Shimkus toured the John Cochran Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a hospital which serves his consituents, in St. Louis on Nov. 5. Here he visits with Barbara Derring of Collinsville.
Shimkus with Weldon Tinnon of Granite City.
Shimkus with Omar Stratton of St Louis.
Congressman John Shimkus (R-19) announced he would be seeking re-election to a seventh term in the House of Representatives.
"Faith, family, integrity, and personal responsibility…those are the values I work every day to represent in Washington DC.," Shimkus stated in a press release. "And they are the reason I ask again for your trust and your support in this campaign for Congress.
"To me, real leadership means standing strong for the principles that I'm convinced we share in central and southern Illinois."
Shimkus filed on Oct. 29 to be on the ballot in the Feb. 5, 2008, primary election.
He was elected three times from the old 20th District and has represented the 19th District since 2003.
Shimkus said that national security will "obviously" be an issue in next year's campaign.
"I believe the foremost purpose of any national government is to protect its citizens."
He said that the mission in Iraq must be completed.
"Protection for Americans also means protecting our border," Shimkus said.
He noted his support for "increased border security, including putting National Guard troops on the border, building a fence, returning illegal immigrants to their native countries, and providing funds to increase the number of border guards."
Energy is another issue vital to Illinois' economy, he said.
Shimkus serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and has fought for increased use of Illinois coal, ethanol, and biodiesel.