**Carter Courier**

http://carter.house.gov

June 27, 2008 Volume 6, Issue 10

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

Dear Friends,

Since I last wrote you, Congress has passed two very critical pieces of
legislation. The first being the Emergency War funding bill, which
includes critical funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as well
as additional G.I. benefits. A comprehensive FISA bill also passed the
house. Both of these bills are strong victories for the American people.

While I was happy to see these bills pass the house, one major issue
that hasn't been addressed is the rising cost of gas prices. Republicans
have a plan that will bring these prices down, but Democrats have yet to
show interest in working with us. I hope they will put politics aside
and do what is best for the American people.

As always, I thank all of you in the 31^st^ District for the opportunity
to serve you in Congress and will keep you updated on the lasted
information regarding important issues. God Bless Texas!

Until next week,

**[carter works to fund 287(g) program;]{.underline}**

**[critical program designed to remove criminal aliens from our
streets]{.underline}**

This week I introduced an amendment to the FY 09 Homeland Security
Appropriations bill. The amendment would provide \$12 million to section
287(g) of the Immigration Nationality Act (INA) which allows Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate enforcement powers to state
and local law enforcement allowing them to investigate, detain and
arrest criminal aliens. The "287(g) program" directly promotes the goal
of finding and removing dangerous illegal aliens.

Local and state law enforcement agents are on the front lines in the
battle against criminal aliens, and we need to provide them with every
resource available to win this fight. ICE has requested \$12 million to
provide for the 77 new state and local agencies who want to benefit from
this program. We need to give them this money. If we don't, we could
stop the growth of this critical program and lose our ability to
effectively remove dangerous alien fugitives from our streets.

The 287(g) program has been successful and will continue to grow as long
as Congress continues to provide it with funds. Over 720 law enforcement
agents have been trained to handle criminal aliens and over 29,700
criminal aliens have been investigated, detained and arrested.

Unfortunately, the amendment failed by a party-line vote in the Homeland
Security Appropriations Subcommittee Markup, but I look forward to
bringing this fight to the House floor.

**[CARTER SUPPORTS Emergency WAR funding bill]{.underline}**

Recently I voted for the long-waited emergency war funding bill. The
bi-partisan bill includes \$161.8 billion for our troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan, \$2.65 billion for disaster relief in the Midwest and
expanded G.I. Benefits.

Our troops waited close to 500 days for these funds to provide them with
the tools and resources they need to help them succeed and return home
safely. Although I believe this is far too long for our soldiers to
wait, I am pleased to see House Democrats and Republicans worked out
their differences and agreed on a package that will get funding to our
troops without restrictions.

I am very proud of House Republicans who fought tirelessly to eliminate
tax increases, plans for withdrawal and billions in additional spending.

I am also pleased to see that the new G.I. bill, of which I am a
co-sponsor and proud supporter, was also included. For the first time,
soldiers will be able to pass their hard-earned education benefits to
their family members.

In addition to these important items, it was also important to provide
the victims of the Midwest floods the resources they need to start
rebuilding their lives. As they pick up the pieces of their homes and
communities, I would like them to know that Texas is praying for each
and every one of them.

**[ERATH, CORYELL & HAMILTON COUNTY OUTREACH]{.underline}**

In order to better serve the constituents of the 31st District, the
caseworkers of my office will be traveling to towns throughout the
district and setting up local office hours. During these hours
constituents can ask questions about services that my office offers or
seek help with problems dealing with federal agencies.

**[ERATH COUNTY]{.underline}**

**Dublin**

**Monday, June 30, 2008**

**9:00 a.m. -- 11:00 a.m.**

Dublin Chamber of Commerce

110 South Patrick

Dublin, Texas 76446

**Stephenville**

**Monday, June 30, 2008**

**2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.**

Stephenville City Hall

298 W. Washington

Stephenville, Texas 76401**[\
\
CORYELL COUNTY]{.underline}**

**Gatesville**

**Tuesday, July 1, 2008**

**2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.**

Extraco Banks

800 Main St.

Gatesville, Texas 76528

**[HAMILTON COUNTY]{.underline}**

**Hico**

**Tuesday, July 1, 2008**

**9:00 a.m. -- 11:00 a.m.**

Hico City Office

120 W. First Street

Hico, Texas 76457

**[\
carter supports bipartisan fisa legislation]{.underline}**

I recently voted for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
Amendments of 2008 (H.R. 6304)

There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and
grandchildren, and this bill sends a clear message to our enemies that
we will not take this security lightly.

