Building Our Communities
(Published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
When President Obama took office, nearly 3.6 million Americans had lost jobs; millions more were working harder in jobs that paid less with fewer benefits. Nearly $8 billion in wealth was lost in retirement savings and the stock market.
Consumer spending and commercial lending had drastically contracted. Health care and education costs escalated. Bankruptcies, consumer debt and foreclosures were exploding. The economy was on life support. Emergency action was needed.
Just a few short years ago, who would have thought our next president’s name would be Barack Obama? Who would have thought that an African American man born in Hawaii with a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya would become the leader of the free world? President-elect Obama’s story is one that defies all odds. It is a story of overcoming adversity and persevering against doubt. It truly is a story of hope.
It might surprise many Georgians that, despite unprecedented job growth in the Atlanta area over the past 15 years, agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry, and still 1 out of 7 Georgians works in agriculture, forestry, or a related sector, according to the Georgia Farm Bureau. They contribute to the production of staple commodities included in some of our nation’s most commonly-used products. In fact, Georgia leads the nation in peanut, poultry, and pecan production, and is among the top producers of cotton, corn, eggs, and tomatoes.
I support the troops, their families, and those who have sacrificed so much in this war. And, as a member of the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, I am committed to making sure our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan get everything they need -- every dollar, every dime, and every penny. It is the number one priority of the Subcommittee to keep the troops safe, properly equipped, and in a position to return home safely. But, like others who supported the Iraq efforts in the past, I have serious reservations about the President’s new way forward.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Last night the Dougherty High Chorale received an overwhelming reception for their performance at the Gospel Extravaganza held at the Washington Convention Center. The gospel concert is a highlight of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference which is holding it 34th session this week. This is the second year that Congressman Bishop has hosted the Dougherty High Chorale for the event.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congressman Sanford Bishop was proud to announce that Valdosta Technical College will receive $49,474 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to implement the “Road Map to Success” project.
WASHINGTON, DC—This afternoon, Congressman Sanford Bishop joined his colleagues in introducing the “Protection of Family Farmers Act of 2004,” which if enacted would extend authorization of Chapter 12 of the bankruptcy code. Chapter 12 provides a valuable bankruptcy option that allows struggling family farmers to reorganize their debt and protect their farms.
Albany, GA. - Grace Hunt, a senior at Crisp Academy is the winner of the 2004 Congressional Art Competition in Georgia’s Second District, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced today Friday May 7th. The winning entry, entitled “Cousins” will be displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol, along with the winning entries from other Congressional districts across the country.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Although he called it “better than nothing,” U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop said a “concurrent receipt” provision passed by the House Friday (7/11) fails to provide a fair deal for most of the 560,000 disabled military retirees who are currently denied disability benefits.
“Nothing justifies a denial of benefits to any veteran who has earned them through service and sacrifice, and Congress should correct this wrong right now,” the Second District Congressman told his U.S. House colleagues.
Thomas University has been awarded a $27,825 federal grant to draft a comprehensive plan for achieving its priority goals for the future, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop has announced.
The funding is provided under the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program, the Second District Congressman said.
The Congressman explained that the funds were granted to formulate a comprehensive development plan that addresses Thomas University’s top needs and objectives, and to prepare a five-year development grant project.