Wednesday, April 25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Forsyth/Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Alderman Hall
68 North Lee Street
Forsyth, Ga

Wednesday, April 25
1:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tri-County EMC Community Room
310 West Clinton Street
Gray, Ga

Friday, April 27
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Miller-Motte Technical College
175 Tom Hill Senior Blvd
Macon, Ga

If you have any questions, please call our Tifton office at 229-396-5175 or our Warner Robins at 478-971-1776. It is an honor to represent you.

 “When you first look at this year’s winning pieces, it is very evident that our winners are exceptionally talented artists.  However, it was also great to see that each of our winners have a strong support system of parents, teachers and administrators who help them to nurture their talents.  This competition is a great reminder that our country is full of very talented leaders of tomorrow.  As I pass by their works, either in our district offices or in the United States Capitol, I will be reminded that the work we’re doing today is to ensure a brighter future for them.” 

Grand Prize Winner:  “Self-Portrait in Pencil” by Joseph Lofton from Central High School
In addition to scholarship eligibility, Joseph will receive a trip to Washington D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines, to attend the National Congressional Art Competition awards reception and to see his artwork hanging in the U.S. Capitol.

Second Place Winner: “Old Man With Cigar” by Heather Hudson from Perry High School
Heather will have the opportunity to display her artwork at either our Warner Robins or Tifton offices.

Third Place Winner: “Tiger” by Bryan Horn from Stratford Academy
Bryan will also have the opportunity to display his artwork at a District office of his choosing. 

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Washington D.C. – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) will host an awards reception to honor the 8^th District’s winners of the 31^st Annual Congressional Art Competition.  The event will be held on April 5 at 6:00 PM at Wesleyan College’s Porter Gallery and is open to the public and media.  The grand prize winner will be eligible for scholarships and receive airfare to Washington D.C. where the winning piece will hang in the United States Capitol for one year.  The 2^nd and 3^rd place award recipients will have the opportunity to display their artworks in Rep. Scott’s Warner Robins and Tifton offices.  Rep. Scott offered the following comments on this year’s Congressional Art Competition:

“To see the winning works of art hanging in the United States Capitol is not just a great sight, but also a great reminder that our country is full of very talented leaders of tomorrow.

“This Thursday’s Congressional Art Competition awards reception at Wesleyan is a great opportunity for our 8^th district community to celebrate the talented high school artists in our area and show our appreciation to the parents and teachers who help them nurture their talents.” 

WHAT:  31^st Annual Congressional Art Competition Awards Reception

WHEN: April 5, 2012 @ 6:00 PM

WHERE: Wesleyan College’s Porter Gallery

Washington D.C. – On the heels of the House of Representatives unanimously rejecting President’s Obama’s Budget 0-414, today U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) voted in favor of Paul Ryan’s Republican Budget. The Budget, also known as, “The Path to Prosperity”, passed the House 228-191 becoming the official House Budget. Upon passage, Rep. Scott released the following statement:

“This is not merely a “check the box” budget.  The House passed Budget cuts our debt further and faster than any in recent history and it does so while shifting control out of Washington and back to the American people. 

Rep. Scott went on to say, “The House passed budget takes power from the White House and puts it back in your own house.  Less control in Washington is good news for American businesses, American jobs and American taxpayers. Quite honestly, it puts Americans back to work.  The House has put together a strong, honest and realistic budget that will put our country back on a path to prosperity now and continue that path for future generations.”

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Washington, D.C. – During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee today, Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) secured yet another affirmation, this time from Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, that the Air Force remains committed to a three depot strategy.  Rep. Scott also took advantage of the Secretary’s appearance to thank Maj. Gen. Robert H. McMahon, Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, who plans to retire later this year.  An excerpt from Rep. Scott’s and Sec. Donley’s exchange is below.  Click on the image to view the full exchange:

Rep. Scott: “In dealing with the forced structured changes that you’ve proposed to us, as you know, I represent Robins AFB and obviously the depots are extremely important to us.  I’d like you to speak to the potential loss of qualified workforce and how much greater that loss may be because of the pace at which the cuts have to be made.”

