Dear Friends,
We are fast approaching flu season, and because September is National Preparedness Month, here are some resources that can help protect you and your family at home and at work.
PLANNING FOR H1N1 – A new Web site Flu.gov is a one-stop comprehensive shop for centralized information about H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu. The site provides a wealth of information for family, workplace, school, health care and community planning. Below are some of the specific links to help you prepare and are available in multiple languages:
| Small businesses preparedness, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
Also, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers simple steps to prepare for emergencies. Toolkits will assist you and your organization as you participate in NPM 2009. Citizens may obtain family kits on preparedness and related items for senior citizens, children and pets. Also try Citizens Corps; of course, disaster information may always be obtained at FEMA.
FEDERAL GRANTS AT WORK IN THE FOURTH – I’m pleased to see Fourth District police departments and children services groups benefit from the Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program: The Conyers Police Department will receive more than $10,000 to install two in-car digital video camera systems; the Atlanta branch of the Boys and Girls Club of America will receive $44,000 to mentor at-risk children; and the city of Norcross will receive more than $17,000 to purchase ID systems, ammunition for officers, radar units and digital cameras.
SAVING JOBS IN SCHOOLS – I was happy to hear this week that Recovery Act funds will save or create 530 jobs in the DeKalb County School System. $32 million will go to Title I programs that will create 51 jobs, $23 million will offset state austerity cuts and will save 388 positions and $21 million will go to special education programs that will create 91 jobs. In Gwinnett County, $40 million of Recovery funds will save or create 534 teaching jobs. Rockdale schools will receive $4.3 million, and Decatur city schools will receive $927,000. We are still working with Rockdale and Decatur school officials to see how many jobs will be created or saved in those districts. For more information on DeKalb, click here; on Gwinnett, click here; on Rockdale, click here; or Decatur, click here.
SMALL BUSINESSES – More than 250 small businesses – all owned by low-to-moderate income folks – will get a boost from a $100,000 Department of Commerce investment to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network that will be used to help these small businesses grow. For more information, click here.
TRANSPORTATION – Like many agencies and local governments, MARTA has been under a great deal of budget pressure, so I was grateful to help secure nearly $10 million for clean-fuel buses and continued upgrading of the fare collection system.
HEALTH CARE INSURANCE REFORM BILL – The long-awaited Senate Finance Committee plan to reform the health care insurance system was unveiled last week to mixed reviews. A vote in the Finance Committee could occur as early as this week, and Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to begin debate on the Senate floor later this month or early October. The House also is aiming for legislative action this fall. For more, click here.
INVESTING IN OUR HEROES – Through expanded educational opportunities such as the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, our veterans will make an important contribution to our nation’s economic recovery and lasting strength. So far, more than 250,000 students have applied for college education benefits under the new program. More than 2 million individuals who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservist and members of the National Guard, are eligible for up to four years of education benefits, including tuition and fees, a housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, and the option to transfer these benefits to family members under certain circumstances. To learn more, call the VA toll-free at 1-888-442-4551 or click here.
NEW COMMISSARY APPROVED FOR METRO ATLANTA –I am pleased to announce that Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta received approval last week from the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to build a new commissary. Many of you have expressed your concerns to me that metro Atlanta service members would be forced to drive two hours to the commissary at Fort Benning in Columbus when Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson close in 2011. With this approval, Fourth District military personnel, retirees and their families will be able to shop closer to home for savings on groceries and household goods. Military commissary prices are about 30 percent less than in regular grocery stores, an average annual savings of about $3,400 for a family of four.
EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS – While we continue to work to turn the economy around, I am committed to providing much-needed relief to the millions of unemployed American workers as they struggle to find work. I voted today in favor of H.R. 3548 to provide up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in high unemployment states, including Georgia, who are about to run out of benefits.
As always, please feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and the District at any time. Thank you.
Hank
