For the first time since Jim Jontz left Congress in 1992, the Logansport area will have a member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Rep. Joe Donnelly has been appointed to that committee and the Financial Institutions Committee.

Donnelly, a Democrat from South Bend, was named to the Agriculture Committee along with another new Indiana congressman, Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Terre Haute.

Donnelly said Wednesday he wanted to create an agriculture steering committee in the district. His appointment comes in a year in which Congress will consider and pass a new farm bill.

“What’s so nice about this appointment is that it’s such a critical time so our farmers can have a voice in shaping that bill,” he said.

The committee will have its first meeting of 2007 next week. Donnelly said he wanted to continue incentives for ethanol production and added that a new ethanol plant in Reynolds would be a plus for his district even though the plant will be just outside it.

“Ethanol is an extremely strong part of the future of our district,” he said. “The way I look at this is even if the plant isn’t in my district, it’s good for our state. It’s good for our district because many of our residents work over in those areas.”

Donnelly said his appointment to Financial Services was one he wanted in part because of its influence on affordable housing programs. He wants to add more affordable housing in the 2nd District.

Wednesday was a benchmark day for Donnelly in his new career. For the first time, he spoke to the House from the floor of the chamber. He made his remarks as a sponsor of proposed legislation to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in 10 years.

Later Wednesday, he was Invited to the White House for a briefing with a general and the national security staff.

Donnelly said he would have an office in Logansport open soon. He pledged to return a check to the government at the end of the year representing the savings a new Logansport office will have over the previous district office here.

Mailings generated by his Washington office will continue to be sent to constituents via the franking privilege, which allows free mailings by congressmen. Donnelly said he would restrict the use of the privilege and would not use it to advance political agendas.

Federal law prevents members of Congress from sending franked mail within 90 days of an election.

“What I want to do is use them as informational pieces,” he said.

Town meeting

Congressman Joe Donnelly will have his first Logansport meeting as an elected official this Saturday. At noon, he’ll meet with constituents at Tommy P’s at Broadway and Fifth Street.



Dave Kitchell may be contacted at (574) 732-5150, or via e-mail at david.kitchell@pharostribune.com