Dear Friend,

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

Big First Tour Continues During July 4 District Work Period

This week, Congress was out of session for the Independence Day holiday.  This break from Washington, D.C. gave me an opportunity to visit many Kansas communities as part of my Big First Listening Tour.  I have now completed 50 of 69 hour-long town hall meetings.  

The conversations with Kansans have been good, and I appreciate everyone who has come out to visit with me. This week we talked about the recent wheat harvest and other agriculture related issues. There was also discussion about Social Security, rural health care costs, the methamphetamine problem in rural America and energy prices.

This week, I held 13 town hall meetings, visiting with Kansans in Kiowa, Ford, Clark, Comanche, Barber, Pratt, Stafford, Pawnee, Rush, Russell, Lincoln, Mitchell and Osborne Counties. 

There are 19 counties more to go.  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

Discussing the Next Farm Bill with State Officials

On Wednesday afternoon, after my town hall meeting in Pratt, I visited the local Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks office and met with state officials to discuss the farm bill.  Congress has begun discussions on what should be included in the next farm bill when the current bill expires in 2007. 

Among those attending the meeting were State Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky, State Wildlife and Parks Secretary Mike Hayden, Assistant Secretary for Operations Keith Sexson, Fish and Wildlife Division Director Joe Kramer and Agriculture Liaison Troy Schroeder.  Other officials attending included Jim French, with Oxfam America of Partridge; Greg Foley, with the State Conservation Commission; Randy Rodgers, with the Department of Wildlife and Parks and Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office.

Services Held for Gary Gore of Great Bend

            On Thursday morning, my Barton County meeting was cancelled out of respect for Great Bend community leader Gary Gore.  Gary was the president of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Barton County Economic Development and was a tremendous advocate on behalf of Barton County and all of Kansas. He was also a good friend. 

            His upbeat attitude was an inspiration to many in central Kansas.  He will be greatly missed.  My family’s thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and all of his family and friends.

Visit to Progressive Care Home Plus in Alton

            Friday evening, after my town hall meeting in Alton, I visited Progressive Care Home Plus to see first-hand the good work being done at this facility for people in Osborne County.  I was there for the groundbreaking of the assisted living center in August of 2001, and was pleased to see that they were at nearly full capacity.  I met with Donna Gregory, the owner and operator of the facility.  The care home allows Osborne County residents who require additional assistance to remain close to home.  The oldest resident at the facility, Hazel Oliva, will turn 99 next month.

Taking Calls, Questions from Kansans on Kansas Public Television

On Thursday evening, I took calls from many Kansans to discuss current issues facing Congress during a live appearance on Smoky Hills Public Television. 

Calls came in from across the district, asking about issues such as Social Security, education, prescription drugs and the nomination process for the Supreme Court.

Dr. Chris Crawford, Vice Provost and Associate Professor of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, hosted the program with Dale Hogg, Editor of the Great Bend Tribune. 

Accepting Applications for Internships in Kansas, Washington, D.C. Offices

I am now accepting applications for congressional internships in my Washington, D.C., Hays, Hutchinson and Salina congressional offices for the coming school year.  The internship program is a great opportunity for young Kansans to learn more about the legislative process and public service.  

Applications are due by July 29 for fall 2005 internships and November 1 for spring 2006 internships.  To apply for an internship, students should submit a completed application form, cover letter, résumé, college transcript and three letters of reference.  The cover letter should explain their interest in the internship and the goals they hope to achieve from participation.

Application forms can be obtained on my website at: www.house.gov/moranks01/internweb.htm

In the Office

            While I was back home in Kansas this week, several students stopped by my Washington, D.C. office while participating in student leadership programs.  In were Katelyn Hall and Victoria Martinez of Rolla, Jennifer Koops of Ulysses, Allison Aufdemberge of Lincoln, Jessica Bernhardt of Marion and Sarah Grokett of Cottonwood Falls. 

There were also many Kansans in the office for a tour of the Capitol building this week.  Lynne Mulroy of Holton was in the office along with her son, Shane, and daughter, Shanna Schimke.  Mrs. Mulroy was in Washington, D.C. visiting another daughter, Shara McKinsey of Salina, who works in my Washington, D.C. office.  Shara is in Washington, D.C. on a legislative fellowship through the Social Security Administration, learning about the legislative process and assisting Kansans with questions and problems they have related to Social Security.

Allen and Dorinda Brucken of Alma were in with their daughter, Katie Hill, and Josh Lawton, and Mike and Liz Kennedy of Leawood were in with their children, Jake and Meghan.  Also in were Glenn and Connie Neises of Emporia with their children, Alex and Joel; Leon and Ruth Heidebrecht of Inman with their sons, Stephen and Aaron; Ana Montanez of Hays; Andrea Wise and Brianne Bader, both of Cawker City; J.R. and Syndi O'Brien of Paola; Angie Hauck of Delphos and Jennifer Heller of Hunter. 

Hutchinson area residents Nancy Clark, Ronald and Tamara Friday, Jacqulyn Ashcraft and Ali Ashcraft and her children, Chandler and Lexee were in the office as were Doug and Robin Dutton of Scandia.  Also in was a large group on a tour of Washington, D.C.  Among that group was Salina area residents, Joyce Williams, Maxine Strawn, Gordon Kasparson, Barbara Harris, Hailee McClenton and Marilyn Johnson.

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