BANK MAKES HUGE DONATION FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESS
 |
|
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II pictured here with Lea Ann (center) and Yaisi (left) at City Union Mission
|
At 54 years old, Lea Ann (speaking above) says she and her husband never dreamed they would be homeless. But when they lost their jobs and got behind on their rent that is exactly what happened. They turned to the City Union Mission and found help.
Yaisi was working two jobs and taking care of her five children. One job was lost in the bad economy and then the next. The lights and water in her apartment were turned off. And then the family was evicted. They spent their first homeless night in the car in the parking lot of a local gas station. A woman there told her about City Union Mission. Now the family has a place to call home again, training programs and a fighting chance to get back on their feet.
Homelessness is a continuing and growing problem throughout the Kansas City area and across our country. I was honored this week to announce more than $700,000 in housing grants for City Union Mission and Neighborhood Housing Services. The grants come through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) Affordable Housing Program. FHLB has donated $49 million dollars in Missouri alone for safe and affordable housing since 1990.
As Yaisi told us, “I can now wake up in the morning, feed my kids and send them to school. I can look in the mirror and be proud of myself. City Union Mission has helped me rebuild my faith, my self-esteem and given me a belief in mankind again.”
NEW PROPOSED FARM REGULATIONS
In recent visits, I have heard many concerns about the Child Labor Rules proposed by the Department of Labor, and I share many of these concerns. You can find more information about the proposed regulations here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs40.pdf
I would like to hear more from you about your experiences on the farm or ranch, and any concerns surrounding proposed regulation changes and how they might impact your livelihood. Please email farmregs@mail.house.gov.
INCREASED INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR VETERANS
I am pleased to announce that some veterans now have the chance to receive more life insurance. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans covered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program (VGLA) now have the opportunity to increase their coverage. That increase would go to the current maximum coverage under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.
Eligible veterans should be notified of this opportunity a week before the start of the 120-day period prior to their anniversary date, and twice more before the actual anniversary date.
For more information about VA’s Insurance Program or other VA benefits, you can go to www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. Veterans can also visit VA’s web portal eBenefits-Insurance.
LARGEST ANNUAL WHEELCHAIR SPORTS EVENT IN THE WORLD
Registration is now open for the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games. They will take place June 25th-30th in Richmond, Virginia. This is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. More than 500 Veterans from across the country, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the Games. There will be competitions in 17 different events including swimming, basketball, table tennis, archery and wheelchair slalom.
Veterans interested in competing can download the registration packet from the Games’ website at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.
VISIT WITH NARFE
I was honored recently to speak to members of the Kansas City North Chapter 2256 of National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). It was a great opportunity to answer questions about specific concerns, as well as general questions concerning topics like Social Security, Medicare, job creation and the fight to lower the national debt.
HUGE HONOR FOR KANSAS CITY’S SURPLUS EXCHANGE
I am pleased to congratulate Surplus Exchange. The company has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the General Services Administration for achieving certification to the e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment Program. Surplus Exchange is the first recycling facility in Missouri to get this prestigious certification. The facility processes nearly 2.2 million pounds of electronics for reuse and recycling every year.
CIVILITY CORNER
Two men were walking along a downtown street when one of them said, "This is a terrible town. Most of the business people are flim-flam freaks, the politicians are unprincipled, everyone is sleazy, and the religious leaders are lunatics." Now on a roll, the critic pointed straight ahead and continued, "Look at the two men walking toward us, the one on the right is strutting like he owns the place and I would never trust anyone with those beady eyes and unkempt hair." His friend stopped and said, "Maybe your analysis of this town is correct, I don't know. However, there are no men walking toward us. There is a giant mirror on the side of the building and the man you were talking about is actually you."
In the Capitol there are many mirrors. We must be careful not to see in others what we feel in ourselves.
Follow me on Twitter!
You can now follow me @repcleaver. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Click here to add me >>> http://twitter.com/repcleaver
 Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
|
|
|
