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7th District E-Newsletter- May 2009
Welcome to our first 7th District E-Newsletter. Once a month, we will issue this newsletter to update you on the latest information regarding the 7th District and the activities of the 111th Congress. This newsletter allows me and my staff to communicate directly to you what we're doing on your behalf in Congress and in the district. Please feel free to contact my offices so that we can assist you more and also visit my NEW website at www.house.gov/arturdavis for additional updates.
Black Farmers Restitution
I am very pleased with the White House's decision to commit $1.25 billion to a resolution of claims by black farmers. I have worked very closely with the Obama Administration and before that with then-Senator Obama to make sure that farmers who were victims of race discrimination receive the justice they deserve. I will continue to work closely with my colleagues to make certain that Congress does whatever is necessary to achieve the appropriate restitution. I will also work to ensure that the process for distributing these funds is clear and efficient and that a prompt payment is ensured.
Idling of Alabama's U.S. Steel Facility
The idling of the US steel plant in Fairfield is one more devastating example of how much this recession is hurting our people. On Tuesday, May 12, I met with the displaced workers at this facility, and spoke with them about the extended unemployment benefits and extended health coverage that are now available to them as a result of the stimulus package. I will meet with local government officials to discuss what can be done to help the city of Fairfield deal with this crippling blow. My office will also be reaching out to charitable and social service organizations to activate a response to the human needs left in the wake of the plant's inactivity.
Recent announcement of GM and Chrysler dealerships
The announcement by both Chrysler and General Motors that they are closing thousands of their dealerships is very troubling. The dealerships slated to close employ more than 150,000 people across the country and contribute billions of dollars to our economy, and it does not cost Chrysler and GM a dime to operate these dealerships. I have joined a bi-partisan request to obtain transparency around why these closings are happening. I recently met with several Birmingham-area dealerships to discuss their concerns. I will continue to work on this issue with other members of Congress.
H.R. 1474- Servicemembers Access to Justice Act
I recently reintroduced the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act, H.R. 1474, which strengthens laws that protect our servicemen and women who return home from active duty to find that they have lost their jobs, been demoted, or lost their benefits. This legislation includes provisions that will:
•Make it easier for servicemembers to keep their jobs when they have been terminated or denied reemployment and are attempting to enforce their rights.
•Prohibit employers from requiring servicemembers to give up their ability to enforce their rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) in court in order to get a job or keep a job.
•Make it clear that USERRA prohibits employers from paying lower wages to servicemembers simply because of their status as a servicemember, veteran, or applicant to be a servicemember.
I believe our service men and women should be able to return home to the same position they had prior to their deployment and H.R. 1474 will ensure that those employers who do discriminate will not succeed. We should continue to value those who serve our country as honorable citizens.
April District Work Period
Transportation Summits
During the April district work period I hosted 3 transportation summits to meet with local officials and stakeholders about the upcoming 2010 federal transportation bill. The summits, which took place in Birmingham, Selma, and Tuscaloosa gave all participants the opportunity to give a brief overview of thei individual projects, including its economic impact and potential for job creation. Because of the severe recession gripping our economy, I have evaluated and submitted projects primarily on their capacity to create jobs in the short term, and on their potential to generate immediate economic development.
Rep. Davis visits Boeing and tours facility
One of the highlights of my April district work period was a tour of the Boeing facility in Huntsville on Good Friday, April 10th . The visit came on the heels of the announcement made by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that the FY 2010 defense budget could contain deep cuts for the missile defense program which is a major element of Boeing's Huntsville operations. If Congress approves the cuts to the missile defense program, the Huntsville facility would be one of the hardest hit defense sites. I am a strong supporter of missile defense and I will join my colleague from Huntsville, Rep. Parker Griffin, in advocating for this vital element of our national security. With both North Korea and Iran actively exploring a nuclear capability, we must be prepared for a nuclear threat. We will keep you updated on our website on the Boeing situation as it develops.
I will be back in the 7th District May 25th-29th for the May District Work Period.
Quotes from the Congressman
On White House nomination of attorney Joyce Vance to U.S. Attorney...
"Joyce Vance will be an outstanding U.S. Attorney. She will continue the work that needs and deserves to be continued, and she will be an independent prosecutor who will not shy away from making hard choices. Her father-in-law would have been very proud of this moment. I look forward to prompt nominations to the other two US attorney positions in Alabama."
Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act- "The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, if it had already been law, would have prevented some of the reckless, predatory mortgage practices that contributed to our current recession. The successful passage of this legislation will help restore trust and confidence in our mortgage industry. I hope the Senate will do the right thing and pass this bill."
On recognition of Equal Pay Day -"Lilly Ledbetter showed us the way forward but there is still progress to be made to ensure that women are treated and compensated as true equals in the workplace," said Congressman Davis. "More than four decades following the Equal Pay Act, working women earn just 78 cents for every dollar earned by their male coworkers."
On Birmingham Congresswoman Miriam Witherspoon- "Miriam Witherspoon was one of the unsung heroes in Birmingham politics," he said in a statement released by his office. "In a political world that can be harsh, Miriam was an example of decency and generosity. I will miss her friendship and Birmingham will miss her goodness."
In the news...
Alabama's U.S. House delegation says climate bill would hurt state economy
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/05/alabamas_us_house_delegation_s.html
Rep. Davis fights for catfish farms
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090511/NEWS/905109978/1012?Title=Rep-Davis-fights-for-catfish-farms
Kemp loved Selma stories and 'the vibrancy of ideas'
http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/insight.ssf?/base/opinion/1241860526259850.xml&coll=3
Rep. Davis says payments to black farmers aren't capped
http://www.al.com/politics/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1241079330183120.xml&coll=2
Hoover receives historic shipment of fuel
http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/news/2009/apr/16/hoover-receives-historic-shipment-fuel/
Davis sets priority on missile defense
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1239441367247000.xml&coll=1
Tax help arrives in Dallas County
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090408/NEWS02/904080353/1009/NEWS02
Questions about the economic recovery???
Contact our new Economic Recovery Coordinator
Hill Carmichael has joined my staff as Economic Recovery Coordinator for the Seventh Congressional District. In his new role, Hill will serve as a resource, an advocate and a taxpayer watchdog for the people of Alabama as funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are received and projects are initiated. Carmichael will also serve as the principal staffer on matters related to other economic recovery initiatives launched by the Obama Administration, including the foreclosure prevention plans announced earlier this year. He will be based in the Birmingham district office.
Upcoming events
May 25th-29th: District Work Period
May 28th - Homeownership and Lending Workshop
5:30pm-7:30pm
Birmingham City Hall- City Council Chambers
710 20th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Contact Me
Do you have a question for Congressman Davis or his staff? Are you visiting Washington and need information on tours? Have you been looking for a good internship? Go to our website at www.house.gov/arturdavis and find the answers to these questions and so much more.
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