Dear Friend,

            Welcome to “This Week in Congress.”  I hope you find it useful.

 Town Hall Meetings Along Big First Tour During Memorial Day Break

Congress was out of session this first week of June for the Memorial Day district work period.  These weeks are worked into the Congressional voting schedule to allow members to spend additional time in their districts.  I spent the week, meeting with Kansans at town hall meetings across the district as part of my 69-county Big First Listening Tour. 

This week, I met with Kansans in Hutchinson, in Reno County; Goessel, in Marion County; Lindsborg in McPherson County; Studley, in Sheridan County; Oberlin, in Decatur County; Norton, in Norton County; Nicodemus, in Graham County; Dighton, in Lane County; Scott City, in Scott County and Ness City in Ness County. 

At the meetings, we discussed a wide array of topics.  Several Kansans brought up my legislation to expand the trading of agricultural goods to Cuba, and other agriculture issues.  Also discussed was the ongoing war in Iraq, the costs of health care services and prescription drugs, as well as education policy on both the state and national level.

There are many important issues facing our state and it’s important that we have good leadership that can address them and ensure that our state remains viable for our kids and grandkids.  My tour continues this week.  Tomorrow, I will be in Abilene from 8:00-9:00 a.m at the Greyhound Hall of Fame, 407 S. Buckeye.  For a full list of times and dates when I’ll be in your county, visit here: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ks01_moran/041105TheTour.html

Dedicating the Ness County Veterans Memorial and Park

Following the town hall meeting in Ness City this past Saturday, I was able to join area residents to dedicate a new Veterans Memorial and Park in Ness County.  The dedication was part of the three-day Ness County Old Settlers’ Reunion. 

The ceremony on Saturday was a tribute to all veterans, especially those from the county.  Engraved on the memorial are the names of the 550 Ness County veterans and the 44 Ness County residents killed in action.  The most recent name was Kansas Army National Guard Specialist Derrick Lutters of Goodland, who was killed in May, in Iraq.  Lutters grandparents are from Ransom.  I was able to visit with Derrick’s father and offer my condolences. 

            Among those speaking on Saturday were Kay Wasinger, Park Commission Chair; Gary Musselman, Executive Director of KSHAA; and Eric Depperschmidt, Ness County Economic Development Director.  Christina Haselhorst led the audience in “God Bless America.”

Kansans Serve as Summer Interns

During the summer months, young Kansans have the opportunity to serve as interns in the offices of the First Congressional District.  This summer, I have several upstanding young people involved in the internship program. 

            In my Washington, D.C. office, Lea Stueve of Olpe recently concluded her internship.  A 2005 graduate of the Kansas Agriculture Leadership Program, Lea currently works for Kansas State Research and Extension in Butler County as a Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent.  Lea graduated from Coffeyville Community College, where she was Student Government President and a member of the honors program.  She then attended Kansas State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Family Life and Community Services and her master’s degree in Family Life Education and Consultation.  Lea is the daughter of Carl and Marilyn Stueve of Olpe.

Now working in my Washington, D.C. office are Kiley Eisenhour of Stafford and Mark Colwell of Hays.  Kiley is a junior at Fort Hays State University, working toward degrees in justice studies and Spanish.  This past spring, she was elected student body president for the next school year and is on the Deans Honor Roll.   Kiley is the daughter of Paul and Deana Eisenhour of Stafford.  Mark is also a senior at Fort Hays State University, working toward a degree in political science, focusing on campaign management.  This fall, Colwell will serve as the Legislative Affairs Director for the student government at FHSU.  Later this summer, Mark will be part of a student delegation that will study at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China. 

In my Hays district office, Janet Hammond of Larned is serving as an intern.  Janet is a senior at Fort Hays State University, working toward a degree in marketing. Following graduation, she plans on continuing her education, working toward a graduate degree in business.

I appreciate having quality people such as these interns, taking the time to serve Kansans in this capacity.  The internship program is a good opportunity for young people to get a better understanding of the federal government, and I’m glad to have all of these individuals working on behalf of the First District.

In the Office

Several student groups were in the office this week for a tour of the Capitol building.  In were groups from McPherson High School, Kepley Junior High in Ulysses, Norton Junior High, Sabetha Middle School, Inman Junior High, Haven Middle School, and St. Francis Community High School. 

John Bishop was in with his children Erin and Zachery, as were Mitzi Brunner and children Cody and Keely, all of Salina.  Also in were John and Beverly Hughes of Overland Park, Steve and Deborah Kraushaar of Marysville, Karen Pinkall of Salina and her grandson Brent Pinkall of Great Bend.  Larry and Karen Landgren of Council Grove were in, as were Stan and Linda Mitchell of Eureka and Joselito S. De Oliveira Jr. a police officer from Brazil, in the U.S. as part of the International Rotary Exchange Program.  Kevin and Margo Ochs form Russell were in with their children Taylor and Roxanne, as were David Haden of Hutchinson and Mark Lindquist of Wichita. 

Contact me:

          It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C.  Please let me know how I can be of service.  You can email me through my web page at: http://www.house.gov/moranks01/hearingfromyou.htm. You can also contact me through one of my offices below:

Hays District Office:
1200 Main Street, Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, Kansas 67601
P: (785) 628-6401
F: (785) 628-3791

Hutchinson District Office:
1 N Main, Suite 525
P.O. Box 1128
Hutchinson, Kansas 67504
P: (620) 665-6138
F: (620) 665-6360

Salina District Office:
119 West Iron, Suite 603
P.O. Box 766
Salina, Kansas 67402
P: (785) 309-0572
F: (785) 827-6957  

Washington D.C. Office
2443 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, D.C. 20515
P: (202) 225-2715
F: (202) 225-5124


Very truly yours,

Jerry