EC From DC - March 23, 2012

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I have frequently written to you about my concerns surrounding last year's flooding, current river conditions and plans for river operations this year. I'd like to let you know about an upcoming meeting that will address these issues. The Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association is sponsoring an event on Monday, April 2nd at 7:30 PM in Richmond. It will be held at the Eagleton Civic Center on the Ray County Fairgrounds. I have asked members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to attend and present a briefing on these issues, as well as be available for questions. I would be honored if you would like to attend.

I was pleased to attend the MO Farm Bureau Breakfast this week on Capitol Hill. I got the opportunity to speak about the need for Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill this year, even amidst the tough financial situation and acrimony in Washington. I am extremely proud that Missouri Congressional Members have a very civil and friendly relationship, perhaps more so than in some other states. I appreciate the kind words from members of the Farm Bureau regarding my ongoing efforts to communicate our concerns to the Department of Labor surrounding several issues, including the ability of youth to work on farms. We also discussed innovative ideas for connecting Missouri farmers with the need for more fresh food availability in cities.

This week was another successful one for the Green Impact Zone – a 150-square block area in the urban core of Kansas City that serves as a national model of place-based investment. After 4 decades of disinvestment, distress and crime – changes, big and small, continue to transform this area into stronger and safer neighborhoods, while creating jobs and improving energy efficiency. Below is a quick roundup of just some of the activities that took place this week:

*job training

*housing opportunities, marketing and real estate education

*Manheim Neighborhood is holding a cleanup on March 24th as part of Taking Back the Neighborhood campaign

*Ivanhoe Neighborhood honoring Alan Young and his family – long time volunteers for the neighborhood

*Blue Hills Neighborhood is working with the prosecutor and police to pass out literature and educate residents about crime fighting programs

*Blue Hills CDC is preparing for April 3rd dedication of 5008 Prospect Development project

Did you know you can use my website, available here, to send me an email? To request a meeting for your group or organization? To request a tour of the White House, or the Capitol? Now you can see photos and videos, upcoming events, the latest press releases and important updates. My staff and I are working to make the site better and more useful for you all the time. Make sure you bookmark / in your browser.

As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month I wanted to let you know about an interesting website. This year, the VA is celebrating women Veterans. The number of women Veterans using VA care has more than doubled since 2000 to more than 337,000 in 2011. "Make their own history" is an effort to honor women Veterans as history makers and encourage women Veterans to take the leadership skills honed in the military, coupled with VA benefits, health care, and resources to do just that … "Make their own history". You can learn more about this year's campaign by visiting:

https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/womenshistory.asp

The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of last year made some significant changes that could benefit employers who hire veterans. Employers at for-profit or tax-exempt companies, who hire a military veteran, may now be eligible to receive thousands of dollars in tax credits. If you'd like more information you can visit: www.irs.gov. In the search box use Work Opportunity Tax Credit or VOW to Hire Heroes Act.

• Nearly 26 million Americans already have diabetes.

• Another 79 million have prediabetes and are at an increased risk for the disease.

• Medical experts say prediabetes means your blood sugar level is higher than normal and is likely to become type 2 diabetes within 10 years without intervention.

The American Diabetes Association is urging everyone to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The organization is having a one-day wake up call on Tuesday, March 27th. They hope members of the public will take a few moments to access their risk. You can find out more at www.stopdiabetes.com.

Long before the widespread use of cell phones, a man had a flat tire on an unlit and seldom traveled country road, on his way to visit his parents in their small Texas town. Frustrated with himself for not checking the tires and for not buying a spare, he began to walk down the winding dark road in search of help. At last, he saw a farmhouse and, thinking they might allow him to use their phone to call AAA, he began walking toward the house. As the stranded man moved closer to the house, he began to wonder what kind of family lived in the farmhouse. "They probably don't like people or they would not live in a secluded place," he thought. He continued to walk and think, "When I knock on the door they will think that I am a highway man, so they won't answer the door." He walked a little further and thought, "Even if they let me in, if the telephone isn't in the front room, they will certainly not trust me to go into another part of the house." Finally, he walked up the porch and he thought, "They will probably lie and tell me that they don't have a phone." The man of this house came up to the door and, before he could say hello, the stranded motorist shouted, "You paranoid country bumpkin, I don't want to use your stinking phone anyway!"

This story speaks to how, in our deeply politically tribal country and rabidly partisan Congress, we sometimes anticipate the worst about those who are of a different political affiliation.

What a waste! How many friendships have been precluded by prejudging a person or a group based on possibly perceived political views? Too many of us prefer to burn bridges before we get to them. Now, Members of Congress do save a considerable amount of time by allowing party affiliation to form opinions of others, instead of taking time getting to know a colleague. But what do we lose?

Civility and cautious judgment of others are the insignia of statesmanship.