Rep. Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for Friday, Aug. 30, 2013

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe the summer is nearly over, kids are back at school and fall is around the corner. It’s been a busy August so let’s jump right in.

HONORING A HERO: On Sunday, Aug. 25, I presented DeKalb County resident Antoinette Tuff with a Congressional proclamation at her church – The Way, The Truth and Life Christian Center on Miller Road in Decatur. On August 20, Ms. Tuff helped diffuse an incredibly dangerous situation at McNair Discovery Learning Center in DeKalb County when a man invaded the school carrying an AK-47 rifle and 500 rounds of ammunition.

Ms. Tuff, who was working in the front office, connected with the troubled gunman on a human level. She kept him talking, made him feel like he was not totally alone and that his life was not hopeless. In the end after a harrowing encounter where he threatened her with a gun, she calmly engaged him and he finally surrendered without anyone getting hurt. It could very well have become the nation’s next unspeakable tragedy.

It is truly remarkable that the cool, calm and fast-thinking Ms. Tuff may very well have saved our community and the nation from yet another unspeakable national tragedy involving innocent children.

To read about it in CrossRoadsNews, click HERE.

SNELLVILLE SENIORS: I’m holding a Meet & Greet for senior citizens and adults at Snellville City Hall at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078 on Monday, Sept. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will help seniors navigate through the often confusing and complicated process of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, IRS and the Veterans Administration.

Officials from each department will be on hand to assist seniors. More than 100 seniors have attended our previous senior meetings in DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. Helping constituents, especially our seniors, solve seemingly intractable problems is what my district office does every day. I’m proud that my staff has been able to help so many constituents receive the benefits due them from the federal government. Taking care of home first is my number one priority.

For more information, e-mail my staffer Mr. Peter Butts at peter.butts@mail.house.gov, call him at 770-987-2291 or click HERE.

SAVING CONSTITUENTS’ HOMES: On Saturday, Sept. 28 at Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers and Saturday, October 5 at Salem Bible Church in Lithonia, I’m hosting free foreclosure prevention events in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ HomeSafe Georgia program and certified housing counselor the D&E Group and credit counselors CredAbility.

HomeSafe is designed to provide temporary assistance to Georgia homeowners who have suffered a substantial income loss due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment and who are able and willing to work.

The free events will also provide opportunities for homeowners to meet with counselors to see if they are eligible for a loan modification. For more, click HERE.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH ON WASHINGTON: I attended a White House reception on August 27 and on August 28, President Barack Obama’s address at the Lincoln Memorial in honor of the 50th anniversary of The March on Washington.

President Obama spoke during the “Let Freedom Ring Call to Action” commemoration hosted by the King Center, signaling a nationwide bell-ringing that capped off the week-long celebration.

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. Please have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.