News

Pickering’s Mississippi E-Memo
Congressman Chip Pickering
Thursday – March 20, 2008 - #84

MILITARY ACADEMY DAY: Congressman Chip Pickering will host his annual Military Academy Day on Saturday, April 5 at Madison Central High School in Madison County from 9am until 11am. The Military Academy Day provides interested students and parents an opportunity to learn more about our country’s military academies, requirements for admission and the appointment process.  Congressman Pickering and members of his staff will be joined by representatives from each of the five service academies: U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Coast Guard Academy. High school students preparing for college within the next couple of years and considering the service academies option should attend.  Junior high students interested in the service academies are also encouraged to attend and begin the process early.  The event is free and open to the public.  No registration necessary. For more details contact Steve Guyton in Congressman Pickering’s Pearl Office at 601-932-2410.  Madison Central High School is located at 1417 Highland Colony Parkway in Madison, Mississippi. (For more information: http://www.house.gov/pickering/constituent/military.htm)

ART COMPETITION: Congressman Chip Pickering announces the 27th Annual Congressional Art Competition open to students in the 9th through 12th grade in Mississippi’s Third Congressional District.  Public, private, parochial and home school students are eligible.  The winning entry will hang in the US Capitol for a year and the winner will be able to attend an awards ceremony in Washington DC. The artwork must be an original concept no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches framed, and can be created through drawing, painting, photography, computer generated art, collage or mixed media.  Only one entry per student is allowed and the piece must be accompanied by a Student Information / Student Release Form attached to the back.  The deadline for entries is Friday, March 28.  Entries may be dropped off at any of Congressman Pickering’s district offices (Pearl, Meridian, Starkville, Brookhaven and Natchez).  A reception for the artists will be held at the City of Brandon Public Library on April 7 at 10:00 a.m. when the winners of each division and the overall winner will be announced. Students wishing to participate or needing additional information should contact their high school art department or principal, or they may call Cindy Fish in Congressman Pickering’s Pearl Office at 601-932-2410. (For more information: http://www.house.gov/pickering/releases/2008/march/art.html)

PICKERING STAFF:  This is an update on some changes in Congressman Pickering’s staff over the past few months.  In Washington DC, Sharon Johnson is now Deputy Chief of Staff, Cade Clurman is the new Legislative Director, Mary Martha Henson is the Community & Economic Development Director (and Health Legislative Assistant), Alexander Guffin is Deputy Communications Director, and Ty Mabry is now the Military Legislative Assistant.  (For more information: www.house.gov/pickering/policy)

RECENT PICKERING IN THE NEWS:

Congressman Pickering Takes a Stand for Mississippi Kids (Clarion Ledger Online: 3/19)

Pickering: Congressional Art Competition (Release: 3/19)

Learn more about nation's military schools (Clarion Ledger: 3/16)

Pickering To Host Military Academy Day at Madison Central on April 5 (Release: 3/7)

Officials return from D.C. trip (The Mississippi Press: 2/29)

Internet neutrality a Christian issue? (Dallas Morning News Blog: 2/25)

ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE: The Internal Revenue Service has the Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center online with information on the economic stimulus payments and special information for those who receive social security benefits or veterans' benefits. Starting in May, the Treasury Department will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive any economic stimulus payments you may qualify for, you must file a federal income tax return for 2007. Even if you are not otherwise required to file a tax return, you must file a 2007 return in order to receive a stimulus payment. Some filers (such as high-income filers) will not qualify for a stimulus payment. You do not need to calculate the amount of the stimulus payment. If you qualify, the IRS will automatically figure it and send it to you. The IRS will also send you a notice showing the amount of your payment. You do not need to fill out any other special forms. Many people who receive Social Security benefits, or veterans' benefits, while not normally required to file a tax return, will need to do so this year to get the stimulus payment. Many can use the simpler Form 1040A. (For more information: www.irs.gov)

DTV TRANSITION: On February 17, 2009, analog television broadcasting will end for full-power stations.  After that date, if you get TV broadcasts with an antenna over the air, you will receive only digital signals.  This does not mean you need to get a new television set, although if affordable that is a good free market option.  There will also be converter boxes to change the digital signal to one that current analog TV sets can receive.  You may be able to obtain up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of these converter boxes. The program will be run by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  (For more information: www.dtv.gov or www.dtvtransition.org)

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE: Feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and colleagues.  They can subscribe at www.house.gov/pickering/Email.htm - or - to unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line.