Daybook

PRESIDENT BUSH

Signs a presidential proclamation in honor of American Heart Month at the White House; travels to Nashville, Tenn.

ECONOMIC REPORTS

10 a.m. — Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the metropolitan-area employment and unemployment figures for December. Location: 200 Constitution Ave. NW. Contact: 202/606-5902.

FEDERAL AGENCIES

8:30 a.m. — Veterans Affairs Department holds a meeting of the National Research Advisory Council to review its annual report for 2005, and an update on deployment health and Gulf War research. Location: Greenhoot/Cohen Building, 1722 I St. NW, Room 900. Contact: 352/392-8066.

1 p.m. — Health and Human Services Department holds a meeting of the American Health Information Community Chronic Care Workgroup. Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave. SW, conference room 705A. Contact: www.hhs.gov/healthit.

SUPREME COURT

No oral arguments are scheduled. Contact: 202/479-3211.

SENATE

In session. Contact: Republican Cloakroom, 202/224-8601, or Democratic Cloakroom, 202/224-8541.

SENATE COMMITTEES

9:30 a.m. — Judiciary Committee holds a hearing, “Consolidation in the Energy Industry: Rising Prices at the Pump.” Witnesses include Federal Trade Commissioner Bill Kovacic and Jim Wells, director of national resources and environment at the Government Accountability Office. Location: 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Contact: 202/224-5225.

HOUSE

Meets at 10 a.m. to consider a resolution agreeing to the Senate amendment for S. 1932, “Deficit Reduction Act of 2005”; legislation to amend the USA Patriot Act to extend the sunset of certain provisions; and a resolution of condolence to honor the late Coretta Scott King. Contact: Republican Cloakroom, 202/225-2020, or Democratic Cloakroom, 202/225-1600.

HOUSE COMMITTEES

10 a.m. — Government Reform Committee holds a hearing, “Restoring the Public Trust: A Review of the Federal Pension Forfeiture Act.” Witnesses include Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen. Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-5074.

2 p.m. — Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee and readiness subcommittee hold a hearing, “Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Ground Forces Vehicle and Personnel Protection and Rotary Wing Safety of Flight Update.” Witnesses include Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson, deputy for acquisition and systems management, and Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Speakes, director of force development. Location: 2118 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-4151, 202/225-2675.

3 p.m. — Small Business rural enterprises, agriculture and technology subcommittee and tax, finance and exports subcommittee hold a hearing, “Transforming the Tax Code: An Examination of the President’s Tax Reform Panel Recommendations.” Witnesses include Rep. Michael N. Castle, Delaware Republican and president of the Republican Mainstreet Partnership, and former Sen. John B. Breaux, Louisiana Democrat and vice chairman of the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. Location: 2360 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-5821.

GENERAL AGENDA

U.S.-Korean relations — all day — The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research holds a conference, “Sustaining the Alliance: U.S.-Korean Relations in the New Asia.” Events begin at 8:45 a.m.

Highlights — 9 a.m. — “U.S.-Korean Trade and Investment Relations”

11 a.m. — “Competing in the World Economy: The United States and Korea”

1 p.m. — Christopher R. Hill, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, delivers a keynote address.

2 p.m. — “Securing Peace on the Korean Peninsula”

Location: AEI, 1150 17th St. NW, Wohlstetter Conference Center, 12th floor. Contact: 202/862-4871.

Summit — all day — The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors holds its executive summit. Events begin at 9 a.m.

Highlights — 9 a.m. — Robert Novak, nationally syndicated columnist, “Political Outlook 2006”

10:45 a.m. — Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, “How Does the U.S. Retain its Competitive Edge in Expanding World Markets?”

Location: Fairmont Hotel, 24th and M streets Northwest. Contact: 202/872-0885.

Growing U.S. economy — 8:30 a.m. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds a discussion with U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral on the growing U.S. economy and the importance of “financial literacy.” Location: USCC, 1615 H St. NW. Contact: 202/463-5682.

Katrina press conference — 9:15 a.m. — Rep. Thomas M. Davis lll, Virginia Republican and chairman of the Government Reform Committee; U.S. Comptroller General David Walker; and members of the House Select Committee on Hurricane Katrina hold a press conference on the Government Accountability Office’s preliminary findings about the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. The final report will be sent to the House of Representatives by Feb. 15. Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-5220.

Press conference — 10 a.m. — The Service Employees International Union holds a press conference to announce the winner of the “Since Sliced Bread” contest, which will offer cash prizes to ideas addressing jobs, health care, education, Social Security and more. Location: 101 Constitution Ave. NW. Contact: 202/371-1999.

Blood sugar levels — 10 a.m. — The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Diabetes Association hold a press conference, “Hospitalized Patients Need Better Care,” which will focus on the awareness of blood sugar levels of patients. Participants include Vivian Fonseca, co-chairman of the ADA, and Alan Garber and Etie Moghissi, co-chairmen of the AACE. Location: The Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th St. NW. Contact: 202/261-2888.

Health policy — 11 a.m. — The National Center for Policy Analysis holds a discussion, “Health Policy and the State of the Union: The Morning After.” Participants include Roy Ramthun, senior health policy adviser to President Bush. Location: 1310 Longworth House Office Building. Contact: 800/859-1154.

Belarus briefing — 2 p.m. — The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe holds a briefing on the latest political developments on the eve of elections in Belarus as seen from a trans-Atlantic perspective. Aldis Kuskis, vice chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Belarus, and delegation member Barbara Kudrycka participate. Location: 2325 Rayburn House Office Building. Contact: 202/225-1901.

• Compiled by FIND/AFP and The Washington Times