This week, Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers continues working in Michigan's Third District during the Congressional recess period. This Thursday, Congressman Ehlers will help officials at the Van Andel Institute break ground on its Phase II expansion. The $170 million dollar facility will be built next door to the existing VAI labs, and will allow the Institute to hire around an additional 250 researchers and support staff. It will also provide a new home for the VAI Graduate School and triple available lab space. It is a key component in securing the district's place in the emerging life sciences field. 

Last week, Congressman Ehlers addressed over 100 people at Calvin College as part of its Calvin Academey for Lifelong Learning (CALL) Noontime lecture series. Ehlers took questions from people on a range of issues, including the war in Iraq, climate change, agriculture and the No Child Left Behind Act. If you missed out on this opportunity to interact with the Congressman, another public forum is planned in May. A public town hall meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. More details on the event will be included in the e-newsletter in the coming weeks.

Students at schools around the district are working hard right now on projects they will submit into the 2007 Congressional Art Competition. Congressman Ehlers will choose one outstanding piece of artwork submitted by high school students around the district to display at the U.S. Capitol for one year. The award presentation will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Museum following the town hall meeting on May 5. An exhibition of artwork from entrants will be displayed at the museum during the event.

Also among the events at the Gerald R. Ford Museum on May 5 is Congressman Ehlers' presentation of the Congressional Medal of Merit to dozens of the top high school seniors from the district. The medal is bestowed on one outstanding senior from each high school in the Third Congressional District. Winning students must have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and academic excellence during their high school careers.

Congress is in recess this week. It returns for votes Monday, April 16.