Post by Marc LeVine on Jun 11, 2007 12:07:30 GMT -5
Dear Marc,
This week, the House of Representatives passed the National STEM Scholarship Database Act, legislation that I introduced to establish a national internet database on financial assistance opportunities available for college and graduate study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Such a one-stop reference for innovators of the future will help students overcome financial hurdles that they face in pursuing their education. This would be available for high school students, college students, and even those who wish to return to their studies mid-career, such as science teachers.
No student should be deterred from higher education because of the cost. By making financial assistance opportunities easily accessible for the scientists, engineers, and mathematicians of the future, we are investing in our innovative capacity and our economic competitiveness. Of course, this is only one piece of the many things that must be done to improve our national competitiveness and productivity.
To watch my remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives, please click here.
Passport Requirements
Two weeks ago, I wrote you that passports are required for air travel citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: travel.state.gov.
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
Ethics in Government
Since I was first elected in 1998, my top priority in Congress has been to restore the faith of American citizens in their government and in their public officials. Public cynicism about government is at dangerous levels, and I have sought to reassure citizens through all my actions that government can be a force for good in the lives of Americans. Unfortunately, two events this week will only heighten the disenchantment that so many Americans feel.
This week, Vice President Cheney’s former Chief of Staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison for lying to investigators about the leak of an undercover CIA operative’s personal identity. This leak ruined the career of this intelligence officer and could have – and for all we know did – compromise the safety of some of her sources. Although Libby is being held to account for his actions, it saddens me that such a high-ranking public official would abuse the trust granted him by the American people. Also this week, U.S. Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) was indicted on charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. These are serious charges that, if true, would constitute an egregious and unconscionable abuse of power.
Americans are right to demand that public officials be held to the highest ethical standards. Such self-serving behavior undermines the confidence of citizens that is necessary for government to function.
Sincerely,
RUSH HOLT
P.S. Just a reminder: I always want to hear from you, but please don’t hit the reply button on your email. Instead, please email me through my website at holt.house.gov or call me at 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658) to let me know whats on your mind. Please also note that you may unsubscribe from this list by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.
Washington, DC:
1019 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5801
Fax: 202-225-6025 Website:
holt.house.gov/
Send an Electronic Message District Office:
50 Washington Rd.
West Windsor, NJ 08550
Phone: 609-750-9365
Fax: 609-750-0618
This week, the House of Representatives passed the National STEM Scholarship Database Act, legislation that I introduced to establish a national internet database on financial assistance opportunities available for college and graduate study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Such a one-stop reference for innovators of the future will help students overcome financial hurdles that they face in pursuing their education. This would be available for high school students, college students, and even those who wish to return to their studies mid-career, such as science teachers.
No student should be deterred from higher education because of the cost. By making financial assistance opportunities easily accessible for the scientists, engineers, and mathematicians of the future, we are investing in our innovative capacity and our economic competitiveness. Of course, this is only one piece of the many things that must be done to improve our national competitiveness and productivity.
To watch my remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives, please click here.
Passport Requirements
Two weeks ago, I wrote you that passports are required for air travel citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: travel.state.gov.
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
Ethics in Government
Since I was first elected in 1998, my top priority in Congress has been to restore the faith of American citizens in their government and in their public officials. Public cynicism about government is at dangerous levels, and I have sought to reassure citizens through all my actions that government can be a force for good in the lives of Americans. Unfortunately, two events this week will only heighten the disenchantment that so many Americans feel.
This week, Vice President Cheney’s former Chief of Staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was sentenced to 30 months in prison for lying to investigators about the leak of an undercover CIA operative’s personal identity. This leak ruined the career of this intelligence officer and could have – and for all we know did – compromise the safety of some of her sources. Although Libby is being held to account for his actions, it saddens me that such a high-ranking public official would abuse the trust granted him by the American people. Also this week, U.S. Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) was indicted on charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. These are serious charges that, if true, would constitute an egregious and unconscionable abuse of power.
Americans are right to demand that public officials be held to the highest ethical standards. Such self-serving behavior undermines the confidence of citizens that is necessary for government to function.
Sincerely,
RUSH HOLT
P.S. Just a reminder: I always want to hear from you, but please don’t hit the reply button on your email. Instead, please email me through my website at holt.house.gov or call me at 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658) to let me know whats on your mind. Please also note that you may unsubscribe from this list by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.
Washington, DC:
1019 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5801
Fax: 202-225-6025 Website:
holt.house.gov/
Send an Electronic Message District Office:
50 Washington Rd.
West Windsor, NJ 08550
Phone: 609-750-9365
Fax: 609-750-0618