The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week announced it is awarding a significant federal grant to Grand Rapids-based Cherry Street Health Services to establish a center in Greenville. Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers praised the HHS’ New Access Points Grant of $525,000.00, which will allow the non-profit organization to establish a health center in Montcalm County.

Cherry Street Health Services currently serves low-income families at 11 locations throughout the Grand Rapids area. Congressman Ehlers says Montcalm County is in great need of its services.

“Greenville and the surrounding area have faced difficult times lately, particularly in the recent loss of one of the areas largest employers, Electrolux,” said Ehlers. “The economic situation there is putting stress on families and the health care delivery system, and there is a great need for additional health care centers to serve my constituents who live or work near Greenville.” Montcalm County borders the northeast edge of the Third Congressional District, which Congressman Ehlers represents.
 
Cherry Street Health Services has provided health services to financially challenged people in Grand Rapids since 1988, including medical and dental treatment, vision care, and behavioral services.

When Congress returns from its one week recess this week, Congressman Vernon Ehlers will continue work to improve the Great Lakes and other Michigan waters.

Recently, Congressman Ehlers has co-sponsored a number of bills that have been introduced to help restore and protect our most vital natural resources. The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1350) is a comprehensive piece of legislation that is designed to address a number of issues affecting the lakes, including measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species like the Asian Carp, reduce harmful pollutants in our waters such as mercury and provide funding for a variety of other Great Lakes programs. The bill has the bi-partisan support of the entire Michigan Congressional delegation.

Ehlers also co-sponsored the Ballast Water Management Act (H.R. 2423), which would prohibit ocean-going vessels from discharging ballast water in the lakes that was not treated with a system designed to remove or kill aquatic organisms that are carried within a vessel’s ballast tanks. Also getting the support of Rep. Ehlers is the Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421). It would clear up regulatory confusion that has arisen from two recent Supreme Court decisions on the landmark Clean Water Act passed in 1972. The legislation would extend protection under the CWA to wetlands, streams, and other small water bodies. “Environmental protection of wetlands, intermittent or ephemeral streams, and other “non-navigable” waters is critical for broader environmental protection and restoration efforts. Pollution makes its way downstream through streams and rivers and eventually out onto our beaches and harbors and into open water," said Ehlers of the legislation.

Speaking of the Great Lakes, Congressman Ehlers helped kick off the Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition's "Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest" last week. The kick-off event in Grand Rapids included stories from environmental leaders from West Michigan like Peter Wege, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell - and of course, Congressman Ehlers.

Ehlers story about the Great Lakes is from when he began his work in Congress in 1993. When discussing funding for research into Zebra Mussels, an aquatic invasive species wreaking havoc on the Great Lakes' ecosystem, one fellow lawmaker became enraged because of the proposal that federal dollars go toward researching the "muscles" of zebras. Congressman Ehlers knew then that he would need to work hard to educate members of Congress about the devastating impact invasive species can have on the Great Lakes and other aquatic resources.

The Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest is taking submissions now through August 20. It is being led by the National Wildlife Federation in conjunction with the Healing Our Waters Coalition. More information can be found at http://www.healthylakes.org

No votes are scheduled in the House today.

(Bills on suspension are generally considered non-controversial and have reduced debate time, but require a two-thirds majority vote to be passed.)

Suspensions (16 bills):

1) H.Res. 390 - Recognizing the importance of the Ouachita National Forest on its 100th anniversary (Sponsored by Rep. Ross / Natural Resources Committee)

2) H.Res. 401 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Trails Day (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Thompson / Natural Resources Committee)

3) H.Con.Res. 116 - Expressing the sense of Congress that the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located in Jackson, Wyoming, shall be designated as the "National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States" (Sponsored by Rep. Cubin / Natural Resources Committee)

4) H.Con.Res. 94 - Encouraging the elimination of harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to overcapacity in commercial fishing fleets worldwide and that lead to the overfishing of global fish stocks (Sponsored by Del. Bordallo / Natural Resources Committee)

5) H.Res. 341 - Supporting the goals and ideals of "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States (Sponsored by Rep. David Davis / Natural Resources Committee)

6) H.Con.Res. 54 - Expressing the support of Congress for the creation of a National Hurricane Museum and Science Center in Southwest Louisiana (Sponsored by Rep. Boustany / Natural Resources Committee)

7) H.R. 1175 - To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to increase the ceiling on the Federal share of the costs of phase I of the Orange County, California, Regional Water Reclamation Project (Sponsored by Rep. Loretta Sanchez / Natural Resources Committee)

8) H.R. 1139 - Riverside-Corona Feeder Water Supply Act (Sponsored by Rep. Calvert / Natural Resources Committee)

9) H.R. 1736 - To amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in Juab County, Utah (Sponsored by Rep. Cannon / Natural Resources Committee)

10) H.R. 361 - Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Hinojosa / Natural Resources Committee)

11) H.R. 1469 - Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Lantos / Foreign Affairs Committee)

12) H.Con.Res. 152 - Relating to the 40th anniversary of the reunification of the City of Jerusalem (Sponsored by Rep. Lantos / Foreign Affairs Committee)

13) H.Res. 397 - Condemning violence in Estonia and attacks on Estonia`s embassies in 2007, and expressing solidarity with the Government and the people of Estonia (Sponsored by Rep. Shimkus / Foreign Affairs Committee)

14) H.Res. 412 - Expressing gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for their State Visit to the United States and reaffirming the friendship that exists between the United States and the United Kingdom (Sponsored by Rep. Boozman / Foreign Affairs Committee)

15) H.Res. 422 - Calling on the Government of the People`s Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan (Sponsored by Rep. Lee / Foreign Affairs Committee)

16) H.Res. 430 - Calling on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release Dr. Haleh Esfandiari (Sponsored by Rep. Van Hollen / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Suspensions (6 bills):
1) H.R. 964 - Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act (Sponsored by Rep. Towns / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) H.R. 1467 - 10,000 Trained by 2010 Act (Sponsored by Rep. Wu / Science and Technology Committee)

3) H.Res. 421 - Honoring the trailblazing accomplishments of the "Mercury 13" women, whose efforts in the early 1960s demonstrated the capabilities of American women to undertake the human exploration of space (Sponsored by Rep. Kagen / Science and Technology Committee)

4) H.Res. 446 - Honoring the life and accomplishments of Astronaut Walter Marty Schirra and expressing condolences on his passing (Sponsored by Rep. Bilbray / Science and Technology Committee)

5) H.R. 1716 - Green Energy Education Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. McCaul / Science and Technology Committee)

6) H.R.632 - H-Prize Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Lipinski / Science and Technology Committee)
H.R. 2446 - Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Lantos / Foreign Affairs Committee)

H.R. 65 - Lumbee Recognition Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. McIntyre / Natural Resources Committee)

S. 5 - Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Sen. Reid / Energy and Commerce Committee)