Congressman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., will make stops in Coos and Curry counties Thursday and Friday.

In all, he plans to hold six town hall meetings and tour Hardin Optical in Bandon. Hardin Optical is a family owned and operated business with 75 employee. It manufactures precision optical components for the electro-optical and aerospace industries.

At the town hall meetings, DeFazio plans to discuss current issues before Congress, such as passage of legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations, the College Cost Reduction Act and legislation to extend health care coverage to children and seniors. In addition, DeFazio plans to discuss the county payments program, new forest thinning legislation and the ongoing war in Iraq. The meetings also will give the congressman an opportunity to hear concerns and answer questions about federal issues.

Town hall meetings are as follows:

n Reedsport: 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Port of Umpqua Conference Room, 364 North Fourth St.;

n Coos Bay: noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, Coos Bay City Council Chambers, 500 Central Ave.;

n Bandon: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sprague Community Room, Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th Street S.W., near City Park;

n Bandon: 3:45 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, tour Hardin Optical, 87679 Kehl Lane;

n Brookings: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Friday, breakfast with Curry County elected officials, Smuggler's Cove (meeting room), 16011 Boat Basin Road;

n Brookings: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, community room, Chetco Community Library, 405 Alder St.;

n Gold Beach: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Curry County Annex blue room, 94235 Moore St.; and

n Port Orford: 3 to 4 p.m., Port Orford City Council Chambers, 555 West 20th St.