Rep. Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for Thursday, March 7, 2013
Dear friends,
For the past few e-letters, I’ve discussed the drastic across-the-board spending cuts – referred to as the “sequester” or sequestration – that took effect March 1.
If Congress does not address sequestration, American workers will face yet another hurdle to providing for their families and realizing the American dream. This mindless austerity takes a meat-cleaver approach to cutting programs, regardless of the wisdom of doing so or the long-term costs that these cuts would create. Indeed, the only plan that the majority has advanced is one that would not stem job loss, but one that would cut the programs that help the unemployed, the sick, and the poor.
Sequestration threatens to forestall economic recovery, amplifying the effects of the recession on so many Americans. For more on what to expect here in Georgia, read my op-ed that ran in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week.
ROCKDALE STUDENTS: Congratulations to all six outstanding Rockdale County Public School students who have given their time and talents to community service. As finalists for the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families 2013 John K. Morgan Scholarship, all of you should be justifiably proud. I know that I am particularly proud to have such fine students in my district. To play the video message, click the image or HERE.
ROCKDALE RESOURCE SUMMIT: The Rockdale Nonprofit Resource Summit will take place on March 12. They will be sharing valuable information and resources with nonprofit organizations so they can continue to enhance the lives of those we serve. For more, click HERE.
WHAT: Rockdale Nonprofit Resource Summit
WHERE: Rockdale Career Academy: 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers 30094.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, 2013; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VISITING NEWTON: I want to thank Newton County and Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston for inviting me to the 9th annual meeting of the Newton County Leadership Collaborative at the Newton College and Career Academy on Saturday, March 2. I look forward to working with constituents and county leaders to bring their thoughts and concerns to Washington. I also want to thank the Newton County Farm Bureau for their hospitality on Feb. 25 at their 2013 Legislative Appreciation Dinner. It was a privilege to be represented, and I look forward to working with them throughout the 113th Congress.
SNELLVILLE BUSINESSES: The next meeting in the continuing quarterly Snellville Entrepreneur Summit series will be April 23 at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting will focus on strategic positioning. The quarterly seminars focus on the “4 P’s” of business growth: Promoting, Positioning, Producing and Performing. For more, visit Snellville’s website HERE.
SAFE CLIMATE CAUCUS: I decided to join an important caucus on Capitol Hill – the Safe Climate Caucus – to raise environmental awareness in Washington, D.C. and the nation. I’m part of a group of more than 20 members of Congress who will regularly speak from the House floor about the importance of addressing climate change. To view my floor speech, click HERE. For more on the caucus, click HERE.
VOTING RIGHTS ACT: The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. But a county in Alabama is appealing to the Supreme Court, which has upheld the Voting Rights Act four times, to strike down critical Section 5 of the landmark law. While we cannot deny the progress that has been made, we cannot let that progress blind us to ongoing efforts to suppress voters. I wrote a column on this issue in today’s AJC. To read the article, click HERE.
AMERICORPS WEEK: Every day, AmeriCorps members across the country are making a powerful difference in their communities. AmeriCorps Week 2013 will take place from Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17. There are several ways residents can participate in AmeriCorps Week and recognize how AmeriCorps works in your community. For more, click HERE.
OBAMACARES: When key parts of the health care law take effect in 2014, there’ll be a new way for individuals, families and small businesses to get health insurance.
Whether you’re uninsured, or just want to explore new options, the Marketplace will give you more choice and control over your health insurance options. For more, click HERE.
WHITE HOUSE TOURS: Due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration, the White House has announced that all tours will be cancelled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013, until further notice. As a result, our office will not be accepting White House tour requests at this time. For updates regarding this situation, please contact the White House visitors office 24-hour hotline at (202) 456-7041.
IRS: The Internal Revenue Service said it finally is ready to start processing all individual and business taxpayers’ returns. Monday’s announcement marks the end of the tax-season filing delays that resulted from the fiscal-cliff deal struck between lawmakers and President Barack Obama at the end of last year. For more, click HERE.
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is committed to advancing the Hispanic Community’s Diversity of Thought, and they recognize the importance of a strong educational foundation in order to do so. That is why CHLI has partnered with Dartmouth College to offer students the opportunity to participate in the Tuck Business Bridge Program. To apply or for more information, click HERE.
DEKALB POLICE ONLINE SURVEY: The DeKalb County Police Department has put a survey on their website to get critical feedback from businesses and residents. Your voice matters. To participate, click HERE.
FEDERAL GRANTS: Federal grants to help reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, gun violence, dating violence and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence are now available and on my website. For a look at these and other grants available through the Georgia Center for Youth & Families, click HERE.
POLLY MERIWETHER LEWIS: We lost a community champion in DeKalb County last Friday when Polly Meriwether Lewis lost her struggle to cancer. Polly was always working – mostly behind the scenes – to make DeKalb a better place to live. Polly will be greatly missed. I will be attending her service today at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur. For more on Polly Meriwether Lewis, click HERE.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
