112th Congress

The effort is a follow-up to a July 19 agreement that requires the Department of Defense to purchase only U.S. made American flags.

Congressmen Mike Thompson (CA-1) today led a bipartisan group of 22 U.S. Representatives in calling on House Leadership to require that every American flag purchased by the Federal Government be manufactured in the United States, from articles, materials, or supplies that are 100 percent grown, produced or manufactured in the United States. Currently the Federal Government is not required to buy American made flags.

For the fifth consecutive year, the federal deficit is expected to exceed $1 trillion. Our national debt recently surpassed $15 trillion. If our debt was divided among the U.S. labor force, every single American worker would owe more than $100,000.

This is unsustainable â€" a national crisis, and we can't wait to fix it.

Though water shortages are common during peak summer months, the nationwide "Feds Feed Families" program is addressing another summer shortage: Food droughts at local food banks.

A handful of local donors dropped off food products at Congressman Mike Thompson's Woodland office Monday, kick-starting the third annual summer food drive to benefit local food banks.

Through the month of August, nonperishable food items are being collected in the back courtyard of the congressman's office at 712 Main St., and will locally benefit the Food Bank of Yolo County.

Although it has taken far too long, it appears that the U.S. government is finally beginning to get serious about its treatment of military veterans.

On Monday, President Barack Obama signed the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejune Families Act of 2012. The bill is a bipartisan effort designed to help provide improved health care, housing, education and memorial services for veterans and their families.
It is about time. For decades, really, it has been is a national scandal how poorly combat veterans have been treated by the country that has sent them to war.

Downtown Vallejo got a shot in the arm Thursday with news the city has received a $1.15 million federal grant to pay for new sidewalks, landscaping, crosswalks and street pavement.

The money will pay for the third phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project designed to revitalize the area and also improve access to the Vallejo Baylink Ferry terminal.

"This is great news that we've been awarded more money. With this money we'll work on finishing up the design" for downtown improvements, City Engineer Jill Mercurio said.

I am pleased that Sen. Barbara Boxer has introduced a companion Senate bill to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area following Rep. Mike Thompson's introduction of a House bill. This designation will be important to Lake Berryessa.

Until now, those who enjoy Lake Berryessa have primarily come for the boating. With new facilities and campgrounds (once we finally get them) and with plans for various trails at the lake and on adjacent public land, there is an opportunity to diversify the recreational activities and the market for the lake.

The Hopland Fire Department added a new fire engine to its fleet this week thanks in large part to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D - St. Helena), who wrote a letter in support of the HFD receiving the money, came to Hopland Friday afternoon to congratulate the department on its purchase.

"We didn't have a reliable engine," HFD Chief John Bartlett said, describing the new Wildland Type 2 fire engine as "much-needed" equipment that will hold more firefighters and has a larger pump.