April District Work Period; Foreclosure Prevention Town Hall; Meeting with Small Business Leaders - April 20, 2009
April 20, 2009
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier.
In this week's Carson Courier:
April District Work Period
Foreclosure Prevention Town Hall
Meeting with Small Business Leaders
APRIL DISTRICT WORK PERIOD
Today, I return to Washington after a two-week District Work Period during which I had an opportunity to travel the Seventh Congressional District and speak with many local residents. This has been an excellent chance for me to reconnect with the people I represent in Congress and I would like to thank everyone who took time to share their thoughts and opinions with me. I am returning to the House of Representatives, reinvigorated and ready to once again work for my fellow Hoosiers across Indianapolis.
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION TOWN HALL
In these difficult economic times, Hoosier families are facing an ever growing threat of foreclosure as unemployment reaches near record highs and the costs of essentials continues to rise. Many families are unable to continue paying their mortgages without assistance. Over the last year, our recession has deepened and we have all witnessed the devastating impact that our nation's ongoing foreclosure crisis has had on our friends and neighbors across the city. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we make a more concerted effort to reach out to those in need of assistance.
Last Tuesday, I hosted an extremely successful town hall meeting at George Washington Community School to discuss the foreclosure crisis with those homeowners who have been affected by it personally. I was joined by a large crowd of local residents and a number of expert panelists who introduced several helpful resources and strategies that can be used to prevent foreclosure. Furthermore, residents from across the city had an opportunity to ask questions and also make suggestions.
This forum was a great success and I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to try and combat our nation's foreclosure crisis.
MEETING WITH SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS
With the recent collapse of some of our largest and most longstanding financial institutions, it has become increasingly evident that small businesses are going to play a critical role in our eventual economic recovery. In Indianapolis, these small businesses are the primary drivers of our economy, employing almost half of all working adults and providing stable livelihoods to thousands of families. Unfortunately, in this recession, it is becoming increasingly difficulty to secure the loans necessary to cover payroll and the rising cost of health care, forcing many businesses to close their doors.
Last Wednesday, I joined a number of local small business owners at a forum that I hosted in cooperation with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Here, I had an opportunity to discuss the unique needs of small businesses and how recent Congressional initiatives have begun impacting their financial performance. I also provided an update on what they can except to see from the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well upcoming initiatives being introduced in the House of Representatives.
I am proud to represent a city that is home to so many innovative and committed entrepreneurs. In a more successful fiscal climate, their long-term growth would surely come easier and they would not need to rely so heavily on federal assistance. As I return to Washington, I will share their experiences in an effort to bring about new initiatives that promote successful small businesses and protect the millions of quality jobs they provide.
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's Seventh District in Congress.