Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
- Representing Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes
B I S C O
1922 Bayou Road Thibodaux, LA 70301
Voice and Fax: (985) 446-5364 E-MAIL: mybisco@yahoo.com
Voice and Fax: (985) 446-5364 E-MAIL: mybisco@yahoo.com
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This E&I Campaign Action Alert includes:
Please send announcements and legislative updates to jainey@equityandinclusion.org for
inclusion in the next E&I Campaign Action Alert.
----
E&I Regional Convening NEXT WEEK! RSVP NEEDED!: August 5 and 6 in Biloxi, MS
The Equity and Inclusion Campaign will be convening Campaign participants from Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama to discuss an operations plan for the Campaign as an independent
entity on August 5 and 6, 2008 in Biloxi, MS.
Background:
Since its inception, the Equity and Inclusion Campaign has been incubated by the Louisiana
Disaster Recovery Foundation. From the start, LDRF committed to a facilitated process
through which Campaign participants could shape the subsequent phases of the Campaign
and take primary leadership for Campaign development, activities, and strategy. In February,
a transition team of two Campaign participants from each state was established to co-design
the process and hold it accountable. At our last regional convening on June 30 and July 1, the
transition team was asked to research and bring back recommendations on key components
of an operational plan including structure, membership, and governance.
Purpose of Convening:
On August 5 and 6, we will be coming together to consider recommendations by the
transition team regarding the operational plan. During this convening, we will also have an
opportunity to discuss immediate programming, including the Campaign’s engagement in the
presidential elections as well as the work of our working groups.
Logistical Details:
When: Tuesday, August 5, 10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday, August 6, 9 AM – 1 PM
Where: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, DeMiller Hall
610 Water St.
Biloxi, MS 39530
Please RSVP to Leslie West lwest@louisianahelp.org by 5 PM on Thursday, July 31.
Please indicate in your RSVP: If you need accommodations for the night of August 5. We
will take care of all the arrangements and email you with a confirmation number; if you have
any special dietary needs – all meals will be provided during the convening; A detailed agenda
and notes from the last convening will be sent out one week before the meeting.
----------------
Are You Going to the Conventions?: Let Us Know!
Are you going to Democratic or Republican Conventions?
Do you want to hear about specific events or opportunities related to Gulf Coast recovery?
Send us an email (jainey@equityandinclusion.org) and let us know which Convention you
plan to go to. We’ll create an email list of Gulf Coast advocates going to the Conventions so
that people can stay connected and in the loop about opportunities to raise the profile of Gulf
Coast recovery.
-------------------
Congressman Jefferson Sends Letter to Majority Whip Clyburn About Gulf Coast Funding in
Upcoming Supplemental: Conference Call About E&I Response on Friday, August 1 at 4 PM
On July 20, during the E&I Campaign’s meetings with the Congressional delegation that
traveled to Louisiana and Mississippi, we learned that Congressman Jefferson had sent a letter
to Majority Whip Clyburn about funding needs for the Gulf Coast as Congress considers a
second domestic supplemental bill.
Congressman Jefferson’s letter is attached to this action alert.
We will hold a conference call on Friday, August 1 at 4 PM to discuss the E&I Campaign’s
response. If you are interested in joining the call, please email jainey@equityandinclusion.org
for the call in number.
----------------------
Second Supplemental Mark-Up Postponed: Senator Byrd’s Statement Includes Mention of
Katrina Recovery Money
For Immediate Release: July 22, 2008
Contact: (202) 224-3904
STATEMENT OF SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD
CHAIRMAN, SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
"Given the uncertainty in how the oil and gas drilling issue is currently playing out on the
Senate floor, I have decided to postpone the July 24th appropriations markups at this time."
"In addition, with the Senate floor schedule between now and the August recess consumed
with debate on legislation relating to housing, energy, defense authorization and tax extenders,
there is no opportunity to begin consideration of a supplemental appropriations bill during the
next 10 days."
"It is my understanding that the Senate Democratic Leadership is committed to bringing up
the second emergency supplemental appropriations bill in the Senate in September that will
provide critical infrastructure funding and respond to national disasters, such as the California
wildfires, the Midwest floods, and Hurricane Katrina."
