110th Congress

Washington, DC -Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), chairman of the House Committee on ForeignAffairs, today praised the foreign policy acumen and skills of Rep. Jim Costa(D-CA) as he named him the new vice-chair of the Transatlantic Legislators'Dialogue.

"Jim Costa's interestin foreign policy is profound, and he makes a great contribution to our work onthe Foreign Affairs Committee," Lantos said. "I am convincedthat he is the right person to help lead this most importantinter-parliamentary exchange program. He will do us all proud."

BAKERSFIELD,CA - OnFriday, March 16, Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, will be joined byCongressman Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield at a Listening Session regarding the2007 Farm Bill. The Listening Session will provide an overview of the BushAdministration's proposals for the Farm Bill and industry stakeholders with theopportunity to discuss issues related to the Farm Bill and its impact on the Central Valley.

Reps. Costa and McCarthy will available to comment prior tothe Listening Session.

FRESNO, CA - OnFriday, March 2, Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, will be joined by CongressmanDevin Nunes, R-Tulare, along with California Department of Agriculture A.G.Kawamura at a Listening Session regarding the 2007 Farm Bill. The ListeningSession will provide an overview of the Bush Administration's proposals for theFarm Bill and industry stakeholders with the opportunity to discuss issuesrelated to the Farm Bill and its impact on the CentralValley.

Fresno,CA - Congressman Jim Costa,D-Fresno, issued a call to all high school students and amateur artists livingin the 20^th Congressional District to participate in this year'sCongressional Art Competition.

Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors theCongressional Art Competition. "This is an opportunity for high school studentswith artistic talent to showcase and receive national recognition for theirwork," Costa said.

WASHINGTON,D.C - Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, has joined three other CaliforniaHouse members from rural counties in calling on the state transportationcommission to fund rural projects.

Costa, along with Reps. Lois Capps, D- Santa Barbara; GeorgeRadanovich, R-Mariposa; and Mike Thompson, D-Napa, have sent a letter toMarian Bergeson, Chair of the California Transportation Commission calling forfunding for rural projects.

FRESNO, CA - On Friday, March 2, Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, will be joined by Congressmen Dennis Cardoza, D- Merced, and DevinNunes, R-Tulare, along with California Dept. of Food and Agriculture SecretaryA.G. Kawamura at a Listening Session in Fresnohosted by Costa on the Bush Administration's proposals for the 2007 Farm Bill.

The Listening Session will be held in the Fresno CityCouncil Chambers from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CongressmanJim Costa will hold mobile office hours in Kings Countyon Thursday, February 22, 2007.

Bilingualstaff members will be on hand to assist constituents with problems they arehaving with Federal agencies.

Thelocations and times of Congressman Costa's mobile office in Kings Countyare:

Hanford Branch Library

401 N.Douty Street, Hanford

Time: 10:00 am to 12 noon

Corcoran Branch Library

1001-A Chittenden, Corcoran

Time: 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm

CongressmanJim Costa, D- Fresno, will speak on the House floor this afternoon between 5:00p.m. and 6:00 p.m. PST.

Costawill join other Members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalitionparticipating in the debate on the Iraq Resolution now before the House ofRepresentatives.

Formedin l995, the Blue Dog Coalition recently succeeded in winning House approval ofHR 97, calling for increased fiscal accountability infunding the Iraqwar.

Costa'sspeech can be recorded off the C-SPAN coverage of the House of Representatives.

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