U.S. Congressman Steve King spoke to Club members about recent experiences in Louisiana observing hurricane damage and debating government relief expenditures. King emphasized the damage was so extensive over a 450 sq. mi. region that early efforts by government agencies went largely unnoticed by the media. He witnessed small communities that were destroyed, even the water tower. Only a flag pole was left standing in one community. But, there was a new flag hoisted on the pole and several other flags were seen. King said Congress responded by approving spending bills, $10.8 billion the first week and $51.8 billion the next. But, he voted against the latter because accountability was lacking. FEMA couldn’t specify how and where the money would be spent. Other issues of concern expressed by Congressman King were the spread of methamphetamine, illegal immigration, and natural gas cost. King is sponsoring a bill in congress to model that adopted by the state of Iowa to restrict the sale of ingredients used to make meth. King said state and federal agencies need to enforce immigration laws. We now have a ‘catch and release’ program in the southwestern U.S. Only after being caught seven times, illegals are then deported. King noted that environmental activists are hampering U.S. efforts to develop our own natural resources. These issues plus the rising national debt and other concerns make the work of a good congressman frustrating and demanding of time and energy and challenging to personal beliefs. Congressman King emphasized that citizen response and communication is needed, and can cause changes in government actions.