Congressman Wilson gives Rotary the news
By John Temple Ligon Temple@TheColumbiaStar.com

Photo by Warner Montgomery (l to r) John Temple Ligon, Dino Teppara, Julian Wilson, Allen Almar, Ryan Murphy, Butch Wallace, and Alan Wilson listen to Congressman Joe Wilson who spoke to the Columbia Rotary Club at Seawell's on Rosewood.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R- SC), who represents the people in 10 counties from Blythewood to Daufuskie, stood before the Columbia Rotary Club Monday, Aug. 27, and brought everyone up to date on Washington matters. Wilson was introduced by his Deputy District Director Earl Brown. Before Wilson began his address, he introduced two of his sons, Alan and Julian.

Concerning Operation Iraqi Freedom, Wilson reminded the audience there were 156,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and the coalition forces added another 11,629 troops. Iraqi leaders have authorized 390,000 security forces, and as of June 2007, 349,000 have been trained and equipped.

With Operation Phantom Thunder in Iraq, over 175 highvalue insurgents have been either killed or captured since June 15, 2007. There are 18 provinces in Iraq, and seven provinces have transferred to Iraqi control.

(l to r) Field Rep. Allen Almar, Communications Director Ryan Murphy, Chief of Staff Dino Teppara, Legislative Correspondant George Harper, and Bus Driver John Farmer.

In Afghanistan there are 23,600 U.S. troops on the ground, and the non- U.S. contributions include 26,300 troops.

There are 114,600 Afghan National Security Forces. In 25 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, 25 provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) have been established.

On the economics front, Wilson was happy to point out the national unemployment rate had dropped to 4.6% in July 2007, the fastest decline in about 10 years. The U.S. unemployment rate compared favorably with that of Canada (6%), France (8%), U.K. (5.4%), and Germany (8.8%).

The 2007 budget deficit is estimated to be $158 billion, a decrease of $90 billion from last year's deficit of $248 billion. The $158 billion budget deficit is 1.9% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), safely below the 40- year average of 2.3% of GDP.

Nearly 70% of Americans own their own homes. And for the first time ever, a majority of minority families own their own homes.

(l to r) Congressman Joe Wilson, Michelle Johnston, Emily McDonald, Sara Powell, and James Hibbert.

Treasury Depart - ment estimates show that 106 million American households benefitted from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by having higher after- tax income.

In the area of immigration, Wilson said the immigration laws need to be enforced more than changed. Wilson agrees with S.C.'s Sen. Lindsay Graham and his push for checking visa overstays. The federal government, according to Wilson, should put together a more reliable means to verify citizenship. Otherwise, companies are unfairly punished.

Wilson warned the crowd the rising cost of health insurance premiums was the biggest problem facing small business. "I support legislation that creates Association Health Plans (AHPs), which would allow small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance, which would greatly reduce the number of uninsured in our state," said Wilson.

(l to r) Congressman Joe Wilson, Columbia International University President Bill Jones, and District Deputy Director Earl Brown. (l to r) First Community Bank CEO Mike Crapps, S.C. Oncology Associates C.O.O. Frank Sobash, and Congressman Joe Wilson. Assistant Professor Sean Norman and Congressman Joe Wilson. Mark Hallman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presents Congressman Joe Wilson with the Spirit of Enterprise Award. Developer John Lumpkin narrates the presentation of the Innovista Plan. Glenn Ward and Congressman Joe Wiilson. (l to r) Bob Holmes, Congressman Joe Wilson, and Mike Blackwell at Columbia International University.