October 18, 2008
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading the first edition of my weekly newsletter, the Carson Courier. Each week I will update you on important national issues, my work in Congress and upcoming events in Indianapolis. For additional information on these and other topics, I encourage you to visit my website at /.
In today's Carson Courier:
Improving Our Economy
Expanding Financial Literacy for Young Americans
Energy Assistance & Conservation Forum
Since the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was signed into law two weeks ago, world markets have seen record drops, record increases and everything in between. House Democrats have strongly encouraged President Bush to explain his financial rescue plans so that Americans can begin feel more secure about their futures. I was encouraged to see that earlier this week he followed our request.
Please rest assured that I fully understand how this rollercoaster economy unnerves many of you after our government devoted billions to stabilizing it. I too am concerned and am watching the actions of the President and Secretary of the Treasury Paulson closely to ensure that they make decisions that improve the economy while benefiting every working American.
Also this week, House Democrats continued their leadership in this financial crisis by hosting a major economic summit in Washington, D.C. Top financial analysts from around the world gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss new and innovative ideas that Congress and the President could use to prevent further meltdown of our financial system.
As the Congress brought this session to a close, I continued my efforts to help struggling Americans by working with my House colleagues to pass the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008. If signed by the President, this legislation will extend unemployment benefits for individuals who have been unable to find work for an extended period because of our declining economy.
Expanding Financial Literacy for Young Americans
As our nation's economy struggles to recover, millions of Americans are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. Unfortunately, insufficient understanding of our financial system has led many to incur unmanageable debt and little savings.
Earlier this month, I was pleased to introduce H.R. 7135, the Youth Investor Financial Education Act. This legislation will fund financial literacy programs in high schools across the country to better ensure that students have a strong understanding of responsible money management, credit card use, saving, investing, and financial planning by the time that they graduate. By providing this critical education to our nation's youth, our schools can help to ensure that future generations are better able to avoid the type of financial crisis that we are all now facing.
To read more about the Youth Investor Financial Education Act, click here.
Energy Assistance & Conservation Forum
This winter, residents of Indiana's Seventh Congressional District will be faced with a tremendous increase in heating costs for their homes and businesses. Many will find it challenging to pay these escalating bills, and some will not be able to pay them at all.
To help you prepare for the coming winter, my office will host a community forum focusing on Energy Assistance & Conservation this Saturday, October 18th from 12:30 – 2:30 pm. The event, in partnership with Citizens Energy Group, King Park Area Development Corporation and Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation, will take place at Broadway United Methodist Church, located at 609 E. 29th Street.
I am excited to bring together a variety of knowledgeable panelists to talk about ways to conserve energy and to help bring assistance options to those in need. By properly preparing and even investing in energy saving techniques, we can make our homes and work spaces more energy efficient and reduce energy consumption costs significantly.
Community organizations and local companies will have information booths on energy assistance programs and ways to conserve energy and lower your energy costs. Congressman Carson and additional panelists will provide brief updates and participate in a question and answer session with members of the Indianapolis community. This event is open to the public.
I strongly encourage you to attend. If you have any additional questions, please contact my Indianapolis office at (317) 283-6516.
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns or if I can ever be of assistance to you. I value your views and your input helps me to better represent the people of Indiana's Seventh District in Congress.