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Last week, I signed onto a very important piece of legislation. H.R. 2821, the American Jobs Act, introduced by my colleague, Rep. Frederica Wilson, would do so much to strengthen and grow our economy and put Americans back to work.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri, working in conjunction with local and federal law enforcement, has filed criminal charges against Eric G. King, alleging that King violated Title 18, United States Code Section 111. King was arrested by the Kansas City Police Department in connection with a separate incident.
"As has been reported, early this morning, a window was broken at Congressman Cleaver's Kansas City, Missouri office when an individual attempted to throw an item or items at the building," stated John Jones, Chief of Staff to Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II. "This is the second incident within the last three years. The Kansas City Police have completed their initial survey of the scene and we await their report. None of the staff was in the building, and because Congress is in session, Congressman Cleaver is in Washington, D.C.
It has slipped from the headlines.
It is a political hot potato.
But it is something I simply could not get out of my mind.
Children, some as young as my own grandchildren, enduring what I call the "Trail of Fears", as they cross the border from Mexico into the United States.
In an unprecedented effort, Congressman Cleaver will lead an intra-parliamentary delegation from the United States and Mexico to our nation's Southern border. This fact-finding, cooperative effort will include an operational briefing from on-site officials, a tour of an HHS facility for children, and a first of its kind discussion between the two groups about the dangerous, humanitarian crisis.
Representative Cleaver will be joined by Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Rep. Mike Honda.
NOTE: The following is a first-person statement from Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D) Missouri and Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri.
"We are pleased to report that we had a productive, expansive and very encouraging meeting with Secretary Hagel this evening regarding our urgent concerns about the militarization of local law enforcement agencies through the distribution of surplus Department of Defense equipment via the 1033 Program. We have asked the Secretary to review the program and to respond with his recommendations quickly.
"The community of Ferguson, Missouri is calling for answers over the death of Michael Brown," stated Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II. "I join the call, and I too am deeply disturbed by all I have seen and heard. I join my colleagues, Chairwoman Fudge, Representative Conyers, and Representative Clay in calling for a full federal investigation. Ferguson deserves better, and the rights of our citizens and of our free press shall not be denied. I await the results of the ongoing investigation over Mr. Brown's death. I will pray for peace in Ferguson. And I will work for justice."