EC from DC - June 28, 2013

CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER WELCOMES AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TO TOWN

On Saturday, June 29th, I am joining Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for a Town Hall – and would like to invite you to come. We will be discussing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and how it benefits families, individuals, veterans, small businesses, and others. If you'd like to attend, or for more information, please visit my website.

THE LATEST ON COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

As you know, last week I joined Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in Kansas City to discuss the critical need for comprehensive immigration reform. This month has been a big one. The Senate has moved the country another step closer for millions willing to work for a path to citizenship with the passage of the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act". That passed by a vote of 68-32.

Now, it is the House's turn to act, and I will work for a bipartisan agreement on this issue. We need commonsense reform. Reform that will secure our borders, as well as keep families together, protect workers, and allow millions of immigrants to come out of the shadows and work toward citizenship.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING – AND WE NEED IT!

I was thrilled to meet with 10th grader Hunter Sanders in my office in DC this week. She is a smart and talented young woman, who is visiting the nation's capital to learn more about current events and the political process. She is a part of the National Young Leaders Conference, challenging young leaders to examine problem solving with creative solutions. And yes, we here in Washington DC could use a lot of that!

STAYING SAFE IN THE SUMMER

Summer is one of my favorites times of the year. But keeping our kids, and ourselves, safe in the fun and sun can be a little tricky sometimes. Below are some tips that I hope will help you and your family make the most of this season.

• Avoid Heatstroke: Children are especially sensitive to higher temperatures. Infants and kids under the age of four are at the greatest risk for heat-related illness. They should never be left unattended in a car.
• Exercise: It's a great time to enjoy the beautiful days. Remember to have kids wear helmets while biking, something we adults should do as well. And time outside in the heat should be regulated.
• Hot Houses: It is essential for everyone to have a place where they can cool down. Especially young people and the elderly. If the home is not such a place, our communities offer several opportunities for cooling centers, donated fans, and the like.
• Summer Driving: There are many teenagers on the roads learning how to drive during the summer months. Adults can be extremely helpful by accompanying their teen drivers, modeling safe driving, and looking for creative ways to encourage it.
• Avoiding Dangerous bugs: This is the time we can encounter many bugs carrying diseases like the West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. Insect repellents can help, as can a conversation with your doctor or your children's pediatrician, on best ways to stay healthy.
• Swimming Pools/Lakes: It is fun to get out of the house and into the water on these hot days. Did you know about 5,000 children are hospitalized each year due to water-related accidents? Always keep a close eye on children when they are in or around water, even if they are good swimmers.

CIVILITY CORNER

The following story has become a favorite of preachers. I have used it many times and will do so in this missive:

• The story is told of a terrible traffic accident. Police officers were called to the scene and when they arrived they found a husband, wife, and two children lying unconscious in the car. They pulled them from the car, and as they waited for the paramedics to arrive they noticed a monkey in the car also. Seeing that the monkey was the only witness to the accident who was conscious, the officers decided to question him about the accident. Turning to the monkey they asked, "What was the dad doing at the time of the accident?" The monkey motioned, indicating that the dad had been drinking.

The officers next asked what the mother had been doing at the time of the accident. The monkey took his finger and shook it angrily at the unconscious man. The officers then asked what the children had been doing. The monkey this time indicated by hand gestures that the children had been fighting in the back seat. The officers said, "Well, no wonder there was an accident with all of that going on in the car." As they turned to leave, almost as a parting thought they asked, "By the way, what were you doing at the time of the accident?" To which the monkey signed that he had been the one driving.

The point is that it matters who is behind the wheel. The people of this nation have elected us to drive the government and lead the nation.

Our nation is in the throes of a piercing partitionment based of political postulates. We, the elected drivers, must set the standards by which the citizens of this great nation treat and communicate with those whom they disagree.