U.S. Reps. John Barrow, D-Ga., and Paul Broun, R-Ga., have joined forces to have a resolution congratulating the team presented on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bill Richardson brought good news during his first visit to the Savannah River Site. Mr. Richardson, visiting the site Tuesday during his second workday as U.S. secretary of energy, told local business leaders and elected officials the site probably faces no layoffs in the near future. "Based on our budget projections, and based on the administration's request and congressional action, in terms of layoffs and further reductions, I don't see any problem for at least the next two years," Mr. Richardson said during a roundtable discussion at the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.

WASHINGTON -- Ticked off by the congressional pay raise? Enraged at the latest political grandstanding piped into your living room by C-Span? There's a better, and more effective, way to let off steam than venting to your spouse. And it also works if you want to congratulate your representative or senator for doing a good job, or just tell them how you feel about a particular issue. It's called writing your congressman, and, contrary to popular belief, lawmakers take it seriously.

AIKEN - South Carolina's push to get rid of plutonium at Savannah River Site that's been taken from old nuclear weapons faces another delay.

In Augusta's campaign to keep Fort Gordon, two strategists laid out a battle plan Wednesday.

ATLANTA - Up to $13 million of Georgia's share of the national tobacco settlement would be used to compensate tobacco farmers under a proposal approved Tuesday by the Georgia Tobacco Community Development Board.

It is the policy of U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., to provide every person in our district the opportunity to speak or meet with him about any matter. ... Wedo ask the purpose of the meeting in order to brief Rep. Norwood, and to determine when best to schedule the event. ... Gary Smith (letter, Mar. 5) initially called shortly after 4 p.m. on Feb. 18 with a complaint over a military pay issue. Command Sergeant Major James Hussey (USA, Ret.) began an appeals process to the proper military authorities the same day.

COLUMBIA -- Candidates to lead a potentially expanded state Commerce Department during Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges' administration range from a former lieutenant governor to a businesswoman who runs a multimillion-dollar investment firm. Mr. Hodges' economic development transition group spent nearly an hour in closed session Tuesday discussing the possible candidates. Chairman Bob Coble, Columbia's mayor, noted that the committee will provide possibilities, not recommendations.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Bill Richardson as U.S. Secretary of Energy on Friday, a move some officials said will be good for the Savannah River Site. "Early indications suggest that he should be a friend of the Savannah River Site," said Richard Perry, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "Mr. Richardson doesn't get rave reviews yet, but the congressman is very pleased. We're being cautious."