Congressman Bob Filner's
Congressional Update

 May 2006

In this Issue:

• Fighting to Lower Gas Prices

• Funds for National City

• Chiropractic Care for America�s Veterans

• Citizen of the Month

• Constituent Mail Bag

• Useful Web Site: National Asthma and Allergy Month

Fighting to Lower Gas Prices
Recently, I announced my support for Democratic legislation that would provide consumers with relief from rising gas prices by repealing billions of dollars in subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies. I have agreed to cosponsor H.R. 4479, the Energy Consumer Relief Act of 2005.

At a time when Americans in California and across the country are facing skyrocketing gas prices at the pump, it is unconscionable that Republicans are giving away billions of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies to profit-rich oil companies. I have joined with my Democratic colleagues to repeal these obscene giveaways and to provide relief for the American people.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Brian Higgins of New York, would rollback at least $8 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for oil and gas companies and instead provide relief to consumers, small business, and farmers. The subsidies and tax breaks passed by Republicans in Congress came on the heels of record profits for oil companies. Last year, Exxon Mobil raked in record profits of $36 billion.

Republicans in Washington continue to help big oil while shortchanging energy assistance and offering no relief for hard-working Americans. Under President Bush and his rubber stamp Republican Congress, oil companies get the tax breaks while the American people are stuck with the bill.

Repealing these subsidies and tax breaks is part of the larger Democratic effort to provide relief for consumers while bringing down skyrocketing gas prices. Taken together with our plan to end price gouging and free America�s reliance on Middle East oil, Democrats will take America in a new direction.

                

Citizen of the Month
San Diego County

In April, I selected Mary Jo Buettner as my �Citizen of the Month� for her long term commitment and outstanding service to our community.

Mary Jo serves as the Director of the Chula Vista Community Collaborative (CVCC). The CVCC draws the local community together to develop coordinated strategies and systems to protect the health and safety of residents, develop economic resources, promote local leadership, enhance the environment, and contribute to the celebration of and respect for cultural diversity.

Mary Jo also serves as the Director of the BEACON Family Resource Center--a school-linked social service program serving the needs of the community of Vista Square Elementary and Chula Vista Junior High Schools. She has also served as a Resource Nurse for the Chula Vista Elementary School District, as a mentor to other nurses and as the liaison between the school nurses and the district administration.

Mary Jo is also the Founder of the, School Nutrition Advocacy Program at the Chula Vista Elementary School District, which focuses on improving the eating habits of children. Her leadership in serving her community extends to volunteering with the Chula Vista Police Chief�s Advisory Board, the South Bay Ecumenical Council, the St. Pius X Catholic Parish Council, and the Chula Vista Welfare Council�s food packaging and distribution program.


Mary Jo Buettner is one of those special people who make Chula Vista such a great place to reside. She is an extremely valuable member of our community. I would like to thank her for all that she has done for Chula Vista.

Congressman Filner presents Mary Jo Buettner with his
Citizen of the Month Award

Constituent Mail Bag
From El Centro:
I strongly urge you to provide America's seniors with the health and financial retirement security they deserve. Congress needs to act now to lower the costs of prescription drugs and improve Medicare.  Social Security also needs to be protected and strengthened for future generations.

We've waited too long for meaningful reforms that impact the future health and financial retirement security of our nation.

Congressman Filner Replies:
Thank you for contacting me about the needs of our nation�s senior citizens.

Please be assured that I am one Congressman whom you can count on to help our seniors.  I strongly support the strengthening of Social Security, the protection of your retirement savings, and affordable long-term care, as you have requested.  I have been fighting for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare that will not dismantle Medicare, force seniors into HMOs, or threaten the benefits that many retirees already receive from their employer-provided plans.

I appreciate your advocacy on these important issues and your support in this fight.

Contact My Office

Useful Website: National Asthma and Allergy Month
Nearly one out of five (50 million) Americans suffer from allergies, and more than six percent of Americans suffer from asthma. In Imperial County, asthma rates are the highest in the state.  For more information on what you can do to help fight asthma and allergies, please visit http://www.aafa.org.