Veterans Health Care Saving our North Chicago VA
Hospital twice threatened with closure I am proud
that the VA/Navy sharing agreement is now a model for combining
veterans and active duty health care services.
Economic
Development One of my greatest priorities here at
home is the revitalization and rebirth of Waukegan and North Chicago.
We have secured millions in federal funds for both economic development
and environmental cleanup but there is still much more
work to be done as we oversee a Renaissance of these lakeshore
communities.
Education Excellence As a former school teacher,
I know kids come first. We have a tradition of education excellence
in this district. Our children deserve safe, drug-free schools
with world-class teachers.
Illegal
Drugs Our children face a growing threat from so-called
club drugs like Ecstasy. We must better educate ourselves
and our children about the dangers of these and all illegal drugs
and also work to prevent them from entering our schools.
Environmental Protection Lake Michigan, our lake,
a source of beauty, recreation, and commerce faces several environmental
challenges. I have introduced the Mercury Pollution Reduction
Act, calling for no new source permits for mercury and co-sponsored
the Great Lakes Restoration Act that will provide
funding to clean up hot spots and reduce pollution in the Great
Lakes.
Transportation
Upgrades To live in our communities is to be stuck
in traffic. We must upgrade our transit and highway infrastructures.
Working with Speaker Hastert, I will continue to fight for highway
and transit funds to relieve congestion, preserve our quality
of life, and protect our environment.
I would like to share with you a story about
how government is not always the answer. Often government moves
too slow to confront serious problems in our neighborhoods. And
sometimes being a good congressman means thinking outside the
box.
Last spring we witnessed the senseless murders
of two 16-year-old North Chicago boys. Shocked by their deaths,
I asked community leaders what could be done to break the cycle
of violence. We learned that there were few activities for young
men after school. When an evening basketball facility was suggested,
I approached Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls seeking their
help with this problem. The Chicago Bulls agreed to build a first
class basketball facility in North Chicago to serve nearly 4,000
young people.
Late last summer, I joined Jerry Reinsdorf
as we cut the ribbon on those world class basketball courts open
today - a timeline the government could not match.
My work in Washington and at home continues
as we tackle many important issues facing our nation and our families
here in the 10th District. I invite you to explore the issues
section of my Web site and share with me any questions you may
have that relate to the federal government. MarkKirk@kirkforcongress.com
Thank you for your continued support and also
for the honor of representing you in Washington.
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