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Last month, I visited with 5th graders at Williamstown Elementary. We discussed the legislative process and the roles and responsibilities of Congress. I always enjoy visiting schools and speaking with students as I travel across the Fourth District. Every time I visit a school, I always leave thoroughly impressed with the students' knowledge and enthusiasm.
If you are interested in scheduling a visit for your school, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-3465 or contact one of my district offices.
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Weekly Column: America's Strategic Energy Future
High gas prices and energy costs have had the greatest impact on those who can afford it the least. The single mother, the independent trucker, the senior citizen surviving on a fixed income, small business owners: these are our neighbors and friends who need action on increasing energy prices the most, but are not receiving it because the Democratic Leadership in the House refuses to act. Nearly 140 Republican members of the House protested this willful inaction over the past five weeks.
Now that Congress has returned to Washington, it is time to act. This fall, energy must be Congress' top priority. Families in the Fourth District of Kentucky and across the nation have been struggling to make ends meet for too long. It is past time to adopt a solution to our nation's energy crisis.
Energy is essential to our economy, to job creation and to families across the nation. It is time for a new direction that adopts an "All of the Above" approach to meeting this challenge. In July, I was proud to co-sponsor the American Energy Act of 2008 (H.R. 6566), which will promote the use of all our domestic energy resources, including wind and solar power, oil and natural gas in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf, and clean-coal and nuclear technology.
Despite Speaker Pelosi's attempt to quiet dissent by shutting off the lights, cameras and microphones, my colleagues and I continued the debate on energy solutions throughout August and into September. Topics ranged from offshore drilling and oil in ANWR to solar and wind power plants as we discussed the variety of energy solutions. We are determined to highlight our options for cost-effective, reliable American energy. Every day, I receive letters from Kentuckians who are strained by high fuel costs. A constituent from Burlington wrote, "As the strongest nation in the world, it is a shame that the American people are having to sacrifice so much."
By reducing our dependence on foreign oil and investing in American energy, we can lower gas prices, reinvigorate our economy and create thousands of new jobs here at home. In the short term, we must effectively use our domestic resources. In addition, we must invest in the creation of alternative energy. A sensible energy policy must also address incentives for increased conservation and efficiency. Finally, in the long run, we must make strategic investments in energy research so that the fuels of the future are safe, clean and affordable for all Americans.
As our children return to schools that have been forced to raise lunch prices, cut bus routes and squeeze budgets to the breaking point, we can no longer ignore the sweeping impact of our nation's energy crisis. If we do not act now, heating costs will soon create additional challenges for families and businesses throughout Kentucky. Before the high price of energy causes more harm to our communities, Congress must unite and develop a solution that will provide immediate relief for all Americans.
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D.C. and District Talk
Fall interns arrive
Our fall interns have arrived! Below, we have provided some background information on four of our new interns in the Ft. Mitchell Office. If you or someone you know is interested in interning in the Washington, D.C. office during the Spring 2009 semester, please call (202) 225-3465. Call (859) 426-0080 to inquire about Spring 2009 internships in any of the offices in Kentucky. Be sure to ask for the Internship Coordinator when you call.
- Marcus Alan McGhee is a junior at Northern Kentucky University. He is working on a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Political Science, with an area of concentration in Pre-Law. This summer, Marcus completed our Congressional Leadership Program. Marcus is a graduate of Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood.
- Elizabeth Osborne is a resident of Villa Hills, and graduate of Dixie Heights High School. During her undergraduate career at NKU, Liz developed an interest in civic engagement and public service after she became the NKU Student Government Association's Vice President of Public Relations. Upon graduating in December 2007, she chose to continue her education at NKU by working toward a Masters degree in Community Counseling with a focus in College Student Development, which she expects to complete in May 2009.
- Lacey Davis Osborne is a senior at Northern Kentucky University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration. In addition to her internship with our office, she is also currently interning at Jones, Dietz and Swisher Law Offices in Florence. After graduation, she is considering law school or pursuing a Masters in Public Administration. Lacey is a graduate of Nicholas County High School in Carlisle.
