WASHINGTON - President George Bush pulled U.S. Rep. John Shimkus into the Oval Office on Friday to ask the Southern Illinois congressman to reconsider his stance on term limits.

Shimkus, R-Collinsville, is currently serving his fifth term as the U.S. Representative of Illinois District 19. When Shimkus first made a run for the office in 1996, he pledged he would only serve six terms. This means under current timeline, 2006 would be Shimkus' last election cycle - possibly ending his reign in 2008.

However, Bush thinks that might be too soon for Shimkus to bow out.

Shimkus was instrumental in bringing the President to Collinsville on Jan. 6 for a medical malpractice rally.

Steve Tomaszewski, Shimkus spokesman, said another reason why the congressman was tapped by the president was because of the recent passage of the energy bill, something the president has long awaited. Shimkus is senior member of the House Energy Conference Committee.

"I think that was one of the president's selling points," Tomaszewski said.

Also attending the meeting with the president was Karen Shimkus, the wife of the congressman. Tomaszewski said Shimkus must first discuss the option with his family and then get feedback from his constituents.

"You've got to think about it," Tomaszewski said. "It is not something that you don't want people to know about, but at this point if people have a thought on it - one way or another - we are willing to accept input on it."

Shimkus, 47, underwent open heart surgery in March, but has since fully recovered. He even participated in the annual House baseball game on June 23.

nicole.sack@thesouthern.com

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