###
House and Senate Pass Housing Trust Fund: From the National Low Income Housing
Coalition
After months of negotiations among Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House
Democrats, House Republicans and the Bush Administration, the House of Representatives on
July 23 passed H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of
2008, on July 23 by a vote of 272-152. The Senate approved the House-passed bill on July 26
by a vote of 72-13. President Bush has stated that he will sign the bill. Among the bill’s
numerous provisions is the establishment of a Housing Trust Fund. This is a major victory for
low income housing advocates and the lowest income people in our country with the most
serious needs.
The Housing Trust Fund’s most important features are:
It is a permanent program with a dedicated source of funding not subject to the annual
appropriations process.
At least 90% of the funds must be used for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, or
operation of rental housing. Up to 10% can be used for the following homeownership
activities for first-time homebuyers: production, preservation, and rehabilitation; down
payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and assistance for interest rate buy-downs.
At least 75% of the funds for rental housing must benefit extremely low income households
and all funds must benefit very low income households.
This is the first new federal housing production program since the HOME program was
created in 1990 and the first new production program specifically targeted to extremely low
income households since the Section 8 program was created in 1974.
For more information about the Housing Trust Fund including a section by section analysis of
the legislation, please visit: http://nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=5393.
6. Joint Hearing: “Lessons Learned: Ensuring the Delivery of Donated Goods to Survivors of
Catastrophes”: Thursday, July 31, 1 PM EDT, Webcast Available
Joint Hearing: “Lessons Learned: Ensuring the Delivery of Donated Goods to Survivors of
Catastrophes”
Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response and the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ad Hoc Subcommittee on
Disaster Recovery
Witnesses:
Eric Smith, Assistant Administrator for Logistics Management, FEMA
Carlos Castillo, Assistant Administrator for Disaster Assistance, FEMA
Barney Brasseux, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services
Administration
Paul Rainwater, Executive Director, Louisiana Recovery Authority
Bill Stallworth, Executive Director, East Biloxi Coordination and Relief Center
Valerie Keller, Chief Executive Officer, The Acadiana Outreach Center
Diana Rothe-Smith, Executive Director, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
(invited)
Webcast available on http://homeland.house.gov/hearings/index.asp.
--------------------------------
Introducing New Program Associate: Ore Alao Joins E&I Campaign Staff
We are pleased to announce an important addition to the E&I Campaign staff! Ore Alao is the
new Program Associate for the Equity and Inclusion Campaign at the Louisiana Disaster
Recovery Foundation.
Ore became involved in recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast (primarily in New
Orleans) two years ago; her work has focused on economic and community development
initiatives across the city. In the fall of 2006 Ore worked with Mayor Ray Nagin’s Retail
Development Task Force to analyze the growing needs of the French Quarter and adjacent
neighborhoods; Ore and her team developed a plan to comprehensively address and finance
issues of sanitation, code enforcement, safety and parking in the neighborhood. In January
2007, Ore began working with residents and business owners along the Broad Street corridor
to identify opportunities for revitalizing the major thoroughfare. Segments of the proposed
revitalization plan are currently being implemented by community stakeholders. In the
summer of 2007, Ore interned with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans and
developed a business plan for the widely successful Freret Street Market that will mark its
one year anniversary this September. To further her engagement with communities across the
city, Ore conducted a year-long research project on the implications of the New Orleans city-
wide planning process. In her final report, she identified major challenges communities faced
and continue to encounter in their efforts to implement rebuilding plan priorities. The report
also offered significant recommendations for aggressively combating challenges as rebuilding
across the city continues.
Ore was raised in Washington , DC and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics
and Maters Degree in City Planning. She relocated to New Orleans with her brother,
currently a master’s degree student studying architecture at Tulane in New Orleans , and her
sister, a registered nurse.
Ore can be reached by email at oalao@louisianahelp.org or by phone at 225-772-9805.
- E&I Regional Convening NEXT WEEK! RSVP NEEDED!: August 5 and 6 in Biloxi,
MS - Are You Going to the Conventions?: Let Us Know!
