Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
An economic stimulus package that will put money back into the hands of thousands of West Virginians was approved by both houses of Congress this week and I am particularly encouraged by how quickly members of both parties came together to head off economic uncertainty.
Economic Stimulus Agreement
On Thursday the House and the Senate both passed a strong bipartisan stimulus agreement that will now go to the president for his signature. This agreement was the product of hard work from both Democrats and Republicans, and most importantly, we were able to take action quickly to ensure that the stimulus will have the maximum affect on our economy.
Under the plan, low and middle income taxpayers – including senior citizens and veterans on a fixed income – will receive tax relief. The package also includes important incentives to spur business investment and job growth, along with increased flexibility for the Federal Housing Administration to assist at-risk homeowners. The measure also makes it clear that tax rebates will not go to illegal immigrants.
The bipartisan dialogue associated with this bill is truly a testament to what can be accomplished when both parties come together in search of common solutions.
New Report on Aid to Homeowners
This week also brought some rare good news from the housing sector as the HOPE NOW Alliance released some encouraging numbers about homeowners receiving assistance to avoid foreclosure.
HOPE NOW is an alliance between mortgage counselors and lenders that seeks to help borrowers struggling amidst the credit crunch to stay in their homes. According to a report released this week, more than 800,000 homeowners have received support through HOPE NOW.
As Congress continues its work to address the housing crunch, it’s certainly welcome news to see so many homeowners receiving support.
Increased Reimbursements for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs also announced this week that it will increase travel reimbursements for veterans forced to travel long-distances to receive care at a VA medical center.
The reimbursement amounts will more than double, which is welcome news to many of West Virginia’s rural veterans who often live far from the nearest VA hospital.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Praises Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Agreement
WASHINGTON – Rep. Capito addresses the the House of Representatives to congratulate the West Virginia University Mountaineer Football team for their victory in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Rep. Capito co-sponsored a measure originally introduced by Rep. Mollohan to honor the team for their hard-fought victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
A painter, portrait and the president
Register Herald
Christian Giggenbach
February 2, 2008
As a life-long artist, William Wolk never considered himself to be a political person. Aside from voting in elections, Wolk is far more interested in the aesthetic exhilaration of line, color, texture and shading, over the titles of Republican and Democrat.
But through the confluence of several unlikely events, beginning with the sorrow of 9/11 and ending with an Oval Office visit five years later, Wolk’s name will inexorably be linked forever more with politics in the annals of American history.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Wolk, like most Americans, was deeply moved by the loss of lives and terrible suffering caused by the terrorist attacks.
A few months later, an empty, white canvas became Wolk’s cathartic conduit of sorts to purge his pent-up emotions about our nation’s senseless tragedy.
“When I saw (President) Bush standing on the rubble of the Trade Towers, which I also saw being constructed as an 18-year-old, I looked at the president and I felt moved to do something out of a sense of compassion for all of our vulnerabilities and how we came to this point as human beings,” Wolk said from his countryside studio near Ronceverte. “My compassion centered on the one person whose shoulders all of this was falling on.”
The president’s portrait was completed in the winter of 2002, and Wolk moved on to his next effort with no definite plans in mind for the painting called “President George W. Bush.”
Through the years, the painting moved from his gallery at The Greenbrier — which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year — to his home several times.
More than one collector had expressed interest in Bush’s portrait, at the time valued at $35,000, but its sale was never completed.
Because The Greenbrier attracts a multitude of politicians, Wolk said, one politico wanted the portrait to go on tour during Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign.
That, too, never came to fruition.
“There were all sorts of people who claimed to know the president and said they would bring the portrait to his attention,” Wolk said. “But nothing ever happened until (Rep.) Shelley Moore Capito walked in the gallery.”
“She asked me if I would accept the painting to be donated to the presidential collection,” Wolk said.
Capito asked for a couple of photographs of the portrait, and about three months later, Wolk received a surprising phone call.
“I got the call that said I had an appointment to see the president on Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. in the Oval Office,” Wolk said. “It’s as simple as that.”
With thousands of requests each year to meet the president, an invitation for a personal meeting inside the Oval Office is more than remarkable.
“William Wolk is an exceptional artist and I was glad to see him receive such recognition for his work,” Capito said. “To be recognized by the president and have his painting included in the White House collection puts William among a small group of excellent artists. I know the president enjoyed the opportunity to meet with William and his wife Marie, and I’m glad to have played a role in making sure one of the Mountain State’s own received the recognition he deserved.”
About five weeks later, the Wolks and their portrait of the president made the four-and-a-half-hour trek to Washington.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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