August 2011 Archives

Congressman brings Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and veterans’ services personnel to discuss benefits

 CONYERS, GA – On Aug. 29, Congressman Hank Johnson brought experts from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, Medicare and Medicaid to the Olivia Haydel Senior Center in Conyers to help seniors understand their benefits.

| For more pictures on Flicr, click HERE |

In the second meeting in an ongoing series of visiting senior centers throughout the district, Rep. Johnson said too many seniors are confused by the media and budget proposals that are trying to cut the social safety net.

“Medicare and Social Security are essential safety net programs for all Americans,” said Johnson. “I will always support them with every fiber of my being.

“So please don’t be unnecessarily frightened by the news you see, the issues are complicated and complex – but not insurmountable – and. … there are still many defenders of Medicare, Social Security and the health care reform law, including President Obama, my colleagues and me.”

During the two-hour town hall style meeting, seniors asked Congressman Johnson and his expert panelists questions about veteran benefits, Medicare, Social Security and discussed the national budget and debt ceiling issues.

“The experts Congressman Johnson brought from Social Security, VA, Medicare and the IRS demonstrated great expertise, good-heartedness and concern for the people they serve,” said Rockdale resident Albert Roesel.

“I appreciated Congressman Johnson holding the town hall,” said retired General Motors employee Tyler Dawson. “I wanted to know how I could be affected by the possible changes to Social Security and Medicare, and I was impressed with the way Rep. Johnson conducted the meeting.”

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Congresista: Fondos federales para impulsar la Unidad de crímenes en contra de niños del condado de Dekalb

  ATLANTA, GA - EE.UU.  El congresista Hank Johnson (D-GA), miembro del Comité Judicial de la Cámara, y DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis anunciaron hoy en una conferencia de prensa conjunta con la oficina de EE.UU. Fiscal de Sally Yates que el condado de DeKalb recibirá una donación de $ 496.793 dólares del Departamento de Justicia de la oficina de Servicios Comunitarios Orientada (COPS por sus siglas en inglés), como parte del Programa Predadores Sexuales  Infantiles (CSPP por sus siglas en inglés).

Este dinero hace parte de $ 9.3 millones en concesiones otorgadas por COPS a 20 agencias de la ley en todo el país para reducir y prevenir la negligencia infantil y proteger a las comunidades de los predadores sexuales. El Condado de Fulton recibió una concesión de 331.241 dólares.

"No hay nada más importante que hacer que apoyar a las autoridades locales y darles las herramientas necesarias para mantener a nuestras comunidades seguras", dijo Johnson, quien en julio votó en contra de los esfuerzos del liderazgo de la Cámara de cortar COPS.

"Estos fondos ayudarán a proteger a nuestros hijos de lo peor de lo peor - los predadores sexuales de niños."

DeKalb CEO Ellis dijo que los fondos COPS cumplirán un papel muy importante en impulsar la Unidad de crímenes en contra de niños del condado.

"Es nuestra responsabilidad mantener a los niños fuera de peligro y garantizar que los perpetradores de estos crímenes sean juzgados con todo el rigor de la ley", dijo Ellis. "Estos fondos son cruciales para este esfuerzo."

La concesión del  programa de COPS Predadores Sexuales Infantiles (CSPP) aportará fondos directamente a las autoridades competentes para establecer y / o mejorar las estrategias para localizar, arrestar y procesar a predadores sexuales infantiles y explotadores.  Además, los fondos también servirán para reforzar  el registro estatal de delincuentes sexuales.  CSPP tiene como objetivo apoyar las iniciativas de vigilancia comunitaria en los Estados Unidos mediante la promoción de asociaciones entre la policía, oficinas de Abogados de EE.UU., el Servicio de Alguaciles de EE.UU., y otros socios comunitarios para reducir colectivamente y evitar poner en peligro a niños de predadores sexuales.

Desde 1995, el programa de COPS ha invertido más de $ 177 millones en agencias de ley de Georgia, el dinero fue utilizado para contratar a más de 2.400 oficiales y proporcionar más de $ 24 millones en mejoras tecnológicas.

En 2009, al condado de DeKalb se le otorgaron más de $ 3 millones en fondos COPS para abrir 15 posiciones para oficiales, y en 2010 jefe de policía de Doraville John King recibió una donación de $ 385.000 dólares de COPS para contratar a otros dos oficiales por un periodo de tres años.

Para más información, visite http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/.
 

Congressman: Federal funds to boost county’s Crimes Against Children Unit

 ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, and DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis announced today in a joint news conference with U.S. Attorney Sally Yates’ office that DeKalb County will receive a $496,793 grant from Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office from its Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP).

It is part of $9.3 million in COPS grants to 20 law enforcement agencies throughout the nation to reduce and prevent child endangerment and to protect communities from sexual predators. Fulton County received a $331,241 grant.

“There isn’t anything we do that is more important than supporting local law enforcement and giving them the tools needed to keep our communities safe,” said Johnson, who in July voted against House leadership efforts to cut COPS.

“These funds will help protect our children from the worst of the worst – child sexual predators.”

DeKalb CEO Ellis said the COPS funding would go a long way in boosting the county’s Crimes against Children Unit.

“It is our responsibility to keep children out of harm’s way and ensure those who perpetrate crimes against them are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Ellis. “These funds are crucial to that effort.”

COPS Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP) grants provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to establish and/or enhance strategies to locate, arrest, and prosecute child sexual predators and exploiters and to enforce state sex offender registration laws. CSPP aims to support community policing initiatives throughout the United States by promoting partnerships between law enforcement, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other community partners to collectively reduce and prevent child endangerment by sexual predators.

Since 1995, the COPS program has invested more than $177 million in Georgia law enforcement agencies, which was used to hire more than 2,400 officers and provide more than $24 million in technology upgrades.

In 2009, DeKalb County was awarded more than $3 million in COPS funding for 15 officer positions, and in 2010 Chief John King of Doraville received a COPS grant of $385,000 to hire two additional officers. 

For more information, visit http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/.

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Congressman honors Jack Sartain with Community Service Award

 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson presented Stone Mountain resident Command Sergeant Major Jonathan Smalls with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Patriot Award (CMP) and a Community Service Award to Jack Sartain.

The CMP’s Patriot Award recognizes outstanding veterans for their contributions to our community and country.

As part of the presentation at the Arts Station in Stone Mountain, Smalls, a veteran of Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm, received an M1 Garand rifle used in WW II.

Smalls, who is past chairman of the DeKalb County Veterans Affairs Advisory Board and former commander of his Covington Highway VFW post, launched  the “Feed the Homeless Program” through his Disabled American Veterans’ chapter. He also mentors students at Redan Elementary School in Lithonia.

“Jonathan Smalls is the very definition of a patriot, and I am proud to present him with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Patriot Award,” said Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I cannot think of a more deserving veteran for this prestigious award.”

“During my years of active duty in the military, I recognized that there was a need for a support person to assist my comrades and their families once they were discharged from the military,” said Smalls. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve these men and women that have sacrificed for this great nation.”

Congressman Johnson and CMP also honored Jack Sartain of Stone Mountain with a Community Service Award for his outstanding contributions as founder of the DeKalb Council for the Arts, his work on affordable housing issues and promotion of local music. 

“Whether it's cultivating the arts, initiating affordable housing programs, tackling mental health issues or helping non-profits, Jack gets involved and stays involved until things change for the better,” said Rep. Johnson.

Cutlines: Rep. Hank Johnson presents Command Sergeant Major Jonathan Smalls with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Patriot Award (CMP), an M1 Garand rifle used in WW II. | Rep. Hank Johnson presents Jack Sartain of Stone Mountain with a Community Service Award.

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Reps. Johnson, Lewis, Black Caucus colleagues connect job seekers with employers

 ATLANTA, GA – More than 3,000 people participated in today's job fair hosted by Congressman John Lewis, Congressman Hank Johnson, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus at Atlanta Technical College.

Ninety employers -- all of them with job openings, a requirement of participation -- met with thousands of job seekers at the event, part of the Congressional Black Caucus' "For the People" nationwide jobs initiative.

Demand for the event was so intense that a few job seekers suffered from heat-related illnesses while waiting in long lines to meet with employers.

Ninety businesses large and small as well as government agencies with job openings attended the event to meet potential hires. The CBC's nationwide goal for the jobs tour is to facilitate the hiring of 10,000 Americans.

“Americans are suffering from heat exhaustion, lining up by the thousands for the opportunity to get a steady job,” said Lewis. “It's a powerful illustration of these hard times.”

“The people are desperate for work,” said Johnson. “Today the urgency of the crisis was on vivid display.”

"Today’s event was a great success, said Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Atlanta Technical College. “Atlanta Tech specializes in workforce development and we were thrilled to help connect so many employers and job seekers.”

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Congressman Johnson holds fourth jobs fair since 2009; first with CBC partners

 ATLANTA, GA – As African-American unemployment tops 16% – and in many cases is even higher among young men – members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have launched a ‘For the People’ Jobs Initiative to raise awareness and garner support for H. Res. 348, which calls on Congress to pass more than 40 bills proposed by CBC to help alleviate the crisis.

Reps. Hank Johnson (GA-04) and John Lewis (GA-05) are co-hosting the CBC’s Atlanta event. The jobs expo will be followed by a town hall meeting featuring 10 members of the CBC, including Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Al Green (D-TX) and Maxine Waters (D-CA).

To pre-register, click the Jobs Initiative button left.

The daylong event will be Thursday, August 18 at Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta 30310 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. but job seekers can also register online at FOR THE PEOPLE JOBS INITIATIVE. MARTA riders can take the No. 95 bus route that takes job seekers to Atlanta Tech.

For Directions and a campus map: Click HERE | Google Map:

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“Many communities we serve are seeing unemployment rates above 16 percent,” said Johnson.  “The CBC, along with other progressive caucuses, is one of the few groups on Capitol Hill talking about creating jobs and the plight of the long-term unemployed. By hosting job fairs at home and proposing jobs legislation in Washington, we in the CBC continue to fight to ensure there are immediate economic opportunities in underserved communities.”

Participants will learn how to apply for available federal jobs, learn about Georgia’s Work Ready Program, the GI Bill and on-the-job training for veterans and special tips for the over-55 job seeker.

The agencies in attendance include but are not limited to: the Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Personnel Management, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Atlanta Workforce Development, General Services Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Securities and Exchange Commission, Coca-Cola, Sprint, Comcast, Google and Gwinnett Public Schools.

There will also be counselors on hand to share information for résumé writing, and how to prepare for an interview and green jobs training opportunities. A special symposium will be offered for job-seekers who have been incarcerated with information on how to re-enter the workforce.

Participants should bring multiple copies of their résumés and dress for success.

 2011 CBC Job Fair & Career Expo resources:

● How to find available jobs with the federal government
● Learn about the Georgia Work Ready Program
● GI Bill and On-the-Job-Training for Veterans
● Special Tips for the over 55 job seeker
● Returning to the job market after incarceration
● Counselors on hand for résumé writing
● How to best prepare for an interview
● Green jobs training opportunities
● Tips on how to change careers

For more information, contact Betty Dixon at betty.dixon@mail.house.gov or go to Congressman Johnson’s Web site and click on the web button “For the People Jobs Initiative.”

The tour includes stops in Cleveland, Aug. 8; Detroit, Aug. 16; Atlanta, Aug. 18, Miami, Aug. 22-23 and Los Angeles, Aug. 30-31.

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Dear Friends, 

Congressman Lewis and I are teaming up to host a job fair and readiness workshop on Thursday, Aug. 18 at Atlanta Technical College from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are working to have more than 100 private and public employers on hand.

Everyone from the Fourth District is welcome. For more, go to my Web site: WWW.HANKJOHNSON.HOUSE.GOV.

As part of the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) “For the People” jobs initiative, Congressman Lewis and I – and the entire CBC – are encouraging Congress to pass critical jobs legislation that we have introduced to address the unemployment crisis.

After the jobs fair, there will be a town hall from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss the CBC’s Jobs Initiative and our jobs-focused legislative agenda.

WHO: Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA-04) and John Lewis (GA-05), along with 10 other members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Sanford Bishop Jr., Corrine Brown, Donna Christensen, Al Green, Gregory Meeks, Laura Richardson, Cedric Richmond, David Scott, Ed Towns and Maxine Waters.

WHAT: Jobs Fair and town hall meeting on the Congressional Black Caucus’ “For the People Jobs Initiative, H. Res. 348.

WHERE:  Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW Atlanta, 30310. If taking MARTA, participants can take the No. 95 bus route.

WHEN:  Thursday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. | Town hall meeting 6 to 8 p.m.

WHY: With unemployment rates exceeding 9% nationally, and even higher in the African-American, Asian and Hispanic communities, Congressmen Johnson and Lewis, and the CBC are doing everything they can to help address the jobs crisis.

EMPLOYERS: The agencies and companies in attendance include but are not limited to: the Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Personnel Management, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Atlanta Workforce Development, General Services Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Securities and Exchange Commission, Coca-Cola, Sprint, Comcast, Google, NCR, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Microsoft, GE, Starbucks, Waffle House and Gwinnett Public Schools.

Participants should bring multiple copies of their résumés and dress for success.

 2011 Johnson-Lewis/CBC Job Fair resources:

● How to find available jobs with the federal government
● Learn about the Georgia Work Ready Program
● GI Bill and On-the-Job-Training for Veterans
● Special Tips for the over 55 job seeker
● Returning to the job market after incarceration
● Counselors on hand for résumé writing
● How to best prepare for an interview
● Green jobs training opportunities
● Tips on how to change careers

For more information, contact Betty Dixon at betty.dixon@mail.house.gov or go to my Web site www.hankjohson.house.gov.

HELPING SENIORS – My District staff will conduct a seniors’ meet & greet on Monday, Aug. 29 at 10:15 a.m. at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center in Conyers. Seniors at the Rockdale County Senior Services center will receive help navigating through the often confusing and complicated process of Social Security, Medicare and the Veterans Administration. For more information, e-mail Peter Butts at peter.butts@mail.house.gov or call him at 770-987-2291.

MAN OF PEACE – On Sunday, August 28, 2011, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take his rightful place in the pantheon of American heroes. With the dedication of the MLK Memorial on our National Mall, which stands between the monuments to Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King will occupy the same hallowed ground as these esteemed Presidents. On the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s historic “I Have A Dream speech,” the dedication will help bring Dr. King’s noble words and dreams to life: That equality and justice is there for all Americans – black, white, young, old, rich, poor, man and woman. To take a virtual tour or for more information, click HERE.

PEACE PLAN – While many of us have benefitted from the groundbreaking non-violent movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, today it is often relegated to history books or remembered as only as a distant memory.

But now thanks to Metropolitan Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership (MAVPP), a 21st Century Nonviolence Movement, they have proposed the Peace Plan ¬¬-- a three-part approach that uses science and innovation to promote peace.  To support the Peace Plan or to learn more, click HERE.

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Please help get the word out about the jobs fair on Aug. 18. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.

Thanks,

Hank
 

Congressman Johnson offers two bills to fight bias against unemployed in job ads that ‘is un-American, it’s unfair and should not be legal in America’

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) appeared on CBS’ national program ‘The Early Show’ today for a piece on discrimination against unemployed Americans in jobs postings and hiring practices.

To watch the video, click HERE.

“This is un-American, it's unfair and it should not be legal in America to do that,” Johnson told The Early Show.

Rep. Johnson has introduced two bills combating discrimination against the unemployed. The Fair Employment Act of 2011, which was introduced in March, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect against discrimination on the basis of unemployment status.

More recently Rep. Johnson, along with his colleague Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), introduced The Fair Employment Opportunity Act, which would fine employers and employment agencies who discriminate against unemployed job-seekers by refusing to consider them for employment.

A recent survey, conducted by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), of four of the top job search Web sites, CareerBuilder.com, Indeed.com, Monster.com, and CraigsList.com, found more than 150 job advertisements that specified applicants must be currently employed. And the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows there are 4.7 unemployed workers for every 1 job opening.

Some advertisements stated that applicants “must be currently employed” or stipulated that “no unemployed candidates will be considered at all.” Some ads read, “No layoff candidates considered.”

“Discrimination against the unemployed – especially the long-term unemployed – in job ads and hiring practices flies in the face of what we stand for as a nation: Equal opportunity for all,” said Johnson. “The Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011 will help us level the playing field and get people back to work.”

For more on Rep. Johnson and his work to fight discrimination against the unemployed, visit the Huffington Post:

March 16, 2011: New Bill Would Ban Discrimination Against The Jobless: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would add unemployed people to that list of protected groups.

July 12, 2011: Employers Still Ruling Out Jobless Applicants: Report -- In order to even out the playing field in the job market, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) have introduced the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011, which makes it illegal to discriminate against the jobless in a job advertisement or otherwise.

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“For responsible stateswomen and statesmen, default is not an option, but we missed an opportunity to strike a grand bargain.

Now that the Tea Party Republicans have taken their ransom from the American people – and left millionaires, billionaires and Big Oil unscathed – we must focus on creating jobs.

President Obama turned a bad deal into one I could reluctantly support. Initial cuts spare Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security beneficiaries, and a second round allows a balanced approach, including closing special interest tax loopholes. With another vote on the debt ceiling postponed until after the 2012 elections, we have prevented another Republicans default debacle.

Let history show that the ideologues who held America hostage abandoned their responsibility to govern and dealt in the lowest politics while President Obama rose to the challenge under the most difficult circumstances.”

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