EC From DC - June 15, 2012

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I had the wonderful opportunity this week to join Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki at Kansas City's VA. We visited with doctors, staff and patients, and toured the Cochlear Implant Clinic. They are performing extraordinary procedures there to restore hearing to veterans injured while serving our country.

I was honored to meet David Connor and his wife, Donna (pictured above). David's hearing was damaged during the Vietnam War, even though he wore hearing protection that was available at the time. His hearing loss continued to progress over the years, and in August of last year he was the first patient at KCVA to receive a cochlear implant. The surgery is considered a huge success and David's hearing is restored. Since that time there have been 14 others that have undergone the procedure.

The Secretary and I also discussed issues concerning veterans, including the federal budget and what is happening locally to make sure all veterans get the services they need and so richly deserve. In the Kansas City area, I have worked very hard to make sure there are facilities and funding available to support veterans with healthcare, employment and educational challenges.

Putting an end to veteran homelessness is one of my top priorities. It seems to be the most apparent indicator that there are still gaps in the existing healthcare system.

I look forward to continuing to work on all issues concerning veterans, from employment and healthcare to increasing opportunities and funding. I believe it is the best way to show our appreciation to those who have sacrificed greatly to defend, protect and serve our country.

We hear a lot these days, and rightfully so, about the lack of progress and cooperation in Washington. But Kansas City companies are continuing to lead the way in showing just the opposite. I was honored to celebrate this week with Posty Cards as they officially opened their newly expanded and renovated building. Because of how that expansion and renovation was designed and carried out, the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Posty Cards with LEED Platinum certification.

This certification makes Posty Cards the first Platinum industrial building in the state – and one of only seven nationwide. Posty is a privately-owned company and by far the smallest company with this distinction.

They were already a leader in the industry of business-to-business greeting cards and now Posty is also leading the way in showing their commitment to protecting and preserving the environment.

The company was able to get assistance from the Federal government in the form of rebates, incentives and tax credits. I believe that highlights the positive role government can play to help create and sustain jobs, assist small business and continue economic growth.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gives building owners a guide for measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Posty is a family-owned business that has been operating for many decades in Kansas City.

Caseworkers for my office got the chance to help several constituents this week when our Mobile Office stopped at the South Independence Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library. Veteran benefits, problems with mortgage and Social Security concerns topped the list this week as topics that area residents needed help with as they tried to navigate through red tape and bureaucracy. Next week my Mobile Office will be at the Red Bridge Branch of the library at 11140 Locust in Kansas City.

If you'd like more information about the Mobile Office or would like to request a visit: ‪ /

Improvements, job opportunities and positive changes continue within Kansas City's Green Impact Zone. Below are a few quick highlights from the past week:

• Youth Programs underway through the NEXUS program and the Blue Hills neighborhood association.

• Outreach underway throughout the Zone to educate residents about housing and job opportunities, as well as weatherization to reduce future utility costs.

• Manheim Park Association, with Neighborhood Housing Services, held "Neighborweek" with many events including clean-up and educational opportunities for residents.

• Saturday, June 16th, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – the 11th Annual Ivanhoe Park Celebration and Family Day – theme is "Hope, Heritage, History" – event is free and public invited. (this is located at 43rd Street and Brooklyn Avenue – there will be food, prizes, activities for kids and families, basketball tournaments, art projects, giant inflatables and entertainment)

For more information or to get involved, contact Yolanda Young at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council at 816-921-6611.

I would like to congratulate Kansas City's Candice Price from Urban American Outdoors for recently being named by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as a member of an advisory committee. Price will represent youth by providing recommendations on the new U.S. Forest Service Planning Rule.

Price will join others from around the country to offer unique perspectives for protecting forests, water, and wildlife, while keeping a focus on protecting the economies of rural communities.

Please visit the agency's planning rule website for more information about the committee, the new planning rule, and upcoming opportunities for public engagement.

If you have a budding chef at home – this opportunity may be perfect. First Lady Michelle Obama has announced a Healthy Lunchtime Challenge for parents of kids ages 8-12 to submit an original, healthy lunch recipe. A winning child and their parent or legal guardian will be invited from each state and territory to go to the White House. There they will participate in a Kid's "State Dinner". The winning recipes will be served. The deadline for entries is June 17th – so please hurry. Winners will be announced in August.

For all of the details: https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/kids-state-dinner

Each of the two political parties represented in the U.S. House has political principles to which they are scrupulously connected. That is a good thing. It means that members of the House, noble-minded men and women, have upright reasons to support or oppose legislation. While these principles drive us in a particular political direction, ideology and belief are not always incontestable guides. So, how do we determine what is right? The conscience, I believe, is the most sacred part of our somebodiness. Given that ideology cannot, like a compass finding its true north, direct us toward that which is one hundred percent moral, we must rely on the conscience, logic, the art of disputations, and that which is good in order to plot our general political course.

It is normal and unavoidable in a 435 member governing body, for the two political caucuses to have different positions on many political questions. We are guided differently. My philosophy is to take this sometimes uncomfortable reality into account whenever I don't quite understand the reasoning for a certain vote by the other side. I decided some time ago that I would not cry or become indignant nor be malicious or crudely judgmental. I remind myself over and over again that our consciences are not synchronized. It is in the performance of our duties as the governing board of this great republic that we must remember: we are not enemies, but colleagues seeking to do what feels right and in the best interest of the citizens we serve.