This Week's Duckworth Diary - April 4, 2014

Statement

Dear Neighbors,

On Monday, I was honored to attend the United Service Organization-Metro's 32nd Annual Awards Dinner. The work the USO does on behalf of our active duty servicemen and women is truly astonishing, and I am proud to see them continuing to succeed by opening a new clinic in the Washington DC area.

I then joined several of my House colleagues in sending a letter to the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee in support of robust funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program. The Risk MAP program offers information and tools to communities to plan ahead and protect their residents from flood damage. It is crucial that our communities have the necessary resources to protect against severe weather, and the Risk MAP program is essential to helping mitigate future flooding disasters.

I met with the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association. We discussed the important projects that need to be funded in the District, including the Elgin O'Hare Expressway and the need to pass a Surface Transportation reauthorization bill.

On Thursday, I held a telephone townhall on the topic of jobs and the economy. Over the last several years, our economy has taken hits with the financial crisis, drastic sequester cuts, a government shut down and debates over the debt ceiling. I know that many of my neighbors are still having a difficult time making ends meet. We called tens of thousands of constituents and I was glad to have many of our neighbors join me on the call to discuss these important issues.

Additionally, I met with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, Michael Huerta, along with Rep. Schakowsky and Rep. Quigley. We discussed strategies for noise abatement for residents who live near O'Hare International Airport.

I hope you are having a great week.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Duckworth

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