Weekly Newsletters
Apr 11 2012
The Hill Report: Week of April 2 – 6, 2012
This week, I was delighted to spend time in North Texas for the Spring District Work period and to meet with constituents, students, local officials and business leaders. I always value the opportunity to hear directly from constituents about their opinions, the challenges they face and solutions for Texas and our nation.
As I talked with North Texans this week, their primary concerns were with our sluggish economy and chronic unemployment. The Department of Labor released its unemployment report for the month of March today which stated that our unemployment rate is at 8.2% and our economy added only 120,000 jobs. While any sign of job creation is encouraging, far too many Americans are still looking for work or have stopped trying due to the President’s policies that prioritize big government over free enterprise.
On Wednesday, I spoke at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s “Dallas Business Leadership Briefing Series” and gave an update on the current legislation before Congress. We discussed the need for relief from the Administration and Congressional Democrats’ call for higher taxes, reckless spending and burdensome regulations which have failed to result in economic recovery as promised. To assist struggling families and small businesses in North Texas and across the country, House Republicans have passed over 30 bills from our Plan for America’s Job Creators to reform the tax code, pay down our debt and expand American energy production.
I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the Chamber and strongly support their mission to “make Dallas a better place to live, work, raise a family and build a business.” I will continue to fight in Congress for pro-growth solutions that will assist job creators and help get North Texans working again. To learn more about the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, visit http://www.ndcc.org/home.
Richardson Fire Department FEMA Grant
On Tuesday, I joined Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend, Richardson Fire Chief Alan Palomba and members of the Richardson Fire Department and City Council to announce a $340,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for the Richardson Fire Department. The funds were provided from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
Congressman Pete Sessions with Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend, Richardson Fire Chief Alan
Palomba and members of the Richardson Fire Department and City Council
Palomba and members of the Richardson Fire Department and City Council
The AFG awards are administered through the Grant Programs Directorate of FEMA in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The funds are distributed in phases throughout the year and provide approximately $380 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations across the country. AFG has given approximately $5 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations since 2001 to go towards the purchase of protective equipment and clothing, transportation, and other necessary resources for public protection from fire and related dangers.
I was honored to present this important grant to the Richardson Fire Department, which provides an essential and much-appreciated service for the people of the 32nd Congressional District. The funds awarded by FEMA will aid the department’s continued success of protecting citizens and saving lives. To learn more about the Fire Department, please visit http://www.cor.gov. To read more about AFG and FEMA, visit http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/.
Canyon Creek Elementary
Also on Tuesday, I enjoyed the opportunity to visit Canyon Creek Elementary in Richardson. As the key to the future of North Texas, our state and country, it is imperative that we educate our young students and provide opportunities for them to succeed.
I was honored to present this important grant to the Richardson Fire Department, which provides an essential and much-appreciated service for the people of the 32nd Congressional District. The funds awarded by FEMA will aid the department’s continued success of protecting citizens and saving lives. To learn more about the Fire Department, please visit http://www.cor.gov. To read more about AFG and FEMA, visit http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/.
Canyon Creek Elementary
Also on Tuesday, I enjoyed the opportunity to visit Canyon Creek Elementary in Richardson. As the key to the future of North Texas, our state and country, it is imperative that we educate our young students and provide opportunities for them to succeed.
Congressman Pete Sessions at Canyon Creek Elementary in Richardson
During my visit I read “House Mouse, Senate Mouse” to the kindergarten and first grade students to give them a look inside to how our government works. It is important for students to learn at a young age the importance of civic involvement and I was delighted to have the opportunity to spend time with them. To learn more about Canyon Creek Elementary, visit http://www.edline.net/pages/Canyon_Creek_Elem.