Posted by: Hank Johnson (October 19, 2007, 05:18 PM)
FRIENDS: Georgia is in the midst of a historic drought that some call the worst in recorded history.
Lakes Lanier and Allatoona, the primary reservoirs for the Atlanta area, are at historically low levels yet the Army Corps of Engineers continue to release a minimum of 5,000 cubic feet per second of water from the lakes. This release of water is many times more than what is coming into the lakes and therefore contributing significantly to the severe depletion of the reservoirs. The Corps of Engineers is required to release that minimum amount of water to sustain several endangered species downriver from the lakes in Florida as well as power generation downriver. If current drought and water release conditions continue, it is estimated that there is between 80 and 120 days of water remaining. This is a serious situation and I as well as the entire Georgia Congressional Delegation are committed to ensuring adequate water supply for Georgians.
Clearly, something has to change. If the reservoirs run dry, there will be no water for the endangered species or for millions of Georgians. The Georgia Congressional Delegation is actively working with the Secretary of the Army and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a revised plan that will slow the water releases from the lakes to a more sustainable level.
The Georgia Congressional Delegation has cosponsored a bill that would give the Secretary of the Army or the Governor the authority they would need to take drastic action in a severe drought. While this bill works its way through Congress, I am hopeful that ongoing negotiations with the Corps will soon result in reduced water releases from our dwindling reservoirs. Yesterday the Corps took a positive step in agreeing to begin the process of updating the water control manuals for the ACT river basin. Though this action by the Corps will not bring relief in the immediate crisis, it is a step in the right direction and shows that the Corps is beginning to respond to the concerns of Georgians.
This week, the Georgia Congressional Delegation sent the attached letters to the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers asking them to work quickly and to work together to allow a reduction in flow out of the reservoirs. It is in the best interest of everyone involved to reduce the flows now so that we can sustain a water supply for Atlanta. The state of Georgia would like to see outflows reduced to equal the amount coming in.
As I and the rest of the Congressional Delegation work to alleviate this crisis, I strongly advise ALL Georgians to make every effort to conserve water.
--Hank
Click here to read a letter from me and the rest of the Georgia Congressional delegation to the Secretary of the Army regarding the GA drought crisisClick here to read a letter from me and the rest of the GA delegation to the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Posted in Environment, The District |
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Posted by: Office Staff (October 12, 2007, 06:20 PM)
[LAST UPDATED MAY 12, 2008]
Home ownership is at the heart of the American dream. Homes are the building block of neighborhoods. And they’re an important part of a family’s financial security.
That's why foreclosure is such a painful experience for the one and a half million Americans who will lose their homes to foreclosure this year. In September of 2007 alone, 223,000 Americans faced foreclosure.
My colleagues in the House of Representatives and I passed legislation on May 8, 2008, that will respond directly to the crisis currently facing middle class Americans and provide the tools to prevent a similar housing crisis in the future. The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221) will slow the spread of foreclosures and restore confidence in the housing market by providing more affordable refinancing and borrowing options for American families.
Please do not hesitate to call my Washington, DC, office if you need any additional assistance; ask for Todd Williamson or Jonathan Ossoff. The number is (202) 225-1605.
What is Home Foreclosure?
According to the Home Ownership Preservation Foundation (995hope.org), foreclosure is "a legal action used by a mortgage company to recover any money from a customer when the customer does not pay his or her debt in accordance with the mortgage agreement. In other words, it's the legal remedy used by a mortgage company to assume ownership of a property when the required loan payments are not made. Foreclosure obliterates otherwise good credit.
"Although the actual process varies from state to state, foreclosure revolves around a homeowner's inability to keep up with monthly mortgage payments. The farther behind the homeowner gets, the closer to foreclosure the homeowner becomes."
Click here to open a new window with a list of common myths about foreclosure.
How to Avoid Foreclosure
If you are facing financial difficulty and suspect you may be unable to make your payments on time, first contact your lender. You may be able to renegotiate the terms of your mortgage.
We also highly recommend you consult the resources listed below (Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the Home Ownership Preservation Foundation). It is better to have contacted them before you are in urgent need of assistance.
What Can Families & Individuals Facing Foreclosure Do?
Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the Home Ownership Preservation Foundation are non-profit resources for families and individuals facing foreclosure. We recommend you contact both to maximize your access to information. Contact Atlanta Legal Aid at one of their offices:
- DeKalb County: (404) 377-0701
- Gwinnett County: (678) 376-4545
- Downtown Atlanta: (404) 524-5811
- SENIOR CITIZEN HOTLINE: 1-888-257-9519
- South Fulton / Clayton County: (404) 669-0233
We highly recommend the Home Ownership Preservation Foundation hotline for immediate counsel. HPF's representatives -- experienced advisors from HUD-approved agencies -- will be able to give you support and advice in your hour of need. Call now: 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).
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Posted by: Office Staff (October 05, 2007, 12:25 PM)
Many of you joined Hank on September 15 for a well-attended and very productive Health Fair for youth and young adults at South DeKalb Mall.
Here are some photos from that very successful event. Thanks to all who attended!
Posted in Health, The District |
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