TRAVIS W. CHILDERS COLUMN

Childers outlines plans for 1st District
Booneville native wants to increase opportunities for North Mississippi

BOONEVILLE – In less than a week, you and other North Mississippians will vote once again in the race to fill the open U.S. House seat for the 1st Congressional District – this time to decide who will finish serving the unexpired term.

Much is at stake in the May 13 election. The winner will take office shortly after Election Day and immediately begin serving the people of North Mississippi.

With my 16 years as Prentiss County Chancery Clerk, my background as a successful businessman and my familiarity with North Mississippi, I believe I am the best candidate for this important job.

My conservative values are deeply rooted in my faith and upbringing in my hometown of Booneville. After my father died when I was 16, I worked nights and weekends to help support my mother and sister. I haven't stopped since then.

I worked my way through high school, community college and Ole Miss . I became a successful businessman and a real estate agent. I was elected last year to a fifth term as my county's chancery clerk.

I also have been blessed with a wonderful wife and two great children, both of whom I've instilled with the same strong conservative values and morals my parents gave me.

Now, I want to put those same principles to work for you and all of the residents of the 1st Congressional District.

Since I announced my plans in January to run for the U.S. House, I have visited every county in the 1st District.

I've talked with residents; learned about their successes and dreams; heard their concerns that our values aren't being represented in Washington ; and listened to them talk about everything from skyrocketing gasoline prices to the national economy and the Iraq war.

And they told me repeatedly they want their next congressman to serve with dignity and respect, fight for their interests, put constituents first and always be available to talk with them.

My message has been simple and consistent: I am running for Congress because I want to give North Mississippians an opportunity to have a great education, a good job and the chance to live the American dream. It's the same opportunity I had, and one my wife and I worked hard to give our children.

Throughout my campaign, I have outlined specifically what I will do once I'm in Washington – issues and proposals I will pursue that will help everyone in North Mississippi. Here are just a few of them:

• Gas prices. The federal government should stop stockpiling petroleum reserves, Congress should approve a fuel tax holiday from Memorial Day to Labor Day and we should explore alternative fuel proposals.

With gas more than $3.50 a gallon and inching closer to $4, people should not have to decide between filling their tank or buying groceries.

• Jobs. Last week, I signed a “No New Trade Deals” pledge outside a closed factory in West Point . I challenged my opponent to do the same; so far, he has remained silent.

We must do everything we can to make sure existing jobs remain in the United States. We don't need any new trade deals that could potentially ship our jobs overseas and leave Americans unemployed.

• Education. I've repeatedly stressed my unwavering support for public education. Our children are our future, and it's time we as a nation provide schools with the materials and support they need.

Former Gov. William Winter , one of our state's strongest supporters of education and the man who steered the Education Reform Act of 1982 to passage, endorsed me last week. That says a lot about my stand on public education.

• Iraq . After five years in Iraq , it's time to bring our troops home honorably, safely and soon. I believe our troops deserve our dedicated support, especially ensuring that they are fully equipped in the field.

But it's time we bring our servicemen and women home and spend the money we are sending to Iraq on projects in the United States.

I want to build on the success I have experienced in Prentiss County working with our schools, luring new jobs to the area, balancing our county budget and helping improve life in North Mississippi.

And I need your help and support May 13 to do just that.

Before you step into that voting booth, take a minute to reflect on me, my campaign and what I stand for. And rest assured when you send me to Washington , I'll be there for you, representing you and working for you.

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