May 2010 Archives

Dear Friends,

While Memorial Day is a chance for us all to spend time with family and friends, let’s also go the extra mile this holiday to honor our veterans and military families. Remember what our soldiers and their families are doing for us – sacrificing so much to defend our freedoms, our happiness and way of life. I’m proud of the positive steps we’ve taken in Congress to improve health care, pay and facilities for veterans because too often as a society we forget these brave Americans and their families. To see how you can help veterans in a meaningful way, visit the Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia today.

HONORING LOCAL VETERANS – I was pleased to take part in the DeKalb Veterans Advisory Board’s Memorial Day event on Monday in Decatur. I was honored to offer a proclamation and to be introduced by Ray Jones, who has done so much for veterans in the Fourth District. I look forward to attending Rockdale County and Gwinnett County events this weekend to recognize our military families.

A CHIEF RETURNS – No one deserves our praise and recognition this Memorial Day more than Doraville Police Chief John King, who has recently returned from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan where he trained Afghan police. Before that he spent a year in Iraq. Chief King led the Doraville Memorial Day ceremony this week. I’m so pleased he’s returned safe and sound to DeKalb County. Welcome back Chief King!

MARTA TRANSIT TOUR – As the newest member of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was eager to take a public transportation tour with MARTA GM-CEO Beverly Scott last weekend. Riding the bus from the Panola Road Park & Ride to the Indian Creek Station and the train to Decatur gave me the opportunity to interact with so many constituents. I won a seat on the Transportation Committee so I could fight for serious federal investment in our transit infrastructure. The people of metro Atlanta need jobs and they share a vision of an efficient, prosperous, green future.  I'm ready to fight for those jobs and that vision. Click here to read more about the tour.

HUD, HOMES AND STABILIZATION – I’m proud to have voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that has provided more than $200 million for DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties for public works, public safety jobs and transportation projects. It has also helped fund Neighborhood Stabilization Programs in all three counties that has gone toward fighting foreclosures. It was encouraging to go on the BeltLine tour with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and Mayor Kasim Reed on May 21 to see these dollars in action. For more information, click here.

A HELPING HAND – For residents struggling to pay their mortgage, who have been evicted or had their power cut off, the Georgia Fresh Start Program – also funded by the Recovery Act – might be able to help. This one-time, non-recurring benefit is available if your income is 300 percent below the poverty level. Families in the metro Atlanta counties who need assistance with the Fresh Start program may now contact United Way to apply by dialing 211.

AIRPORTS AND GUNS – I recently introduced the Airport Security Act of 2010, which would ensure that only law enforcement officers are permitted to carry guns in our airports. Contrary to what some folks are saying, this is not an attack on some state lawmakers who want citizens to be able to carry concealed firearms in non-secure areas of our airports, but a common sense measure to help keep our nation’s airports safe. As the Airports Council International wrote officials at Hartsfield-Jackson: “There is no justification for permitting firearms at any airport.” For more on this, click here.

OSHA GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE – On Thursday, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the availability of about $8 million designed to support and assist organizations in establishing or expanding their capacity to address occupational safety and health problems, and provide training, education and related assistance to educate workers and employees. For more information, click here.

RUBBER DUCKIES AND ROCKDALE – Please keep June 24 on your calendars to participate in the Rockdale Senior Services Rubber Ducky Race –their 6th annual fundraiser. Proceeds benefit senior services in Rockdale, including Meals on Wheels, health and wellness programs and transportation vouchers.

A SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESSES – SunTrust Bank of Atlanta received the Export Lender of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration during celebration of National Small Business Week. SunTrust was recognized for their commitment to delivering vital financial assistance to American small businesses.

CHAMBLEE FARMERS MARKET – Chamblee, which has made great strides these past few years remaking itself, is trying to launch a Saturday morning Farmers Market that will sell flowers, food and produce. To learn more on how to get involved, click here.

