Featured Event: DPG Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

It was incredible to see many people from the First Congressional District at tonight's Democratic Party of Georgia Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Click here to see pictures from the event. Lowndes County had the most attendees, followed closely by Chatham County. Held in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, the event raised nearly $1 million for the state party. Dinner honorees were Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) and former Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA). State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) won a lifetime achievement award. And speakers included Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and several of Georgia's Democratic leaders in state government. The Young Democrats of Georgia held a great after-party in downtown Atlanta full of interesting debate and ideas.

Stimulus Bill Not Perfect Solution But Needed

The House approved a long-awaited Economic Stimulus Package today 385-35 (with Jack voting no). Click here for a brief summary of the legislation. The bi-partisan stimulus package isn't perfect, but it will provide a jolt to the economy and be helpful to many hurting South Georgians. Plus, anytime the government wants to give back money to the taxpayers I'm all for it. More needs to be done though to improve our economy. Jack should be doing more. We should be focusing on creating better jobs in America. As Congressman, I will bring the alternative energy industry to South Georgia supplying jobs in the production and research of agri-fuel, solar, wind and other green energies. This will also help America our dependence on other countries for energy.

Tybee Island Office Grand Opening

I appreciate all of those who traveled out to Tybee Island today for the Grand Opening of the new Campaign Headquarters located at 1110 Laurel Avenue. It will also serve as our Northern Field Office. The day was fantastic: great conversation and ideas, and great burgers and hot dogs. Click here for pictures. Special thanks to media members from the Tybee News and the Tybee Breeze for covering the event. The campaign's Tybee Island office is open Monday through Saturday from 9am-5pm. I ask anyone wanting to volunteer, especially for phone banking and canvassing, to stop by and speak with Christine Bufton, who coordinates volunteers. You can also contact her by emailing christine@billforgeorgia.com or by calling (912) 507-8278.

Featured Event: Waycross MLK Day Parade

Wow, I had an inspiring afternoon in Waycross yesterday marching in the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. Click here for video from the parade. Click here for pictures. Thank you to the community for such a warm welcome. And special thanks to Jaki Johnson and the Ware County Democrats for their hospitality. The lessons taught in the message of Martin Luther King Jr. are ones we all should learn. The same message rings in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson writes, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Martin Luther King, speaking in 1968 during the March On Washington, further detailed the words of Jefferson by saying, "I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Click here for a video of King's speech. The main lesson of Dr. King: people should be judged by the quality of their character and ideas; not by the color of their skin, or anything else for that matter. As your Congressman, I will represent you always keeping in mind the lesson of Dr. King.

Featured Event: Skidaway Meet-n-Greet

Thank you to Claude & Janet Wilson and Tom & Diane Oxnard for hosting a wonderful event tonight on Skidaway Island. Click here to watch a video of the event. I met numerous people who are really smart and care about their community. The top issues were the Iraq War, protecting our natural resources and creating more jobs in South Georgia. Click here to view pictures from the event. I had a great time meeting everyone and explaining why I deserve to be the First District's next Congressman. A week from now I am looking forward to going back to Skidaway Island for the monthly meeting of the Skidaway Democratic Group. The Keynote Speaker is Matt Weyandt, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Georgia. I will briefly speak as well. Thank you Skidaway for your support!

Kingston Endorses Romney for President

My opponent has chosen to throw his support behind Republican Mitt Romney for President. Click here to view his endorsement interview. I am undecided at this point between the Democratic candidates, but I definitely do not support Romney.

Kingston Helping Company Under FBI Investigation Get Millions Of Your Tax Dollars

(CBS) -- Software for fighter jets has helped make ProLogic a small business success. The company might not exist without your tax dollars - it survives largely on federal contracts. But ProLogic's business practices are getting attention from the FBI, which is investigating whether it diverted public money for its own private profit. Click here to read the whole story. My opponent is one of ProLogic's biggest supporters, and in return, the company is one of his biggest campaign money contributors.

Nominate My Opponent For Dirty Dozen

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is inviting its members to nominate U.S. Representatives and Senators to be considered for the Dirty Dozen list. By clicking this link you can nominate a member of the House or Senate for consideration. Simply fill out the form and, in your own words, explain your choice. Every election year, LCV's Dirty Dozen program targets members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, who consistently vote against the environment. Since the Dirty Dozen was launched in 1996, LCV has helped defeat 28 of 49 anti-environment candidates targeted, including many "invincible" incumbents. LCV will announce the 2008 Dirty Dozen list in the coming months.

Report: America Last in Healthcare Survey

Washington (AFP) - France is tops, and the United States last, in providing timely and effective healthcare to its citizens, according to a survey of preventable deaths in 19 industrialized countries. The study, by the Commonwealth Fund and published in the January/February issue of the journal Health Affairs, measured the death rates of subjects younger than 75 that could have been prevented by timely and effective medical care. The researchers found that while most countries surveyed saw preventable deaths decline by an average of 16 percent, the United States saw only a four percent dip. "It is startling to see the US falling even farther behind on this crucial indicator of health system performance," said Commonwealth Fund Senior Vice President Cathy Schoen, who noted that "other countries are reducing these preventable deaths more rapidly, yet spending far less." The 19 countries, in order of best to worst, were: France, Japan, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Click here to read the entire story