A Blog Called Hope

Chairman Lynch just put out this statement calling out the RI GOP for their shameful efforts to turn this week’s town hall meetings with Congressman Langevin and Senator Whitehouse into an angry sideshow.

“I’m disappointed that the Rhode Island Republican Party would choose to turn a serious meeting between members of our Congressional delegation and their constituents into a divisive and angry mob-like atmosphere. And while the GOP may think it’s funny to try to incite a riot,
I would remind them that there are nearly 46 million Americans, including 63,000 Rhode Islanders, without health coverage, and millions more throughout the country who struggle to afford it every day.

In the last eight years, the Republican Party gave the insurance industry exclusive control of our health care system, and now they’re desperate to fight the kind of change that will empower Rhode Islanders and their doctors, not lobbyists, to make decision about their care.

These meeting are supposed to be a thoughtful exchange of ideas, and a place where people can ask questions about efforts to reform our health care system. Over the last few weeks it’s become increasingly clear that the Republican Party, with no reform plan of their own, is not concerned about Americans’ access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in ‘breaking’ the President and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November.

It’s no wonder why Rhode Island voters don’t trust the Republican Party to lead.

Despite their shameful and threatening tactics, we will continue our work to give a voice to the majority of Rhode Islanders who believe that all Americans should have access to quality, affordable health care.”

Tomorrow, please come to the Town Hall meeting in Warwick with Congressman Langevin. Let your voice be heard, and help us pass health care reform legislation that will insure access and affordability for all Rhode Islanders

Congressman Langevin announces acquisition of $11.6million in federal funds for Rhode Island

Congressman Jim Langevin has announced that over $11million in federal funds from FEMA and Homeland Security will soon be coming to the state of Rhode Island.

The additional money will be utilized to help several agencies in the state prepare for and adequately address natural and man-made disasters.

Congressman Langevin explained that, “This funding is essential to ensure Rhode Island is prepared to respond to all types of emergencies … and has the appropriate resources to be ready for any scenario that may come our way.”

For more on this story visit, The Providence Journal.

Congressman Jim Langevin to lead field hearing to assess preparedness for contagious biological threats

Rep. Jim Langevin, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. Cybersecurity, Science and technology, has announced plans to hold a hearing to address Rhode Island’s ability to respond to contagious biological threats.

The meeting, to be held tomorrow, will focus on the state and country’s ability to respond to several biological threats that our country faces. The group, which will include state and federal officials, will also determine the measures to take to sufficiently prepare the country for such an event.

For more information on this story visit, WPRI 12.

Congressman Langevin hosts Homeland Security field hearing

Today’s press release from Congressman Langevin’s office:

Congressman Jim Langevin will preside over a field hearing on Tuesday, July 22, that is expected to explore where Rhode Island and the nation are when it comes to responding to a biological threat, including pandemic influenza.

“Throughout my tenure on the Homeland Security Committee I have made it a point to investigate our country’s level of preparedness to handle naturally occurring and manmade biological threats,” said Langevin, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology. “This field hearing will examine the progress and challenges in obtaining the resources and guidance necessary to prepare for and respond to contagious biological threats. I am looking forward to hearing from a variety of federal and state agencies on how best to prepare and safeguard our communities.”

Langevin, along with other members of Congress, will hear from two panels. The first panel will include witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services. Representatives from the Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, Rhode Island National Guard and Lifespan will participate in the second panel.

Who: Congressman Jim Langevin
What: Homeland Security Field Hearing: Emerging Biological Threats & Public Health Preparedness
When: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 – - 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Rhode Island State House, Room 313
Providence, RI 02903

Congressman Langevin officially files for re-election in second Congressional District

Today, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) formally filed for re-election, seeking to serve his fifth term as Representative of the Second Congressional District of Rhode Island.

Here is the press release from the Congressman’s office:

Congressman Jim Langevin today filed with the Secretary of State’s Office to run for his fifth term as the Representative from Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. Langevin released the following statement after filing:

“It has been an honor for me to serve the constituents of the Second Congressional District for nearly eight years. While the Democrats, under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have made great strides to move this country in a new direction after 12 years of Republican leadership, more still needs to be done.

“I look forward to continuing my travels throughout the district in the coming months to hear the concerns of my constituents and reassure them that their voices are being heard in Washington.

“As I campaign for my fifth term, I pledge to work to get our economy back on track, advocate for an end to our military involvement in Iraq and last, but certainly not least, solve our nation’s health care crisis. These issues, among many others, will be my priorities once re-elected.”