- Daniel Schadler is currently a student at Gateway Community and Technical College, majoring in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). He is a resident of Edgewood. This fall, Daniel plans to apply to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy in hopes of becoming an engineer.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to spotlight other interns who are dedicating a portion of their school year to serving in the Fourth District.
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New improved voting services available to Kentucky soldiers and citizens overseas
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson recently announced that the election process will be straightforward and more efficient for Kentucky soldiers and other citizens overseas, thanks to new tools and services. These services include a new, easy-to-understand website for overseas voters as well as an automated ballot delivery program that will shorten the transit time and ensure that ballots arrive in Kentucky in time to be counted on Election Day.
The new website, which can be accessed at , enables Kentucky to provide state-of-the-art, interactive voter registration services. These new services will replace the old manual and error-prone process at a fraction of the cost, saving taxpayer money and ensuring overseas and military voters are able to cast their ballot easily and quickly. Since its launch in late July, nearly 400 people from over twenty-nine countries and territories have used the site.http://www.elect.ky.gov
Additionally, the new Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Automated Ballot Delivery Program will provide voters better access to timely and accurate absentee voting information. The program is an electronic avenue that expedites the absentee voting process and facilitates communication between local election offices and voters overseas. Kentucky overseas voters may choose to use the FVAP to send a completed, signed and scanned Registration and Ballot Request Form to their local election office and receive their blank ballot online via a secure server. The program uses a multi-layer approach to security that ensures the voter's personal information is not viewed by anyone except the intended recipient.
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National Merit Scholarship semifinalists named
 228 Kentucky high school seniors are among the nearly 16,000 national semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Winners of the National Merit Scholarships will be announced in the late spring and summer of 2009. To be chosen as a semi-finalist in this program is a prestigious honor. The following students from the Fourth Congressional District should be recognized for this achievement:
Beechwood High School - Brent W. Bishop, Peter L. Bradley, Matthew S. Miller and Christian Williams
Bishop Brossart High School - Benjamin M. Weyman
Covington Catholic High School - Kyle A. Darpel and P. Alexander Etling
Covington Latin High School - Brian C. Becker and Greg A. Light
Fort Thomas Highlands High School - Jack H. White
Home Schooled - Izaak Bruce, Greenup
Mason County High School - Jordan R. Sponaugle
North Oldham County High Schools - Joshua H. Rosenberg
Notre Dame Academy - Mary K. Brewer, Anna V. Enzweiler and Caroline E. Wise
Oldham County High School - Andrea E. Atkin, Sean A. Kruer and Elizabeth M. Schaller
Pendleton County High School - Celisa D. Bowen
Russell High School - Abigail E. Braden
Ryle High School - Carolyn E. Beutel, Katherine E. Lutes, Thayne A. McCombs, Jonathan T. Nguyen and Natalie M. Smith
St. Henry District High School - Sean M. Connolly, Andrew D. Linkugel and Maya A. Pillai
Scott High School - Carly E. Hood, David C. Mettens and Charles S. Schmidt
Simon Kenton High Scott - Jacob S. Bailey and Erin L. Graham
Villa Madonna Academy - Katherine E. Hayes
Walton-Verona High School - Alexandra B. Farrell
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Legislative Week in Review
The House of Representatives was in session Monday through Thursday of this week. The following bills passed the House:
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H.Res. 1420, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001
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H.R.6532, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance
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S. 2135, Child Soldiers Accountability Act
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H.R. 6630, To prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from granting authority to motor carriers domiciled in Mexico
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H.R. 3667, Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act
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H.R. 4081, Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2007 (PACT Act)
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H.R. 1527, Rural Veterans Access to Care Act
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S. 2617, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008
Constituent Corner
Avoiding foreclosure (first of a four-part series)
 For many American families, the threat of home foreclosure is becoming a reality. Foreclosures occur when homeowners fall behind on their mortgage payments as a result of a variety of financial or personal challenges. Many individuals and families facing difficult financial situations may be reluctant to ask for help, but addressing these issues in a timely manner is an important step toward avoiding foreclosure.