NORCROSS, TOO – If you get a chance, stop by the WhistleStop Farmers Market in Norcross on June 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s one of the great markets in metro Atlanta. And if you see Mayor Bucky Johnson, tell him I said hello. Also, don’t forget the Bowl for Chiefs event to benefit the Gwinnett County Police Chiefs’ Association on Saturday, June 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.

RACE FOR THE CURE – I want to applaud my D.C. staff – aka Team Hank – for taking part June 5 in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure on the National Mall. Our team name was “Hank Johnson” and our team captain was Sascha Thompson. Go Team!

CLARKSTON AND THE WORLD CUP – Georgia’s most diverse city is hosting a World Cup party like none other. The World Cup, which will be held in South Africa from June 11 to July 11, will be broadcast daily in the newly renovated Clarkston Community Center’s Angora Hall. Weekend soccer tournaments at the Center are on tap and food from around the world will be served. Not all matches will be broadcast, so click here for more information.

SOLUTIONS, NOT POLITICS – Citizens for Global Solutions, which addresses climate change, prohibits torture and ensures protection of human rights around the globe, just recognized my work on these issues and awarded me an “A” for my stance on the environment and human and civil rights. For more, click here. Thank you!

HURRICANE SEASON – With hurricane season just around the corner, I would like to remind you that by visiting www.Ready.gov, individuals and communities can obtain information on how to prepare themselves and their families with disaster kits and family emergency plans.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns. I have a busy schedule of Memorial weekend events throughout the district, so I hope to see you there. Thanks, 

Hank
 

Congressman rides bus, train from Lithonia to Decatur with Dr. Beverly Scott

DECATUR, GA – As the newest member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) went on a Saturday morning fact-finding transit tour with MARTA General Manager/CEO Dr. Beverly Scott. 
 
Congressman Johnson, wife Mereda Davis Johnson and Dr. Scott caught a MARTA bus from the Panola Road Park & Ride station to the Indian Creek MARTA station and then took the train into Decatur. 

Along the way, Rep. Johnson and Dr. Scott discussed transit funding, the I-20 East Corridor and the Clifton Corridor transit projects. On May 21, Rep. Johnson toured a portion of the Beltline project in Atlanta.
 
“I won a seat on the Transportation Committee so I could fight for serious federal investment in our transit infrastructure,” said Johnson. “The people of metro Atlanta need jobs and they share a vision of an efficient, prosperous, green future.  I'm ready to fight for those jobs and that vision.”
 
Dr. Scott was elated a metro-area Congressman now has a seat on the coveted House Transportation Committee.
 
“More than a third of MARTA’s services are the Congressman’s district,” said Scott. “Many of the most important projects moving forward – the Clifton Corridor, the I-20 East High Capacity Corridor and projects along I-285 – are in the Congressman’s district. I’m thrilled a public transit champion like Congressman Johnson now has a seat at the table.”
 
It was the first of many excursions Rep. Johnson’s plans in the coming months to learn which transportation and infrastructure projects need priority in federal funding.

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Congressman introduces ‘common sense’ bill to protect traveling public

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seeking to make airports around the nation safer for the general public and the law enforcement officers who patrol them, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today introduced the “Airport Security Act of 2010.”

The bill would prohibit people other than local law enforcement and Homeland Security employees from carrying guns – concealed or otherwise – in airport terminals, lobbies, baggage claim areas, ticket counters and outside in pick-up and drop-off areas.

Law-abiding gun owners would still be able to carry guns used for hunting if they are unloaded and contained in clearly marked, locked cases. Airports would also be required to post signs that clearly indicate they are gun-free zones.

“We live in a post-911 world where terrorists continue to look at planes and airports as prime targets,” said Johnson. “It defies logic that we would we allow anyone other than law enforcement officials to carry a loaded gun within an airport? This bill is simply common sense.”

If passed and signed into law by President Obama, Rep. Johnson’s bill would expand Homeland Security’s jurisdiction to include non-secure areas of airports and would take precedence over any city or state laws that allow weapons in any airports nationwide. The gun ban would include public transportation stops within airports if the gun owner departs the transit station at an airport.

