EC From DC - March 30, 2012

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YOU ARE INVITED TO THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!

I am always thrilled to return to my district and meet with you about any and all topics that are of interest and concern. I wanted to let you know about some upcoming events and extend to you my personal invitation to attend.

*This Saturday at the Kansas City Public Library in downtown Kansas City, I am pleased to host our annual Congressional Art Contest. High school students from throughout the Fifth District get a chance to show their work and compete for the honor of having it displayed here in Kansas City and in Washington, DC. The event is from 1:30-3:30.

*Monday, April 2nd at 7:30 PM in Richmond, I will join the Missouri Levee & Drainage District Association and representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers for an important meeting. We will discuss issues surrounding the Missouri River, status of levee repair and preparations to prevent future flooding. This event takes place at 7:30 PM at the Eagleton Civic Center at 1015 West Royle Street.

*And Saturday, April 14th – Coffee with Cleaver is back! Stay tuned for more details on when and where.

ALL EYES ARE ON THE GREEN – THE GREEN IMPACT ZONE

This week a new video was released that features Kansas City’s Green Impact Zone. There are many successes taking place within the Zone each day, including jobs, job training, sidewalks, bridges and a focus on energy efficiency and going green. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 3.1 million Americans now have a green job. I invite you to take a look at the video and find out more about what is going on in Kansas City and inside the Green Impact Zone.

http://www.greenforall.org/blog/a-bright-green-future-for-kansas-city

FUNDS FOR COMMUNITIES

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has announced $200 million in funding that is now available to help communities economically recover in the wake of disaster. This is for projects in areas that received a major disaster designation in fiscal year 2011. For more information about this opportunity you can visit: www.eda.gov.

DISCUSSING PARKS AND RECREATION

I was pleased this week to meet with the Directors of the Kansas City, Lee’s Summit and Raymore Parks and Recreation Departments. We got the chance to discuss several important projects and events, including the upcoming ribbon cutting for the Troost Bridge and the new walking trails along Brush Creek. We also discussed the critical connection between parks and recreation and health and wellness.

CIVILITY CORNER

In Waxahachie, Texas where I was born, I was told that a city slicker was driving down a country road when he spotted a poker face man plowing. He stopped his car and watched the farmer and his mule cover about two feet every minute or so. “Sir, I’m from the city and don’t know much about plowing, but I think you would move much faster if you urge the mule on. Why don’t you just say, ‘C’mon, gee, haw!’”

The farmer stopped in his tracks and looked the traveler directly in the eye, “Friend, I appreciate your advice. You are absolutely right, but ya see, this ole mule kicked me in 07 and I ain’t had nothin’ to say to him since.”

That has happened to some in Congress. They were metaphorically kicked by a mule or an elephant in days gone by and even the passage of time has not softened the resentment. I believe that it is safe to say that we will never get ahead of anyone or any political party as long as we are trying to get even.

Every current Member of the House had a victory over an opponent in the last election and is therefore worthy of being called politically powerful. Nevertheless, those who earn a victory over their own base emotions, including political vendettas, are worthy of being called a statesman.