Rep. Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for February 6, 2014

Dear Friends,

I want to thank the National Association of Chinese-Americans (NACA), Georgia Perimeter College, Oakhurst Medical Center, Four Corners Primary Care and everyone who participated in the Affordable Healthcare Act information event in Clarkston on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Attendees enjoyed one-one-one attention with navigators, and we got several people signed up for health care who do not receive insurance through their job, Medicare, Medicaid or the Veterans Administration. We’ll keep working to ensure that constituents understand what the health care law means to them.

I also want you to be aware of the Clarkston Day of Action on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Clarkston Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where Get Covered America, Georgia Refugee Health & Mental Health, and licensed navigators will provide critical information on enrollment options available during open enrollment that ends March 31.

50+ JOB FAIR: My office is pleased to be working with the AARP Foundation to hold a 50+ job fair at the Lou Walker Senior Center on Thursday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll be helping job seekers find work, understand healthcare options, housing and financial strategies, resume writing and teaching social media skills. The Lou Walker Senior Center is at 2538 Panola Road Lithonia 30058. Please dress for success and bring plenty of resumes. Registration is required. To register, click HERE.

RANKING MEMBER: I’m pleased to report that I have been named ranking member of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. As the former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, I have long supported competition, consumer welfare, and workers’ rights. I look forward to continuing my work on these issues as ranking member of the Regulatory Reform, Commercial & Antitrust Law Subcommittee. For more, click HERE.

HELPING THE UNEMPLOYED: Last week, Rep Rosa DeLauro (CT) and I (along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut in the Senate) introduced the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2014, which would prohibit employers and employment agencies from discriminating against unemployed job-seekers by refusing to consider them for employment. For more, click HERE.

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS: On Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre Hall A, the Department of Treasury (with their partners at HOPE NOW and HUD) will be traveling to Atlanta for a “Help for Homeowners” Community Event. This event will provide struggling homeowners an opportunity to meet one-on-one with HUD-approved housing counselors and their mortgage servicers to craft solutions that meet their particular needs. For more, click HERE.

PROTECTING YOUR CREDIT/ID: With all the news lately of data breaches at retail stores, I want you to be aware of steps we can all take to protect our credit and debit card data. The theft of this data impacts tens of millions of consumers. I want you to take power into your own hands to prevent this from happening to you – or if your information was part of the breach – how you can protect yourself from any repercussions. For more, click HERE.

PROTECTING VETERANS: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is also joining the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education, and Justice, as well as the Federal Trade Commission, in announcing a new online student complaint system where service members, veterans, and their families can report negative experiences at education institutions and training programs administering the Post-9/11 GI Bill, DoD Military Tuition Assistance, and other military-related education benefit programs. For more, click HERE.

GALEO’S CESAR CHAVEZ ESSAY CONTEST: The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials is proud to announce the 2014 Cesar Chavez Essay Contest. The goal is to increase awareness of the continual plight of farm workers and their contributions to America while honoring civil rights legend Cesar Chavez. He remains one of the foremost Latino leaders in American history. His birthday is recognized as a state holiday in California, Colorado and Texas, and GALEO supports the movement to create a national holiday in honor of Chavez. All high school students and adults in Georgia are eligible. For more information, click HERE. Essay are due by March 7.

SPEAKING AT EBENEZER: I was honored to speak at the Dr. King service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 20 and then attend the DeKalb NAACP King Parade & Rally later that morning. We honor Dr. King with a national day of service. It is truly a “day on, not a day off.” To view the Ebenezer speech, click the image on the left or click HERE.

TAX TIME: As tax season begins, I want you to know about a resource that can be very helpful – MyFreeTaxes. MyFreeTaxes provides free federal and state tax preparation and filing assistance – both online and in person – to eligible households earning less than $58,000 or less last year. Through MyFreeTaxes.com, people can also connect with in-person assistance at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in our community. For more, click HERE.

NATIONAL PARKS: I want to congratulate the City of Porterdale in Newton County for receiving a National Park Service technical assistance grant that is helping build a trail network to connect Yellow River Park to the community. The project promotes healthy lifestyles, environmental education, and awareness leading to the protection of natural resources as well economic development. For more, click HERE. The National Park Foundation is also accepting applications from the National Park Service and their local community partners for grants dealing with active trails, parks stewards and America’s Best Idea. For more on these grants, click HERE.

ARABIA MOUNTAIN HERITAGE AREA EVENTS: Speaking of parks, the 2nd annual Monadnock Madness is coming in March. This is your chance to get up close and personal with Arabia, Panola, and Stone Mountains. To see all of their hikes, fun classes, and field trips, click HERE. Motivated hikers can hike all three mountains in one day during their Triple Hike Challenge. They even have a souvenir for everyone who visits all three parks in March. For Black History Month, check out their presentation Frederick Douglass: Liberated Life and Turbulent Times.

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.