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Smith To Join In Read Across America Celebration

February 28, 2002

Washington, DC — As more than 35 million Americans celebrate the joy of reading on March 1st and 2nd, Congressman Adam Smith will visit a classroom at Alpac Elementary School in Pacific, WA to read to the children.  The occasion is the National Education Association's (NEA) fifth annual literacy celebration, Read Across America, which coincides each year with the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel).

“Promoting education is one of my top priorities,” Smith said. “Most education experts agree that reading aloud to children is imperative to their success.  It's also a great activity for parents, because they are spending time with their kids and helping them to build their knowledge.”

NEA's Read Across America was created by a small group of teachers and NEA staff in 1998 to honor reading and to celebrate the fun of the late great Dr. Seuss on his birthday, March 2.  Since the good doctor's 98th birthday falls on a Saturday in 2002, the official Read Across America celebration is being held on March 1. 

When:        March 1, 2002
                 11 a.m.

Where:      Alpac Elementary School
                 310 Milwaukee Blvd. North
                 Pacific, WA  98047

Contact:    Barbara Hegedorn, 253-931-4976.

Schedule For Rep. Adam Smith During The President's Day District Work Period

February 15, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) will be back in the 9th District during the President’s Day District Work Period from February 18 - 25.  While in the district, Smith will hold the following constituent meetings which will be open to the press:

Members of the media are encouraged to attend these meetings.  For further information or to speak with Smith during the week, please contact Katharine Lister at (202) 225-6902.
 

Wednesday, February 20:     12:00p.m. - 1:30p.m. Smith will speak to the Auburn
                                                 Rotary Club about Congress’ activities this year at 
                                                 Grace Church in Auburn.

                                                 3:00p.m. - 3:30p.m. Smith will meet with officials from the 
                                                 City of Kent to talk about appropriations requests.
    
                                                 7:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. At the invitation of the Young 
                                                 Democrats, Smith will speak to students at Pacific 
                                                 Lutheran University.  This event is also open to the 
                                                 general public.

Thursday, February 21:          7:00a.m. - 8:00a.m. Over breakfast, Smith will talk with 
                                                 Lakewood United.

                                                 6:00p.m. - 6:45p.m. Smith will brief the Des Moines City 
                                                 Council on the current state of Congress and upcoming 
                                                 legislation during their weekly Council Meeting.

                                                 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. At their invitation, Smith will address 
                                                 the Navy League’s monthly meeting at the Tacoma Elks 
                                                 Club. 

Friday, February 22:              2:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. Smith will meet with officials from the 
                                                city of Federal Way to discuss congressional and local 
                                                 issues.

Monday, February 25:          12:00p.m. - 1:30p.m. Smith will attends a Air Force 
                                                Association meeting and give an update on Congress’ 
                                                activities.

Statement From Ninth District Congressman Smith On Passage Of Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Legislation

February 14, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) applauded the House of Representatives for passing HR 2356, the landmark Shays-Meehan comprehensive campaign finance reform legislation, tonight by a vote of 240-189.

“The Shays-Meehan reform bill will eliminate the most egregious aspect of campaign financing — soft money,”  Smith said.  “Soft money contributions are the unlimited and unregulated amounts of money that are given to political parties and then funneled to candidates.  It’s a loophole that has allowed big contributors to avoid federal election law and public scrutiny.”

“Under current law, campaign spending can be hidden in ‘soft money,’” Smith explained. “For example, although a PAC can only contribute $5,000 per election to a candidate, it could contribute unlimited amounts of money to a state political party to use on behalf of that same candidate.  Soft money violates the spirit of the law, and it should be regulated like all political contributions.”

In addition to eliminating federal soft money, Shays-Meehan also limits the use of state party soft money contributions for federal candidates, regulates issue advocacy and strengthens the ability of the Federal Election Commission to ensure that election laws are obeyed.

“I am very proud to have been a co-sponsor of this important bipartisan, bicameral legislation.  This is something that we’ve been working towards for a long time, and after five years, this is the first time that campaign finance reform has passed both the House and the Senate,” Smith said.  “A strong coalition of Democrats and Republicans worked together to limit the influence of wealthy contributors in elections and give regular Americans a louder voice in their democracy, and I hope that President Bush will sign the bill without delay.”

Congressman Adam Smith To Host Constituent Budget Workshop

February 7, 2002

As Congress prepares to respond to the Bush administration’s budget proposal, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) has invited 9th District residents to participate in a workshop on balancing the federal budget.  The workshop will be held on Saturday, February 23 from 9:30a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Highline Community College in Des Moines. 

Participants will be divided into small groups and given information on the federal government’s income and expenses.  They will then face the daunting task of proposing a federal budget, based on their own established priorities.  Citizens will decide which programs to increase, freeze, or cut and whether or not we should raise, maintain, or cut taxes. 

“One of my goals is to bring government closer to the people,” Smith explained. “This exercise is a great way both for constituents to learn more about the choices their representatives struggle with in Congress and, even more importantly, for me to learn firsthand what their priorities and preferences are.”

This is the third year Smith has hosted a constituent budget workshop.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and should RSVP separately from the general public by calling Katharine Lister at (202) 225-8901.

                WHAT:                9th District Budget Workshop with 
                                             Congressman Adam Smith

                WHEN:                Saturday, February 23, 2002
                                              9:30a.m. to 12:00p.m.

                WHERE:             Highline Community College, Building Two
                                             2400 South 240th Street, Des Moines

                CONTACT:        9th District residents should contact Congressman Smith’s
                                            Tacoma Office at (253) 593-6600.  Media should contact 
                                            Katharine Lister at (202) 225-8901.

Rep. Adam Smith Names New Schedulers And Communications Director

January 30, 2002

Last week, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) welcomed two new staffers to his Washington D.C. office.
     
Katy Andrew joins the Smith team as the new scheduler and office manager after finishing her bachelor’s degree in History at Washington State University.  A native of  Longview, WA, Ms. Andrew is no stranger to the office, as she interned for Smith in D.C. during the summer of 2000.  She replaces Smith’s scheduler of two years, Sara Szalay, who is moving to Denver to attend graduate school.

Taking over in the office as Communications Director is Katharine Lister.  After graduating from Yale University in 2000 with a degree in History of Art, Ms. Lister spent over a year with the Democratic Leadership Council and Progressive Policy Institute.

“I am pleased that both Katy and Katharine are joining our office,” Smith said. “Katy’s energy and commitment are outstanding, and Katharine’s experience with both New Democrat politics and policy make her a terrific spokesperson for my office.”

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