St. Joseph got more than $1.2 million in the first round of funding from the federal economic stimulus program, it was announced Thursday afternoon.

The money comes through two programs of the Housing and Urban Development Department. From the Community Development Block Grant program, the city landed $475,429, Sen. Claire McCaskill said. From the Homeless Prevention Grant program, $727,371 will come the city's way.

Missouri communities and the state overall got $45 million in the programs' distributions.

Ms. McCaskill voiced her pleasure that money from the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, totaling $787 billion, is being made available so quickly. She also voiced her priorities for the money's use.

"I encourage those receiving community development grant assistance to focus on jobs, jobs, jobs," the Missouri Democrat said.

More 'smart power'

In the effort to use America's "smart power" for world good, the United States has an army already in place, Sen. Kit Bond says.

That's the Peace Corps.

Missouri's senior senator praised the federal agency as it celebrated 48 years of existence on Thursday. Since 1961, more than 195,000 Peace Corps volunteers have worked throughout the world "positively shaping and improving" America's image in foreign nations, he said.

Mr. Bond said the agency, now with 7,500 volunteers in 75 countries, plays an essential role in U.S. smart-power enterprises, such things as educational exchanges, public diplomacy and economic and agricultural development.

"All of these smart-power initiatives contribute not only to a better life for so many in need, but also help create the conditions for a more stable and peaceful world," the Republican lawmaker said on the Senate floor.

Mr. Bond pointed out that roughly one in five current volunteers serve in 16 countries that predominantly worship Islam, doing a lot to bolster the "much misunderstood image of America within the Muslim world."

Down with pay raise

Members of the U.S. House sent a message Wednesday in voting to freeze their pay: "We get it."

A measure to stop their automatic pay increase passed 398 to 24, a nod to the ailing economy. Reps. Sam Graves, of Missouri's 6th District, and Lynn Jenkins, of Kansas' 2nd District, voted in favor of the freeze, which came in the form of an amendment prior to passage of the $410 billion omnibus spending bill. Both subsequently voted against the appropriations package.

Mr. Graves said he had no problem with the amendment, having co-sponsored legislation in the past to stop automatic pay increases for Congress.

"We have more pressing needs than lawmaker pay raises," Mr. Graves said.

According to the clerk of the U.S. House, the salary this year of representatives and senators is $169,300, though a handful of congressional leaders get more.

Senate approval and a presidential signature are needed before the pay freeze becomes law.

Good as gold

The Army college at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is as good as gold, Sen. Pat Roberts insists. A coin should deem it so.

Mr. Roberts has introduced a bill to honor the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College with commemorative coins. The measure calls for the U.S. Treasury to mint 100,000 gold coins ($5), 500,000 silver coins ($1) and 750,000 copper-nickel clad coins (50 cents).

Coin designs would honor five-star generals who passed through the college: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley.

Proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of the coins would go to the college foundation. The institution was founded in 1881.

Ken Newton can be reached

at kenn@npgco.com.