Sec. Donley: “Certainly we value all three depots and our intent is to move forward with the three depot strategy.  We think it would be a very costly and complex operation to consider changing that and I think there would be a penalty paid in trying to move, or recreate, the workforces that have built-up around these three depots.”

Rep. Scott on Gen. McMahon:  “Thank you, and you have a wonderful gentleman in Robins right now, Gen. McMahon, that’s going to be retiring.  He has done an excellent job of maximizing the performance at that base.  There are a lot of great men and women out there supporting the warfighter.”

Click on the image to view the full exchange

Washington, DC – The office of U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) will hold mobile office hours for residents across Georgia’s Eighth Congressional district.  Caseworkers and field representatives from Rep. Scott’s office will be on hand to help with issues ranging from Medicare and Social Security to veterans benefits.  Constituents are encouraged to stop by during the times listed below —no appointment is necessary.

MOULTRIE Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: Wednesday, February 2nd from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE:  Colquitt County Library, 204 5^th Street SE, Moultrie GA 31776

FORSYTH Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, February 7th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE:  Chamber of Commerce; 68 N. Lee St., Forsyth, GA 31029

FITZGERALD MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Wednesday, February 8th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Ben Hill County Library; 123 North Main Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750

IRWINTON MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Tuesday, February 14th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Chamber of Commerce ; 100 Bacon St., Irwinton, GA 31042

ASHBURN MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Wednesday, February 15th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Memorial Library; 605 North St., Ashburn, GA. 31714

JACKSON MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Tuesday, February 21st from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Chamber of Commerce; 625 W. Third St. # 6, Jackson, GA 30233

ABBEVILLE MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
**WHEN: Wednesday, February 22nd from 1:00 – 5:00 PM**
WHERE: Wilcox County Library; 104 North Broad, Abbeville, GA 31001

COVINGTON MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Tuesday, February 28th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Chamber of Commerce; 2101 Clark St., Covington, GA 30014

OCILLA MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Wednesday, February 29th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Irwin County Library; 310 S. Beech Street, Ocilla, Georgia 31774

Those who cannot attend the mobile office hours, but have questions, may call our Warner Robins office at 478-971-1776 or the Tifton office at, 229-396-5175.

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“Americans want a strong national defense and the President continues to ignore that.   The President is out of touch with that fact and the reality of the current threats around the world, including Iran.  This decision could put as many as 100,000 service personnel in the unemployment line and will have a serious and long-term impact on our economy and our national security.  While the President continues to insist on cutting funding for the men and women who protect our personal freedoms, he is ignoring the root of our economic problems: entitlement spending.  I intend to fight his decision every step of the way.

Rep. Scott specifically addressed Robins AFB, which is located in Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District, saying, “I will utilize my position on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness to protect Robins every step of the way.  At my invitation, several high ranking officials, both in the military and in Congress, have already seen first-hand the vital role that Robins plays in supporting the warfighter and securing our national defense.   I will be at every committee meeting and will work with General McMahon, as well as members of the Twenty-First Century Partnership, to protect Robins from any BRAC reductions.  I am confident that our entire Robins community will work together to ensure that Robins AFB remains an integral part of Georgia’s economy and our national defense for a very long time.” 

Representative Austin Scott is the only Republican from Georgia on the House Armed Services Committee.  He is also the only Member  from Georgia currently serving on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.  The Readiness Subcommittee makes sure that our troops are properly trained and their equipment is properly maintained so they can succeed in their missions, and that they have the facilities and services they deserve when they return home.  Readiness Subcommittee Members are also specifically tasked with overseeing the BRAC process.

