News From Congressman Vic Snyder

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Recent News on Capitol Hill

In light of the economic downturn and the recent poultry plant closings throughout the region, I joined my colleagues to try and help family farmers. I signed onto a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner requesting that the Treasury Department give banks more authority to restructure existing loans for farmers. When economic times get difficult, farmers who live on their farms face a double threat because if farmers fall behind on farm loan payments they are threatened not only with the loss of their farming operations, but also with the loss of their homes. The letter requests the treasury do the following:

• Implement a farm loan restructuring program for loans that are still on the bank's books similar to the one Congress has mandated for FSA farm loan programs;
• Offer this program to any farmers or ranchers who are at least 60 days behind in their scheduled loan payments; and
• Restructure loans that qualify under the program.

This week, I signed on to cosponsor the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009. This legislation was introduced by Representatives Christopher Carney (D-PA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) on February 26, 2009. The legislation details the minting and issuance of up to 100,000 commemorative coins, which if sold, could generate up to $8.5 million for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation funds programs to encourage selfless service and responsible citizenship, provide scholarships and increase public awareness of the values of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1999, which perpetuates the legacy of the Medal of Honor by supporting the objectives, programs and activities of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Medal of Honor recipients.

-To learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, go to their website:
http://cmohfoundation.org/index.html

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Recent News from the District

I found out last week that Arkansas will be receiving $748,000 for emergency food and shelter programs and $1.6 Million for childhood immunizations under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This funding is important, as we must ensure that the local food and shelter service organizations are funded at a level to accommodate the growing number of Arkansans in need of emergency care. Also, we must keep kids current with their vaccinations; prevention through immunization is not just good for public health, it is also good for our children's quality of life in the future.

-To read more in detail about this funding, go to
http://www.recovery.gov/
http://www.recovery.arkansas.gov/

This week I participated in a panel discussion for the Arkansas "Focus the Nation" town hall event hosted by the UALR International Studies Program. In connection with the nationwide conversation on the American energy future and global climate solutions, the panel discussion centered on sustainable energy, global climate change, and the future. I think it's very timely to have this discussion with a new President, a new Congress, and a new Administration loaded with lots of energy right now.

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Other News

One of my colleagues in the House, Zoe Lofgren, is chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee. This committee oversees all official conduct of House staffers and House members. Congresswoman Lofgren is looking to fill the top staffer and chief counsel position on the House Ethics Committee. I want to share this opportunity with my constituents in case you or someone you know is interested in applying. Below is a description of the position and contact information:

STAFF DIRECTOR / CHIEF COUNSEL
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT

Staff Director / Chief Counsel, House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Washington, DC) – The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct requires the services of an attorney with managerial experience and knowledge of government ethics law to serve as the Committee's Staff Director and Chief Counsel. The Committee's Staff Director / Chief Counsel is a professional, nonpartisan position. The Staff Director / Chief Counsel will manage the nonpartisan, professional staff of the Committee, supervise the day-to-day operations of the Committee, serve as the principal legal advisor to the Committee and report to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee. The position requires a law degree and admission to a state bar. Demonstrable analytical, organizational, writing, oral communication and interpersonal skills are expected. Candidates with Capitol Hill experience and a valid security clearance are preferred. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample and list of references by email to ethicsjobs@mail.house.gov.

-To read more in detail about the House Ethics Committee, go to
http://ethics.house.gov/Default.aspx