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El Congresista Johnson  el único demócrata de Georgia en el influyente Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura: 
 

WASHINGTON, DC - El congresista Hank Johnson (GA-04) anunció que la Presidente de la Cámara, Nancy Pelosi, le ha informado que tendrá una posición en el codiciado y poderoso Comité de la Cámara de Transporte e Infraestructura.

Siendo ya parte del equipo de liderazgo de la Cámara como Whip Regional del Sureste y presidente del Subcomité Judicial sobre Tribunales y política de competencia, la nueva posición del  Congresista Johnson en Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura le proporcionara con una herramienta aún más eficaz  para servir las necesidades del Cuarto Distrito en Congreso, el Estado de Georgia, los gobiernos locales y MARTA.

Desde enero de 2009, Johnson ha ayudado a traer cerca de $ 1 billón en inversión en infraestructura a Georgia a través del Acta de recuperación del presidente Obama, en la que el congresista Johnson jugó un papel importante en su aprobación  como Whip Regional del Sureste.  Los fondos incluyen $ 168 millones dólares para transporte colectivo, de los cuales más de $ 70 millones han ido a apoyar MARTA.

Johnson dijo que parte de sus metas será también mejorar el transporte a lo largo del corredor I-20 Este, que atraviesa el corazón del Cuarto Distrito.

"Esto significa puestos de trabajo. Esto significa inversión federal seria en nuestra infraestructura de transporte, en carreteras, puentes y el ferrocarril ", dijo el representante de Johnson. "Metro Atlanta necesita un asiento en este comité. Ahora tenemos uno. “
Comentando sobre el nombramiento, la Presidente de la Cámara de Representantes, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), dijo:

"Hank ha mostrado el tipo de liderazgo necesario para dar la vuelta a nuestra economía, aprobar una reforma de salud y realizar inversiones esenciales en la creación de empleos", dijo Pelosi. "Hank se ha ganado un asiento en este comité y sus electores se beneficiaran enormemente de ella."

El Congresista Johnson ahora es el único demócrata de Georgia en el comité.

El Congresista Johnson se mantendrá tanto en el Comité Judicial como en el de Servicios Armados y continuará sirviendo como Presidente del Subcomité sobre Tribunales y políticas de competencia en el Comité Judicial.

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El Congresista Johnson aplaude los esfuerzos de los estudiantes y otorga becas para la universidad

Lithonia, GA-Rep. Hank Johnson (AG-04) anunció los ganadores del Concurso de Arte del Congreso del 2010 y otorgó cuatro becas universitarias por un valor de más de $ 23,000 el 08 de mayo en el Walker Lou Senior Center.

La estudiante de la preparatoria de Tucker Sally Beck ganó la competencia con la pieza  "Post Terremoto: Un día en Haití." Ella ganó una beca de $ 1,500 dólares al año en el Savannah College of Art and Design. Ms. Beck viajará a Washington, D.C., el próximo mes para ver su pieza expuesta en el túnel de Capitolio, donde se ubicaran junto a las piezas de los demás ganadores de la nación durante un año.

"Las artes están vivas y bien en el Cuarto Distrito," dijo el representante Johnson. "Aplaudo a todos los estudiantes que participaron en la competencia de este año. Todos son ganadores”.

Diecisiete estudiantes de secundaria de DeKalb, Rockdale y los condados de Gwinnett presentaron obras de arte que compitieron por cuatro becas para la universidad.

Logan Shirah de Lakeside High School fue primera finalista y ganó una beca de $10,000 dólares con el Instituto de Arte de Atlanta; Nina Wilks de McNair High School fue segunda finalista con una beca de $5,000 dólares para el Instituto de Arte de Atlanta; y Michelle Lee, de Meadowcreek High School en Gwinnett, fue la tercera finalista y recibió una beca de $ 2,500 para el Instituto de Arte de Atlanta.

