Here are the five most-requested earmarks of 2009:

Textiles Research. Eight Congressmen requested from $3.5 million to $20 million for research at the National Textile Center and/or the Textile Clothing Technology Corp.

National Guard Help. Seven Congressmen requested either $1.6 million or $2 million for family assistance centers for members of the N.C. National Guard.

Rural Business. Six Congressmen requested $750,000 for a business financing program at the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.

Contaminated Food. Five Congressmen requested $300,000 for a database of contaminants in the state's food supply through the N.C. Department of Agriculture.

Water Audits. Five Congressmen requested $2 million for audits of water supply systems through the Rural Economic Development Center.

In all, 75 earmark requests had more than one sponsor, 25 had three or more, and nine had four or more.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is seeking $43.8 million in earmarks.

The Farmville Republican released his list of 11 requested appropriations for the federal budget on his Web site.

The largest request is for $14.6 million for a new control tower at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The smallest is for $250,000 to dredge a channel at Beaufort Harbor.

Other notable earmarks:

* Perform maintenance dredging of Morehead City Harbor, $9.5 million.

* Fund cancer vaccine research by the U.S. Navy, $4 million.

* Replace aging timber breakwater at Belhaven, $3.13 million.

* Run a N.C. National Guard anti-drug task force, $1.2 million.

In January, Jones renewed a "No New Earmarks" pledge, so all of his requests are for appropriations that have been funded before, a spokeswoman explained.

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler is seeking $81.5 million in earmarks.

The Waynesville Democrat released his list of 79 requested appropriations for the federal budget on his Web site.

The largest request is for $6 million for Swain County as part of the U.S. Department of Interior's payments over not building the North Shore Road. The smallest is $125,000 for the Macon County Sheriff's Office to build a firing range.

Other notable earmarks:

* Fund the National Textile Center at N.C. State University, $3.5 million.

* Build a water treatment plant in McDowell County, $3.5 million.

* Run a youth program through the N.C. National Guard, $1.7 million.

* Fund biology and chemistry programs at UNC-Asheville, $1 million. 

U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell is seeking $530.1 million in earmarks.

The Biscoe Democrat released his list of 103 requested appropriations for the federal budget on his Web site.

The largest request is for $84.7 million to extend a road through the Fort Bragg Army base in Fayetteville. The smallest request is $35,000 for Project Fresh Start, a program to help former prison inmates.

Other notable earmarks:

* Extend Charlotte's Lynx transit system, $30 million.

* Build a sewage treatment plant in Hoke County, $21.2 million.

* Build new headquarters for the 406th Army field support at Fort Bragg, $16.5 million.

* Help N.C. National Guard prepare unmanned aerial systems, $6.1 million.

The Senate honored a National Guardsman in its session.

During a 20-minute session today, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue recognized Brig. Gen. James H. Trogdon III, the second-highest official in the North Carolina National Guard.

In May of 2006, the Senate gave Trogdon a North Carolina flag that he flew over his headquarters while serving in Iraq. He returned to honor those who died overseas by returning the flag.

"History will certainly remember the names of Casey and Petraeus and Odierno, but in this historic struggle of our time, the unnamed heroes of Mosul, Baquba and Samarra ... are the true stars," he said.

The Senate also considered a resolution honoring veterans, noted the presence of the Junior N.C. Rhododendron Queen, recognized the birthday of Senate leader Marc Basnight and noted two new paintings of former legislators.

It also signaled it will seek to reduce the state auditor's responsibilities.

U.S. Rep. David Price led a congressional delegation to Kosovo this weekend, the first official visit to the region since it declared independence this winter.

The country declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, and the United States is one of 26 countries recognizing the independence.

Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, is chairman of the House Democracy Assistance Commission, a group of congressional members who partner with parliaments in new democracies around the world, reports Barb Barrett.

Price met with Kosovo leaders Saturday morning. He also met with members of the N.C. National Guard stationed in Kosovo, talking with soldiers from the 430th Explosives and Ordnance Disposal unit out of Greenville.

The bipartisan congressional delegation also is visiting Macedonia and Ukraine.

Republican candidate for governor Bob Orr released a plan today that he said would provide ongoing oversight to the state's mental health system.

Orr said the state needs to get patients who rely on the public system proper care at sustainable costs, and should reconsider whether the state should depend on private providers to provide all community treatment, reports Lynn Bonner.

Orr also said North Carolina needs to recruit top talent to the state Department of Health and Human Services and consider reorganizing the state Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

The state needs rigorous oversight of spending, Orr said, and to coordinate with the N.C. National Guard to make sure returning soldiers have their mental health needs addressed.