REPRESENTATIVE FUDGE COMMENTS ON SUN NEWSPAPERS' DOWNSIZING 

Sun Newspapers announced its reduction in circulation of newspapers by 50 percent. The chain will also eliminate several administrative departments, cut its editorial staff and discontinue service to unspecified communities. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) issued the following statement in response.

"Sun Newspapers, owned by Advance Publications and represented by Euclid Sun-Journal, Bedford Sun, Garfield-Maple Sun and Sun Messenger, are vital news sources in the Eleventh District. I hope Advance Publications continues to serve our community with the quality news coverage its readers expect.

"I am saddened that so many hard working Sun employees may lose their jobs. Sun Newspapers not only cover issues in our communities, the publications also provide financial security for many staff members and their families."

JACKSON APPLAUDS FOREIGN RELATIONS MEASURE 

Rep. Jesse Jackson announced his support for H.R. 2410 -- the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.  He said the bill "rebuilds and revitalizes our nation's capacity to engage in vigorous and robust foreign policy through enhanced diplomacy." 

"After eight years of go-it-alone, cowboy foreign policy, this bill comes not a moment too soon.  This measure is consistent with American tradition, providing the President and his administration with the tools needed for the kind of tough, principled diplomacy that will keep us safe," Jackson said.   

"By enhancing and promoting U.S. diplomacy, this measure helps to restore the standing and strengthen the security of America."   

Among its many provisions, H.R. 2410 ensures that the United States will meet its financial commitments to the United Nations and other international organizations.  It also strengthens the arms control and nonproliferation capabilities of the U.S. State Department and reforms the system of export controls for military technology.  Moreover, the measure increases the Peace Corps' budget to support President Obama's goal of doubling the number of Peace Corp volunteers.

H.R. 2410 also includes a provision to compensate the relatives of U.S. citizens killed in the 1998 embassy bombings in Africa.  Congressman Jackson has led the effort to enact the measure in Congress for several years. 

Jackson said, "For 11 years, the relatives of the U.S. citizens killed in the embassy bombing in Kenya have waited and waited for our government to provide a full accounting and proper redress for their painful loss.  I'm pleased that this bill puts an end to an excruciatingly long wait and provides compensation to these families." 

Jackson noted that the foreign relations legislation comes to the House floor a day after a terror suspect in the two American Embassy bombings, Ahmed Ghailani, arrived in a New York federal court to await trial.  Jackson stated, "As our government brings a terror suspect in the al-Qaeda bombings to America to face justice, it must not turn its back on justice and restitution for the victims.  This bill ensures that justice finally will prevail." 

The bill authorizes $18 million for the U.S. State Department to compensate the families of the embassy bombing victims.  It also authorizes compensation -- a death gratuity -- for families of persons killed while serving on a U.S. diplomatic or consular mission abroad since January 1, 1998. 

Cummings, Jackson Introduce Bill to Address Health Disparities

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Jesse Jackson, Jr., (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 2778, the Health Equity and Accountability Through Research Act of 2009, which would elevate the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) to the level of Institute, giving it the authority to better address the appalling health disparities that are plaguing our nation’s minority communities.

NCMHD was created to promote minority health and lead, coordinate, and assess the efforts of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. However, the Center’s current structure creates ambiguity regarding who has the responsibility and authority for coordinated minority health disparities research conducted or supported by NIH. Additionally, NCMHD currently lacks real input into and authority over all NIH-supported health disparities activities and funds.

To address these concerns, the bill would elevate the Center to the level of Institute, and clarify the role of the Director as coordinator and manager of the NIH-wide minority health and health disparities portfolio. The bill would also provide the new Institute with professional judgment over NIH-wide minority health and health disparities budgets as well as management over NIH-wide minority health and health disparities allocations.

“Whether African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, or Asians and Pacific Islanders, the minority populations in our country are more severely affected by diseases than our white counterparts across the board,” Congressman Cummings said. “Congressman Jackson and I are confident that elevating the NCMHD to the Institute level and providing its Director with clear authority over health disparity issues will empower NIH to better address the disparities that are killing our communities.”

“I was pleased in 1999 to author the bill that elevated NIH's Office of Research on Minority Health to the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Now it is time to take the next step,” Congressman Jackson said.  “This bill would elevate the Center to an Institute and provide it with the authority and funding to track health disparities in this country.  This bill will positively impact our understanding of health disparities among ethnic minorities and other medically underserved communities.”

