Minneapolis, MN -- Congressman Keith Ellison (Minneapolis) received a 100% rating from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) in its Congressional Scorecard for the 111^th Congress.  The Leadership Conference’s Voting Record recorded Congressional support for legislation relating to important civil rights protections, hate crimes, immigration, and other issues.

“Respect for human and civil rights has been a guiding principle of my work in Congress,” Ellison said.  “It is an honor to be recognized by one of the nation’s oldest and most respected civil rights organizations, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights,” Ellison stated.

Minneapolis, MN -- Congressman Keith Ellison (Minneapolis) received a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in its Congressional Scorecard for the 111^th Congress.  The scorecard rates members of Congress on their support for legislation affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

“I am honored to have my work in Congress recognized by the tireless advocates for equality at the Human Rights Campaign,” Ellison said.  “My life’s work is based on the principle that all Americans, regardless of race, class, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be guaranteed equal rights,” Ellison stated.  “In light of the recent horrific tragedies within the LGBT community, I can hardly think of a more critical time to combat division and hate by raising a message of equality and inclusion and I thank HRC for their dedication to this work,” Ellison concluded.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement in response to the American Legion’s announcement of the 111th Congress as a “Banner Year On Veterans Legislation”

I want to thank the American Legion for their tireless work on behalf of our nation’s veterans. I am so grateful for the sacrifice that our veterans, and their families, have made on behalf of all Americans. I believe that it is my duty as a Member of Congress to ensure that we fulfill our commitments to these brave men and women. Throughout the 111th Congress, I proudly lent my support to legislative initiatives that aim to secure state-of-the-art health services, educational benefits, reintegration and employment programs for veterans and their families. I will continue to be a staunch advocate for our nation’s veterans while I serve 5th District Minnesotans in the United States Congress.

You can read more about what Congress and VA have done to better serve our veterans, click here and here.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement in support of legislation to sunset and repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).  On September 29, 2010, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA) introduced H.R. 6282, To repeal Public Law 107-40, which was enacted by the 107th Congress in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks:

I am proud to support legislation introduced this week by Representative Barbara Lee to repeal the existing Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).  As members of Congress, we should retain our constitutional responsibility of consent to military action.  We endanger our democracy and impede our ability to promote peace by authorizing force without proper constitutionally mandated Congressional oversight. 

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, October 01, 2010, Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) was recognized by First Focus Campaign for Children for his work in Congress to improve the well-being of America’s children.  Ellison was one of only fifty Members of Congress to receive the organization’s “Champion for Children” recognition.

“The safety and success of the children of our nation’s working families must be the first priority of the Congress,” Ellison stated.  “I am honored to be recognized by such a highly respected organization whose work on behalf of America’s youth is critical, particularly in these tough economic times,” Ellison concluded. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) announced that $1.8 million will go to three Community Development Financial Institutions in the Twin Cities.  The funds will be awarded through the Department of the Treasury’s Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program, which encourages private investment in low-income and economically distressed communities.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement about the new consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act that take effect today:

Today marks the beginning of the end of the worst health insurance industry abuses that have bankrupted American families and left patients to suffer.  The Patient's Bill of Rights brings new rights, benefits, and protections to American consumers as part of the historic Affordable Care Act.

“These funds are essential in rebuilding and revitalizing communities in Minnesota that are suffering from the devastating effects of foreclosure,” said Representative Ellison. “I am very interested in the progress of the NSP program. In fact, I held a Congressional Field Hearing in Minneapolis with Rep. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, to get more information on how the NSP funds were being used. I continue to be in communication with local governments to receive updates on the program. NSP is an important resource to help communities recover from the debilitating results of the foreclosure crisis."

Mayor Rybak continued, “The success of our efforts shows that strategic public investment in strengthening urban neighborhoods like North Minneapolis can leverage significant private investment and set the stage for housing-market recovery and neighborhood revitalization.”

In a recent speech, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan singled out for national recognition Minneapolis’ results in housing-market recovery and neighborhood stabilization. Secretary Donovan praised Minneapolis’ “potent” work in using $5.6 million in NSP funds to leverage $30 million more in investment from non-profit and for-profit developers for community stabilization.

To date, the City has received over $30 million in HUD recovery funding for helping Minneapolis neighborhoods recover from the foreclosure crisis and rebuilding the housing market. The City was awarded $14 million in NSP1 funds in 2008 and $19.5 million more in NSP2 funds in 2009 as part of a joint application with Brooklyn Park and Hennepin County.

The City uses NSP funds to provide homebuyers with down-payment and closing-cost assistance when purchasing a foreclosed or vacant home. In partnership with non-profit developers, the City also uses NSP funds to assist in acquiring property for future redevelopment and rehabilitating properties for rental and homeownership.

The NSP3 funds are authorized under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. They provide competitive grants to states, local governments, nonprofits and a consortium of nonprofit entities to make investments that will reduce blight, bolster neighboring home values, create jobs and produce affordable housing.

The City Council will be asked to approve the spending plan for the NSP3 funding in early 2011.

Minneapolis, MN  – Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) today released the following statement regarding the plans by a group in Florida to burn copies of the Quran on September 11th:

On a day when we should remember the victims and heroic first-responders of the September 11th attacks, a fringe group in Florida has decided to burn copies of the Quran in a deliberate attempt to provoke individuals of the Muslim faith.

This provocation should not be rewarded with a response. I urge caution, patience, and restraint, and I pray that no one takes the bait being dangled by this misguided group.