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I recently had a chance to read to children at the Brookport library. As a former teacher, I have always believed that reading to your children is one of the best ways to teach them a love for learning. For more information on reading programs and books to read to your kids please visit: http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln.

D.C. and District Talk

" H.R. 4776 - New Legislation to Prevent Bullying in our Schools
As a former teacher I have seen the detrimental effects of bullying on our children first hand. I have long believed that the issue of bullying and harassment in our nation's schools has become a national preoccupation for the public and is an increasing concern regarding school safety. Over three-quarters of the public say that lack of a student discipline is a very serious problem in their community. Parents and students also report that bullying and harassment are issues of major concern. For example, parents in surveys cite they fear that their child will be bullied, and students report that incidents of bullying and harassment are widespread. In fact, nearly every week on The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly points out that bullying is the number one issue that students are facing today.

In order to take the first step to address this important issue I have sponsored a piece of legislation to increase funding to combat this problem. Specifically, H.R. 4776 would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs for our students.

To keep track of H.R. 4776 as it moves through the legislative process please visit http://thomas.loc.gov/ and type in HR 4776.

Constituent Corner

" $2 Million Available for Home Repair and Homeownership Grants
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced the availability of $2 million in technical and supervisory housing assistance to provide rural residents with additional home repair and homeownership opportunities.

"Homeownership is the cornerstone to the economy of rural communities," said Veneman. "This funding will help over 2,000 families to improve their overall quality of life, and help build a strong economic future for their family and community. Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, over 188,000 families have received assistance with homeownership and housing repair through USDA programs.

These grants support programs of homeownership counseling, home loan packaging and delinquency counseling. A projected 25 to 30 different groups will receive the technical and supervisory assistance grants. An estimated 2,000 low-income families will benefit from USDA loans and grants allowing them to purchase their own home or make essential home repairs. Homebuyer training and counseling will also benefit thousands more who hope to become home owners in the near future.

The deadline to apply will be July 31, 2004. Community and faith-based and organizations are eligible to apply. For more information, please see Rural Development's website, www.rurdev.usda.gov.

" New Grants Available for Head Start Programs
I am pleased to announce that the US Department of Health and Human Services is increasing funding for Head Start services in the 19th Congressional District. Mt. Vernon City Schools is receiving a grant for $709,544, and $150,000 is to go to the Illinois Department of Human Services in Springfield.

I know that children need to begin developing their learning skills at an early age, skills that are necessary in order to obtain a quality education. I believe that Head Start is a program that will provide a boost to pre-school age children in order to ensure a bright future for our youth.

Mt. Vernon City Schools offer Head Start programming for three, four, and five year olds. The $709,544 grant covers full-year programs for part-day students, handicapped students, and training and technical assistance. The $150,000 grant to the Illinois Department of Human Services is a supplement for the Head Start State Collaboration Program.

For more information on Head Start programs please visit http://www.nhsa.org/.

" New Local Law Enforcement Grant Awards
I am happy to announce that several grants have been given to jurisdictions in the 19th Congressional District and the state of Illinois from the United States Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

These funds come from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program. The grants go to state and local jurisdictions to underwrite projects that reduce crime and improve public safety.

Among the jurisdictions receiving funding are the city of Mt. Vernon, $11,718; the city of Springfield, $93,334; Sangamon County, $10,438; and the state of Illinois, $765,573.

The LLEBG program emphasizes local decision-making and encourages communities to craft their own responses to local crime and drug problems. For more information please visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/llebg_app.html.

" SIU Lands Funding for Nurse Traineeships
I am pleased to inform my constituents that continued funding for Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville was received from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

I have worked for years to address the problem we have with the tremendous shortage of nurses in the United States. I am pleased that with this grant, SIUE will continue to address the special need for nurse anesthetists.

The grant, for $13,820, comes from HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration, Division of Grants Management Operations.

" Now Accepting Applications for Military Academies
I am now accepting applications from young men and women interested in attending one of the United States' military academies. High school seniors, college students, and any other qualified candidates must apply now for summer 2005 admission.

