EARTH DAY 2008

Celebrating Iowa's Progress

HONORING ONE OF IOWA'S AMERICAN HEROES - Iowa Congressman Tom Latham presented Korean War veteran Harold Wachter, of Milo, with his Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, and the Army's Good Conduct Medal today in a ceremony at the American Legion Post in Indianola. (MORE)

SUPPORTING AN INCREASE IN VETERAN EDUCATION BENEFITS - Iowa Congressman Tom Latham announced this week that he has signed on as an original co-sponsor to bi-partisan legislation in the United States Congress which completely overhauls the nation’s G.I. Bill education benefits. The Post 9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act modernizes and increases the benefits available to veterans to address the reality of rising tuition costs and increased deployment of the National Guard and Reserve units. (MORE)

FREEDOM FROM TAXES - IOWA TAX FREEDOM DAY 2008 - Many people are unaware of Tax Freedom Day, but it's an important date to know. Tax Freedom Day marks the first day in the year when Americans no longer work to pay for their local, state, and federal government tax burden… and begin to work to pay for their own needs. (MORE)

Evan Johnson, Iowa’s Congressional Page - High school junior Evan Johnson, from Ames, Iowa, is getting a very different kind of education these days. Rather than learning about the political process at home or in a classroom, he’s learning about it from inside the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Evan is one of only a few high school juniors in the entire country who have been given the honor of an appointment to the Congressional Page Program. (MORE)

A RISKY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PROPOSAL DURING TIMES OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY - Recently, the Democrat leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, for the second year in a row, set yet another record with a budget that includes a $683 billion dollar tax increase… that is, $283 billion more than last year’s record setting tax increase of $400 billion, on American families. (MORE)

Sweeping Earmark Reform Measure Fails In U.S. House Vote - The U.S. House of Representatives recently failed to pass a sweeping earmark reform measure.  The vote on the Republican sponsored measure fell primarily upon party lines, with only seven Democrats voting for the measure which would have put in place a monumental moratorium on Congressional earmarks while also creating a Joint Committee on Earmark Reform. (MORE)

LATHAM PROTECTS FUNDS FOR LOW-INCOME & SENIOR IOWAN HEATING ASSISTANCE - Congressman Latham voted against legislation advanced by Congressional leaders which slashes $250 million in LIHEAP funding and $23 million cut in IDEA special education funding. (MORE)

A WINDOW INTO IOWA - Visitors from Iowa and all over the world to Iowa Congressman Tom Latham’s Washington office will now enjoy a window into Iowa’s beautiful farms, neighborhoods and communities.

Congressman Latham discovered the work of photographer Joseph L. Murphy while seeking out Iowa photos to display in his office. Eight of Murphy’s photographs now displayed in Latham’s office feature a broad range of Iowa landscapes and settings. Latham has previously displayed the work of Iowa painters in his office. (MORE)

LATHAM RECEIVES 2007 PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE AMERICA GUARDIAN AWARD - The Partnership for a Drug-Free America honored Congressman Tom Latham with the 2007 Guardian Award at a ceremony held at the United States Capitol. The Guardian Award is given annually in recognition of leadership on substance abuse issues, and in appreciation of efforts to protect America’s families from the threat of substance abuse.

“Congressman Tom Latham is a committed leader on fighting the spread of methamphetamine and an invaluable ally to the Partnership,” said Stephen J. Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership. “From fighting to toughen the laws in Iowa on the sale of a key ingredient pseudoephedrine in the production of methamphetamine, to creating the Methamphetamine Training Center in Sioux City, Iowa which benefits anti-drug agencies and initiatives, Congressman Latham has gone above and beyond to protect our communities."(MORE)

E-Mail: tom.latham@mail.house.gov

WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE:
2447 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Toll Free:866-428-5642
Phone: 202-225-5476
Fax: 202-225-3301

AMES OFFICE:
1421 South Bell Avenue Suite #108A
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone: 515-232-2885
Fax: 515-232-2844

CLEAR LAKE/MASON CITY OFFICE:
812 Hwy. 18 East - P.O. Box 532
Clear Lake, Iowa 50428
Phone: 641-357-5225
Fax: 641-357-5226

FORT DODGE OFFICE:
1426 Central Avenue Suite #A
Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
Phone: 515-573-2738
Fax: 515-576-7141

ON THE WEB:
tomlatham.house.gov

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