International food for education program fights hunger and promotes security (01/08/06)
During the Truman Administration, the National School Lunch Act was approved by Congress and signed into law to fight child hunger in America. For more than 50 years, our nation's policies have reflected our values that no child should go hungry and that hunger should never cause a child to miss the opportunity to learn...

Spring rise should not threaten farmers' crop insurance (12/09/05)
For almost a decade and a half, the Corps of Engineers has been working with stakeholders to revise the Missouri River Master Manual, the plan that sets guidelines controlling water releases from upstream dams and reservoirs. For those of us from states along the Missouri River basin, establishing a balanced river management policy is critical...

Giving Thanks for Our Freedoms (11/18/05)
One of the most famous images of the 20th century was created by artist Norman Rockwell during World War II. The illustration, captioned "Freedom From Want", shows a family gathered around a table preparing to carve the turkey and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together...

Oct. 31 deadline for service academy applications (09/01/05)
I would like to encourage young people in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District to take a look at the opportunities available at the U.S. Service Academies -- the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, or the Coast Guard Academy...

Constitutional amendment would protect the flag (06/15/05)
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved a resolution adopting the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States. Official recognition of June 14 as Flag Day began when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation in 1916...

Children's ways (01/30/05)
Hi neighbors. I suppose we've all been watching the news of elections in Iraq, or trying to avoid watching them. Whatever speeds up the process of things settling down there I'm all for. I have had to ask myself, would I go vote if I knew someone might shoot me for doing so? What if someone is taking names of those who they see go vote to attack them later? Would I risk my family getting blown up to vote? How many of us decline to vote for much lesser reasons? It's too hot or too cold, too windy, too calm? We don't have time or we haven't decided on who we want to vote for or we haven't followed the campaigns and feel we know too little about the candidates to vote -- these are all excuses I've heard. ...

Report shows Fourth Congressional District's contribution to agriculture (12/23/04)
The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years, is the leading source of facts and statistics about the nation's farms and ranches, and the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States. The most recent Census of Agriculture provides a statistical snapshot of America's farms during the 2002 calendar year...

Congress approves intelligence reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (12/10/04)
After the November election, the House and Senate returned to Washington for a lame duck session, primarily in order to complete the federal budget. But in addition to the must-pass budget measure, House and Senate negotiators also hoped to reach agreement on the intelligence reform legislation that was based upon the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. ...

Reasons to Give Thanks in 2004 (11/19/04)
Thanksgiving and the December holiday season are busy times, full of family gatherings, festive parties, and joyous celebrations. But it is also a time to reflect and take stock of the countless blessings that enrich our lives. Although I am grateful for more things than I could possibly list in a column, I'd like to share a few of my reasons for giving thanks this year...

Medicare premium hike undercuts 2.7 percent Social Security COLA (10/26/04)
The Social Security and Medicare programs provide retirement income security and make it possible for millions America's seniors to avoid poverty and to obtain health care services when they enter retirement. Each fall, the Administration announces Social Security benefit and Medicare premium changes for the coming year...

DoD releases report on small business procurement (09/17/04)
The federal government spends about $250 billion a year on goods and services, and Missouri businesses sell many of the products the government needs. But small businesses often struggle to compete with large businesses in order to sell their products and services to the federal government. ...

'Freedom' Selected as Theme of 'We the People Bookshelf' (09/08/04)
Last year, I started a district-wide school visit program called "History Matters", concentrating on teaching young Missourians about the importance of history and civic education. As students, their families, and their teachers begin the school year, I want to share the news about another program designed to spark young people's interest in American values and ideals...