posted January 25, 2002
Rep. Zach Wamp said the recent congressional redistricting "will change the landscape of Tennessee's Third District, but not my mission or priorities."
On Thursday, January 17, Governor Don Sundquist signed into law three bills that will create new legislative and congressional districts.
Rep. Wamp said, "The lines may change, but I am excited and well-prepared to work on the needs of these new counties that have been added to the Third District. The re-apportionment process has been long and sometimes painful. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunities that come with a new territory."
"I will dearly miss the many good folks that I have worked with in Marion, Grundy, Morgan, Sequatchie, Bledsoe and Van Buren Counties. These rural counties have wonderful citizens and leaders that I have gotten to know on a personal and professional level through our work in fighting illegal drugs, funding water lines to provide clean, safe drinking water and addressing the problems in rural healthcare."
"The loss of these six counties in the Third District is painful, but I am confident that I will be able to work well with the great folks in Rhea, Claiborne, Union, Grainger and Jefferson counties. As an active member of the Rural Caucus in the U.S. House, I have been working hard on issues that are important to rural areas. I look forward to listening to their problems, just as I have in the Sequatchie Valley and other rural parts of my district."
The Congressional Rural Caucus is a bipartisan group of 145 Members from across the country who are dedicated to making sure that rural communities have the resources to contribute and compete in a global economy.
Rep. Wamp said, "There are three big problems that many rural areas face - access and affordability of quality healthcare, inadequate water-line infrastructure and increasing methamphetamine production and use. I have worked directly with all the counties currently in the Third District to alleviate these problems."
For the past three years, Congressman Wamp has secured $1 million each year to fight Methamphetamine production in East Tennessee. "I either personally attend or have a member of my staff attend every East Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force Meeting. This is a social plague that has been wrecking havoc in rural communities for too long. 'Meth' destroys families and hurts our youth. I will continue to work with the law enforcement officers throughout East Tennessee to make sure that we continue to secure federal funding to fight this deadly and illegal drug," he said.
Sandy Mattice, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, said "I want to personally thank Congressman Wamp for his continued dedication to eradicate this deadly drug. Methamphetamine is a scourge that poses a threat to all law-abiding citizens - often in ways not fully understood. The funds secured by the Congressman will allow the law enforcement community in rural southeast Tennessee to continue their fight against those who make it their business to deal in human misery."
Rep. Wamp said, "Many people take clean water for granted, but rural communities know that infrastructure problems can prevent water from being readily available. I have worked with counties in the Sequatchie Valley, Morgan and Roane counties to build and connect water lines and I am prepared to do the same in any rural county that I represent."
Through his service on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Wamp was able to secure $2 million for Morgan County, $1.5 million for Anderson County, $1.2 million for Sequatchie County, $535,000 for Bledsoe County and helped with grants in Roane County in recent years to improve water lines and infrastructure.
"One of the first things that I did after assuming the position of Sequatchie County Executive was to make a list of my priorities to improve the quality of life for the residents of our county, said Arthur S. Tollett. "This list included safe drinking water for all areas of the county, the development of our industrial park, the recruitment of industry to provide jobs and good highways to improve transportation. I realized that our small rural county of less than twelve thousand residents did not have the revenue or tax-base to accomplish any of these projects, and then I called Congressman Wamp and asked for assistance. I have enjoyed the partnership with Congressman Wamp during my term as County Executive. I consider Zach and all the staff as personal friends."
Rep. Wamp said, "Healthcare is another growing concern for folks that live in rural regions. Facilities are often far away and it is difficult to retain doctors and nurses in many of these areas. I have visited several of the Ocoee Regional Healthcare Corp. facilities (ORHC) in rural east Tennessee to ask about their needs and to make sure their voice is heard in Washington. This year's healthcare spending bill included $1.3 billion for community health care centers like ORHC -- that is an increase of $175 million over last year."
Bill Moats, CEO of Ocoee Regional Health Corporation which serves Polk, Rhea, Meigs, Grundy and Bledsoe counties, said, "Congressman Wamp has been a friend to Community Health Center in Tennessee and is always willing to discuss the important issues that impact the healthcare of rural Tennesseans. He was a key co-sponsor of the Safety Net Preservation Act, provides for a prospective payment system for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. This allows them to sufficiently serve both the Medicaid population and the uninsured. We always find an open door when we visit his Washington office and are very pleased that he has visited our health centers when he is in the district."
Rep. Wamp said, "I know I have a great deal to learn about the concerns in Rhea, Claiborne, Union, Grainger and Jefferson counties, but I look forward to traveling throughout the area to discuss their needs, meet the public leaders and introduce myself to the citizens of these fine counties."
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