- Congressman Jefferson's Letter to Majority Whip Clyburn About Gulf Coast Funding
in Upcoming Supplemental: Conference Call About E&I Response on Friday, August 1
at 4 PM - Second Supplemental Mark-Up Postponed: Senator Byrd’s Statement Includes
Mention of Katrina Recovery Money - House and Senate Pass Housing Trust Fund: From the National Low Income Housing
Coalition - Joint Hearing: “Lessons Learned: Ensuring the Delivery of Donated Goods to Survivors
of Catastrophes”: Thursday, July 31, 1 PM EDT, Webcast Available - Introducing New Program Associate: Ore Alao Joins E&I Campaign Staff
Please send announcements and legislative updates to jainey@equityandinclusion.org for
inclusion in the next E&I Campaign Action Alert.
----
E&I Regional Convening NEXT WEEK! RSVP NEEDED!: August 5 and 6 in Biloxi, MS
The Equity and Inclusion Campaign will be convening Campaign participants from Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama to discuss an operations plan for the Campaign as an independent
entity on August 5 and 6, 2008 in Biloxi, MS.
Background:
Since its inception, the Equity and Inclusion Campaign has been incubated by the Louisiana
Disaster Recovery Foundation. From the start, LDRF committed to a facilitated process
through which Campaign participants could shape the subsequent phases of the Campaign
and take primary leadership for Campaign development, activities, and strategy. In February,
a transition team of two Campaign participants from each state was established to co-design
the process and hold it accountable. At our last regional convening on June 30 and July 1, the
transition team was asked to research and bring back recommendations on key components
of an operational plan including structure, membership, and governance.
Purpose of Convening:
On August 5 and 6, we will be coming together to consider recommendations by the
transition team regarding the operational plan. During this convening, we will also have an
opportunity to discuss immediate programming, including the Campaign’s engagement in the
presidential elections as well as the work of our working groups.
Logistical Details:
When: Tuesday, August 5, 10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday, August 6, 9 AM – 1 PM
Where: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, DeMiller Hall
610 Water St.
Biloxi, MS 39530
Please RSVP to Leslie West lwest@louisianahelp.org by 5 PM on Thursday, July 31.
Please indicate in your RSVP: If you need accommodations for the night of August 5. We
will take care of all the arrangements and email you with a confirmation number; if you have
any special dietary needs – all meals will be provided during the convening; A detailed agenda
and notes from the last convening will be sent out one week before the meeting.
----------------
Are You Going to the Conventions?: Let Us Know!
Are you going to Democratic or Republican Conventions?
Do you want to hear about specific events or opportunities related to Gulf Coast recovery?
Send us an email (jainey@equityandinclusion.org) and let us know which Convention you
plan to go to. We’ll create an email list of Gulf Coast advocates going to the Conventions so
that people can stay connected and in the loop about opportunities to raise the profile of Gulf
Coast recovery.
-------------------
Congressman Jefferson Sends Letter to Majority Whip Clyburn About Gulf Coast Funding in
Upcoming Supplemental: Conference Call About E&I Response on Friday, August 1 at 4 PM
On July 20, during the E&I Campaign’s meetings with the Congressional delegation that
traveled to Louisiana and Mississippi, we learned that Congressman Jefferson had sent a letter
to Majority Whip Clyburn about funding needs for the Gulf Coast as Congress considers a
second domestic supplemental bill.
Congressman Jefferson’s letter is attached to this action alert.
We will hold a conference call on Friday, August 1 at 4 PM to discuss the E&I Campaign’s
response. If you are interested in joining the call, please email jainey@equityandinclusion.org
for the call in number.
----------------------
Second Supplemental Mark-Up Postponed: Senator Byrd’s Statement Includes Mention of
Katrina Recovery Money
For Immediate Release: July 22, 2008
Contact: (202) 224-3904
STATEMENT OF SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD
CHAIRMAN, SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
"Given the uncertainty in how the oil and gas drilling issue is currently playing out on the
Senate floor, I have decided to postpone the July 24th appropriations markups at this time."
"In addition, with the Senate floor schedule between now and the August recess consumed
with debate on legislation relating to housing, energy, defense authorization and tax extenders,
there is no opportunity to begin consideration of a supplemental appropriations bill during the
next 10 days."
"It is my understanding that the Senate Democratic Leadership is committed to bringing up
the second emergency supplemental appropriations bill in the Senate in September that will
provide critical infrastructure funding and respond to national disasters, such as the California
wildfires, the Midwest floods, and Hurricane Katrina."