In order to better educate individuals about the complexities of mortgage payments and foreclosure, various organizations have established readily available resources for the general public. In particular, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation has created the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline and website, both of which are designed to counsel homeowners as they confront financial challenges.
Over the next four weeks, this newsletter series will feature advice and guidelines from the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, NeighborWorks and the Ad Council aimed at helping families avoid or deal with foreclosure.
In order to avoid mortgage trouble:
- Prioritize your expenses. Prioritize your bills and pay the ones that are most necessary for the well-being of you and your family, such as shelter, food and utilities.
- Protect your credit score. When you are experiencing a financial challenge, remember that making late payments or skipping payments altogether can seriously affect your credit score.
- Beware of scams. Beware of predatory lenders, pre-approved loan offers and phony counseling agencies. Homeowners facing financial troubles are especially vulnerable because many are desperate to find a solution to their problems. Legitimate counseling agencies will offer their programs for free or for a small administrative charge. Check with a lawyer or your mortgage company before signing anything involving your home. Never sign anything you do not understand. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has more information about avoiding predatory lending on their website ().http://www.hud.gov
For more personalized advice, individuals facing foreclosure are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the free foreclosure prevention counseling offered by the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline. This hotline is available to any American homeowner who is having trouble paying their mortgage. By utilizing the hotline and speaking with a foreclosure prevention counselor, individuals can get budgeting help, a written financial plan and assistance contacting their lender.
If you or someone you know is interested in this free service, please contact the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 995-HOPE. More information is available by visiting . http://www.995hope.org
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Financial aid tips
High school counselors across the Commonwealth will be receiving free books to distribute to students who are planning and preparing for college. The books are published by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).
Getting In is a complete guide for high school seniors. The book provides information about admissions and financial aid, one-page summaries about Kentucky's colleges and universities, and outlines the programs of study offered by each college and university. Affording Higher Education describes nearly 4,300 different financial aid programs available to Kentucky students. The book includes information about State and federal government programs, as well as programs at individual colleges and by county.
In addition to Getting In and Affording Higher Education, KHEAA publishes online versions of three other books geared to high school students. Getting Started advises freshmen on how to best use their high school years to prepare for college. Getting Set provides sophomores more detailed information about making the most of high school and explains the financial aid programs available to Kentucky students. For juniors, Getting Ready explains the college admissions and financial aid processes, provides a game plan for checking out colleges, and lists questions to ask of the colleges being considered.
To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education, visit . For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit , write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798, or call (800) 928-8926 extension 7381. For information about low-cost student loans, visit , write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328, Louisville, KY 40224-0328, or call (888) 678-4625.http://www.studentloanpeople.comhttp://www.kheaa.comhttp://www.GoHigherKY.org
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Plenty of Fall adventure and fun in Kentucky
 Fall is a great time to explore Kentucky by planning a weekend getaway or fall vacation. If cooler temperatures and crisp colors aren't enough to entice you to discover new Kentucky travel destinations, the Kentucky Department of Travel has a website that can help. allows you to explore the many things that Kentucky's nine tourism regions have to offer. By moving your computer's cursor over the map of the Commonwealth, you can select a particular region to read accounts from fellow travelers about their adventures and see photos of various events and attractions.
Http://www.MyKentuckyBackyard.com Many Kentucky attractions offer coupons at . You can even find a coupon for State park lodge rooms for $50 a night on Sundays through Thursdays. The coupons and discounts are available by clicking on "discounts." The State park system has seventeen resort parks with lodges across the state. Fall is a particularly popular time for visitors at these parks thanks to plenty of hiking trails, golf, camping and beautiful scenery.
http://www.parks.ky.govThe Department of Travel's main site, , has links to "Kentucky Outdoor Adventure," which provides information on a variety of adventure tourism activities across the Commonwealth. From caving and hiking to paddle sports and rock climbing, Kentucky is an adventure waiting to happen.http://www.kentuckytourism.com
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Constituent Hours
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