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Dear Friends,

Before I get into all that is happening in the Fourth, I want to pause and honor Rockdale Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Mahaffey, who was shot and killed in the line of duty May 8 in Conyers.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his wife Diana, two-year-old son Trenton, three-month-old daughter Anniston, his brother Christopher, and his parents – Terry and Cindy. We must now all rally around Brian’s family, especially his young wife and two small children. It is our solemn duty now to protect them as he protected us.

HONORING THE MAHAFFEY FAMILY – Condolences to the Mahaffey family may be submitted online at www.scotward.com or on his Facebook Memorial page.

NORCROSS CAREER EXPO – We had a very productive career expo at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Norcross on April 30. More than 500 people received vital information from our panelists and employers. There are telltale signs that the economy is turning around, but we still have work to do. We plan to host a Career Expo in Rockdale in July. Stay tuned!

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE – I’m excited to announce that I was named by the Speaker to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week. This means jobs. This means serious federal investment in our transportation infrastructure, in roads, bridges and rail. Metro Atlanta needs a seat at this table. Now we have one. For more information, click here.

CLEAN ENERGY AND JOBS – On May 7, Energy Secretary Steven Chu joined me at Georgia Tech to see the labs that are spawning private solar panel manufacturing companies like Suniva in Norcross. During a Feb. 17 tour of Suniva, I was very impressed to learn that they export 90 percent of their panels to India and China. During my visit to Tech last week, it was nice to see Suniva CEO John Baumstark, who is growing his business and hiring workers thanks to $5.7 million in stimulus tax credits.

ENERGY GRANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES – I’m pleased to announce that a local small business nGimat Co. is hiring thanks in part to a $99,000 Department of Energy innovation grant to research high-temperature superconductors. It’s these kinds of innovative companies that are the lifeblood of clean-energy technologies of the future. The small Chamblee-based business has 20 employees, but it’s hiring three more people this summer because of the grant.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS – As part of the landmark health care reform law, many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that provide health insurance coverage to their employees now qualify for a special tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service. More information about the credit, including tax tips, guides and answers to frequently asked questions, is now available online.

MARTA SAFETY GRANTS – MARTA will receive $4.3 million in transit safety grants from the Department of Homeland Security. This investment will be used to protect the rail system and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies.

CONYERS-ROCKDALE LIBRARY DEDICATION – On Sunday, the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library will hold an Open House from 3 to 6 p.m. at 864 Green Street. Come see the beautiful expansion and renovations that have taken place at the library!

COLLEGE TUITION HIKES – I read with concern this week that tuition at many Atlanta-area colleges and universities could rise as much as 16 percent this fall. This is one of the reasons I supported President Obama’s Making College More Affordable initiative, which will invest $36 billion in the Pell grant program and provide need-based grants to low- and middle-income students and families.  The bill ties the maximum Pell grant award to inflation to ensure that it maintains more of its value over time, and increases the maximum award to $5,500 next year. For more information, click here.

EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS – DeKalb County will receive $9 million under the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS to provide decent, affordable housing for low-income residents. For more information, visit the county Web site.

ARTS COMPETITION, AN ARTISITC DISCOVERY – Congratulations to Ms. Sally Beck of Tucker High School, who won my 2010 Congressional Arts Competition at our awards ceremony May 8. Her “Post Earthquake: A Day in Haiti” drawing was outstanding. Her piece will hang in the Capitol tunnel for a year, and Ms. Beck earned a $1,500 a year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design. All the students who entered did great work -- Congratulations! Click here for more.

ACADEMY DAY – I was pleased to take part in this year’s Academy Day on May 8 at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.  It was a pleasure introducing the drill team, and seeing Congressman Gingrey and Senator Isakson. I look forward to having a broad group of high school seniors participate in the upcoming Academy nomination enrollment.

HEALTH INSURANCE AND BREAST CANCER – I was happy to sign a letter with some of my House colleagues last month urging private health insurance company WellPoint to stop the systematic targeting and rescission of coverage of policyholders recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The next day, WellPoint did the right thing and moved to abide by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s rescission law early. Click here to read the letter.

