U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, has joined fellow lawmakers in support of legislation aimed at encouraging individuals to save money.English is co-sponsoring the America Saving for Personal Investment, Retirement, and Education (ASPIRE) Act of 2005, which would establish a federally sponsored savings account for newborn children with $500.The measure would provide a KIDS Account for every child born after Dec. 31, 2006. Each account would be have an initial $500 contribution, and children living in households earning below the national median income will be eligible for a supplemental contribution of up to $500.The accounts would be supported by a series of incentives to encourage savings and promote financial literacy.The bill would establish the ASPIRE Fund within the Treasury Department to be governed by a board of directors similar in structure to the board that oversees the Thrift Savings Plan, the retirement program for federal employees."Establishing the KIDS Accounts and the ASPIRE Fund is an enormous undertaking by the federal government, but one that would greatly improve the quality of life for many Americans," said English, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has partial jurisdiction over this issue."This kind of direct investment in our children will help secure not only their future, but our own," he said in a news release.U.S. Sen.

Rick Santorum, R-Pa., recently introduced the Expanding Charitable and Volunteer Opportunities Act, which he said would provide common sense liability protections for individuals and companies seeking to donate to and volunteer for charitable purposes.Santorum said the measure would prevent a business from being sued civilly if a piece of equipment or facility has been loaned by a business entity to a non-profit organization for charitable purposes, unless the business has engaged in gross negligence or intentional misconduct.The bill also would provide similar liability protections for those who contribute equipment to volunteer firefighter companies.Additionally, the legislation encourages physicians to volunteer their services to community health centers by extending to them medical liability protections.U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, on Sunday is to wrap up week-long visit to Turkey as part of an international roundtable discussion seeking to improved U.S.-Middle East relations.The program, sponsored by the Aspen Institute and dubbed "Political Islam: Challenges for U.S. Policy," began last Sunday in Istanbul."American policymakers need to develop a clear understanding of how to engage the Middle East and how we can best promote political freedom, democracy and economic growth in this critical region in the face of deep seeded resistance from anti-American elements," said English in a news release of the event's importance.He said the conference would allow U.S. government officials to meet with internationally recognized scholars and analysts to discuss critical issues involving the Middle East and examine various political solutions.During the discussions, participants have explored topics such as the reform and security of oil in Saudi Arabia and the conflicts of Islam and democracy.The Aspen Institute is a non-profit organization that provides a non-partisan, neutral forum for leaders to discuss relevant issues, English said in the release.