A MOTHER THANKS FIREFIGHTERS AND CONGRESSMAN AFTER RESCUE OF HER DAUGHTER
|
|
|
Minister Bobbie Tate, mother of fire victim, personally thanks firefighters for saving her daughter’s life
|
It was a moving experience this week to get the honor of meeting Minister Bobbie Tate. She is the mother of the woman who was rescued by Raytown firefighters recently, as the flames engulfed her home. It was a reminder, to all of us, of what these brave men and women do each day. They put their own lives at risk to run into a fire, to make sure we, and our families are safe. At a news conference, Minister Tate thanked each of them personally for saving her daughter’s life.
|
|
|
Congressman Cleaver praises firefighters and police officers for their bravery and service
|
I was also joined by these firefighters, and others, to talk about the importance of keeping our public servants on the job. As you know, I do not believe government can do everything, but I do think there are some things government can and should do. I was honored to be able to help secure funds for a SAFER grant. That stands for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response.
|
|
|
Raytown Captain Darren Summers, Firefighter/EMT Dave Andrews, Firefighter/EMT Keith Smith and Fire Chief Rick Mawhirter
|
As Fire Chief Rick Mawhirter told the crowd, without the SAFER grant, the jobs of 9 firefighters would have been eliminated. Two of the firefighters who would have lost their jobs were those who helped save Minister Tate’s daughter. Economic times are tough, to be sure, but cutting positions like these is unacceptable.
|
|
|
Congressman Cleaver at news conference with fire victim’s family members and Raytown Mayor David Bower (on left)
|
I thank Raytown Mayor David Bower for his words of gratitude for this grant. I will continue to work with leaders of Raytown and those in every community in Missouri’s Fifth District to make sure that all families are protected and are kept on the job, instead of in unemployment lines.
NEW JOBS AND INVESTMENT IN OUR AREA
|
|
|
Congressman Cleaver tours the Ford Motor Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo
|
There are big changes underway at the Ford Motor Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo. And they mean more jobs and more investment in our area. This week I toured the plant to stay updated on the retooling of a production line for the Ford Transit. The plant will continue production on the Ford F-150, as well. The plant here is Ford Motor Company’s only two-system plant in the country.
The stamping plant is expected to be completed in January of next year. Between that and the Transit line, Ford will bring some 1600 new jobs to our area over the next 4 years. The company has invested more than a billion dollars in the Kansas City area to build the stamping plant. And they have invested another half-million dollars in product development.
Right now, there are almost 3800 employees there. Last year, they produced almost a half million vehicles, including more than 1000 F-150s each day.
GRANT PUTS PEOPLE TO WORK AND AVOIDS FLOODING
|
|
|
Congressman Cleaver tours the Keeney Creek Project near Orrick, Missouri
|
This week I met with Ray County Commissioners Mike Twyman, Allen Dale, and Bob King, and toured the Keeney Creek Project near Orrick. Through a Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program grant that was awarded last year, the county and the Full Employment Council have been able to put local people back to work. They have also widened the creek channel to allow more water to flow down to the Missouri River, instead of flooding nearby homes and businesses during high water periods.
I also toured the Lafayette County USDA Service Center to discuss services they offer for farmers and local residents. These services include conservation measures, rural housing, small business loans, and other assistance. It was a chance to talk about some of the issues that are on the minds of many, including sequestration and the farm bill reauthorization. If a debt deal isn’t reached before the end of this year and sequestration goes into effect, the USDA, along with other federal agencies, will have to make some drastic budget cuts. On the local level, that means possibly fewer staff in offices like the one in Higginsville, or having to close offices for a few days a week. The end result is less assistance to farmers and local residents – and further bureaucratic delays.
BUILDING STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE NORTHLAND
|
|
|
Congressman Cleaver addresses crowd at the Northland Neighborhoods Inc. Annual Breakfast
|
It was a pleasure to talk with almost 300 people gathered this week at the Northland Neighborhoods Inc. Seventh Annual Awards Breakfast. This group works tirelessly to build stronger communities and they understand that better neighborhoods benefit all of us. When we work together to improve the environments where we work, live, and play, we create a better future for ourselves and our children.
I want to personally congratulate the recipients of the NNI’s awards. They are listed below.
Charles Garney – Jay Dillingham Achievement Award
Quick Trip – Good Neighbor Business of the Year Award
David Olson – Ruthanne Harper Outstanding Public Service Award
Patrick Klein – Richard Noll Outstanding Government Service Award
David Perryn – Larry McManus Good Neighbor Award
 Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
|
|
|