CULTIVATING THE ARTS & HUMANITIES – I’m pleased to announce that Oglethorpe University’s Museum of Art received a $2,000 grant for their project Art and Oglethorpe: Red Hills and Stone. For more, click here.

MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH – Please take some time out to observe Older Americans Month in May by volunteering at a senior center, taking a senior citizen to lunch or dinner or just calling and making sure they’re OK. As a member of the House Seniors Taskforce, I take seniors’ issues seriously. To connect with seniors in your neighborhood, click here.

I look forward to seeing you soon at various events around the district! Thanks,

Hank
 

Congressman Johnson applauds students’ efforts, awards college scholarships:

LITHONIA, GA –Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the winners of his 2010 Congressional Arts Competition and awarded four college scholarships worth more than $23,000 on May 8 at the Lou Walker Senior Center.

Tucker High School student Sally Beck won the competition with “Post Earthquake: A Day in Haiti.” She won a $1,500 a year scholarship from Savannah College of Art and Design, and she will travel to Washington, D.C., next month to see her art displayed in the Capitol tunnel, where it will hang with other award winners for a year.

“The arts are alive and well in the Fourth District,” said Rep. Johnson. “I applaud all the students who participated in this year’s competition. They are all winners.”

Seventeen high school students from DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties submitted artwork competing for four college scholarships.

Logan Shirah of Lakeside High School was first runner up and won a $10,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta; Nina Wilks of McNair High School was second runner up with a $5,000 scholarship to the Art Institute; and Michelle Lee of Meadowcreek High School in Gwinnett was third runner up and received a $2,500 scholarship to the Art Institute.

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Congressman Johnson only Democrat from Georgia on influential Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has informed him that he will have a coveted seat on the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Already a member of the House leadership team as Southeast Regional Whip and chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, Congressman Johnson’s new seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will equip him to even more effectively serve the needs of the Fourth Congressional District, the State of Georgia, local governments and MARTA.

Since January 2009, Johnson has helped bring nearly $1 billion in infrastructure investment to Georgia via President Obama’s Recovery Act, which Congressman Johnson played a key role in passing as a member of the whip team.  Those funds include $168 million for mass transit, of which more than $70 million has gone to support MARTA.

Johnson said part of his focus will also be to upgrade transportation along the I-20 East corridor through the heart of the Fourth District.

“This means jobs. This means serious federal investment in our transportation infrastructure, in roads, bridges, and rail,” said Rep. Johnson.  “Metro Atlanta needs a seat at this table.  Now we have one.”
In commenting on the appointment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said:

“Hank has displayed the kind of leadership needed to turn around our economy, pass health care reform and make crucial investments in creating jobs,” said Pelosi. “Hank has earned a seat on this committee and his constituents stand to benefit greatly from it.”

Congressman Johnson is now the only Democrat from Georgia on the committee.

Congressman Johnson will remain on both the Judiciary and Armed Services committees and will continue serving as Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Web site.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) cordially invites you to his Open House on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in his Washington, D.C. office at 1133 Longworth from 9 to 11 a.m.

Come Meet the Congressman and his staff! Find out more about Hank and what he’s working on!

For more information contact Arthur D. Sidney, chief of staff at 202-225-1605.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, today called for careful scrutiny of the proposed merger of United and Continental Airlines. 

The merger would reportedly create the world’s largest airline, breaking a record set just two years ago by the merger of Delta and Northwest.  It would also come at a time of heightened concern about airline practices such as multi-company international alliances and aggressive gate swapping that seek to avoid antitrust scrutiny.  On the heels of the proposed merger announcement, the Chairman announced that the Judiciary Subcommittee would hold hearings on competition in the airline industry including the proposed merger.

“The disappearance of another major airline could lead to fewer choices and possibly higher prices,” said Johnson. “The potential for increased prices, coupled with consumers’ concerns about continued approval of antitrust immunity for international airline alliances demand that Congress examine this merger. It’s the Judiciary Committee’s responsibility to hold hearings to determine how the public would be impacted by these changes when traveling here and abroad.”
 
The Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy expects to hold hearings on this matter soon.