Crapo to Discuss Federal Debt at City Club, Address Idaho Legislature

Boise  - The need to take immediate steps to reduce our nation's burgeoning federal debt will be the focus as Idaho Senator Mike Crapo addresses the Boise City Club next week.  Crapo, who served on the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, is now working with a bipartisan group of senators to bring the commission's ideas before Congress.

While the Senate group continues its work behind the scenes, Crapo said more members of Congress are becoming interested in the efforts and how to reduce spending on federal programs and entitlements for the long-term.

Debt and deficit issues will also be among the topics as Crapo addresses the Idaho Legislature.  He will speak before both the Idaho House and Senate on Tuesday.

Crapo will present his "Spirit of Idaho" Award to two groups of Boise junior high students on Wednesday.  The students are the top finishers in a statewide essay-writing contest for a publication on the dangers of teen dating violence.  As a long-time Senate advocate against domestic violence, Crapo last month enlisted bipartisan support to pass a Senate resolution urging more Americans to speak out against teen violence, which has worsened through cyber-bullying and other technological advances.

Crapo will also meet with Eugene Kravtsov prior to his address at the Idaho Legislature.  Crapo's office and the U.S. Department of State assisted Kravtsov, a Russian emigrant, when he was temporarily imprisoned in his former country in a misunderstanding over taking Russian coins out of the country.

Crapo's Treasure Valley schedule for March 22 & 23:

Tuesday March 22:

10:15 a.m.     Statehouse  Meets with Russian emigrant Eugene Kravtsov to review his case  involving Russian  imprisonment.  At the Idaho Statehouse, Second Floor  Rotunda.

11:00 a.m.     Statehouse  Speaks to Members of the Idaho Senate.

11:30 a.m.     Statehouse  Speaks to Members of the Idaho House.

12:15 p.m.     Boise             Address the City Club of Boise on federal issues, including deficit reduction discussions.

Wednesday, March 23:

9:45 a.m.       Boise            Speaks to the Food Producers of Idaho, 821 W. State.

10:30 a.m.     Boise             Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to North Junior High School students  earning top honors in a statewide essay contest to raise teen dating  violence awareness.  Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, U.S. Marshal Brian Underwood and Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelly Miller may also speak.

12:55 p.m.     Boise            Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to South Junior High School students  earning top honors in a statewide essay contest to raise teen dating  violence awareness.  Attorney General Wasden, U.S. Marshal Underwood and Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic  Violence Executive Director Miller may also speak.