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COUNTRY'S MOTTO ‘IN GOD WE TRUST'
As our nation struggles through a dismal economy and so many in Missouri's Fifth District wait in unemployment lines, this week there was a vote on reaffirming our national motto, "In God We Trust". As you may know, I voted no. Obviously, we are a Nation Under God. Not only has this been our motto since 1956, as a life-long minister, I needed no reminding. It is my personal motto as well. My vote on H. Con. Res. 13, a non-binding resolution that carries no force of law, was a stand on principle. This resolution was brought to the Floor at a time when our nation's economy is in deep peril and my focus is on creating jobs, not reaffirming mottos. I believe our mandate is to act on real legislation that can put people back to work right now, keep people in their homes right now and help hard-working folks feed their children – right now. Working hard for you is what I have promised to do and what I will continue to do. And yes – In God We Trust – and In God I Trust.
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
This week, I joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle, by signing a letter urging the Debt Commission's Super Committee to ‘GO BIG' when it comes to deficit reduction. This bipartisan group of 100 Members of Congress in the House of Representatives is sending a simple and straight forward message. We are asking the Super Committee to make cuts that come closer to $4 trillion rather than the $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction required under the Budget Control Act. I assure you that I will continue to support programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. We must not let our seniors or our hard-working citizens fall behind or go without the most basic necessities like prescriptions and healthcare. This is a time to generate confidence and move forward on a bold and balanced approach as we go about creating jobs and revitalizing our economy. I think most of you would agree that we can't let ourselves become paralyzed by partisanship or posturing. We need big ideas and big results. And we need jobs, jobs, jobs. This is about will power, not won't power.
MORE SUCCESS IN GREEN IMPACT ZONE
I am pleased and proud to see the installment of the biggest solar-energy system to date within the Green Impact Zone. It is being built at Paseo Academy of the Arts and will benefit students and teachers as they study and learn about solar energy. It will also help one of our partners in this sustainability effort, KCP&L, keep preparing for the use of more renewable energy. This technology and the information it provides will help modernize the electric grid, allowing families to monitor and reduce their own use while the utility integrates renewable energy and new technology.
You may notice a crane lifting the huge solar panels (6 feet tall and 8 feet wide) into place, as the 100 kilowatt system gets underway. This is all a part of KCP&L's SmartGrid demonstration project, which in turn, is a part of the Green Impact Zone as a whole.
The Green Impact Zone continues to be an example of public and private entities working together. It is a 150-square block area in the urban core of Kansas City. I have often said that this is an area serving as a national model, turning a distressed area into an energy-efficient community. Our focus continues to be on creation of jobs, better housing and safer neighborhoods. And we have seen great strides in all of these areas.
We have heard success story after success story on job training, new job creation, rehabbed homes, demolition of unsafe houses and more pride in neighborhoods. All of these things are aimed at working toward safer communities, higher home values and more energy efficiency.
The kick-off of the Paseo project is one more step in the Green Impact Zone as we work to change our landscape, our environment and our way of thinking.
MISSOURI RIVER HEARING
We have been urging lawmakers for a hearing on Missouri River flooding and this week we got good news. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment has heard us and agreed to hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 30th.
It is time for clear answers when it comes to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision-making process, timelines and changes for the handling of the waterway in the future. These are critical issues and my colleagues and I, who have formed a bipartisan group from states along the Missouri River, commend this action.
I have toured farms that were underwater, met families who were devastated and saw farmland, homes and businesses destroyed. Flood control has to be a top priority for the Missouri River. I will keep you updated on what happens at this hearing.
BLUE RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION GETS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Blue River Watershed Association in Kansas City a grant that totals $36,552. The grant is for development of new environmental education projects. It is one of six grants that is being given to schools, universities and organizations in the Agency's four-state region.
From rural to the urban core to suburban neighborhoods, teachers will learn about stormwater issues and then involve their students in projects to help them learn more about creating and sustaining a healthy environment.
It's an important legacy we can leave for our children and our grandchildren.
DOLLARS TO LOCAL COMPANY WILL MEAN JOBS, RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
I am pleased to see federal dollars coming home to help a local company and our local economy. This week the USDA announced $1,606.558.14 for Kansas City company Paseo Cargill Energy, LLC. The funding will create jobs and expand the production of advanced biofuels as our nation works to reduce its dependence on foreign oil.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the payments for 156 advanced biofuel producers, saying it will help local producers increase the production and availability of renewable energy and further develop the nation's growing biofuels industry, generate green jobs and economic growth.
CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER PRAISES FORT MONROE ORDER
 | Congressman Cleaver (seen on the far right) as President Obama signs Executive Order to preserve Fort Monroe |
This summer, the Congressional Black Caucus made clear its strong support to incorporate Fort Monroe into the National Park System. This week that happened. The history of Fort Monroe is extensive and gives all of us a unique perspective on the contributions of African-Americans to American history.
Fort Monroe:
- Was the first place African slaves arrived in the New World
- Served as the unofficial beginning of slavery
- Was used by Union soldiers during the Civil War to harbor slaves escaping from plantation
- Represented the unofficial ending of slavery
I commend President Obama for exercising his authority under the Antiquities Act to declare the fort a national monument. This will preserve important American history for generations to come. And while doing so, at least 3,000 jobs will be created and this great history will be preserved.
CIVILITY … HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH?
We often talk about the importance of civility in our everyday life. We need it in our homes, in our workplace and certainly, in our nation's capital. We hear a lot of points of view about how much civility is needed and what it can accomplish. On November 10th, I will participate in an event where we are going to dig into the issue with a panel from across the political spectrum. Creating Civility, a Civic Conversation, co-sponsored by Consensus and the Congressional Civility Caucus, will take place at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Public Library at 4801 Main Street. It is from 6:30-8:00, and as always, I would invite you to come and voice your opinion on this very important issue.
WEEKLY MESSAGE OF CIVILITY
The word "blessed," with which each of the beatitudes of my religious tradition begins, means literally, "happy." Wouldn't it be politically propitious for the nation if Congress approved a beatitude that said, "Happy is the Member whose service to the nation is too rich to debase it with dark or profane personal statements concerning other members"?
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Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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101 W 31st St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-842-4545
Fax: 816-471-5215 | Independence Office
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