For Immediate Release
January 9, 2009

Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661

Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced key legislation that she will be focusing on in the upcoming 111th Congress. Included among these bills are the Metro Economies Green Act (MEGA), the Food Assistance to Improve Re-Integration (FAIR Act) and the Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act.

The Metro Economies Green Act (MEGA), establishes grant programs to encourage green job training and creation, as well as energy-efficient economic development. MEGA will provide targeted federal funding to support communities that have demonstrated a capacity and commitment to pursue low-carbon economic development and energy efficient job creation.  MEGA will help meet emerging energy challenges and create opportunities through the revitalization of metropolitan economies by employing historically hard-to-serve and economically marginalized populations. The bill accomplishes these objectives by establishing Metro Are Green Zones, The Metro Area Green Institute and Alternative Green Academies.

The Food Assistance to Improve Re-Integration (FAIR Act) seeks to repeal an unfair and unjust policy that prohibits ex-offenders who were convicted of a drug felony and served their time from receiving access to food stamps during their re-entry into society. This unjust policy stems from the 1996 Welfare Reform bill which included a provision that excluded formerly incarcerated persons from receiving food stamp benefits, only if they had been convicted of a drug crime.  Unless states decide to alter or opt out of that provision, they are required to enforce a ban on the receipt of vital nutrition assistance for ex-offenders. According to the US Department of Agriculture November 2007 Food Stamp Program Report, 14 states have a lifetime ban and 22 states have a modified ban disqualifying people from receiving food stamps if they were convicted of a state or federal felony offense involving the use or sale of drugs.

Lastly, the Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act would create a special Caribbean Educational Exchange program named in honor of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Thousands of Caribbean students participate in exchange programs to distant parts of the globe, yet the U.S. has no specific exchange program for Caribbean scholars.  Caribbean nations are long standing allies of the U.S., particularly in the areas of security in the Western Hemisphere and the fight against the drug trade.  Many of today’s Caribbean leaders have received post-secondary education in the United States, and have used their training to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement.  Moreover, they have benefitted from programs centered on innovative ways to fight drug trafficking, anticorruption, and good governance policies. This legislation will continue these efforts and expand our close relations with Caribbean nations by educating the future leaders of the region.

“I am extremely eager to get to work on this legislation as we begin the 111th Congress,” said Rep. Lee. “This legislation covers a myriad of issues that are important to my constituency and will be important for our country moving forward. I plan to work diligently with my colleagues get these bills passed during this Congress.”

Additional legislation introduced this week included the:

• Iran Special Envoy Act - Provides for the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran.
• The “Next Steps for Haiti” Act – Authorizes a professional exchange program to Haiti, where U.S. citizens, particularly Haitian Americans, can return to Haiti and provide technical assistance to the people of Haiti regarding developmental sectors vital for the nation’s growth.
• Disaster Relief Resolution - A resolution expressing support for countries in the Caribbean devastated by the 2008 Hurricanes—Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike and the need for increased emergency humanitarian assistance to those countries in the region.
• The Pursuit of International Education (PIE) Act - This legislation moves to end the need for students seeking educational opportunities in Cuba to seek licenses from the Treasury Department for travel to Cuba. It will lower one barrier standing between American students and educational programs in Cuba.
• The SAFE Act – Confirms jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission with respect to releasing systems on residential window bars and to establish a consumer product safety standard ensuring that all such bars include a quick-release mechanism.
• Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week Resolution - Expresses Congressional support for the goals and ideals of National MS Awareness Week, which is recognized this year between March 2nd and March 8th 2009.
• Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act – Creates a semi-postal postage stamp in honor of the extraordinary work of the Peace Corps. Additional funding generated by the peace stamp will help this remarkable organization and the growing number of committed volunteers in promoting the Peace Corps’ mission.
• Shirley Chisholm 40th Anniversary Resolution – Commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the first African American Woman to be sworn into Congress, The Honorable Shirley Chisholm.
• Shirley Chisholm Commemorative Stamp – This bill would issue a stamp to commemorate the life, work and enduring legacy of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first female African-American Member of Congress and first African-American to run for President of the United States.

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