“Every American knows this President is capable of delivering big speeches where he makes grand proposals.  However, actions are more important than words.  He’s been the President for three years and he has a scorecard.  The fact is, his actions have failed to create the jobs that Americans need.  The President missed a perfect opportunity tonight to endorse a very simple idea that would provide certainty for our job creators and get Americans back to work almost immediately: tell the Senate to pass a budget. 

Rep. Scott went on to say, “Coincidence or not, tonight’s State of the Union Address also marks 1,000 days that America has been operating without a federal budget.  The House passed a Budget, the Senate not only neglected to pass that Budget, but they did not offer an alternative of their own.  Without a Budget, there is no plan;  without a plan that means no recovery and without a recovery we cannot expect the robust job growth that we need to get our economy back on track.  Americans cannot wait until after the election before this President and the Senate decide to act, we need a Budget now.”

Rep. Scott utilized the days leading up to 1,000 Days to deliver multiple speeches noting the solemn milestone.  Additionally, he joined his colleagues in coordinated tweets and facebook messages to facilitate a conversation via new media.  To view Rep. Scott’s videos, click on the links below:

• Austin Speaks in Favor of House Resolution to Note #1000Days Since Senate Has Passed a Budget
• #1000Days Since Senate Has Passed a Budget - Austin Calls on President to Act
• Austin Hosts #1000 Days Press Conference: #1000Days Since the Senate Has Passed a Budget

Washington, DC – The office of U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) will hold mobile office hours for residents across Georgia’s Eighth Congressional district.  Caseworkers and field representatives from Rep. Scott’s office will be on hand to help with issues ranging from Medicare and Social Security to veterans benefits.  Constituents are encouraged to stop by during the times listed below —no appointment is necessary.

Gray Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, January 24 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE:  Chamber of Commerce; 161 W. Clinton St., Gray, GA 31032

Hawkinsville Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE:  Pulaski County Annex Auditorium; 45 S. Lumpkin St., Hawkinsville, GA 31036

COCHRAN MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
WHEN: Tuesday, January 31 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Chamber of Commerce; 102 N. Second St., Cochran, GA 31014

Those who cannot attend the traveling office hours, but have questions, may call our Warner Robins office at 478-971-1776 or the Tifton office at, 229-396-5175.

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Washington, D.C. -

On Congress’s first full-day back in session, twenty-Nine GOP Freshmen lawmakers gathered outside the United States Capitol building to call on the President to challenge the United States Senate to pass a federal budget.  Georgia’s 8^th District Congressman, Austin Scott, who is also the president of the GOP Freshman class, remarked at Wednesday’s press conference, “Sen. Reid would like to say that Freshmen Republicans are responsible for the gridlock in Washington, but that’s simply not true.  We’ve passed a budget.  We’ve passed twenty-seven jobs bills.  We stand willing to allow the process to work.  Sen. Reid has closed the door at every opportunity.”

Next Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress.  Coincidentally, that day will also mark 1,000 days that the country has been operating without a budget.  To that point, Rep. Scott further commented, “The future of America is bright, but without a budget, the state of our Union is uncertain.  We’re here simply to ask the President to challenge Harry Reid and the Senate to pass a Budget—pass a budget so that the job creators in America have some certainty and can go out there and do what Americans want to do and that’s get back to work.”

Wednesday’s event occurred just as President Obama announced that he is denying the application for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline – a project that is projected to bring in more than 100,000 American jobs.  Upon hearing the news from a reporter in attendance, Rep. Scott responded, “That’s absolutely ridiculous.” He went on to say, “The bottom line is the only way to break this country’s dependency on…oil from the mid-East is to bring things like the Keystone pipeline in from Canada and to start drilling here in America.  I think the fact of the matter is, if the President rejects that, I think he is absolutely out of touch with America and what it takes to get this economy back on track.” 

In the days leading up to next week’s State of the Union address and the 1,000 days milestone, House GOP Freshmen plan to utilize new media to encourage their constituents to reach out to the President about the need for a federal budget.