EC from DC - September 14, 2012

Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend | Having trouble Viewing this Email?

CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER CONTINUES FIGHT FOR LIBERTY MEMORIAL DESIGNATION

This week I appeared before the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands to testify in support of the Liberty Memorial. As you know, I have been fighting to get Liberty Memorial designated as “The National World War I Museum and Memorial.” I have introduced previous legislation to this end and the bill we discussed this week is in line with that legislation. It would also establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, would designate memorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, and in addition to the Liberty Memorial designation, would also include a National World War I Memorial on the National Mall in the District of Columbia.

I will continue to work to see that the Kansas City region gets what it so richly deserves in the designation of Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial. Stay tuned for further updates. And if you would like to read the entire bill for yourself, you can do so, by clicking here.

WE NEED A FARM BILL NOW

Passing a Farm Bill is of critical importance. I am extremely concerned about the fact that Congress is likely to adjourn without reauthorizing a Farm Bill, and there is a chance it will not even be extended through the elections. This is not right.

We need a comprehensive bill. But failing to even pass an extension will add to further uncertainty for farmers and rural communities as they are harvesting and getting ready for next year. I think it is wrong for Congress to be adding to the burdens that farming, ranching and producing families are already facing in the wake of the extreme drought and last year’s flooding.

The Senate passed their farm bill in June. Members of the House of Representatives should not let pathological partisanship keep both parties from coming together, crunching the numbers and coming up with a compromise. And, I believe, this must be done now. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30th.

CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER HONORED FOR HELPING RURAL COMMUNITIES

I do not believe it is possible to live in Missouri without being conscious of, and concerned about, rural issues. I learned that as a young boy, growing up in Waxahachie, Texas, and helping my grandparents on their farm. ‘Helping’ meant milking the cow, feeding the animals, and serving as the machinery when it came time for harvest.

This week, I was honored and very humbled to accept the prestigious Golden Triangle Award from the National Farmers Union. The annual award is presented to members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership and supported politics that benefit America’s family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and rural communities.

I remain committed to getting a farm bill passed and to protecting agriculture from cuts.

“Recipients of the Golden Triangle Award have been strong advocates for family farmers and ranchers, and support similar principles and policies as the Farmers Union,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We are pleased to honor those who have proven to be true allies of our organization and our members across the country.”

In Missouri’s Fifth District, our rural and urban communities are united in this effort to support farmers, ranchers and producers – and those who depend on programs to feed their families. A full list of Golden Triangle Award recipients is available here.

COMMEMORATING THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH

This week our country stopped for a moment to remember. Tuesday marked the 11th anniversary of September 11th, 2011.

Eleven years ago, the way we live our lives in this great country, changed forever. Innocent, American lives were lost. Heroes sacrificed themselves to save others. And a sense of security was stripped away. But, in those dark hours, the light that has always guided our nation, continued to show us the way.

In the depths of tragedy, we pulled together to triumph. We did not let politics divide us. Instead, our common goals allowed us to work together, as Americans. This week, and every week, we honor those we lost, their families and friends. We show our appreciation to the first responders and volunteers who risked life and limb to save, and to search for survivors. And we thank the committed men and women of our Armed Forces, who continue to protect us, and who have prevented further terrorist attacks, here and abroad.

Time will never erase the memories of 9/11, nor should it. We must continue to be vigilant in protecting our troops, our law enforcement officers and all citizens from those who would threaten our way of life. We will remain committed to sound policies and we will stay united on these issues. May God bless all of the victims and families of 9/11. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.

CIVILITY CORNER

Over the August District Work Period, my unofficial brother, Bill “Doc” Worley and I went to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City to see the high flying Detroit Tigers play our struggling Royals. In spite of their 12 ½ games out of first place standing, the home town good guys played well. In fact, it was a great game. Well, it would have been great except for the Tiger fan who sat behind us.

Over the course of the eight innings we watched the game, the very forthcoming foreign fan disagreed with the umpires on at least 25 percent of the balls and strikes. Although I was respectably irritated, I gave him the “shut up and go home” look only once.

Later, that night while watching CNN’s review of the Republican Convention, it occurred to me that those of us in Congress and to some degree, the American public, do the same thing. We call legislative and policy balls and strikes not necessarily as they are, but as we wish them to be.

Make no mistake, some of the balls the fan saw as strikes, and vice versa, were very likely just as he saw them. Neither the umpire (media and pundits), nor the other side is always right.

Hopefully, we strongly believe the positions we embrace are correct and best for the American people. But let’s acknowledge, if only in our quiet and solitary moments, that when it comes to calling balls and strikes, we are fallible. By the way, the refs’ bad calls allowed the Falcons to defeat the Chiefs in their 2012 season opener, 40 to 24. I am all for giving the refs with cataracts a chance in the N.F.L., but I do wonder why the experiment began in Kansas City?