**Carter Courier**

http://carter.house.gov

October 24, 2006 Volume 4, Issue 36

\*Please note, the text version does NOT include the kids' or coloring
pages due to technical difficulties.

***[LETTER FROM THE CONGRESSMAN]{.underline}***

Dear Friends,

As our economy continues to boom, gas prices are falling to the lowest
levels in 2006. Additionally, the stock market has reached record
levels, the Dow Jones Industrial average crossed 12,100 for the first
time and reached a record close on Monday. This strength can be
attributed to the pro-growth policies that have been implemented by
Congress and President Bush.

Last week I was pleased to discuss these and other issues with
constituents throughout the District. Immigration and border security
remains a priority issue. I discussed my thoughts on border security at
a Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute conference and met
with my Hispanic Advisory Council to discuss options for moving forward
on the immigration debate. I was also pleased to honor our first
responders during an event announcing a \$1.8 million grant for the
Killeen Fire Department. As Principal for a Day at Cedar Park High
School, I had the opportunity to discuss education priorities with
students and teachers. I want to thank the high school for allowing me
to visit, and I commend the teachers and administrators for all their
hard work.

Until next week,



***[Education is Key to Our Nation's Future]{.underline}***

Providing students an opportunity to succeed is critical to our nation's
future. In Congress, we have made investing in education a priority, and
students and parents are seeing results. Republicans in the House
believe that true education reform requires the reinforcement of high
standards, accountability for results, increased parental involvement,
and strategic funding. Today, more money is being spent on education
than anytime in our nation's past. But more funding can only be
effective if it is coupled with true reforms to strengthen our education
system. This year we have taken action on a number of policies that
benefit our nation's students.

I supported reforms to student aid programs in an effort to expand
college access for low- and middle-income students. Most recently, the
Higher Education Extension Act of 2006 was passed into law. The
extension of this bill ensures that colleges are more affordable, that
the student aid process is simplified, and that students receive a
quality higher education. Further, this bill reforms and strengthens
federal student aid and higher education programs, adding new benefits
for student loan borrowers, greater accountability to empower consumers,
and stronger protections for American taxpayers. The College Access and
Opportunity Act and the Deficit Reduction Act also include important
student loan reforms that provide strong protections for students and
taxpayers.

In addition, Congress worked to reduce student loan payments by
repealing a federal rule that limited the ability of consumers to shop
for the best deal on student consolidation loans. As a result of the
repeal, students with loans will now have the ability to shop around
with other loan providers to find the best terms and services. This
ensures that the original loan holder competes in order to retain the
loan.

We have also expanded the opportunity for parents to save for their
students' education through 529 college saving plans. College 529 plans
allow parents to invest after-tax dollars in state-sponsored funds,
acting like an education IRA. These plans are now permanent, rather than
expiring in 2010. This is a great tool in helping parents save for their
children's education.

Another education priority facing the House is rejecting efforts by the
Senate to allow states to provide in-state college tuition to illegal
immigrants. It is ludicrous to me that students who legally reside in
another state would have to pay more for school than somebody who has
broken laws and is living in our country illegally. This proposal is
unfair to American students, and I will continue to fight against this
proposal in Congress.

Significant reforms to education policies have been backed by
unprecedented levels of resources. This year, states and local school
districts will receive \$23.3 billion in federal funds to help implement
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)---a one-third increase in federal elementary
and secondary education funding since President Bush signed NCLB into
law. Further, Title I aid for disadvantaged students has increased 45
percent since NCLB was signed into law. For higher education, the
commitment is just as strong, with \$90 billion in federal resources
heading to students this year alone. That's nearly triple what it was
just a decade ago. Included in that \$90 billion is a record \$13
billion for Pell Grants for low- and middle-income students. We will
remain committed to examining the successes and challenges of No Child
Left Behind to ensure that student achievement continues to exceed that
of previous years.

The severe damage caused by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina is still being
felt along the Gulf Coast. Significant assistance and relief has been
provided to help the educational systems affected by the hurricanes.
Schools throughout Texas have opened their doors to thousands of
displaced students. Congress ensured that schools that enrolled
displaced students in the aftermath of the storms also received
assistance. Funding has also been provided to colleges and universities
in the damaged region and those higher education institutions enrolling
displaced students. This relief effort was built upon initiatives to
provide more flexibility on behalf of students, families, and schools.

Although these are just a few of the achievements Congress has made on
behalf of our students and our education system, our dedication to the
future of America is clear. I will continue to promote education
policies that support our teachers, students, and parents so we might
continue to lead in the 21st Century economy.

