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“Be proud to say that we are all Americans." – Lamar Alexander
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Alexander Says Increased Support for Homeless Assistance Programs Will Help Programs Like the Chattanooga Community Kitchen Continue Feeding those in Need
Discusses Economic Crunch with Directors of the Growing Facility that Last Year Served Over 121,000 Meals |
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October 17th, 2008 - Chattanooga, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today in Chattanooga that increased support for homeless assistance programs will help places like the Chattanooga Community Kitchen better serve the less fortunate people of Tennessee. Alexander today visited the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, a non-profit, freestanding social service agency that has served the Chattanooga area for 25 years.
“These are tough economic times and a lot of people are hurting,” said Alexander, a member of the Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee that funds most affordable housing and homeless assistance programs. “We need to help people who are homeless now and do what we can to prevent more people from losing their homes.”
Alexander voted for the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), which became law in July. It contains a number of provisions to help people avoid becoming homeless, including an increase in the availability of affordable housing and measures to aid people to avoid home foreclosure. The new law also increased assistance for those who are already homeless. For example, the bill boosted funding for the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program and allows for emergency assistance to school districts coping with growing numbers of students who have become homeless due to foreclosure of their home or rental property.
Alexander also said that since Fiscal Year 2005 there has been a more than 28 percent increase in funding for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants, which provide housing and supportive services to homeless families and individuals across the country. Homeless Assistance Grants, also known as McKinney-Vento grants, are the primary federal funding source for local efforts to reduce the harm caused by homelessness and help homeless people move back into permanent housing.
Alexander also spoke with Jens Christensen, a staff member at the kitchen, who spoke about the effects they are feeling from the recent economic slowdown. “On the funding side you see a giant increase in the amount of needs we are being requested to meet, and at the same time there is a giant decrease in the amount of funds available because everyone is having a harder time donating,” Christensen said.
“The work being done here at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen is truly inspiring,” Alexander said. “Last year, the kitchen served over 121,000 meals to needy Chattanoogans. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act passed by Congress will increase funding for homeless assistance programs just like this one so we can ensure that everyone gets the food and shelter they need.”
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| October 2008 Press Releases: |
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October 31, 2008 -
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Alexander: New Center Will Help Preserve Howard Baker’s Legacy for New Generation of Leaders
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October 31, 2008 -
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Members of Tennessee Delegation Announce Drought Declaration for 39 Counties in Tennessee
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October 29, 2008 -
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Alexander One of Two U.S. Senators to Receive National Guard’s Medal of Merit
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October 28, 2008 -
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Alexander Calls for Equal Treatment for Tennesseans in GI Bill
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October 27, 2008 -
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Alexander Receives “Friend of The Farm Bureau” Award
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October 23, 2008 -
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Alexander: Mounting Childhood Obesity Is A National Crisis
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October 21, 2008 -
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Alexander: Brainpower Advantage is Key to Keeping Tennessee's Good Paying Jobs
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October 17, 2008 -
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current Press Release
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October 15, 2008 -
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Alexander: Tennessee Can Lead Development of Clean Energy Technology
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October 14, 2008 -
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Alexander: Vonore Biorefinery Keeps Tennessee on Cutting Edge in Push for Clean Energy Independence
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L. Davis Announce $25,000 for Motlow State Community College
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L.Davis Announce $31,912 for White County Museum
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L.Davis Announce $500,000 for Grundy County Water System
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October 10, 2008 -
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Members of Tennessee Delegation Request Drought Declaration for 11 Additional Counties
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October 10, 2008 -
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Lawrence, Lewis Counties Added to Appalachian Regional Commission
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander: HOPE for Homeowners Program Could Help Many of the 67,000 Tennesseans Facing Foreclosure
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Gordon Announce $272,900 for Clay County Water System
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Wamp Announce $75,000 for the Clearfork Community Institute
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Wamp Announce $256,500 for Rhea Medical Center
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October 8, 2008 -
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Alexander: Tennesseans Will Receive More Coverage for Mental Health
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Statement on Final Passage of Bipartisan Economic Rescue Plan
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Outstanding Military Service in Millington
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Outstanding Military Service in Millington
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October 1, 2008 -
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Alexander Votes to Protect Taxpayers from Looming Credit Crunch
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October 1, 2008 -
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Alexander Says U.S.–India Nuclear Agreement Will Be a Pillar of American Foreign Policy
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 Radio Clip |  Television Clip
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