Experts on global climate change will be on Capitol Hill this week, testifying to two committees on which Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers sits.

This Wednesday, authors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III will testify to the Committee on Science and Technology on the third entry in its 2007 assessment, titled "Mitigation of Climate Change." The IPCC report was published May 4th, and is part of a comprehensive series of reports assessing the nature of climate change in the world today. The previous two entries in the IPCC's 2007 global climate change assessment are titled "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" and "Physical Science Basis."

Following the IPCC testimony, Congressman Ehlers will hear from a variety of experts who will testify to the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee about climate change and energy issues affecting the nation's transportation systems and infrastructure. Experts from the automotive, aviation, energy and other fields will be on hand to tell Congress about the impact projected changes in global climate could impact our nations transportation systems.

Congressman Ehlers firmly believes that global climate change is a serious threat to the well-being of the planet, and looks forward to hearing expert opinion on the subject that is grouned in science.

 The U.S. Department of Education this week will officially present 22 Michigan colleges and universities with grants for Upward Bound programs, including Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University. Upward Bound programs help low-income students acquire the skills and motivation they need to enroll and succeed in post-secondary education. Grand Rapids Community College was awarded $369,172 and GVSU was awarded $400,028 in the current round of grants.

“Receiving this grant will be a real benefit to low-income and underrepresented high school students from two of our city’s public schools,” said GRCC Upward Bound Program Director Michael Hopson. “The grant allows Grand Rapids Community College to continue to serve 70 students per year with activities that motivate and prepare students to continue their education through high school and beyond.”

Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers supports the efforts of Upward Bound to help young people succeed in postsecondary education. “The news of the generous grants is great not only for students in my district, but also for the competitiveness of the state as a whole. The programs give students a chance to succeed that they may not have otherwise had,” said Ehlers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has redesignated 16 Michigan counties to “attainment” status of national outdoor air quality standards for ozone. A review of air quality data showed the level of ozone, also known as smog, is within the EPA’s standard. The announcement also means Kent and other affected counties will not be subject to restrictions, such as emissions testing for motor vehicles.

Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, a strong advocate for environmental stewardship, said Wednesday that the announcement is great news for Kent County and the state. “People can literally breathe easier knowing that smog levels in the area are within the EPA’s stringent guidelines for air quality,” said Ehlers.

C.E.O. Peter Varga of the Interurban Transit Partnership (ITP), better known as “The Rapid”, spoke before the House Committee on Transportation on Thursday, May 10, of which Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers is a member. Varga spoke to the committee about ITP’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which is seeking federal funding to research and develop a 10 mile route to and from downtown Grand Rapids and the southern part of the metro area along the Division Avenue and US-131 corridor.

Congressman Ehlers is a longtime supporter of expanding public transit options in the Third District. “Public transit helps get thousands of people in the Grand Rapids area to and from work and other important functions, and it promotes responsible urban development,” Ehlers said. “The Bus Rapid Transit project will be a boon for the area, and I commend Peter Varga and everyone else involved for the hard work they have put into making this idea a reality. I will do whatever I can to support the project at the federal level.”

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

Monday, May 14, 2007

Suspensions (8 bills):

1) H.R. 1124 - To extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis (VA) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) H.Res. 223 - Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims (Sponsored by Rep. Shadegg / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

3) H.R. 1260 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison, Tennessee, as the "Claude Ramsey Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Wamp / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

4) H.R. 1617 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University City, Missouri, as the "Harriett F. Woods Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Carnahan / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

5) H.R. 2025 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11033 South State Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the "Willye B. White Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Jackson (IL) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

6) H.R. 1335 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South Carolina, as the "S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Barrett / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

7) H.Res. 385 - Recognizing National AmeriCorps Week (Sponsored by Rep. Yarmuth / Education and Labor Committee)

8) H.Res. 216 - Commending the Juniata College volleyball team for winning the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship (Sponsored by Rep. Shuster / Education and Labor Committee)

Suspensions (14 bills):

1) H.R. 1700 - COPS Improvements Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Weiner / Judiciary Committee)

2) H.R. 692 - Army Specialist Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Stupak / Judiciary Committee)

3) H.R. 1593 - Second Chance Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (IL) / Judiciary Committee)

4) H.R. 916 - John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott (GA) / Judiciary Committee)

5) H.R. 634 - American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin (Sponsored by Rep. Moore (KS) / Financial Services Committee)

6) H.Res. 263 - Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity for Congress to improve the foster care system throughout the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Cardoza / Ways and Means Committee)

7) H.R. 1773 - Safe American Roads Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Boyda / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

8) H.R. 1505 - To designate the Federal building located at 131 East 4th Street in Davenport, Iowa, as the "James A. Leach Federal Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Loebsack / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

9) H.R. 1036 - To authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation (Sponsored by Rep. Don Young / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

10) H.Con.Res. 79 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby (Sponsored by Rep. Hoyer / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

11) H.Con.Res. 123 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (Sponsored by Del. Norton / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

12) H.Res. 352 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week (Sponsored by Rep. Oberstar / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

13) H.Res. 343 - Commemorating the marinas of the United States, expressing support for the designation of the sixth annual National Marina Day, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Rogers (KY) / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

14) H.Res. 386 - Recognizing the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the National Safe Boating Council for their efforts to promote National Safe Boating Week (Sponsored by Rep. Drake / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)