*PHOTO: Congressman Carter answers questions from a Cedar Park High
School government class while acting as Principle for a Day. Congressman
Carter visited classes, toured the school, and spoke to teachers during
his visit.*

***[Carter, Congress Working to Keep Gas Prices Down]{.underline}***

Every American is dependent on oil and gas, whether to fuel a car, heat
a home, or cook dinner. Therefore, gas prices have a significant impact
on our nation's economic and national security. The gas prices have been
falling, providing welcome relief to individuals and families throughout
the U.S.

In the past several weeks the price of gasoline has dropped rapidly,
with average prices now around \$2.26---and I have seen even lower
prices while driving around the 31st District. Lower energy costs are
not only noticeable at the pump, but will also be enjoyed by families
heating their homes. It has been reported that residential customers may
see their heating bills drop by as much as 20 percent. Further, oil
prices have fallen by more than 20 percent since the peak in July of
over \$78 a barrel.

While this immediate relief is a result of changes in the market, it is
important that we provide long-term solutions to our nation's energy
needs. The United States is twice as dependent today on foreign sources
of energy as it was 30 years ago. In Congress, we have been committed to
implementing common-sense energy policies to lower gas prices and reduce
our nation's reliance on foreign sources of energy, while creating more
jobs for Americans.

One of the keys to reducing our dependence on foreign oil is developing
new sources of energy that are clean, abundant, and, most importantly,
produced here at home. The House recently passed a bill to help protect
the American people from volatile global oil markets by expanding our
nation's use of alternative energy. The Alternative Energy Research and
Development Act calls for increased research and development in a wide
range of cutting-edge energy technologies, including hydrogen, solar and
wind. The bill also calls for research to help develop new methods of
producing ethanol and supports research to convert coal into methane
fuel.

Expanding domestic oil exploration is another important component to
securing our nation's energy future. This year, both the House and
Senate have passed proposals that support responsible deep ocean energy
production to help lower gasoline prices for American consumers. The
House passed the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (H.R. 4761), which
would allow for the exploration of the vast energy resources in the
outer-continental shelf, helping our country to become more energy
self-sufficient. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation that
would create thousands of family-wage American jobs and allow more of
America's massive energy resources to be produced in the deep seas on
the outer-continental shelf (OCS) while also empowering coastal states
like Texas to protect their coastlines.

Just over one year ago, the President signed into law a comprehensive
energy package that has made critical improvements to our nation's
energy policies. The Energy Policy Act (EPA Act) was the first
comprehensive energy bill in more than a decade, touching on nearly
every aspect of U.S. energy production and consumption, including
traditional oil and gas drilling, the electrical grid, hybrid cars, and
incentives to develop new energy sources. This law is helping boost
domestic fuel supplies and provide relief over the long term from high
energy prices.

These are just a few of the measures that the House has passed to
address our nation's energy needs. I will continue to work with my
colleagues to promote policies that will reduce our dependence on
foreign oil, including increasing domestic supplies of crude oil,
expanding our nation's refining capacity, promoting conservation and
greater fuel efficiency, and developing alternative sources of energy.

*PHOTO: Cong. Carter joins area leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony for
an on-site energy plant that will power the Dell Children's Medical
Center of Central Texas. The Mueller Energy Center is the first of its
kind, with very low emissions and high energy efficiency.*

***[PRESIDENT SIGNS DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION]{.underline}***

***[Act Supports Troops, Funds War on Terror Priorities, blocks TRICARE
Increases]{.underline}***

Last week, I applauded President Bush for signing into law the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. This important piece of
legislation will give our troops the support they need as they fight
terrorism and defend our freedom.

The President's signing will allow for the implementation of the \$532.8
billion act that sets the policies, programs, and funding levels for the
nation's military. More specifically, this act provides a much deserved
military pay raise, additional funding for force protection needs, and
blocks TRICARE fee increases. I am proud to consistently support the
needs of our U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.

***[REMINDER: OCTOBER COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS]{.underline}***

Congressman Carter's *staff* will hold community office hours at the
following time and location. The staff will be able to meet with
residents to listen to their concerns and provide assistance with regard
to federal issues and federal agencies.

**WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25th**

**9:00 am - 11:00 am**

**Dublin**

Chamber of Commerce

108 South Patrick

Dublin, Texas

**WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25th**

**10:30 am - 1:00 pm**

**Salado**

Community Center

601 North Main

Salado, Texas

**WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25th**

**2:00 pm - 4:00 pm**

**Stephenville**

City Hall

298 West Washington

Stephenville, Texas