EC from DC - April 24, 2013

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It used to be a place where world renowned, retired jazz artists lived. Now, it is a newly renovated, turn-key apartment complex. Renovation of the Rochester Hotel is now complete and houses 12 units, with a new stair and elevator tower and a small lounge area in the main entrance. We gathered recently to celebrate this historic opening.

The building development is now called the Highland Place Apartments and is located in the 1800 block of Highland Avenue. The development is an adaptive reuse of seven historic buildings in the 18th & Vine National Register Historic District Growth, a neighborhood that is so important to the overall economic and historic health of our city.

There are also six, affordable homes across the street from the Rochester Hotel that have recently undergone renovation. The homes are now 10 living units consisting of 2 bedroom, 1 bedroom and studio apartments. The entire development is owned and managed by the Jazz District Redevelopment Corporation and has been rehabilitated according to the Secretary Of the Interior's Historic Rehabilitation Standards.

Earth Day was ushered in in-style this week as USDA Rural Development State Director Janie Dunning announced the approval of a Waste Water Disposal loan to the city. The almost $800,000 loan will be used to improve the city's treatment facility. That effort is a fine example of why we celebrate Earth Day, a day that serves to remind all of us to take the time to think about the natural resources available to us, and the need to protect them. Improvement in the waste water system will help make sure future generations can enjoy the Earth's resources. And it is another step forward in the important and ongoing efforts to invest in, empower, and strengthen our rural communities.

Terrorism. A homemade bomb. Angry men with evil in their hearts. Children taken from this world far, far before their time. No, I am not speaking of the bombing in Boston, though I could be. I am speaking of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, on September 15, in 1963. I am speaking of Addie Mae Collins, of Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley. I am speaking of children of God who, fifty years ago, went to meet Him too soon. These girls had been attending Sunday school classes in Birmingham, Alabama, at the same church that was used as a meeting place for Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy and Fred Shuttlesworth.

I recently got to do one of my favorite things in the entire world – spend time with children. I visited a number of schools throughout Missouri's Fifth District, and will send you updates on those visits in the coming weeks. This week I wanted to share with you some brief highlights of my time at William Southern Elementary School in Independence. As you can see, I got to put on the 'Cat in the Hat' hat, and read "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" -- a true classic. It was a delight to share important secrets like not taking a needle along when you fly in a hot air balloon, and how your face looks when you are down in the dumps. After we finished our books, Ms. Laurie Countryman's class showed me their 17-Step project, one that helps teach kids their place in the world. I was pleased to get the honor of signing their certificates of accomplishment.