Being Accountable

Dear Friends,

One principle that guides my efforts is accountability. When the financial institution Citigroup waited a month to make public that hundreds of thousands of customers had their private information compromised by a cyber attack, I demanded more information about steps taken to limit the harm done. Citigroup proceeded to reveal more details and provide a briefing on Capitol Hill.

With the President announcing his Afghanistan withdrawal plan, I am asking tough questions in my oversight role on the Armed Services Committee, beginning in a hearing the day after the President’s speech. I continue to press for answers as to why 66,000 troops are required beyond next summer and what our continuing mission there will be.

Meanwhile, I owe it to you to take responsibility for doing what I can to improve the quality of life for Rhode Islanders and no issue is more important than creating jobs. This requires training a workforce that fits with industries that can grow. I hear repeatedly from businesses that cannot find qualified applicants. Recently, I helped organize a summit with business, education and labor leaders to generate much needed collaboration between their communities.

Furthermore, I have announced a second high school cyber challenge in Rhode Island to expose our youth to a growing field that needs thousands more qualified professionals, and I am working with the Rhode Island School of Design to integrate arts into our schools’ curricula to better prepare students to innovate.

As your representative, I enjoy hearing your thoughts, whether in person or in writing. Please stay in touch via email, Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going, and check out my YouTube and Flickr pages.

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin

Learning from the Station Nightclub Fire

Since the devastating Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick that killed 100 people and left hundreds more injured, I have worked to build bipartisan support for solutions to prevent similar tragedies. Recently, I introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act with Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) to reduce the high costs of installation in old buildings susceptible to fires.
Read more ››

Supporting Key Health Services to Treat Severe Injuries

As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I was proud to help organize a forum with the rehab physician for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Dr. Gerard Francisco spoke about the need to make rehabilitation services and devices a priority in our health care system and allow Americans with disabilities to live independently. By providing these services in a timely and appropriate way, we can reduce long term care costs and improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities across their lifespan.

Preventing a Cyber Sept. 11

As cofounder of the Congressional Cybersecurity caucus, I offered perspective on the risks to our country in cyberspace in The Hill Newspaper’s special report on technology. Threats range from hacks exposing sensitive information to attacks on vulnerable critical infrastructure like our power grid. We must confront the security challenges created by the internet, while protecting Americans’ privacy online, before a major incident occurs.
Read my full column ››

Save the date

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKSHOP
Saving money through purchases from the General Services Administration
Wednesday July 20, 2011
9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Warwick Public Library
RSVP: (401) 732-9400

Did You Know...?

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS
Congressman Langevin has compiled resources for Rhode Islanders needing mortgage assistance in these difficult times. ››

FAST FACT
97 percent of employers agree that creativity is of increasing importance in the workplace, and training in the arts is indicative of this ability to job seekers. ››

In Other News

IMPROVING JOB TRAINING IN RHODE ISLAND
Rep. Langevin talked about his workforce development efforts to close the skills gap. ››

HONORING AN OCEAN STATE GOLD MEDAL WINNER
Rep. Langevin was proud to recognize Ruth Clarkin of Coventry for winning the Congressional Award Gold Medal for commitment to community service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. ››

BOOSTING RHODE ISLAND’s FISHING INDUSTRY
Rep. Langevin visited Quonset’s Seafreeze, LTD, the largest producer of sea frozen fish on the East Coast, to address policies needed to help a key part of Rhode Island’s economy. ››

KEYNOTING A GED GRADUATION CEREMONY
Rep. Langevin praised the perseverance of the more than 90 adults who went back to school to obtain their GEDs through South County’s Education Exchange. ››

STRENGTHENING WHITE HOUSE CYBER PROPOSALS
As a witness before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, Rep. Langevin urged committee members to ensure an effective approach to prevent and respond to cyber crime. ››

ADVOCATING FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
In a speech to national business and education leaders, Rep. Langevin talked about his bipartisan effort to support the Perkins Act. ››

APPLAUDING A MAJOR VICTORY FOR RHODE ISLAND
Following the announcement that Hess would not pursue a liquefied natural gas terminal in Fall River, Rep. Langevin praised non-profit groups and citizen advocates who helped stop a potentially dangerous project. ››