Clovis News Journal
By Sharna Johnson
Monday, Nov 23 2009

About half a dozen people gathered at the Clovis-Carver Library Monday, waiting for a turn to speak with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan-D NM.

Lujan, a member of the congressional dairy caucus, was in Clovis for a tour of Southwest Cheese and to hold afternoon office hours to meet with constituents.

The job opportunities and training programs Southwest Cheese has brought to the community and having a chance to meet with local producers and farmers about the direction they are heading was a positive thing to see, Lujan said.

He also lauded work done by local leaders to secure construction of the Hull Street overpass and to help the community grow with Cannon Air Force Base.

“It’s great to see how the community’s continuing to come together,” he said.

Healthcare reform was an issue Lujan said he heard from constituents — both for and against — and it’s an issue he said is close to his heart.

Rising healthcare costs and the practice of insurance companies denying coverage or not meeting peoples needs are matters that need to be addressed, he said.

“We can’t be treating people that way that are ill,” he said. “ “These are costs that are already hitting people that we need to do something about.”

Read more>>