For Release: Wednesday, April 23, 1997

FREEPORT, Texas - No longer will the elderly in rural sections of the 14^th District, unable to drive long distances because of medical reasons, be deprived of access to the full services of a congressional staff, US Representative Ron Paul (R-Surfside, Texas) announced Tuesday.

As of this week, the Mobile Office is on the road traveling the 14^th District, which encompasses 22 counties and approximately 23,000 square miles.

"This service will be a great asset to the people of the 14^th District," said Paul, noting that it will be not just the district's senior citizens who benefit from the new office. "Many people in our district cannot make the long trips necessary to visit one of the three traditional offices: for many people, shift schedules won't allow them to take time off from work; for others, the costs of getting someone to watch young children may be impossible; and, for still others, there are medical reasons why they cannot travel. It is for those reasons I decided to open this unique office."

The Mobile Office's stated mission is, "To provide Direct, Professional, Courteous, Timely Service to the Constituents and Taxpayers of the 14^th Congressional District of Texas."

A converted, specially-designed passenger van, the Mobile Office has office space for receiving visitors and for the initial processing inquiries. An on-board computer will connect the Mobile Office directly into the Washington, DC, House of Representatives network to allow the immediate processing of cases brought to the Mobile Office.

The office will essentially offer the same services as the three traditional offices, which are located in Freeport, Victoria and San Marcos. The offices can assist people with problems in their social security and veterans benefits, problems dealing with federal agencies, and processing requests for assistance from the congressman. The mobile office will primarily make the first contact on new cases, and then a staff member from one of the three regional offices will be permanently assigned to the case.

The office is driven and managed by District Aide Brian Roe. Roe has been primarily responsible for the office's development and scheduling.

"I'm pleased to serve the taxpayers in this way; Congressman Paul's creation of this office is going to ensure that everyone has access to the services the congressional offices provide and for which the people of the 14^th District pay," said Roe.

Besides keeping a regular travel schedule throughout the district, the Mobile Office will also be available to set-up at special events at the request of constituents and local government officials. In addition, the office will be available to travel to schools to make presentations on the workings of a congressional office.

Paul, who took office this January, said he is pleased that the van will be able to help people "who have previously been out of the loop."

"This office will be a direct link between me and the rural constituents of the 14^th District," Paul said, that "I know this office is going to help individuals in ways we have not yet imagined."

To contact the mobile office, call (512) 753-5553, or any of the three district offices: Victoria (512) 576-1231; Freeport (409) 230-0000; San Marcos (512) 396-1400.