###
House and Senate Pass Housing Trust Fund: From the National Low Income Housing
Coalition
After months of negotiations among Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House
Democrats, House Republicans and the Bush Administration, the House of Representatives on
July 23 passed H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of
2008, on July 23 by a vote of 272-152. The Senate approved the House-passed bill on July 26
by a vote of 72-13. President Bush has stated that he will sign the bill. Among the bill’s
numerous provisions is the establishment of a Housing Trust Fund. This is a major victory for
low income housing advocates and the lowest income people in our country with the most
serious needs.
The Housing Trust Fund’s most important features are:
It is a permanent program with a dedicated source of funding not subject to the annual
appropriations process.
At least 90% of the funds must be used for the production, preservation, rehabilitation, or
operation of rental housing. Up to 10% can be used for the following homeownership
activities for first-time homebuyers: production, preservation, and rehabilitation; down
payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and assistance for interest rate buy-downs.
At least 75% of the funds for rental housing must benefit extremely low income households
and all funds must benefit very low income households.
This is the first new federal housing production program since the HOME program was
created in 1990 and the first new production program specifically targeted to extremely low
income households since the Section 8 program was created in 1974.
For more information about the Housing Trust Fund including a section by section analysis of
the legislation, please visit: http://nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=5393.
6. Joint Hearing: “Lessons Learned: Ensuring the Delivery of Donated Goods to Survivors of
Catastrophes”: Thursday, July 31, 1 PM EDT, Webcast Available
Joint Hearing: “Lessons Learned: Ensuring the Delivery of Donated Goods to Survivors of
Catastrophes”
Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response and the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ad Hoc Subcommittee on
Disaster Recovery
Witnesses:
Eric Smith, Assistant Administrator for Logistics Management, FEMA
Carlos Castillo, Assistant Administrator for Disaster Assistance, FEMA
Barney Brasseux, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services
Administration
Paul Rainwater, Executive Director, Louisiana Recovery Authority
Bill Stallworth, Executive Director, East Biloxi Coordination and Relief Center
Valerie Keller, Chief Executive Officer, The Acadiana Outreach Center
Diana Rothe-Smith, Executive Director, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
(invited)
Webcast available on http://homeland.house.gov/hearings/index.asp.
--------------------------------
Introducing New Program Associate: Ore Alao Joins E&I Campaign Staff
We are pleased to announce an important addition to the E&I Campaign staff! Ore Alao is the
new Program Associate for the Equity and Inclusion Campaign at the Louisiana Disaster
Recovery Foundation.
Ore became involved in recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast (primarily in New
Orleans) two years ago; her work has focused on economic and community development
initiatives across the city. In the fall of 2006 Ore worked with Mayor Ray Nagin’s Retail
Development Task Force to analyze the growing needs of the French Quarter and adjacent
neighborhoods; Ore and her team developed a plan to comprehensively address and finance
issues of sanitation, code enforcement, safety and parking in the neighborhood. In January
2007, Ore began working with residents and business owners along the Broad Street corridor
to identify opportunities for revitalizing the major thoroughfare. Segments of the proposed
revitalization plan are currently being implemented by community stakeholders. In the
summer of 2007, Ore interned with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans and
developed a business plan for the widely successful Freret Street Market that will mark its
one year anniversary this September. To further her engagement with communities across the
city, Ore conducted a year-long research project on the implications of the New Orleans city-
wide planning process. In her final report, she identified major challenges communities faced
and continue to encounter in their efforts to implement rebuilding plan priorities. The report
also offered significant recommendations for aggressively combating challenges as rebuilding
across the city continues.
Ore was raised in Washington , DC and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics
and Maters Degree in City Planning. She relocated to New Orleans with her brother,
currently a master’s degree student studying architecture at Tulane in New Orleans , and her
sister, a registered nurse.
Ore can be reached by email at oalao@louisianahelp.org or by phone at 225-772-9805.
| things going on and I would be so happy if any of you can attend any of these events. I really want folks to attend and will be anxiously awaiting your response to which events Hi there everyone, Here is an update on upcoming BISCO Events. There are several you can attend with us. Call me at 446-5364 or cell 438-2148 as soon as you can. |