Weekly Newsletters
May 07 2012
The Hill Report: Week of April 30 - May 4, 2012
This week, I was delighted to congratulate the 2012 Congressional Art Competition winners during an awards ceremony at the Art Institute of Dallas. The competition, known as “An Artistic Discovery” is an annual, nationwide art competition initiated by Members of Congress in their respective districts. This annual competition provides an opportunity for local students to showcase their individual talents and receive national recognition.
This year’s competition included 40 entries from students representing five North Texas schools and was once again sponsored by The Art Institute of Dallas. Prior to the awards ceremony, the Grand Prize winner and Runners Up honors were chosen by art instructors from The Art Institute and local artists. The People’s Choice Award winner was chosen by constituents through online voting on my website.
Sophie Anthony, a freshman at Booker T. Washington High School, was awarded the Grand Prize for her graphite and colored pencil piece entitled "Family.” Her artwork will be showcased in the corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol building for the next year. As the Grand Prize recipient, Sophie will travel to Washington, DC for the national Congressional High School Art Competition award ceremony in June.
Runners Up honors were presented to Callie Walter, a sophomore at Highland Park High School, for her photo entitled “Angel” and to Fredy Medina, a sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School, for his pen sketch entitled “Medina.” The People’s Choice Award was presented to Jenna Caire, a senior at Richardson High School, for her acrylic piece entitled “Hiding From the Truth.” The two Runners Up and the People’s Choice Award artworks will be displayed in my office for the next year.
Sophie, Callie, Fredy and Jenna used their imagination and artistic ability to produce award-winning art and I am very proud of their achievement. Students and schools interested in participating in next year’s Congressional Art Competition may contact Sandy Pappas in my Dallas District office at 972.392.0505 for more information.
April Unemployment Report
Today in Washington, the Department of Labor released the unemployment report for the month of April, showing that our economy gained only 115,000 jobs last month. Although any sign of job creation is welcomed news, today’s report demonstrates that American families and small businesses continue to struggle through this sluggish recovery. The President’s failed economic policies have produced slowed growth and chronic unemployment, and far too many Americans are underemployed.
High gas prices, the threat of higher taxes, burdensome regulations and unprecedented levels of debt cause uncertainty in our economy and discourage businesses from hiring. To get Americans working again, we must enact policies that support economic opportunity like those outlined in our Plan for America’s Job Creators. House Republicans are committed to advancing a pro-growth agenda that gets government out of the way and empowers the free enterprise system to get our nation back on a path towards prosperity. I will continue to stand up for hardworking North Texans and job creators in the 112th Congress.
Special Olympics Texas - Greater Dallas Spring Games
Last Saturday, I was delighted to join my son Alex, local volunteers, families and athletes at the Special Olympics Texas - Greater Dallas Area Spring Games. Over 1,500 athletes competed in track and field, soccer and tennis at Cedar Hill High School throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. I was thrilled to see so many dedicated volunteers, like those from the Cedar Hill Fire Department pictured below, that took the time to support the athletes and make the event a success.
Alex Sessions with volunteers from the Cedar Hill Fire Department: Aaron Kinkade, Paramedic;
This year’s competition included 40 entries from students representing five North Texas schools and was once again sponsored by The Art Institute of Dallas. Prior to the awards ceremony, the Grand Prize winner and Runners Up honors were chosen by art instructors from The Art Institute and local artists. The People’s Choice Award winner was chosen by constituents through online voting on my website.
Congressman Pete Sessions and Tommy Newsom, President of the Art Institute of Dallas,
with the contest winners from L-R: Fredy Medina, Sophie Anthony, Jenna Caire and Callie Walter.
Sophie Anthony, a freshman at Booker T. Washington High School, was awarded the Grand Prize for her graphite and colored pencil piece entitled "Family.” Her artwork will be showcased in the corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol building for the next year. As the Grand Prize recipient, Sophie will travel to Washington, DC for the national Congressional High School Art Competition award ceremony in June.
Runners Up honors were presented to Callie Walter, a sophomore at Highland Park High School, for her photo entitled “Angel” and to Fredy Medina, a sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School, for his pen sketch entitled “Medina.” The People’s Choice Award was presented to Jenna Caire, a senior at Richardson High School, for her acrylic piece entitled “Hiding From the Truth.” The two Runners Up and the People’s Choice Award artworks will be displayed in my office for the next year.
Sophie, Callie, Fredy and Jenna used their imagination and artistic ability to produce award-winning art and I am very proud of their achievement. Students and schools interested in participating in next year’s Congressional Art Competition may contact Sandy Pappas in my Dallas District office at 972.392.0505 for more information.
April Unemployment Report
Today in Washington, the Department of Labor released the unemployment report for the month of April, showing that our economy gained only 115,000 jobs last month. Although any sign of job creation is welcomed news, today’s report demonstrates that American families and small businesses continue to struggle through this sluggish recovery. The President’s failed economic policies have produced slowed growth and chronic unemployment, and far too many Americans are underemployed.
High gas prices, the threat of higher taxes, burdensome regulations and unprecedented levels of debt cause uncertainty in our economy and discourage businesses from hiring. To get Americans working again, we must enact policies that support economic opportunity like those outlined in our Plan for America’s Job Creators. House Republicans are committed to advancing a pro-growth agenda that gets government out of the way and empowers the free enterprise system to get our nation back on a path towards prosperity. I will continue to stand up for hardworking North Texans and job creators in the 112th Congress.
Special Olympics Texas - Greater Dallas Spring Games
Last Saturday, I was delighted to join my son Alex, local volunteers, families and athletes at the Special Olympics Texas - Greater Dallas Area Spring Games. Over 1,500 athletes competed in track and field, soccer and tennis at Cedar Hill High School throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. I was thrilled to see so many dedicated volunteers, like those from the Cedar Hill Fire Department pictured below, that took the time to support the athletes and make the event a success.
Alex Sessions with volunteers from the Cedar Hill Fire Department: Aaron Kinkade, Paramedic;
Glen Clark, Battalion Chief; and Kevin Cunningham, EMS Chief.
The Special Olympics Texas - Greater Dallas Area serves more than 6,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities in 18 counties in North Texas. To learn more about their programs and events, visit http://www.sotx.org/about/areas/area-10/.