To be eligible for appointment, you must be an American citizen at least 17 and not more than 23 years of age on July 1, 2005, unmarried, not pregnant, have no obligation to support children or other dependents, and a legal resident of the 19th Congressional District of Illinois. Average acceptable ACT scores are 24 in both math and English.

Students may apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; or U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Completed applications must be received prior to November 15, 2004. At that time, if necessary, an Academy Review Board will be convened to recommend candidates for appointment. I will then makes nominations; however, academy officials make the final selections. Academy attendees are notified in late spring.

Those seeking more information or interested in applying should write for an application packet to:

Congressman John Shimkus
508 West Main Street
Collinsville, IL 62234
Attention: Dora Rohan.

Questions may be answered by calling Dora at (618) 344-3065. For more information on the individual academies please click on the following links:

U.S. Military Academy: http://www.usma.edu/
U.S. Air Force Academy: http://www.usafa.af.mil/
U.S. Marine Academy: http://www.usna.edu/
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: http://www.usmma.edu/

" New Federal Money for Edwardsville School District
I am happy to announce United States Department of Education funding for Edwardsville School District 7 through the Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Program.

The SLC program was created to promote academic achievement through the planning, implementation or expansion of small, safe, and successful learning environments in large public high schools.

Edwardsville District 7 will receive $450,000 for the period from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2007, to implement its SLC procedures that feature three objectives: establishing structures that provide a personalized learning experience for all students; improving student learning and achievement; and improving student connections to the school community.

As we continue the reform process started by the No Child Left Behind Act, I am very happy that we can bring this federal funding to help area schools ensure that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to college and careers.

" USDA Announces New Funding to Assist Rural Emergency Responders
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced that $100 million is committed for a new USDA First Responder Initiative to support rural emergency responder efforts by
prioritizing the financing for needed equipment and services.

As part of USDA's First Responder Initiative, a minimum of one of every five dollars of fiscal year 2004 community facility funding available, will be dedicated to first responder type requests. USDA Rural Development provides financing of a variety of community facilities, such as: libraries, courthouses, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services and other community focused facilities and services. The initiative will prioritize the funding of at least $100 million to specifically strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to local emergencies. A list of the individual awards can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/2004/firstresponders2004list.html.

For more information about USDA's effort in homeland security, visit
www.usda.gov/.

" Newsletter Suggestions
I am always looking for new ways to improve the way I get information to my constituents. If you have any ideas or information that you feel would work in the newsletter please let me know by emailing my systems administrator at shimkus.il19@mail.house.gov.

Legislative Week in Review

" The following bills were passed by the House this week:
o H.R. 4754 - Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2005
o H.R. 3598 - Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2004

Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week

" Congress will be in session from Monday through Thursday of next week. Some of the legislation which will be considered includes:
o H.R. 4766 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug, Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for 2005
o H.R. 4759 - United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

" 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?

" Today is Dental Awareness Today!
Today, Friday, July 9th, 2004, is Dental Awareness Day, sponsored by the Academy of General Dentistry.

Members of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) - - as a not-for-profit public service for consumers - will make themselves available to answer questions regarding oral health issues to any consumer that accesses the AGD's "SmileLine," a special toll free number (1-800-SMILE-33 or 1-800-764-5333) between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EDT July 9th.

The AGD's toll-free "SmileLine" is one part of an ongoing campaign by the Academy to promote proper oral health care and to increase public awareness regarding the importance of hygiene. As part of the special "SmileLine" project, licensed and trained dentists from around the nation will man the toll-free line and will be available to consult with or offer advice to consumers interested in or in need of oral health care. Spanish speaking dentists will also be available as part of the SmileLine Project.

Additional information, press releases and consumer fact sheets are available from the AGD web site, www.agd.org. Consumers can also access SmileLine Online 24 hours a day, year-round, by clicking on the big red grin at the Academy of General Dentisty's website.

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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