Alleviating Poverty
A Note from Congressman Carson
Dear Friend,
Hoosiers work hard to provide for their families. Unfortunately, it is becoming harder and harder to make ends meet. Today, millions of Americans are living below the poverty line as the gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to grow. This situation is one we must address immediately which is why Congress must make raising the minimum wage and extending unemployment benefits top priorities in 2014.
Since 2009, our minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour. Unfortunately, this is far too low for many minimum wage workers to cover the basic necessities of life. By raising the minimum wage, families may finally get the opportunity to pay their bills, put food on the table, and start saving to send a child to college or buy a home. Raising the minimum wage would reduce our poverty rate and help to stabilize our economy for the future.
Another important step in alleviating poverty is to extend unemployment benefits. Many of our friends and neighbors rely on this safety net to make ends meet while looking for work. Sadly, 19,000 Hoosiers lost this critical support when Republican House leaders allowed the program to expire at the end of December—a number that is growing every week. This is shameful and unacceptable. Rest assured, I will be working tirelessly to see that unemployment insurance benefits are extended as soon as possible.
In the coming months, the debates over the minimum wage and unemployment benefits will be at the forefront in Washington. I look forward to working with my colleagues to come to a bipartisan resolution on these and other issues that are so important to Hoosiers who need help providing for their families.
If I can be of any assistance to you please feel free to contact my office.
Regards,
André
Inside Scoop
Congressman Carson Speaks at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Service
This week, Congressman Carson observed the MLK holiday at the 45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Service hosted by The Indiana Christian Leadership Conference. The service was fittingly held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church where Indianapolis' civil rights leader, Reverend Andrew J. Brown, served as pastor for many years. Congressman Carson encouraged attendees to honor Dr. King's legacy by serving one another and acknowledging the ongoing responsibility to speak against the injustices of our time.
Congressman Carson Speaks at the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI) Luncheon)
Congressman Carson participated in the annual luncheon of Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI), a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of programs to help Hoosiers become self-sufficient. The luncheon's keynote speaker was Mark Kennedy Shriver, whose political and professional career has focused on defending the rights of children. Congressman Carson thanked Mr. Shriver for a lifetime of advocacy on behalf of low-income youth and welcomed him to Indianapolis, a city full of people ready to make a difference in the lives of others.
During the luncheon, Congressman Carson also presented CAGI's 2014 Julia M. Carson award to Nurse-Family Partnership, a Goodwill Industries program that provides home visits from registered nurses to vulnerable, first-time moms.
STEM Students Sign Up For The Young Scientist Challenge
Do you know a young person who loves coming up with creative solutions to everyday problems? He or she could be the winner of the 2014 Young Scientist Challenge, a nationwide contest organized by Discovery Education and 3M. Interested students in grades 5-8 can submit a short video to compete for financial prizes, a group trip, and the opportunity to be mentored by a 3M top scientist.
Since its inception, the Young Scientist Challenge has awarded more than $500,000 in student scholarships and prizes, paired students with working scientists to give them real-world insights and delivered much-needed science resources to millions of students, teachers and families across the country. For more information and to submit a video entry no later than April 22, 2014, visit www.youngscientistchallenge.com. Good luck to all of our young scientists!