According to recent statistics:

·       African Americans have death rates more than 40 percent higher than whites for heart disease, seven times higher for HIV/AIDS, double for prostate cancer, and 30 percent higher for all cancers.

·       Hispanics have death rates 41 percent higher than whites for diabetes, 168 percent higher for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, 168 percent higher for HIV/AIDS, and 18 percent higher for strokes.

·       American Indians and Alaskan Natives have death rates 750 percent higher than whites for tuberculosis, 190 percent higher for diabetes, and 550 percent higher from alcoholism.

The language of H.R. 2778 is also included in the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009, which was announced by the Tri-Caucus yesterday.

 Lee Saddened by Shooting U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) issued the following statement in response to the fatal shooting that took place at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:

“I join in condemning the tragic shooting that took place at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum,” Lee said. “I extend my most heart-felt condolences to the family of the museum security guard who was slain in this senseless act of violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to the members of his family.”

Fudge announces Ohio receives $1 billion

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that Ohio received over $1 billion in State Stabilization funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Ohio will be eligible to apply for an additional $590 million this fall.  The state received today’s funding as a result of its successful completion of Part 1 of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund application.

Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) was a proud supporter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which she believes "is a strong first step in rebuilding our nation's economy." 

States are required to use the vast majority of State Stabilization assistance to restore funding for primary, secondary, post-secondary and, in some cases, early childhood education. Funding can be used to save related jobs, such as bus drivers, administrators and teachers. Secretary Duncan emphasized that State Stabilization dollars must also drive education innovation and reform,. 

“The $1 billion Ohio will receive today is part of the single largest boost in education funding in recent history,” said Secretary Duncan.  “The President’s leadership, and support from Congress, have made this historic investment possible.  Ohio can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation of education reform.”

"Ohio has the opportunity to invest in the next generation through education reform while saving jobs and boosting the economy," said Rep. Fudge.  "I sincerely hope Governor Strickland will use the funds according to their mandated purpose so all Ohioans will benefit."

To date, Ohio has received $432 million in education funds from the Recovery Act.  On April 1, Ohio received$186 million for Title I and $233 million for IDEA.  This is only 50 percent of the total amount of Title I and IDEA funding for which Ohio is eligible.  On the same date, Ohio also received $11 million in Vocational Rehabilitation funds and $2 million in Independent Living funds. 

To view Ohio's application for initial funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program click here. To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act click here.

Scott Applauds Obama on Balancing The Federal Budget

U.S. Rep. David Scott made the following statement in support of President Obama’s announcement to enact tough budget rules and restore statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) requirements. 

“Since taking office, President Obama has not only talked about returning this country to an era of responsible government spending, but now he is making good on that promise,” stated Scott.  “The President’s call for a return to statutory PAYGO requirements will complement and strengthen Congressional rules and help to bring the government back to a more sustainable balanced budget.  I commend the President for this bold move toward fiscal responsibility and reform.” 

In 2007, both houses of Congress took important steps toward restoring fiscal discipline by using Congressional rules to restore enforcement of the PAYGO principle.  The PAYGO statute is meant to provide an enforcement mechanism, sequestration, that is unavailable without statutory PAYGO. 

Lee Introduces Resolution Supporting National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

In conjunction with June being National Caribbean Heritage Month, Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/Awareness Day which is recognized every year on June 8th.

The resolution seeks to encourage State and local governments and media organizations to publicize the importance of the day in their communities and encourage Caribbean American, Caribbean-born and all people in the United State to, educate themselves on the disease, know their status and undergo testing for HIV. Additionally, the resolution supports the development of a National AIDS strategy with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, particularly among communities of color.

“Communities of color continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS,” said Lee. “The statistics for those living and emigrating from the Caribbean are staggering.

“The Joint United National Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated that 230,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean at the end of 2007. Approximately 14,000 those diagnosed died of AIDS during that same year making it one of the leading causes of death in the Caribbean among adults 15 to 49 years old and making the region the second-most affected by HIV in the world.

“This legislation will bring much needed awareness and advocacy to both the Caribbean and Caribbean American communities about the devastating affects of this deadly disease and what people must do to protect themselves.”