
| Carson Statement on Rosh Hashanah |
September 8, 2010 Carson Statement on Rosh Hashanah INDIANAPOLIS - Congressman André Carson today released the following statement on Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish New Year: ______________________________________________________
"As my Jewish friends around the great Hoosier state and the world begin their celebration of Rosh Hashanah, it is my hope we all join them in taking the time to look within ourselves and reflect on the past year. In these tough economic times we must renew our commitment to helping our friends and neighbors who are in need. This is a time to deepen our faith and compassion to help repair our communities and move forward in the New Year. "The Jewish community has been, and will continue to be, an important part of our country's success. It is my honor to wish them the best as they celebrate the New Year. Shanah tovah u'metukah"
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| Carson Helps Secure $8 Million for Local Fight Against Abandoned Houses |
September 8, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis will receive $8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to bolster local efforts to clean up and redevelop abandoned properties, Congressman André Carson announced today. The grant is part of a third round of funding through HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which is aimed at providing state and local governments with emergency funds to acquire, redevelop or demolish foreclosed properties. For a complete listing of the allocations announced today, visit HUD's website. Indianapolis was one of several communities to receive a portion of the $1 billion in NSP funds allocated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Congressman Carson and his colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus were instrumental in ensuring the NSP program was funded in the final Wall Street Reform bill. At one point during the debate, Carson and other CBC members staged a walk out during a Financial Services committee vote to push the issue front and center on the agenda. "I joined my CBC colleagues in pushing this issue because of the tremendous need in our neighborhoods," Carson said. "We have so many communities making great strides, but they still face significant hurdles in tackling foreclosed properties, which lower the quality of life and become magnets for crime and blight. This funding will be another much needed shot in the arm for Indianapolis and other communities struggling with high rates of foreclosure. "These NSP funds are a great example of what we need in this tough economy-a program that puts people back to work by making lasting investments in our neighborhoods." The latest $8 million grant is in addition to the $29 million Carson secured in 2008 as part of the first round of NSP funding. That initial infusion is currently being put to work demolishing abandoned houses and redeveloping properties in five targeted neighborhoods across Indianapolis as part of a program managed by the city.
For this third round of NSP funds, state and local governments can use their neighborhood stabilization grants to acquire land and property; to demolish or rehabilitate abandoned properties; and/or to offer down payment and closing cost assistance to low- to moderate-income homebuyers (household incomes not exceed 120 percent of area median income). In addition, these grantees can create "land banks" to assemble, temporarily manage and dispose of vacant land for the purpose of stabilizing neighborhoods and encouraging re-use or redevelopment of urban property. HUD will issue an NSP3 guidance notice in the next few weeks to assist grantees in designing their programs and applying for funds.
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| Carson to Lead Community Discussion on Financial Literacy |
September 8, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS - Recognizing the need for young people to have an understanding of financial basics during a tough economy, Congressman André Carson will lead a community discussion on financial literacy today at Arsenal Tech High School. As part of the event he will visit with students who have participated in the financial literacy program at the high school. The financial literacy program at Arsenal Tech teaches students the basics of finance from how to balance a checkbook to understanding car loans and mortgages. Upon completion of the course, students work in a full-service credit union that is located on Arsenal Tech's campus. Congressman Carson will be joined by community members, students and business leaders to discuss financial literacy legislation he has authored as well as highlight the crucial need to teach young people about how they can take control of their personal finances. WHAT: Community Discussion on Financial Literacy
WHEN: Wednesday, September 8 WHERE: Arsenal Building ### | |
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| Carson Statement on Labor Day |
September 6, 2010 INDIANAPOLIS - Congressman André Carson today released the following statement on the Labor Day holiday: ______________________________________________________ "Our nation will always be indebted to the men and women who stood and fought for the right to be treated with fairness and dignity in the workplace. As we honor the hardworking men and women who helped to build our nation and our middle class on this Labor Day we must also look forward and strive to renew our commitment to the success and well-being of all Americans." ### | |
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| Carson to Help Kick-Off Hunger Awareness Month |
August 31, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS - Looking to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in our community, Congressman André Carson will join Senator Richard Lugar and other community leaders Wednesday to help kick off Hunger Awareness Month. Dennis Bassett, CEO of Chase in Indiana and Pamela Altmeyer-Alvey, President and Executive Director of Gleaners Food Bank will also participate in the presentation that will be followed by a press conference.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 1, 11 a.m. EDT WHERE: In front of the Chase Bank Branch ### | |
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| Floor Statement on the Importance of Social Security -- July 27, 2010 |
Madame Speaker, One of the more important social programs of our times is nearing its 75th birthday, and I am so pleased to come to the floor today and speak on the vital role Social Security continues to play for some 50 million Americans.
Our economy is indeed seeing signs of rebirth. However, millions of Americans are feeling the impact, and programs such as Social Security are playing an important role in ensuring these people are able to make ends meet.
It aggravates me to hear the other side continue to threaten cuts to these benefits or to once again focus on privatization. I believe the American people understand Social Security is not the cause of our budget deficits, and cutting this program is only stealing from those who have earned it.
I am committed to working for real solutions when problems arise, but the claim that Social Security is paying out more than it takes in is simply untrue. The trust fund has reserves of $ 2.6 trillion, which continues to earn interest and will pay out benefits in full until 2037. Again, I will continue to work for the American people and ensure this important program is there now and for future generations. | |
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| Floor Statement on Military Families Financial Preparedness Amendment - May 27, 2010 |
| Mr. Speaker-Thousands of active duty service members are returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq every year. Many of these individuals have been serving continuously since they enlisted right out of high school or college. For years, they lived a structured military life-on bases or abroad. This structure makes for a well disciplined, well trained military force. But it can also make for a difficult transition back to civilian life. Many returning service members have no experience with saving, budgets, credit, taxes and mortgages. As a result, many military families are falling into unmanageable debt, bankruptcy and foreclosure. My amendment-which is part of this en bloc amendment-seeks to alleviate these concerns. It simply expands the military's existing pre-separation counseling program to include a personal finances component. When this takes effect, military families will reenter civilian life with the information they need to build a stable, long-term financial future. I encourage all of my colleagues to support our military families by supporting this amendment. | |
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| Floor Statement on Executive Compensation - July 31, 2009 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 3269, CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION COMPENSATION FAIRNESS ACT OF 2009 FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009
Mr. CARSON of My constituents sent me to Congress to move beyond the status quo of a broken financial regulatory structure. They sent me to enact commonsense reforms like those included in the legislation we're discussing today, Mr. Speaker. They know that average families have cut back, work longer hours, and have saved their money during this crisis. Meanwhile, Wall Street execs have acted irresponsibly and enjoy the lavish compensation packages that have allowed their companies to fail. So I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that will bring about a new era of responsibility on Wall Street. I encourage my colleagues to do the same. | |
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| Floor Statement on the Urgency of Health Care Reform - July 30, 2009 |
REMARKS BY THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009 Mr. CARSON of | |
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| Floor Statement on the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act - July 16, 2009 |
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REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 3147, THE YOUNG ADULTS FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009
Madam Speaker, I come to the floor to discuss the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act, which I introduced last week to help community organizations provide better financial education to young adults.
As our recession drags on, it is clear that many of the problems we now face could have been avoided by better educating people about the financial system.
Today, across our country, thousands of young people are getting their first credit card, taking out loans for college and renting their first apartments.
Yet statistics show that many of these young adults never learned basic financial skills like budgeting, saving and maintaining manageable debt.
My bill will help young people receive the financial education they need—before they take these critical first steps.
It will provide grants for the development and implementation of effective education programs—empowering a young generation of consumers at this critical economic time.
So, I encourage my House colleagues cosponsor the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act.
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| Economic Stimulus Saves Over 3 Million Jobs and Kicking Off Hunger Awareness Month -- September 3, 2010 |
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| Job Fair, Kicking Off YouthBuild Indy and Small Business Roundtable -- August 20, 2010 |
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| Central Indiana Job Fair |
Congressman Carson discusses the upcoming Central Indiana Job Fair
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| Congressman Carson on Financial Literacy for Members of the Armed Services and Their Families |
Congressman Carson on Financial Literacy for Members of the Armed Services and their Families – June 8, 2010 | |
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With more than 90 vendors featuring over 2,500 jobs, the stage was set to provide jobseekers with a tremendous opportunity to connect with potential employers. And jobseekers responded by showing up in overwhelming numbers. Up to 3,000 people descended on IUPUI's campus looking to make their next career move. While many local Hoosiers have been struggling to find work over the last year, the success of this job fair clearly shows that many local firms are turning the corner, creating jobs and investing in the workforce.
If even one jobseeker-struggling to make a house payment or feed their family-was able to find work at the job fair, then the event served its purpose in making a connection that would not have otherwise been made.