Pubdate: Fri, 04 Feb 2005 Source: Journal Gazette, The (IN) Copyright: 2005 The Journal Gazette Contact: http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/908 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Souder Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/FAFSA SOUDER REJOINS EDUCATION PANEL Lawmaker Cites Drugs, Evolution As Key Issues WASHINGTON - Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd, will join the House Education Committee for the next two years, temporarily giving up a seat on the committee that oversees national parks. Souder, who was a member of the Education Committee for his first six years in office, said he is keen to participate in discussions about the teaching of evolution vs. creationism; the rewrite of a bill that includes a provision he wrote to restrict student loans to people with drug convictions; and legislation that includes provisions that allow federal grants to faith-based organizations. Souder will keep a seat on the Government Reform Committee, where he chairs a subcommittee that oversees the nation's anti-drug programs. He will also remain on the Homeland Security Committee, a panel created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It has been marked by in-fighting among the chairs of other committees, essentially making it ineffectual. Souder said he expects the committee to function better this year. Rep. Dan Burton, R-5th, will become chairman of a subcommittee of the International Relations Committee, putting him in the competition to become the full committee chairman when the current chairman retires in two years. To make the move, he left the subcommittee chairmanship on the Government Reform Committee. From that platform, he pursued his passionate interest in health issues, including the causes of autism and advocacy for less-costly prescriptions. Burton's subcommittee deals with the Western Hemisphere. Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th, will not change committee assignments. He remains a member of the Judiciary, International Relations and Agriculture committees. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake