October 2011 Archives

NELP, USAction entregaron 250.000 firmas de apoyo a las peticiones

WASHINGTON, DC-  A los Representantes Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) y Hank Johnson (GA-4), y el Senador Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) se les unieron hoy la Ley del Proyecto Nacional de Empleo (NELP por sus siglas en Inglés) y USAction para urgir apoyo a la Ley de Oportunidades de Empleo Justo.

La Ley de Oportunidades de Empleo Justo se refiere a la reciente tendencia de las empresas a discriminar a quienes están desempleados al negarles la oportunidad de ser considerados para empleos. Muchos anuncios de empleo dicen "los candidatos deben estar empleados actualmente," eliminando oportunidades de empleo para al menos 16 millones de estadounidenses. Afectando especialmente a mujeres, minorías, veteranos y personas mayores. La Ley Americana de Empleo, presentada la semana pasada por el Presidente Obama, incluye esta legislación.

Recogidas por acción USAction, Change.org, ColorofChange.org y CREDO, 250.000 firmas para la petición fueron entregadas al Capitolio hoy. Las firmas, recogidas entre julio y septiembre, expresan indignación frente a la discriminación contra los trabajadores desempleados, y hace un llamado a sitios web de listas de empleo como Monster.com y Careerbuilder.com para dejar de publicar anuncios que discriminen a personas desempleadas.

"En la difícil economía de hoy, ya es bastante complicado para los trabajadores que han perdido sus puestos de trabajo volver a ponerse en pie y encontrar un empleo nuevo. Y, sin embargo, las empresas han comenzado a exigir un empleo actual para ser considerado para posiciones disponibles. Estas acciones eliminan oportunidades de empleo, y son injustas y desleales ", dijo la congresista DeLauro. "La Ley de Oportunidades de Empleo Justo lucha contra estas prácticas discriminatorias, y ayudará a asegurar que todos los estadounidenses, independientemente de su situación laboral, tengan las mismas oportunidades de empleo."

"La discriminación contra los desempleados- especialmente quienes han estado desempleados por largo tiempo - en los anuncios de trabajo y las prácticas de contratación van en contra de lo que representamos como nación: La igualdad de oportunidades para todos", dijo el congresista Hank Johnson. "Tengo esperanzas de que esto pueda ser un esfuerzo bipartidista, porque el desempleo afecta a todos. Estoy orgulloso de trabajar con mis colegas del Congreso y el presidente Obama para poner fin a esta injusticia”.

El senador Blumenthal, dijo, "las prácticas de contratación abusivas que desalientan o prohíben solicitantes desempleados a puestos de trabajo son inaceptables y la antítesis para un crecimiento económico. Esta importante legislación explícitamente prohíbe a los empleadores la contratación discriminatoria y garantiza la equidad básica en el llenado de las vacantes. Estos buscadores de trabajo son estadounidenses de la clase media  a quienes les ha faltado el empleo, pero no el coraje o la determinación de apoyar a sus familias.”

"Negar a desempleados oportunidades de trabajo no es una manera de reconstruir una economía – es como transformar el mercado de trabajo en un gigantesco juego de sillas musicales en los que sólo aquellos que ya están empleados puede jugar. Aplaudimos a estos miembros del Congreso, al Presidente Obama, y todos los que están luchando para poner fin a prácticas de contratación discriminatorias que impiden la economía y dañan a millones de estadounidenses en búsqueda de empleo ", dijo Christine Owens, directora ejecutiva de la Ley del Proyecto Nacional de Empleo (NELP por sus siglas en inglés)

"Terminar con la discriminación en la contratación es una cuestión de hacer lo correcto", dijo el presidente William McNary USAction. "Es el primer paso para arreglar nuestra economía y hacer a Estados Unidos un todo otra vez. Pero tenemos que ir más lejos y reconstruir nuestra economía, creando buenos empleos para todos en Estados Unidos. Es por eso que apoyo la Ley de Oportunidades de Empleo Justo - y por eso apoyo la Ley Americana de Empleos”.

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New House Bill Will Boost Middle Class Economy: Market Watch: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) introduced a bill Thursday aimed at directing hundreds of billions of dollars in existing federal infrastructure spending to the nation's middle class.

DECATUR, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement today after the release of Israeli Army Sergeant Gilad Shalit:

“This day has been a long time coming. Like so many young people, Sergeant Shalit signed up to serve his country and defend his people. He has been through hell, he has displayed tremendous courage and resolve, and I welcome word of his release.”

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Dear Friends,

While Hurricane Irene may have postponed the original dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on August 28, this weekend – on Sunday, Oct. 16, 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.

In fact, it’s the first and only monument on The Mall not created for a president or recognizing a war.

As we gather Sunday, I hope everyone takes time to reflect that Dr. King gave his life in the struggle against prejudice, hatred and intolerance. And while we have made great progress, we still have much to learn. If we hope to achieve the full dream, we must all live by Dr. King’s principles of peace, nonviolence and equality. I know some folks from Atlanta are headed to Washington for the ceremony – I hope to see you there! To take a virtual tour of the monument, click HERE.

FIGHTING FOR JOBS – According to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, President Obama’s American Jobs Act, both the specific job growth proposals as well as taxing the wealthy to pay for it, remains popular with Americans. In fact, 63 percent say they favor the bill, which includes a payroll tax cut for workers, funding for new road construction and infrastructure projects and extending unemployment benefits. 

What’s more, 64 percent of respondents agree with the statement that it is a ‘good idea’ to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations to pay for it because they should pay their fair share. What’s your take on this? To respond, click HERE.

HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES – With Georgia’s small businesses in mind, I introduced the “Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act of 2011” (FTCA) this week.

The bill will ensure that federal small business contracts go to genuine small businesses instead of subsidiaries of large companies. The FTCA is a direct result of more than 15 investigations that exposed widespread abuses in the federal small business contracting programs. For more, click HERE.

MILITARY RETIREE PAY CHANGES – Paydays for military retirees and those who receive portions of retired pay changed for September and will change for December, as the pay schedules comply with the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. For more, click HERE.

 This year, the payment normally scheduled for Oct. was issued Sept. 30, and the payment normally scheduled for Jan. 3, 2012, will be issued Dec. 30.

WORKING TO END VET HOMELESSNESS – As part of its push to end veteran homelessness by 2015, Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching its “Make the Call” initiative in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 29. Veterans and their families should never worry about finding themselves on the streets or living without care. It’s part of a $3.4 billion effort to provide health care to homeless veterans and $800 million in housing programs. The VA is encouraging family friends and citizens to “Make the Call” and help prevent and end homelessness among veterans. The number – staffed around the clock – is 877-4AID-VET or 877-424-3838. For more information, click HERE.

ACCESS TO AIDS-RELATED CARE – Congratulations to Global Evaluation and Applied Research Solutions (GEARS), which earned a $2.9 million federal contract under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. GEARS will provide technical assistance to organizations that provide cost-effective and improved access to AIDS-related health care for historically underserved populations. For more, click HERE.

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST UNEMPLOYED – This year, I’ve introduced the Fair Employment Act of 2011 and –with Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) – the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011 (FEOA) – both of which would prohibit employers from discriminating against unemployed job seekers by refusing to consider them for job openings. It would make it illegal for employers to include any job postings that unemployed persons will not be considered or hired.

I’ve also launched The Fair Employment Project on my Web site that seeks feedback on your job searches and whether you feel like you weren’t hired for a job because you were unemployed. As responses come in, it will also be a conduit to share job search and interview tips for people still looking for work.

Your experiences will also help me fight for our legislation in Washington. If you’ve been out of work for six months or more any time during the Great Recession that began back in 2007, I want to hear your story.  To join the project, click HERE.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging people with Medicare and their families to begin reviewing drug and health plan coverage options for 2012 to take advantage of the increased benefits, improved choices, and lower costs that are available.  The Medicare Open Enrollment Period – which begins earlier this year on Saturday, October 15 – has been expanded to last seven weeks and will end on December 7. This will give seniors more time to compare and find the best plan that meets their unique needs. For more, click HERE.

FALL FESTIVALS & OTHER LOCAL EVENTS – The 31st Annual Olde Town Fall Festival in Conyers is Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more, click HERE. Conyers City Police are also conducting a satisfaction survey to get feedback from the public. To fill it out, click HERE.

 Avondale Estates is holding its AutumnFest on Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Clarkston will cut the ribbon on the Milam Park Swim Facility on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m., 3867 Norman Road.

 Norcross is holding its last Whistle Stop Farmer’s Market of the season on Tuesday, October 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Thrasher Park.

 Tucker is celebrating the completion of its streetscape project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 on Main Street between LaVista Road and Lawrenceville Highway. Congrats Tucker!

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Please help spread the word on the Fair Employment Project. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.

Thanks,

Fairness and Transparency 112th.pdf

Congressman: Bill will level playing field for small, local and minority-owned businesses

 WASHINGTON – With Georgia’s small businesses in mind, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today introduced “The Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act of 2011.”

The bill will ensure that federal small business contracts go to genuine small businesses instead of subsidiaries of large companies. “The Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act” is a direct result of more than 15 investigations that exposed widespread abuses in the federal small business contracting programs.

The Small Business Administration Inspector General found in 2002 that at least 4.4 percent of 1,000 contractors awarded federal funds designated for small businesses did not meet basic requirements to receive those contracts. 

To correct this, “The Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act” would modify the definition of a small business in the Small Business Act by including the additional requirement that no publicly traded company can qualify as a small business. It also allows a person to file a complaint if they have evidence that a small business contract was improperly awarded.

