<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <title>Congressman Ike Skelton's Weekly Columns</title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/RSS.xml</link>
    <description>Weekly Columns released by Rep. Ike Skelton within the last 90 days.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <managingEditor>Rebecca.Loving@mail.house.gov</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>CAO HIR WSB</webMaster>

  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Giving Thanks for Our Freedoms]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Thanksgiving_2009.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    One of the most famous images of the 20th century was created by artist Norman Rockwell during World War II. The illustration, captioned &ldquo;Freedom From Want,&rdquo; shows a family gathered around a table preparing to carve the turkey and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[PATRIOT Act Important to War on Terrorism]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/PATRIOTAct_Nov15_09.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    The PATRIOT Act passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.  It was intended to enable law enforcement officials to track down and punish those responsible for the terrorist attacks and to protect against any similar strikes against our nation.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Honoring the Service of America's Veterans]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Veterans_Day.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    
                    As a youngster growing up during World War II, my heroes were the men and women who wore our nation&rsquo;s uniform.  I will always remember the time my best friend&rsquo;s older brother, Walter, who was on leave from the Army, came to walk my buddy home from school.  The sight of Walter in his Army uniform, carrying his gas mask in a satchel he had flung over his shoulder, left a lasting impression.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 8 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Bills Would Boost Small Business Lending]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Bills_Small_Business.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, creating millions of jobs throughout America. This is especially true in Missouri&rsquo;s Fourth Congressional District, where small business jobs dominate the economic landscape. That is why I have worked so hard through the years to strengthen small businesses and to open their doors to federal government contracting opportunities. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 1 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Defense Bill: Good for America's Military, Missouri Jobs]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/NDAA_MO_Jobs.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I look after our troops and their families.  I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives and Senate have approved H.R. 2647, the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, or defense bill.  This national security legislation is good for our military.  And, for Missouri, it is good for the economy and jobs &ndash; not just in the communities that surround  Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, but also for many other areas of our state in which businesses receive Department of Defense contracts and work.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[House Health Insurance Reform Proposals Not the Answer]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/House_Health_Reform.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    Over the past few months, I have been studying health insurance reform very carefully.  I have reviewed the bills pending in Congress and have visited extensively with Fourth District residents about this very important issue.  While most people seem to agree that the health insurance system needs to be repaired and that health insurance companies should be more responsible, a great deal of skepticism remains in rural Missouri about the approach taken by Congress to reform America&rsquo;s health system.  I share this skepticism and am not convinced any of the proposals represent the best policy choice for the American people.  ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Looking Out for America's Farmers Must Remain a Key Priority for Congress]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Farmers_Congress.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    As your Fourth District Congressman, agricultural issues are a top priority for me. That is why I have worked through the years to stay close to the farmers I represent by meeting with them in Missouri and in Washington, D.C.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[One Year After Emergency Economic Rescue, Signs of Progress and Repayment to American Taxpayers]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/TARP_Review.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                                Just over a year ago, our country and its leaders were confronted with a rapidly failing financial system that was teetering on the verge of collapse.   Wall Street tycoons had played loose with the rules. They were irresponsible with investments and because of their greedy behavior had put at risk the livelihoods of hard working American families.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 4 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[History Matters! to All Americans]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/History_Matters.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    My friend, the late Congressman Fred Schwengel, told me about meeting then-Senator Harry S. Truman in 1935.  Schwengel was a college student in Missouri at the time and recalled Truman advising him that to be a good American, &ldquo;you should know your history.&rdquo;
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[First-Time Homebuyers Should Take Advantage of Tax Credit]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/FirstTime_Homeowners_Tax_Credit.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              Problems that began with the subprime mortgage crisis and housing slump, over two years ago, spread far beyond the housing sector and trickled into other areas of our nation&rsquo;s vast economy.  Companies began shedding jobs at an alarming rate.  And, at the same time, consumer confidence and spending was falling, while costs associated with food, health care, and college were rising.  
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[September is National Preparedness Month]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/National_Preparedness_Month.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    Protecting our loved ones and ourselves in the event of an emergency &ndash; a tornado, hurricane, flood, or flu pandemic &ndash; requires advance planning.  To highlight what all Americans can do to prepare for emergencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month.
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Staying Close to the People]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Staying_Close_to_the_People.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                      Many years ago, I attended a meeting with then-Senator John F. Kennedy.  I will always remember Kennedy standing before us and saying, &quot;If you stay close to the people, the people will stay close to you.&quot;  Kennedy's words resonated with me that day, leaving a lasting impression and guiding me as I began my career of public service.  And now, many years later, as I look forward to the opportunities and challenges we face in the Congress, I am yet again reminded of that day and of the wise words that Kennedy shared with us.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 6 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Significant Accomplishments for Service Members]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Accomplishments_Service_Members.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I am pleased with the significant bipartisan accomplishments the 111th Congress has made for our service members, veterans, and their families.  Our Armed Forces and their families sacrifice a tremendous amount for this country.  And, we have a moral obligation to care for them and their families and make sure they have the resources they need to carry out their mission &ndash; both to our nation and their families. 
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[We Should Consider How Climate Change Could Impact Our National Security]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/mo04_skelton/Climate_Change_National_Security.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                    As the top leader in House of Representatives on defense issues, I take seriously the responsibility under the Constitution for the United States Congress to raise and maintain the U.S. military.  We have a duty to work with the Administration so we can best take care of our troops and their families and to prepare for current and unforeseen military contingencies. 
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>

  </channel>
</rss>
