WASHINGTON- Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., praised Congress’ passage this past week of a five-year reauthorization for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is now awaiting President Bush’s signature.

The reauthorization provides more than $500 million in funds for infrastructure projects and more than $60 million in biofuels and other energy initiatives, Rep. Davis said. “The expansion and reauthorization of the Appalachian Regional Commission is a victory for rural counties in my district and the Appalachian area of Tennessee,” Rep. Davis said.

The commission was established in 1965 to improve the standard of living for residents of the Appalachian region and to promote economic parity with urban areas through investments in education, work force training, infrastructure upgrades and improvements in healthcare.

EATON HITS TUKE OVER SPENDING

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ken Eaton slammed primary opponent Bob Tuke for spending more than $156,000 in campaign funds during the second quarter, according to campaign finance filings.

“My question is on what? And why?” Mr. Eaton said in a news release. “Do we really want someone who wastes nearly a quarter of a million dollars representing Tennesseans in the Senate?”

Mr. Eaton wrote his own campaign a $230,000 check, calling it “an investment in Tennessee’s future.”

Meanwhile Mike Padgett, another Democratic candidate, named civic leader Annie Hall as his Hamilton County campaign coordinator and Dr. Brent Staton as his Hamilton County finance chairman.

“Hamilton County is a vibrant part of Tennessee — an example of how a community can pull together its innovative thinkers and make lives better,” Mr. Padgett said. “I am delighted to draw on that energy in my campaign to bring hope to the working families of Tennessee.”

Winner of the Aug. 7 primary will face incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

CORKER PUSHES U.S.-COLOMBIA TRADE PACT

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Commitee, met this past week with Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco to discuss the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which has been stalled in Congress.

Sen. Corker urged passage of the agreement, saying tariffs imposed on U.S. goods being sold in Colombia are hurting American workers.

“Passage of the U.S.–Colombia Free Trade Agreement will simply level the playing field for U.S. products from Tennessee and across the country being sold in Colombia and will benefit American workers and the U.S. economy,” said Sen. Corker, who visited Colombia in March.

Sen. Corker said Tennessee exports to Colombia totaled $151 million in 2007.

WAMP TAKING SERVICE ACADEMY APPLICATIONS

Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., is accepting applications from high school students in the state’s 3rd Congressional District for a nomination to U.S. service academies for the 2009-10 school year.

Applications are due Oct. 31 to Rep. Wamp’s Oak Ridge district office.

To be considered for admission to a service academy, a candidate must meet the eligibility requirements of each academy, qualify medically, pass a physical aptitude test, meet predetermined levels on the SAT or ACT and obtain a nomination source authorized by Congress.

Complete instructions on the application process are online at http://www.house.gov/wamp/academies.shtm.

Compiled by Washington correspondent Herman Wang.

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