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

Campaign Update: 2007 a Fantastic Year

2007 was a fantastic year and a great start to my campaign. Three months ago I launched my candidacy for Congress in Georgia’s First District. My campaign has earned tremendous public support, political backing and media interest in its initial stages. I have traveled to and gained support in all 25 counties of the First District. Powerful groups such as the Democratic Party of Georgia, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Leadership Council and Labor Organizations are supporting my campaign. More than 50 media outlets have reported my story, ranging from county newspapers to regional television stations to national blogs. Roll Call, the top newspaper on Capitol Hill, is calling me one of the “most credible” Congressional challengers of 2008. My military and teaching background, common-sense values and People First governing philosophy are resonating. During my travels throughout South Georgia, citizens tell me they want fresh ideas and a new face representing them in Washington. They say my 23-year Army career has prepared me to defend us from terrorism and to lead America toward winning the peace in Iraq. They like my ideas to cut taxes, stop illegal immigration, reform the Veterans Administration and create the South Georgia Alternative Energy Initiative, making our region a national leader for the research and production of agri-fuel, solar and other alternative energies. The fight has just begun, however. I ask for your continued support and encouragement in 2008. Join me in bringing a winning strategy to U.S. foreign policy. Join me in bringing substantial economic growth to South Georgia. Together, we can make our community a better place to live, work and enjoy life.

Plumbers and Pipefitters 177 Give Endorsement

The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 177 has given me their official endorsement in the First Congressional District election. The organization, known as a community leader, represents plumbers and pipefitters in the Brunswick area. It is the first official endorsement for a candidate by an organization in the 2008 election. E.D. Gornto, Business Manager for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 177, said in a statement: "From military and veteran issues to environmental and working family issues, Bill Gillespie shows the new leadership we desperately need in South Georgia.” I am honored to have the support of the plumbers and pipefitters. Each day these hard-working people bring much prosperity to South Georgia that benefits us all. I pledge to stand up for them and all working families as your Congressman.