Media

In FresnoPress Conference, Central Valley LawmakersExpress Concern Over Waste From Reconstruction Effort and Ballooning Deficits

WASHINGTOND.C. - In the wake of mountingnational debt, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) joined the Blue Dog Coalition todayin asking President Bush to call an emergency bipartisan budget summitregarding the nation's added fiscal burden in the wake of Gulf Regionreconstruction efforts.

CongressmanJim Costa will speak on campus at the Lemoore High School Cafeteria on Wednesday,October 12^th at 9am. Duringhis visit he will talk to the Junior ROTC class and any interested juniors andseniors about attending Military Service Academies. Also on hand will also be an Air Forceliaison and staff from Congressman Costa's office to answer any additional questionsstudents may have about the application process.

When: Wednesday,October 12, 2005

Time: 9:00-9:30am

Place: Lemoore High School Cafeteria

101 E.Bush Street

Lemoore, CA 93245

CongressmanJim Costa will spend the day in KernCounty on Friday, October14, 2005. Representative Costa will beat the Veteran's Services Department to present well-deserved and long awaitedfor Congressional Medals to Mr. Ronnie Watson of Bakersfield, California. Following the ceremony Representative Costawill be available to comment about the variety of happenings in Congress asthey relate to the 20^th Congressional District; such as the AvianFlu Epidemic.

When: Friday,October 14, 2005

Time: 2:45-3:45pm

Place: ConferenceRoom

CongressmanJim Costa will speak at the First Annual Multi Cultural Youth Conference onFriday, October 14, 2005 in Fresno,California. The conference organizers hope to fosterracial and ethnic sensitivity among students and will host a variety ofworkshops throughout the day. Followinghis remarks, Representative Costa will be available for comment on the many thingshappening in Congress as they relate to the 20^th CongressionalDistrict, such as the Avian Flu Epidemic and precautionary steps being taken toprevent the catastrophic effects of natural disasters.

FRESNO, CA(October 21, 2005) - Today, the City ofFresno and Amtrak agreed to lease terms that will allow the long-awaitedopening of the restored historic Santa Fe Depot to open to the public.

Congressman Costa helped locate an alternative source of fundingthrough the California Transportation Commission to mitigate the $607,000funding shortfall that held up the original opening.

Fourvalley Congressman will be at CaliforniaState University,Fresno onMonday, October 24^th to host the first meeting for the purpose ofdeveloping a long term Regional Water Plan for seven Valley counties. This water plan will contain solutionsregarding water supply, water quality, flood control and enactment ofenvironmental restoration measures. Representatives Dennis Cardoza, Jim Costa, Devin Nunes and George Radanovichwill each give opening remarks.

FRESNO, CA - In the effort to provide people with apassport to homeownership Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) will host his "FirstTime Homebuyer Fair" on Saturday, October 29, 2005. The event will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pmat the Sunnyside High School Cafeteria located at 1019 S. Peach Avenue in Fresno.

"Owning a home is, unfortunately, a dream for too many families who wish to provide a stable andcomfortable environment within which they can thrive, and for too many familiesthis dream does not become a reality," Costa stated.