Dale Kildee tag:kildee.house.gov,2008-09-11://4 2012-05-16T20:41:01Z All Media Releases from Representative Dale Kildee within the last 90 days Movable Type Enterprise 4.361 Congressman Kildee Remarks On GOP Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization tag:kildee.house.gov,2012://4.2980 Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill, which is grossly inadequate in renewing vital protections for domestic violence victims.For the first time, we have a VAWA reauthorization that actually makes women less safe by taking away protections... Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill, which is grossly inadequate in renewing vital protections for domestic violence victims.

For the first time, we have a VAWA reauthorization that actually makes women less safe by taking away protections from previously covered groups like Native Americans living on reservations.

My Republican colleagues will argue that the bill protects native women by giving them access to federal courts, but in many cases the nearest federal court is over 300 miles away!

Do we really expect a woman who has just been abused to get in a car and drive 300 miles for protection? And even then, there is no guarantee that federal prosecutors will do anything.

Every community in the nation, except for constitutionally recognized tribal governments, has the authority to protect its residents. The only logical solution is to return local control to tribal governments to stop domestic violence before it escalates.

Instead of voting on the partisan H.R. 4970, we should be considering the Senate bill, S. 1925, which included protections for Indian women.
 

]]> Congressman Kildee Honored For Education Work tag:kildee.house.gov,2012://4.2979 Leadership on Key Afterschool Programs Cited in William S. White Achievement Award

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Dale E. Kildee, D-MI, today received the prestigious Charles Stewart Mott Foundation’s William S. White Achievement Award for his work on national afterschool programs. The award was presented at a morning event held by the Afterschool Alliance.

“There are few legislators who have done more to expand educational opportunities – in school and afterschool – than Dale Kildee,” said William S. White, President and CEO of the Mott Foundation, for whom the award was named.  “Dale’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers have been unparalleled. He truly embodies the intent and spirit of the award given to him today. His unflagging support for education, and especially afterschool programming, will be sorely missed when he leaves office.”

Kildee said the award held special significance for him.

“It is an honor to receive this award named for Bill White, a man I greatly respect and admire,” said Kildee, a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “I have always believed in the importance of afterschool enrichment opportunities. That is why I authored the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and am working hard to ensure it continues as a national education policy priority. “

The William S. White achievement award was established in 2005 after White led the Foundation in coordinating a public-partnership with the U.S. Department of Education to provide high quality enrichment and learning opportunities for children through the 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative.  The annual award is given to individuals and programs dedicated to excellence in the service of children, schools and communities. 

The 21st Century Community Learning Center program is the only federally-funded program targeting children in the critical areas of before and after school programs as well as summer learning programs. Its programs include academic enrichment activities, drug and violence prevention, counseling, art, music and recreation programs, and technology education.  The centers are established throughout the country and operated by schools and community-based organizations.

The Afterschool Alliance was established in 2000 by the Mott Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., the Open Society Institute/The After-School Corporation, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Creative Artists Agency Foundation.

The  Alliance works with a broad range of organizations and supporters, including policymakers and policymaker associations, advocacy groups, afterschool coalitions and providers at every level, business and philanthropic leaders, technical assistance organizations and leaders representing a variety of interests, each with a stake in afterschool.

In addition to White, past honorees include Philip Coltoff, former CEO and executive director of the Children’s Aid Society in New York City and Bonnie Reiss, who helped craft legislation in California to fund afterschool activities in all state elementary and middle-schools and is currently the Secretary of Education in California
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]]> Congressman Kildee Remarks Student Loans tag:kildee.house.gov,2012://4.2976

Congressman Kildee Floor Remarks on Student Loan Interest Rates


April 27, 2012

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the majority’s feeble attempt to extend current student loan interest rates.　

The Ryan budget, which most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted for, allowed those interest rates to expire.　

It was only when they started getting criticized by the press did they decide to offer an alternative to our proposal.　

And even then, they took yet another shot at the healthcare law while keeping big oil and gas subsidies intact.  This year, a mammogram saved my wife’s life.

They have chosen the wrong priority. At the end of the day the American people cannot afford to see their interest rates double on their student loans.

I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in offering a legitimate source of funding that doesn’t put anyone’s health in jeopardy.　　

This Congress needs to find an equitable solution to this problem before July 1st.

 

]]> GOP Playing Games On Student Loan Interest Rates tag:kildee.house.gov,2012://4.2975 Kildee Calls on House Republicans to Stop Playing Political Games with Extending Student Loan Interest Rates

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee, released the following statement today after House Republicans introduced a bill to extend student loan interest rates by cutting spending on chronic illness prevention programs.　 House Republicans unveiled their bill after House Democrats introduced legislation to extend current rates by eliminating unnecessary oil and gas subsidies.　 If Congress fails to pass a bill to extend current interest rates, loan rates will double on July 1, 2012.　 　

"The House Republican bill to extend student loan interest rates proves that there is nothing more sacred to their party than oil and gas subsidies.　 Instead of using those unnecessary subsidies to pay for extending student loan rates, the Republicans would rather take away money from programs that prevent chronic illnesses," said Congressman Kildee. "I fully support the Democratic bill which would extend the current student loan interest rates without putting anyone’s health in jeopardy.　 Rather than coming up with a realistic alternative, the Republicans want to continue to play political games and take shots at the healthcare reform law.　 Meanwhile, millions of Americans are left wondering whether or not this Congress is going to sit by and allow their student loan debt to double in July."

The Democratic bill, the Stop the Rate Hike Act of 2012, would keep interest rates on student loans at 3.4 percent next year, saving borrowers an average of $1,000 in loan repayment costs.　 The Democratic bill is fully paid for by ending billions of dollars in unnecessary tax subsidies to big oil and gas companies.　 Additional savings achieved by ending the oil and gas subsidies will go to reducing the deficit.

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]]> Kildee Announces $3.7 Million For Flint Elderly Housing tag:kildee.house.gov,2012://4.2974 Grant Will Assist Low-Income Residents & Create Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that he helped secure nearly $3.7 million in housing assistance for the elderly through a grant to a Flint non-profit organization that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 
The grant to Communities First, Inc. will provide 24 housing units, rental assistance and support services for the elderly.  Communities First plans to rehabilitate the former Oak School in Flint’s Grand Traverse District neighborhood.  Communities First is partnered on the project with the New Samaritan Corp.

"I am very pleased I was able to secure this important funding for Communities First to provide much-needed housing for elderly residents," said Kildee.   "I am committed to helping senior citizens find affordable housing and this grant provides support for the very low income elderly who are the most vulnerable.  The addition of 24 more housing units and the redevelopment of the school building also means more jobs and that’s an important added benefit for Flint."

The grant was awarded under HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing program.  More than $3.355 million will be provided to help support construction with another $307,000 to be used to subsidize rents for the next five years. The project includes a community room, library, computer room as well as a fitness lounge.

Residents must have household incomes less than 50 percent of the median income for the Flint area, with most households who receive Section 202 assistance earning less than 30 percent of the median income.  
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