EC From DC - April 6, 2012

More signs of growth and recovery in the economy this week as the community celebrated the start of construction on a building that will focus on jobs, training and business development at 5008 Prospect. Certainly there is still much work to do, but projects like this one highlight our move in the right direction and the importance of public-private partnerships like this one. With the assistance of federal and city funding, those at Blue Hills Community Services, along with many others, have worked long and hard to turn this vision into a reality. Partners on this project include Blue Hills and Town Fork Creek neighborhoods, EnergyWorks KC, Greater Kansas City LISC, the Green Impact Zone, the Mid-American Regional Council, Kansas City Power & Light and The Capitol Federal Foundation. The empty building will soon become something very special. In addition to training and development, the 14,168 square-foot building will have meeting and event space for neighborhood groups, business offices for community programs and many other services. Comprehensive green strategies will be integrated and the development will serve as a catalyst for the transformation that is well underway in the Green Impact Zone. Other features will include:

• Minimum LEED Silver standard; Energy Star

• Daylight harvesting

• LED lighting with occupancy sensing controls

• Fresh air circulators for improved indoor air quality

• Energy efficient HVAC

• Certified low VOC products

• Solar panels

• Rain water run-off retention

• Low flow water fixtures

• Light color roofing to reduce urban heat island effect

• Building envelope and duct sealing

• Green space for native landscaping and rain gardens

• Systems will allow us to track and benchmark energy and water consumption data to demonstrate savings achieved relative to a standard code-compliant facility

• Green amenities will create a more efficient life style, environmental awareness, ensure facility's affordability, and reduce local energy consumption.

Prospect 5008 is an important project that will bring jobs, improvements and services to a neighborhood that has worked very hard to make this happen. Completion is expected in November of this year.

To see additional pictures from this event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marckc/7045370957/

I was pleased to visit Richmond, Missouri this week and talk with dozens of area farmers and ranchers about flooding concerns, funding issues and the status of ongoing levee repairs. I was invited to this event by the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association and I asked members of the US Army Corps of Engineers to come and answer questions directly. I think it is vitally important for those most directly impacted by the flooding to get their questions answered and concerns heard. I look forward to returning again soon.

Encouraging kids to do their best is one of the most important things we can do as adults. I got the opportunity recently to read to the students at Ingles Elementary School. These wonderful children are excited and working to do their very best on the Map and Terra Nova tests. We talked about the importance of reading, having a good breakfast every morning and giving it your all.

For more on the Congressman's visit to Ingles Elementary and to watch a video visit:
https://www.facebook.com/HickmanMillsC1SchoolDistrict

I felt like the luckiest person around this past weekend as I was surrounded by young artists displaying their magnificent talents. It was the weekend I look forward to every year – the annual Congressional Art Competition. This year we held it at the downtown library in Kansas City and treated the judges to 127 pieces of art. The contest entrants came from 16 area high schools and continue to wow the crowd each year. This year's winner, Jake Pierce from Paseo Academy, will have his artwork displayed in the US Capitol. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the students who participated – it was a pleasure to see young people using their creativity and talent to create such beauty. To see the smiling faces of the dedicated parents and teachers was itself – a work of art to observe, too.

*Honorable Mention: Rachel Bland, Lee's Summit High School, teacher Manny Williams

*Fifth Place: Aubrey Grooms, Pembroke Hill High School, teacher Connie Creek

*Fourth Place: Brooke Pace, Truman High School, teacher Jean Luzader

*Third Place: Stephanie Meixueiro, Paseo Academy, teacher Paul Lucas

*Second Place: Madeline Amend, Pembroke Hill High School, teacher Connie Creek

*First Place: Jake (Wolfgang) Pierce, Paseo Academy, teacher Pamela Sahl

Many of you have asked what prompted me to start sending the weekly civility messages to other members of the House. They are the ones I share here with you each week. I send the messages because I believe civility matters. I believe words count. And I believe we can dislike an idea without disliking the person who has the idea. To best represent those we are elected to serve – we have to end the acrimony in Washington and treat each other with respect. With civility.

The message below is the first one I sent.

Civility and being civil to each other should be important as we do our work in the House. Occasionally, I would like to share a civility thought with you. This week is my first endeavor. I hope you will reflect on my observations.

Over the past year or so, many TV commentators, clericals, and socio-political examiners have spoken about the fermenting fear among the American people. They fear, as the critique goes, that the economic downturn is permanent and that they and their children will have a lower standard of living than the previous generation.

My response is simply, the United States has nothing to fear, save the collapse of basic civility and human decency; the betrayal of the principles of political compromise; the rot of fact free civic debate; and the perversion of placing partisanship over problem-solving.

Emanuel Cleaver, II Member of Congress