After a whirlwind week of Iraq hearings and debate on a housing bill, activity on the floor of the Senate may seem a bit calmer. This week and next, we expect to tackle a number of pending issues, including technical corrections to the transportation bill, enhancements to life insurance benefits for disabled veterans, FAA reauthorization, and clarifying anti-discrimination statutes.

EDUCATION: I plan to kick off this week at a Teach for America event with 10th-grade students at Baltimore's Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship. Once again, I am proud to be a part of this great program that helps inspire teachers and students nationwide with guest teachers from a variety of sectors - like government and politics. This year, Teach for America Week runs April 14-18.

I also am excited to join Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) to announce $310,479 in federal funds for the Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative. The Cherry Hill Learning Zone is an example of how public-private educational partnerships can work. Towson University and the Baltimore City Public Schools are working together to improve the economic and educational opportunities for the Cherry Hill community. They have created a community-wide network that prepares pre-schoolers for kindergarten, elementary school students for middle and high school, and high school seniors for higher education or direct entry into the workforce.

CLEAN DRINKING WATER: As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), I have been concerned with the recent reports that trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, caffeine, and cleaning product chemicals have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. According to the Associated Press, drinking water in the DC area tested positive for six pharmaceuticals. This week, I will join my colleagues on the EPW committee during a hearing on the potential risks and actions needed to address pharmaceuticals in the Nation's drinking water.

ECONOMY: As consumers cut back and equity shrinks, small business bears the brunt of any economic slowdown. But in the United States, small business typically is the engine that drives us to recovery, too. The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, of which I am a member, will hold a hearing this week to hear from experts and examine what the true impact of the current credit crunch is on American small business.

UPCOMING MEDIA: For those of you on the Eastern Shore, listen to my conversation with Bill Reddish on Thursday morning at about 7:35AM on WICO (1320AM/Delmarva Broadcasting).