The bipartisan bill, which passed the House last week, modernizes our
terrorist surveillance laws by allowing for our intelligence community
to have the ability to monitor terrorists who wish to harm Americans
without cutting through miles of red tape. It also adds critical
retroactive liability protections for those companies who helped the
government snuff out and prevent terrorist attacks after 9/11. This bill
is not perfect, but it is a good compromise, and I look forward to
seeing it signed into law.

**[Carter's Latest Weekly Radio Address Available]{.underline}**

In this week's 7:51 minute address, I discuss the Democrats "Use it or
Lose It" bill and why it won't bring down energy prices. The audio file
is available for download on my website at
[http://carter.house.gov/multimedia](http://carter.house.gov/multimedia/)
(right click on \"MP3\" and select "Save Target As" to download.)

**[OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN THE 31^ST^ DISTIRCT EARN NOMINATIONS TO
SERVICE ACADEMIES]{.underline}**

Each year, some of the most outstanding students from Texas' 31^st^
District are chosen to attend one of the United States military service
academies. I am honored to have the opportunity as a U.S. Congressman to
nominate these exceptional students, many of whom will become our
nation's military leaders, to the academies. Students can seek
nominations to the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY; the
United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the United
States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and the United States Merchant
Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

Assisted by my Service Academy Screening Committee, I recently nominated
many exceptional students from the 31^st^ District. The following
students are those that were nominated and accepted to one of the
service academies or service academy prep schools where they will attend
in the upcoming months.

**[Attending the United States Military Academy]{.underline}**

-Micah Ables from Copperas Cove

-Zachary Barba from Round Rock

-Joshua Coleman from Salado

-John Jantzen from Cedar Park

-Joseph Krusee from Austin

-Kelsee Miller from Taylor

-Stephen "Jeffrey" Pickett from Temple

-Jeremy Prater from Georgetown

-William Salter from Harker Heights

> -Christian Vernau from Arlington, VA but is a resident of Bell County
>
> **[Attending the United States Military Academy Preparatory
> School]{.underline}**
>
> -Felipe Anciola from Cedar Park
>
> -Michael Carrion from Killeen
>
> -Janay Wilson from Killeen
>
> **[Attending the United States Naval Academy]{.underline}**
>
> -Terrence Barcelon from Killeen
>
> -Brandon Tinkhom of Round Rock
>
> **[United States Naval Academy Preparatory School]{.underline}**
>
> -Shafiq Ladha from Killeen
>
> -Darrius Upshaw from Harker Heights
>
> -Jenson Wenzel from Austin
>
> **[Attending the United States Air Force Academy]{.underline}**
>
> -Bill Song of Killeen
>
> **[Attending Falcon Academy Preparatory School]{.underline}**
>
> -Christopher Valencia from Round Rock

These students have gone through a rigorous nomination and acceptance
process. After the application period closes, my Service Academy
Selection Committee reviews the applications and meets with individual
candidates. The Committee bases its recommendations on students'
academic records, extracurricular and community activities, test scores
and letters of recommendation. After carefully evaluating my committee's
recommendations, I submit my nominations to the academies.

Admittance into any of the service academies offers the opportunity for
students to receive a first-class education at no cost to their
families. Further, once students graduate from the academy, they are
able to serve our country as commissioned officers in the United States
military. The academies are very competitive and open only to those
students who demonstrate high standards in academics, extracurricular
activities, and in their personal conduct. Students who have completed
their education at one of the academies would tell you that the
education and leadership training they received is well worth the effort
and hard work.

My Round Rock office is currently accepting applications from
individuals between the ages of 17 and 22 seeking a congressional
nomination. If you or someone you know is a high school junior
interested in attending one of the U.S. military academies or prep
schools, I encourage you to contact the Academy Coordinator in my Round
Rock office at 512-246-1600 as soon as possible, or visit my website at
carter.house.gov.

Attending a military service academy is the beginning of an exciting and
challenging journey of personal and professional growth and proud
service to our country. I commend these outstanding students for
pursuing this honorable and prestigious goal.