News

Pickering's Mississippi E-Memo
Congressman Chip Pickering
Monday - 01/30/2006 - #49

CONGRESS RETURNS TO SESSION THIS WEEK: The House of Representatives goes back into session on Tuesday for legislative business and in preparation for President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address that night. The House expects to pass three significant measures this week: 1) The Deficit Reduction Act puts controls on excessive federal spending and also provides needed budgetary relief to Mississippi's Medicaid system strained by Hurricane Katrina costs; 2) a resolution to change House rules to eliminate floor privileges and access by former Members and officers of the House who are now registered lobbyists; 3) an extension of the USA Patriot Act to prevent the expiration of provisions used to fight terrorism and provide homeland security. Additional events this week include the annual National Prayer Breakfast and the Republican Conference leadership elections.

FIRE GRANT WORKSHOPS: During 2005, Congressman Chip Pickering announced twenty-nine first responder federal grants to fire stations in the Third District for over $2.7 million. On February 12, 13 and 14, four workshops will be held in Mississippi to assist first responders in this competitive grant program. Interested fire department representatives are invited to attend. Information will be presented on the program and on the application process. General assistance in the writing of a competitive narrative for a department's grant application will be discussed. Each workshop is approximately 2 hours in length and each will present the same material. Fire departments can also receive information and assistance from Pickering's Grant Coordinator Mary Martha Henson in the Meridian Office at 601-693-6681. (For more information see www.firegrantsupport.com): 1) 2/12/2006 6:30 pm Vicksburg Fire Department - Contact: Marcia Weaver (601) 634-4509; 2) 2/13/2006 9:00 am Vicksburg Fire Department - Contact: Marcia Weaver (601) 634-4509; 3) 2/14/2006 6:30 pm Jackson Fire Department Training Center - C. Davis (601) 960-1057; 4) 2/14/2006 9:00 am Jackson Fire Department Training Center - C. Davis (601) 960-1057

CHIP PICKERING IN ONLINE NEWS:

Defense subcontractor opens for business (Tupelo Daily Journal: 1/28)

Congressman: Prepare for challenges (Tupelo Daily Journal: 1/25)

Louisiana feels 'shortchanged' on Capitol Hill? (Jackson Clarion Ledger: 1/25)

Freddie Mac Buys $40 Million in Mississippi Home Corporation Bonds to Fund Low Cost Mortgages for Hundreds of Mississippi Storm Victims (Yahoo Finance: 1/25)

U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering Addresses Students, Says Strong Character is Vital to Leadership (OleMiss.edu: 1/24)

Debris firm files protest (Biloxi Sun Herald: 1/22)

House Panel Investigates Katrina Response in South Mississippi (Biloxi WLOX: 1/20)

Mayors tell congressional panel send more money, cut red tape (AP: 1/20)

Lawmaker: Little changed in Waveland since Katrina hit (AP: 1/20)

U.S. Rep.: slow federal debris removal after Katrina "sinful" (AP: 1/20)

Hurricane committee to visit Coast cities (Biloxi Sun Herald: 1/19)

Purple Heart awarded posthumously (Neshoba County Democrat: 1/18)

Pickering Column: Congress and Katrina Challenges (Release: 1/17)

Vertex Aerospace gets $1B contract (Jackson Clarion Ledger: 1/13)

Jackson Native Joins Pickering's Office (Release: 1/13)

President Visits Mississippi, Discusses Gulf Coast Reconstruction (WhiteHouse.gov: 1/12)

Grant to fund road improvements (Brookhaven Daily Leader: 1/10)

Change of Command During Realignment (Meridian WTOK: 1/8)

Pickering Column: Using Technology for Emergency Communication (Pointe Innovation: January 2006)

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