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Making Honey, not Hostility
It has been a busy week in the Fifth District and, as always, I have truly enjoyed getting to see so many of you as I traveled throughout the area. From having coffee with new friends in Sweet Springs and Gladstone, to sharing conversation with old friends in Kansas City and Lee's Summit, it has been an inspiring week. I am truly moved to see the commitment and cooperation so many have shown as we work together to get through these tough economic times. That cooperative spirit struck me as I watched the Animal Channel recently. My family often laughs at me, as you may have just now, but as I have shared with you before, no matter how odd it may sound, I realized there is much that could be learned in Washington from bees. While watching a special on bees I learned that they cannot do much if they are trying to make honey AND sting at the same time. The same goes for those of us in Washington. We can't make honey—the legislation and innovations to help us get through these unprecedented times—if we are preoccupied with stinging each other. As you know, I often talk about the importance of civility. It is a critical component of life. It remains my hope that those who wish to sting, rather than make honey, will instead focus on finding ways to compromise and keep this country moving forward, with your best interests in mind.
Independence Neighborhood Undergoes Extreme Makeover Of A Different Kind
On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, ll, (center) welcomed Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan (seen on the left) to town. Along with Independence Mayor Don Reimal (seen on the right) and other city leaders, they toured new and rehabbed houses on a block once plagued with problems.
A year ago, the Norledge Place Redevelopment site in Northwest Independence was filled with deteriorated housing, high vacancies and disinvestment. In one six block area alone, there were only twelve occupied houses. But what a difference the Neighborhood Stabilization Program has made.
- NOW:
1.) Once empty homes are being rehabbed and sold to middle class families.
2.) Construction workers are on the job instead of suffering layoffs.
3.) Property values are up by as much as 35 percent.
At a time when foreclosure signs outnumber sold signs in too many neighborhoods, here there is change underway. At a time when good parents who can't find work outnumber those who can, here there is hope. And while we in the federal government, can't seem to get along, here we have seen great cooperation.
Highlighting that cooperation, Secretary Donovan joined me to push for the American Jobs Act. They focused on one of the innovative components, Project Rebuild, which would continue work in neighborhoods like this one – throughout Missouri, and around the country.
- It would also:
1.) Create nearly 1,000 jobs immediately in Missouri
2.) Benefit more than 900 properties
3.) Stabilize home prices in neighborhoods hardest hit by foreclosures
This area highlights the success of neighborhood stabilization efforts and shows how the American Jobs Act and Project Rebuild can continue to create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and grow local economies.
More Money For Seniors!
I am happy to share the news that Social Security beneficiaries will get a long-awaited Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase. This is the first COLA increase in two years and the Social Security Administration has announced that it will come in January of 2012.
For two years, seniors who have spent a lifetime working and paying into Social Security have not seen any increase. Many have watched their monthly expenses go up while their payments remain stagnant. It is not fair to leave our seniors treading water while rising Medicare, food and mortgage costs continue to tug at budgets that can stretch no further.
About 55 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits. Most of those are seniors. My father depends on his Social Security check, as do many of you, my constituents. I have been fighting for these benefits, which seniors have earned, for years. You can rest assured that I will continue to keep your benefits safe, and I will not support any effort to cut your hard-earned benefits.
Congressman Cleaver Joins The Malaria Caucus
Malaria is a disease that strikes whomever and whenever it can. Heartbreakingly, the majority of those killed by malaria are pregnant women and children. I believe it is important to keep the fight against this and other diseases at the forefront of our minds. That is why I am proud to announce that I have joined the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs). This is not a Democratic or Republican thing; I am doing this because I believe it is the right thing. The Caucus is chaired by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ) and is committed to ending preventable and treatable deaths from malaria. The Caucus has been an effective force in fighting this disease with the best available resources. My hope is that, by working together, we can raise awareness and stop the needless deaths caused by malaria around the globe.
A Major Announcement in Lee's Summit
I was honored this week to attend Dow Kokam's newly unveiled state-of-the-art Global research and development center in Lee's Summit. As I have mentioned before in this newsletter, this company is developing and manufacturing technologically advanced and economically viable battery solutions for the transportation, defense, industrial and medical industries. I am proud the Federal Government awarded this company an almost 5 million dollar grant in August. The money will be used to develop and deliver low cost, large format cells, that meet performance, life and safety requirements of electric drive vehicles.
Congressman Cleaver joined residents of the Sweet Springs area for coffee
Coffee With Cleaver
On Saturday I got to meet with many of you in Sweet Springs and Gladstone for coffee. It was a good chance for me to hear your concerns and share conversation. I also appreciated the opportunity to talk about Together RX Access and to give out FREE prescription savings cards that can save those who qualify up to 40% on medications. If this is something you are interested in, please call my office at 816-842-4545 for more details.
Follow me on Twitter!
You can now follow me @repcleaver. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Click here to add me >>> https://twitter.com/repcleaver
Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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| Kansas City Office
101 W 31st St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-842-4545
Fax: 816-471-5215 | Independence Office
211 West Maple Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-833-4545
Fax: 816-833-2991 | Washington Office
1433 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-4535
Fax: 202-225-4403
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