“Large companies need to stop masquerading as small businesses to get government contracts,” said Johnson. “Especially given how many small businesses are struggling in this economy, my bill will go a long way in helping stop this abuse.”

If passed, the bill would require the SBA to submit to Congress an annual report detailing the nature of the complaints and the resolution.

Small businesses are the foundation of the nation’s economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, businesses with 20 employees or less make up 90 percent of all U.S. firms and those firms are responsible for 97 percent of net new jobs.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, which supports the bill, was pleased Johnson introduced “The Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act.”

“Our small businesses need a level playing field,” said Chamber President Leonardo McClarty. “Congressman Johnson’s bill will close loopholes and make it more equitable so small businesses can compete for billions of dollars in federal contracts.” 

California-based American Small Business League President Lloyd Chapman lauded Johnson’s efforts.

“Every small business in America owes Congressman Johnson a debt of gratitude for re-introducing this bill,” said Chapman. “Small businesses create more than 97 percent of all net new jobs, and this bill will do more to help those firms than any stimulus plan proposed so far. It will help small businesses create millions of jobs and provide a dramatic boost to the middle class.”

Notification and reporting requirements include:

● Notification for government agencies and contractors of changes in the bill
● Requires SBA to make public which companies are receiving small business contracts
● Requires each federal agency to report on their Web site a list companies receiving small business contracts from that agency.
● Requires that the agency responsible for maintaining the database of all federal contractors provide an adequate warning about the penalties for misrepresenting that status of a business concern or person in order to obtain certain federal contracts

Among the organizations supporting the bill are the Minority Business Round Table, The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California DVBE Alliance, California Small Business Association, The New Mexico 8a & Minority Business Association, Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Black Chamber of Commerce, The Asian American Business Roundtable, Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, among dozens of other groups.

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| Read the bill |

As seen in The Hill newspaper Oct. 11, 2011, edition. Read the piece in its entirety.

Taiwan and Mainland China have transitioned from collision to convergence.  What’s next?

By Congressman Hank Johnson & Jonathan Ossoff

We had the opportunity to meet with Taiwan’s president in Taipei last week. We found a cross-strait relationship that has been fundamentally transformed and a partner still eager to purchase advanced warplanes from the United States.

The Taiwan Strait remains one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flash points, where a showdown risks conflict between the United States and China, two nuclear powers.

Jobless discrimination targeted, CrossRoadsNews: U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson of Georgia and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut have called for a hearing on the Fair Employment Opportunity Act that would ban hiring discrimination against the jobless.
 

Rep. Hank Johnson Gets Seat on Intellectual Property House Subcommittee, StoneMountain-Redan Patch: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-district 4) announced in a press release Thursday that he has secured a seat on the House Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today announced that he secured a coveted seat on the influential House Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet.

A member of two other Judiciary subcommittees – Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law and Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security – Congressman Johnson’s new seat on the Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet will equip him to even more effectively serve the needs of the Fourth Congressional District, Georgia, local governments and businesses.

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over copyright, patent, trademark law, information technology and antitrust matters.

A former judge and defense attorney, Johnson has served on Judiciary since 2007, and worked to champion consumer and employee rights.

“In light of so many Georgians struggling with the economic downturn, consumer interests should remain our top priority,” said Johnson.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help foster innovation and job creation through fair and equitable copyright and intellectual property law. As a longstanding consumer advocate, I will also be focused on whether mergers will lead to increased choices and lower prices for consumers. Georgia is home to a burgeoning tech sector, and I look forward to helping Georgia’s and the nation’s businesses grow.” 

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Send letter to chair of the Committee Education and the Workforce to consider their Fair Employment Opportunity Act

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-4) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) called for a hearing in the Committee on Education and the Workforce on the Fair Employment Opportunity Act (FEOA).

The FEOA would make the recent trend in companies discriminating against the unemployed by refusing to consider them for job openings illegal. Many companies have begun to require current employment in order to be considered for an available position, and these discriminatory practices are eliminating employment opportunities.

Since the introduction of the Fair Employment Opportunity Act, indeem.com, one of the largest online employment websites, has eliminated any language stating that a job candidate must be employed to be considered for a job.

President Obama’s American Jobs Act also includes this legislation.

“With the national unemployment rate currently standing at 9.2 percent and hovering there for over 2 years, we must do everything in our power to ensure that the 6 million Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months have a fair chance at employment,” the letter states.

“In an economy in which unemployed workers are competing with tens and sometimes hundreds of others for every available job opening, it is unjust to impair reemployment by allowing employers to disregard a candidate because the worker is unemployed.” 

To view the letter, click HERE.

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FEOA_hearing.pdf

New York Times: Since Republicans won control of many statehouses last November, more than a dozen states have passed laws requiring voters to show photo identification at polls, cutting back early voting periods or imposing new restrictions on voter registration drives.