inspector certifications, purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland/wildfire mitigation, and arson prevention and detection.

As a cosponsor of the FIRE Act legislation that started these firefighters grants, I am pleased that local fire departments have been successful in obtaining federal funds. We have held seminars for fire districts to make sure that they file quality applications in order to improve their success in obtaining a grant.

Tragedies make us realize the importance of having trained personnel respond to accidents and disaster situations. I congratulate the chief and the firefighters for their efforts to maintain the safety of area residents. I hope these funds will make their jobs both safer and easier and our lives safer, too.

· New Grant to Edwards County for Ambulance Service

I am pleased to announce federal funding for the 19th Congressional district through U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The Edwards County Emergency Management Service (EMS NFP) will receive a $42,000 grant.

The grant will be combined with $180,000 in local funds from the Wayne White Rural Electric Cooperative’s Revolving Loan Fund to establish ambulance service in Edwards County. An ambulance, communication and office equipment, and other items will be purchased.

The community is undertaking a vital new service by establishing ambulance service. I support those efforts, as having this service will allow the community to grow. This project is a shining example of cooperation between many entities. Wayne White Electric, Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, USDA Rural Development, and the Edwards County EMS are to be commended for making Edwards County a safer place to live and work.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Thursday, June 9th, Holly Healy of my Harrisburg district office will be available to help the residents of Shawneetown and Carmi. In Shawneetown, she will be at the Shawneetown City Hall on 330 North Lincoln Blvd from 12:15 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. In Carmi, she will be in the City Council Chambers on Main Cross Street from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary, so feel free to drop by at any time. For more information, please visit my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.htm. 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. 744 – Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2005 (Rep. Goodlatte – Judiciary)

o H.R. 29 – Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act (Rep. Bono – Energy & Commerce

o H.R. 1224 – Business Checking Freedom Act of 2005 (Rep. Kelly – Financial Services)

o H.R. 2520 – Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (Rep. Smith {NJ} – Energy & Commerce)

o H.R. 2419 – Energy & Water Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Hobson – Appropriations)

o H.R. 1815 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Hunter – Armed Services)

o H.R. 2566 – Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005 (Rep. Young {AK} – Transportation & Infrastructure)

o H.R. 2528 – Military Quality of Life Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Rep. Walsh – Appropriations)

· 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 recess through June 7th. 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?

· Illinois State Society Honors Memorial Day in Washington, D.C.

The National Park Service and the Illinois State Society of Washington DC are honoring General John A. Logan on Memorial Day with a ceremony at Logan Square at 2 pm on the 30th.

General Logan was from the deep southern part of the State of Illinois. He was a Congressman, a U.S. Senator, and a vice presidential candidate. He is memorialized with a statue here in Washington, DC, and a statue in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he kept Union soldiers from burning down the city. He also has a community college named after him in Jackson County, Illinois.

As we remember the men and women who have fallen in combat, let us also remember our soldiers from all wars and the many heroes that made it possible for us to have and celebrate Memorial Day. And one of those individuals is General John A. Logan.

The free program in D.C. will last one hour and will consist of a concert by The DC Youth Orchestra and greetings from the Park Service and local officials. A wreath laying will conclude the ceremony.

For more information please visit http://www.illinoisstatesociety.org.

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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