Dear Friends,
Thank goodness cooler weather is here, and fall festivals abound. Despite Congress being out of session, we’re still busy here in the District.
I-20 EAST TRANSIT CORRIDOR: Since 2009, I’m proud my office has helped bring more than $1.25 million in funding to make MARTA’s I-20 East Transit Corridor project – connection from downtown Atlanta to the Mall at Stonecrest – a reality. The initiative is underway, and there are three public meetings this month I want to share with you. This project has the potential to not only bring greater connectivity to our district, but jobs, jobs, jobs. As one of the newest members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I urge you to take this opportunity to give your input. All three meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 26
DeKalb Medical Center Hillandale - Community Room
2801 DeKalb Medical Parkway
Lithonia, GA 30058
Wednesday, October 27
East Lake YMCA – Community Room
275 East Lake Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30317
Thursday, October 28
South DeKalb Mall – Community Room
2801 Candler Road
Decatur, GA 30034
STREETCAR PROJECT DESIRED: It was a pleasure to join local leaders in fighting to secure federal funding for the Atlanta Streetcar project, which will not only bring greater connectivity in downtown Atlanta but create 1,000 jobs during construction and more than 5,600 over the next two decades. As one of the newest members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to push for federal investment in the I-20 East Corridor project that will create a rail link between downtown Atlanta with the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. For more, click here.
GIVING LOCAL BUSINESSES A BOOST: DeKalb County Workforce Development – in conjunction with Jewish Family and Career Services (JFCS) – is using Recovery Act funds to help local businesses pay for employee on-the-job training. Grants cover a percentage of the training salaries for up to 16 weeks if they hire DeKalb County residents. If your small business could use a boost, call JFCS at 770-677-9368 for more information.
BANK OF AMERICA SUSPENDS FORECLOSURES: If your home loan is with Bank of America and you’re seeking assistance with home loan modification, now’s the time to reach out to your lender. Bank of America has suspended foreclosures and dispossessory actions in Georgia while they review the process. If your home is scheduled for foreclosure, call your Bank of America today to get further details about the status of the foreclosure process and to determine if you are eligible for a loan modification.
FIGHTING FOR SENIORS: Because Social Security is not providing a coast-of-living-increase this year, I support H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act, to provide a $250 payment to about 54 million Americans in lieu of no increase in their monthly income. The President has already budgeted for this and we can do this in a fiscally responsible way. We can’t leave seniors behind as we begin this recovery. When I get back to Washington in November, I’m going to vote to help our seniors.
MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE: An estimated 289,000 Georgia families have taken advantage of the improved American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for college in 2009, reducing their taxes by an average of more than $1,600, according to a just released Treasury Department analysis. This higher education tax credit, formerly known as the Hope Scholarship tax credit, was expanded and strengthened by Congress and President Obama in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, increasing it from $1,800 to $2,500, and providing it to more families. For more, click here.
GWINNETT WINS BROAD PRIZE: Congratulations to Meadowcreek High School and all of Gwinnett County Schools for winning the Broad Prize, the Nobel Prize for schools if you will. This just shows that with patience, perseverance and hard work, we can accomplish anything. Great job Gwinnett!
SERVICE ACADEMY APPLICATIONS: I am accepting applications for congressional nominations to our military service academies for the Classes of 2015. The deadline for receipt of completed applications and supporting materials is Monday, November 1, at 5 p.m. in my Tucker District Office. All complete applications will be evaluated, and qualified applicants will be asked to interview with my Academy Nomination Review Board. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 13. I encourage students interested in serving as an officer in the U.S. Armed Services to consider the professional and academic opportunities offered by the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis), the U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. You can learn more about the nomination process and download an application on my web page in the Constituent Services section under Academy Nominations.
DAISY’S CHOCOLATES: During the recession and difficult job market, the number of Americans starting their own businesses has risen. There is a strong tradition of entrepreneurship in this country and that tradition is only getting stronger. Enter Daisy Latimore, who thanks to programs through Goodwill Industries of North Georgia, has turned her hobby of making gift baskets and candy into a retail business in Conyers. Now she’s looking to create jobs. Way to go Daisy!
DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERNSHIPS: The Department of State is currently accepting applications for summer 2011 internships. Not to be confused with the Embassy’s Summer Hire program, this is a Department-wide internship program for U.S. college students who wish to serve in internships at embassies around the world. If you have a college student in your family who would like to know more about this program, click here.
LETTER TO HHS: Last week, I sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius raising my concerns that Georgia was shortchanged when the department distributed about $25 million in AIDS funding to states in August. I was proud to have Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta and Rep. David Scott of Jonesboro, but also Republican Reps. Tom Price of Roswell, John Linder of Lawrenceville and Paul Broun of Athens on the letter.
HOW DO I BECOME PRESIDENT?: Kids.gov and Challenge.gov are teaming up to help kids think about what living out that dream would really look like. Kids.gov, the official government Web portal for kids, has the “How Do I Become President?” challenge. There are three award categories with cash prizes totaling $5,000. The contest is open until November 3. For the complete rules and how to submit your poster, go to Challenge.gov.
If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail me or call my D.C. office at 202-225-1605, my Lithonia office at 770-987-2291 or my Tucker office at 770-939-2016. You can reach me 24/7 via my Web site www.hankjohnson.house.gov. Thank you for your time — have a great weekend!
Thanks,
Hank
