Congressman David Rivera’s Week in Review: Week of July 16th

Washington, DC- Congressman David Rivera was in Washington, DC last week.

Congressman Rivera Wishes a “Happy Independence Day to America’s Steadfast Friend, Colombia”

Congressman Rivera released the following statement on Friday in commemoration of Colombian Independence Day.

“Today, Colombians all over the world are celebrating 202 years of Colombia’s independence.  As the Member of Congress who represents more Colombian-Americans than any other, I am proud to join the Colombian-American community in South Florida to celebrate this important occasion.

“Colombian-Americans make important contributions to our community, our state and our nation every day.  As one of our best allies in Latin America, we have a special relationship with Colombia, especially in recent months with the passage and implementation of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement which has already begun to have a positive impact on the economies of both countries.

“Happy Independence Day to America’s steadfast friend, Colombia.”

Notable Meetings: National Academy Foundation

Congressman Rivera met with representatives from the National Academy Foundation (NAF) on Thursday.  NAF fosters partnerships between the business and education communities to provide opportunities to underserved students and is a leader in the movement to prepare young people for college and career success.  The organization was founded in 1982. 

The representatives were in Washington for the 2012 NAF Next: Experience Learning in the Works! Conference, which was designed to be a professional learning experience for 1,200 NAF staff, teachers, students and partners.

Notable Meetings: National Down Syndrome Congress

Congressman Rivera met with representatives from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) on Thursday.  NDSC was founded in 1973 as a non-profit organization composed of parents and family members of individuals with Down syndrome as well as self-advocates and other individuals involved with people with Down syndrome.  The organization’s purpose is to promote the interests of people with Down syndrome and their families through advocacy, public awareness, and dissemination of information about Down syndrome.  The representatives were in Washington for the 40th Annual National Down Syndrome Congress Convention and Day on the Hill.

Notable Events: Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Future Leaders Conference

Congressman Rivera spoke before the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Future Leaders Conference.  The Congressman serves as a Congressional Board Member of CHLI, a 501 (c)3 non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to fostering awareness of the diversity of thought, heritage, interests and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent.  The organization was founded in 2003 by Members of Congress and hosts programs to strengthen the U.S. Hispanic community by promoting the advancement of Hispanics in all sectors of the U.S. and global economy.  As a result, CHLI has funded close to $1,000,000 in educational programs. 

This year, the CHLI Future Leaders Conference, in its sixth year, focused on the theme of “Explore the World.  Discover the Future!”   In addition to Members of Congress, the conference welcomed experts from the public and private sectors and representatives from Fortune 500 companies.

District Activities: Colombian Independence Festival

Congressman Rivera spoke at the Colombian Independence Festival at Tamiami Park on Friday and Sunday.  The event, celebrating its 24th year welcomes nearly 20,000 people from the community and features Colombian, music, culture and food.  This year’s event also featured a health and service expo to provide attendees with information about health care, housing, jobs and education options available in the community.

District Activities: Aquarius Reef Base

Congressman Rivera joined Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart for an event marking the final voyage to the Aquarius Reef Base underwater habitat on Saturday.  The underwater laboratory has been in place 60 feet underwater since 1992 after Hurricane Andrew. Aquarius is focused on important marine research and technological innovation as well as ensuring the future of scientific resources especially those that deal with ocean life and coral reefs. 

The event was hosted in part by the Aquarius Foundation which was founded earlier this year as a non-profit organization to support the continued operation of the Aquarius Habitat. 

Notable Votes: H.R. 5872 Sequestration Transparency Act

Congressman Rivera voted in favor of HR 5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act, which would require the President to submit to Congress a detailed report of the implementation of certain discretionary reductions, in security and nonsecurity categories, and nonexempt direct spending reductions in the sequestration ordered by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

Congressman Rivera has also taken votes to support legislation to create jobs and improve the economy, including:

H.R. 872: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act

H.R. 910: Energy Tax Prevention Act

H.J.Res. 37: Disapproval of FCC’s Net Neutrality Regulations

H.R. 2018: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act

H.R. 1315: Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act

H.R. 2587: Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act

H.R. 2401: Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act

H.R. 2681: Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act

H.R. 2250: EPA Regulatory Relief Act

H.R. 2273: Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act

H.R. 3094: Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act

H.R. 527: Regulatory Flexibility Improvement Act

H.R. 3010: Regulatory Accountability Act

H.R. 1904: Southeast Arizona Resource Utilization & Conservation Act

H.R. 1070: Small Company Capital Formation Act

H.R. 1965: Small Banks’ Access to Capital Act

H.R. 2930: Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act

H.R. 2940: Access to Capital for Job Creators Act

H.R. 3012: Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act

H.R. 1230: Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act

H.R. 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act

H.R. 1231: Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act

H.R. 2021: Jobs and Energy Permitting Act

H.R. 1938: North American-Made Energy Security Act

H.Con.Res. 34: Budget for Fiscal Year 2012

H. Res. 516: Importance of Passing A Fiscal Year 2013 Federal Budget

H.R. 1173: Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011

H.R. 3567: Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act

H.R. 3582: Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011

H.R. 10: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011

H.R. 3578: Baseline Reform Act of 2011

H.R. 3606: Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act

H.R. 436: Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012

H.R. 4402: National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act

For more information on these job creating measures and the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators, visit www.jobs.gop.gov.