Neighborhood Service Centers
Floor Speech
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, one of my most important responsibilities as a Member of Congress is helping the residents of Michigan's 12th District get through everyday challenges and issues that their families are going through.
Creating Neighborhood Service Centers has been the most effective way to change the lives of our residents immediately. From the moment I took office, I made a commitment to be accessible and responsive to those everyday challenges and needs. The way I have done it is my team and I now operate what we call our Neighborhood Service Centers in both Wayne and Oakland Counties.
Through the Neighborhood Service Centers, we have returned over $5.2 million in constituent services directly back into the pockets of our neighbors.
Because of this incredible work of our casework team and Neighborhood Service Centers, a senior veteran in Detroit, for instance, was able to come into our office to apply for assistance to stop the garnishment of his Social Security payments and receive assistance to wipe out an outstanding debt of $8,161 that was being garnished.
Another family in Inkster was under a threat of losing their home, but due to the work of the Neighborhood Service Centers they were able to receive over $5,000 in property tax assistance to keep them in their home. Again, the Neighborhood Service Center was able to change their lives immediately.
Recently, my team and I also ran a constituent services fair in Wayne County and had the opportunity to help more than 50 residents directly with constituent casework.
We are humbled by the opportunity to serve each of our residents in the 12th Congressional District every single day. I will continue to fight for a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous community for all of us through the Neighborhood Service Centers. I will always have their back. Recognizing Joseph Deichelbohrer
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Joe Deichelbohrer for his 25 years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.
Our captain began his career as a firefighter with the Dearborn Fire Department in 1998. Over the years, he rose steadily through the ranks from fire engineer to lieutenant, and ultimately, captain. Captain Joe has been steadfast in his service and commitment to the community.
Throughout his career he has earned many awards for his outstanding service. He has been recognized multiple times, Mr. Speaker, for his service, bravery, and working to truly change people's lives, and also save them.
Over the past nearly three decades, Captain Joe has put his life on the line for others to serve our community, and we commend him for his service and wish him a happy retirement. Support for the Yemeni People
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recent progress made toward peace in Yemen and highlight what we need to be doing right now to support the Yemeni people.
The recent progress and statements from those involved offer new hope that peace in Yemen is possible, but obstacles remain that require careful, thoughtful engagement from this Congress and our President.
This is why today, Congressman Ro Khanna and I are leading over 30 of our colleagues in a letter to the President and his Yemen team outlining how the U.S. should engage with the peace process to maximize the chance at success.
Now more than ever, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. must push hard to ensure that the blockade is completely lifted. While peace negotiations are ongoing, it is critical that the U.S. must not obstruct peace by offering further military assistance, weapons, or security guarantees to any country while trying to maintain its support for the U.N. arms embargo.
The message needs to be crystal clear, no aid of any kind will be considered while Yemen starves. If this diplomatic process breaks down, my colleagues and I are prepared to introduce new legislation to end this awful war.
As always, we cannot allow our hope for current peace talks to distract us from the massive humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Speaker, 14.8 million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation and cannot wait for lifesaving humanitarian aid from the international community. A month ago, I led two dozen of our colleagues in requesting at least $1.2 billion in U.S. humanitarian aid to Yemen in the upcoming budget. I repeat that call here today.
Mr. Speaker, this is our moment. Let's call for peace and stretch out a helping hand and be there for the Yemeni people when they need us most.
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