Crapo to Discuss Mexican Consulate, DNA Rape Bill, Wind Power, Rural Health Spending

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo begins a week of travel across Idaho tonight as the Senate begins the traditional February Lincoln Day state work period. Crapoâ??s schedule includes a visit with Mexican Consulate Martin Torres to discuss establishing a consulate office for Mexico in the Treasure Valley and discussions with Idaho legislators over alternative energy at the Statehouse. He will present Boise Stateâ??s football team with a congressional honor and celebrate history-making improvements at Nampaâ??s Idaho Center.Crapo will visit Orofino to announce new economic development efforts at Clearwater Valley Hospital. He will meet with health professionals, law enforcement, and leaders of the Sexual Assault Response Team at Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise to urge quick passage of legislation improving the use of DNA evidence in rape cases, and he will tour a Lewis & Clark exhibit at the historic McConnell House in Moscow.Crapo is available for media interviews throughout the week and he will attend and speak at several of the traditional Lincoln Day gatherings. Digital photos and videotape may be available by contacting Susan Wheeler or Lindsay Nothern at the numbers listed above. Tonight, February 14thWeiser6:00 p.m. Crapo speaks at the Washington County Lincoln Day Banquet at the Elks Club, 38 West Idaho StreetSaturday, February 15thGrangeville10:15 a.m. Crapo joins Senator Craig and Congressman Otter for a meeting with timber workers from Elk City. They will gather at the Super 8 Motel in Grangeville.Noon Crapo to keynote Idaho County Lincoln Day Luncheon at the Grangeville Senior Center.Orofino 2:30 p.m. Crapo will join with staff from the Clearwater Valley Hospital to announce new health care funding and economic development issues; at the hospital located at 301 Cedar in Orofino.-More-CRAPO TO DISCUSS MEXICAN CONSULATE, DNA RAPE BILL, WIND POWER, RURAL HEALTH SPENDINGFebruary 14, 2003Page 2Lewiston5:30 p.m. Crapo speaks at the Nez Perce County Lincoln Day event at the Red Lion.Sunday, February 16thMoscow 10:30 a.m. Crapo will tour the historic McConnell Mansion to view an exhibit honoring the Lewis and Clark expedition. The mansion is located at 110 S. Adams in Moscow.11:30 a.m. Crapo attends Latah County Lincoln Day Luncheon at the Old School Building.Monday, February 17thBoise 1:30 p.m. Crapo will join with Tina Balsley, R.N., and Dr. Lee Binnion of the Sexual Assault Response Team from Saint Alphonsus Hospital; and Sue Fellon of the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to discuss the importance of federal legislation aimed at improving rape response and investigations by increased funding and use of DNA technology. The news conference regarding S. 152, known as the â??Debbie Smithâ?? rape bill, will be held near the Emergency Room entrance to Saint Alphonsus Hospital on Emerald Street.Tuesday, February 18thNampa 8:30 a.m. Crapo to meet with local BLM leaders and members of the Owyhee Initiative at the Nampa Civic Center. Nampa 10:30 a.m. Crapo and Mexican Consulate Martin Torres will hold a joint news conference to discuss locating a Consulate Office from Mexico in the Treasure Valley, the first time such an office would be located in Idaho. They will join Sam Byrd, Executive Director of the Idaho Migrant Council, at the event to be held at the Idaho Migrant Council Center, 517 Happy Day Boulevard in Nampa.Boise 11:45 a.m. Crapo will be a featured speaker at the Boise Athletic Association Luncheon honoring the 2002-2003 Boise State football team with a Congressional commendation. Governor Dirk Kempthorne and House Speaker Bruce Newcomb will also join nearly 400 in attendance in the Len Jordan Ballroom at Boise State Universityâ??s Student Union. Several players will receive individual awards at the luncheon.-More-CRAPO TO DISCUSS MEXICAN CONSULATE, DNA RAPE BILL, WIND POWER, RURAL HEALTH SPENDINGFebruary 14, 2003Page 3Caldwell2:00 p.m. Crapo will join Caldwell Chamber of Commerce and local leaders for a tour of the new Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Cancer Treatment Center at 3119 Commercial Way in Caldwell.Caldwell 2:30 p.m. Crapo, Mayor Garret Nancolas, Chamber Director Mike Gable and others will meet at the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce offices at 916 Blaine in Caldwell to discuss economic development efforts. At 704 Blaine Street in Caldwell.Nampa 4:15 p.m. Crapo will announce â??Sprit of Idahoâ?? Awards at the Nampa Civic Center. He will honor John Jackson, owner of Jacksonâ??s Food Stores, for his $250,000 donation that financed construction of a new track at the Idaho Centerâ??s indoor sports complex, making the Center the only qualified location in the Western U.S. to hold nationally sanctioned indoor track & field events.Crapo will also join with Nampa Mayor Tom Dale at the Idaho Center to honor the work of Nampa Fire Chief Ron Anderson and his staff who have pioneered new techniques with the use of federal funding Crapo helped acquire.Nampa 5:30 p.m. Crapo attends Canyon County Lincoln Day Event at the Nampa Civic CenterWednesday, February 19thBurley 11:30 a.m. Crapo attends Minidoka-Cassia Lincoln Day Luncheon at the Burley Inn.Twin Falls 4:00 p.m. Crapo attends Congressional Awards program honoring Idaho students. Ceremony will be held at Oâ??Leary Junior High School.6:30 p.m. Crapo attends Twin Falls County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Turf Club in Twin Falls.-More-CRAPO TO DISCUSS MEXICAN CONSULATE, DNA RAPE BILL, WIND POWER, RURAL HEALTH SPENDINGFebruary 14, 2003Page 4Thursday, February 20thTwin Falls9:00 a.m. Crapo meets with staff of Magic Valley Regional Medical Center to thank them for their help with the Mike Crapo Cancer Awareness Booth.9:45 a.m. Crapo presents two â??Sprit of Idahoâ?? Awards at the Twin Falls School District offices, 201 Main Avenue. Wiley Dobbs will be honored for his work on the Congressional Awards and Jessy Peterson will be honored for his work in saving a man from a house fire in Castleford.Mountain HomeNoon Crapo will be keynote speaker at the Elmore County Lincoln Day Luncheon at the American Legion Hall.Boise3:30 p.m. Crapo and Sen. Joe Stegner of Lewiston will hold a press conference at the Idaho Statehouse Gold Room to discuss federal and state efforts regarding wind power.5:30 p.m. Crapo attends Ada County Lincoln Day Event at the Boise Centre on the Grove.Saturday, February 22ndIdaho Falls6:00 p.m. Crapo will be keynote speaker at the Region VII Lincoln Day Event at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls.# # #