May 2, 2008 - Estonia, Lithuania hold energy-security talks
Apr 30, 2008 - Lithuania's president urges Baltic unity in relations with Russia
Apr 27, 2008 - A year on, jury out on economic harm of Estonia's row with Russia
Apr 24, 2008 - Latvian Leader Talks Country’s Future
Feb 26, 2008 - Estonia's President Sounds the Alarm
Feb 7, 2008 - Get Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius on the Monopoly game map!
Feb 6, 2008 - Saakashvili: Estonia is the most successful model for a transition society
Jan 16, 2008 - President Bush's Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the US-Baltic Charter
Jan 16, 2008 - The Baltic Model. By MARIS RIEKSTINS and RONALD ASMUS
Dec 21, 2007 - Baltic states first of new Schengen members
Dec 18, 2007 - US welcomes Latvia-Russia border treaty
Nov 30, 2007 - Fraud, intimidation and bribery as Putin prepares for victory
The Guardian
Nov 26, 2007 - Estonian defense leaders to visit USA
Nov 11, 2007 - As it rises, Russia stirs Baltic fears
International Herald Tribune
by Adam B. Ellick
Oct 22, 2007 - Riga is Cleanest City in Europe
Oct 21, 2007 - NY Times Travel guides: 36 Hours in Riga, Latvia
Oct 19, 2007 - The Future Calling In Estonia, The Washington Post
Oct 16, 2007 - "Preserving Our Common Values," the official version of remarks given by Ambassador Bailey at the Latvian University
Sep 25- Oct 3, 2007 - The UN General Assembly meeting in New York: Statements by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
August 14, 2007 - "Baltic States Close Ranks With Georgia, Join U.S. to Investigate Missile Incident"
by Vladimir Socor
August 5, 2007 - Mart Laar Will Give Keynote Address at The Atlas Experience
John M. Shimkus (shim' cuss) married Karen Muth in 1987. They met while he was assigned to his last duty station in California. They have three sons: David, 14, Joshua, 12, and Daniel, seven. The family maintains their residence in Collinsville, Illinois, John's hometown.
Education and Work History
John received his bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served over five years active duty in the Army following his graduation, then entered the Army Reserves. John currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After leaving the Army John obtained his teaching certificate from Christ College Irvine, California (now Concordia University Irvine). He returned home to teach at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, Illinois.
In 1989 John won his first election, becoming a Collinsville Township trustee. He quit his teaching job the following year and won a successful campaign for Madison County treasurer. While serving as county treasurer John began studies for his master's degree in business administration. He graduated with his MBA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1997.
In 1996 John won his first term as a United States Representative from the 20th District of Illinois. He has been re-elected five times since…twice in the 20th District and three times in the 19th District.
Congressional Service
John is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Of that Committee, he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, as well as a member of the Energy Subcommittee and the Telecommunications Subcommittee.
In addition to serving on his committee and on various caucuses, John is a United States delegate to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. This is the inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the member states of the North Atlantic Alliance.
