Congresswoman Johnson’s office partners with UTD and Dallas County for weatherization project on National Day of Service and Remembrance

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, in partnership with the Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas and Dallas County Health & Human Services, held a Community Energy Audit today, on the first federally-designated National Day of Service and Remembrance.  The Community Energy Audit brought together 40 volunteers, who notified more than 500 Dallas homeowners of their eligibility for the Dallas County Weatherization Assistance Program.  It was the first in a series of “Green the Block Dallas” events.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, landmark economic legislation enacted by President Obama in February, provided millions of dollars to local governments to provide weatherization assistance to low-income households.  The Institute for Urban Policy Research identified homes in the neighborhoods surrounding Fair Park likely to be eligible for the Dallas County Weatherization Assistance Program in advance of today’s event.  At 9:11 this morning, volunteers began the process of knocking on the door of each pre-identified house and notifying homeowners of their likely eligibility in person.  Homeowners can contact Dallas County Health & Human Services for further assistance.

“Today is our first opportunity to honor September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and I applaud the volunteers for taking the time to participate in the Community Energy Audit,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “We still grieve for the people we lost eight years ago, and today we can remember them while also serving our country and working hard to make it a better place.”

The National Day of Service and Remembrance was created by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which President Obama signed into law on April 21.  Green the Block Dallas is a grassroots partnership between Hip Hop Government, the Institute for Urban Policy Research and the Progressive Center of Texas.

###
 
U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.