Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen's Blog

Miami Dade County State Attorney's office

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 08/07/2009 17:14

I was able to visit our Miami Dade County State Attorney's office to meet with our prosecutors to discuss case loads, budget cuts, crime in town. Always good to hear from the people on the ground, they do a wonderful job even with dwindling budgets.

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Hispanic Police Officers Association

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 08/07/2009 17:11

I had the pleasure of being honored by the Hispanic Police Officers Association for outstanding commitment to the community and South Florida this week. Great Americans all around and I am proud to work with them.

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The Summer Employment Program for the Younger Youth of Monroe County

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 07/24/2009 16:01

FYI folks!

Youth Co-Op in partnership with South Florida Workforce is offering opportunities for summer employment to 74 youth in Monroe County. The program is called “The Summer Employment Program for the Younger Youth of Monroe County”.

To be eligible, an applicant must be between 14 and 18 years old, low income, and disadvantaged.

This is an excellent opportunity for young people living in the Keys to learn the rewards of employment. There is room for personal growth and acquiring work readiness skills in every placement.

Please contact Jennifer April, of Youth Co-Op, at (305) 292-6762 or in person at in Key West: 1111 12th Street japril@southfloridaworkforce.com

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City of Key West

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 07/24/2009 15:58

I am pleased to report that the City of Key West will receive $1 million in federal funding in the Transportation Appropriations legislation approved by the House. The $1 million in federal funding for the City of Key West will assist in the construction of a new transit facility.

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Audit the Fed

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 07/17/2009 17:05

If the Fed is going to print over one trillion dollars that the US taxpayer can’t afford, I think we have a right to know exactly who they are giving this money to and how much they are giving them. It’s time for the Fed to open up its books to an independent audit conducted by Congress’s budget watchdog, the Comptroller General

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Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 07/17/2009 17:04

I am proud to note that several important projects of ours were funded in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. There is the Miami Harbor Channel Dredging, the Miami River Dredging Project, and the Miami Children’s Museum “Going Green Initiative”.

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Chamber South Military Affairs Breakfast

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 05/29/2009 15:39

This week I spoke at the Chamber South Military Affairs Breakfast. I talked about recent legislation to expand educational benefits for returning veterans as well as a bill of mine to award the Congressional Gold Medal to women World War II aviators.

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The Learning Experience School

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 05/29/2009 15:37

On Thursday I had the pleasure to speak at The Learning Experience School. The school hosts students from birth to adulthood with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. They were celebrating the opening of their new “One United Campus” and I am proud to be a part of their expansion.

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Miami VA Information

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 05/22/2009 14:20

As of today (Friday May 22), updated public numbers and information on the endoscope issues at the Miami VA will be on the local website for Miami and not the national VA website.

Link to the page is: http://www.miami.va.gov/EndoscopicNotification.asp

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Briefing with the VA

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 05/22/2009 14:17

This week I had a briefing with the VA on the misuse of endoscopes at the Miami VA. The VA needs to be more creative in reaching out to veterans than sending a letter every six weeks, there are so many options at the VA's disposal that to say they cannot find the veterans is simply unacceptable.

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Beaches in Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/24/2009 14:43

Erosion jeopardizes the beaches that South Florida is known for to draw tourists. I am happy to have helped in securing more than 30 feet of sand that will be trucked in from Orlando to add height and width to beaches in Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach.

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Women Air Service Pilots of World War II

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/24/2009 14:40

This week I introduced a bill today to award the Women Air Service Pilots of World War II the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress’ highest honor. These courageous women have never received the full recognition they warrant for their wartime military service to America.

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Kinloch Park Middle School

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/16/2009 14:13

Today I was happy to speak at Career Week at Kinloch Park Middle School. I am a former Florida certified teacher, so speaking to students is extra rewarding. I discussed my career in the United States Congress.

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Soaking Up Some Sun

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/16/2009 14:11

One of Florida’s best past times is walking along our beautiful beaches and soaking up some sun. However, like most things, too much of something isn’t always a good thing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched SunWise, a nationwide program available to schools and educational organizations to promote sun-safe behaviors in children. Check it out at: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/

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The Vision Care for Kids Act

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/03/2009 16:45

Many states have taken the required steps to identify children for vision disorders, but children without health insurance cannot afford the necessary exams and treatment. The Vision Care for Kids Act, of which I was a principle co-sponsor, passed this week and will correct this and make sure that states provide the necessary treatment to uninsured children with vision disorders.

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Miami-Dade College land conveyance act

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 04/03/2009 16:42

This week I was happy to assist Miami Dade College in expanding their Downtown Wolfson campus by passing H.R. 838, the Miami-Dade College land conveyance act. This legislation will authorize a land transfer from the Bureau of Prisons to MDC for the construction of a new educational facility. I am so pleased to be able to help my former alma mater in this expansion!

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Miami VA Disaster

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 03/27/2009 18:01

The VA needs to be more aggressively proactive in finding the impacted veterans because all health issues must be dealt with immediately and transparently. This tragedy can impact a far greater number of persons than those originally infected. We all have an obligation to keep our veterans healthy but scenarios such as this can understandably create panic and distrust. Public health is of paramount importance and all necessary action should be taken to ensure that all veterans are made whole and this disaster never repeats itself.

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Restoring Thirty Feet of Beach in Bal Harbour

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 03/20/2009 16:10

The entire coastline of Florida is slowly eroding; no beach, no tourists and Florida's economy suffers. After years of fighting bureaucratic red tape, help is on the way. In May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will start work on a project to restore thirty feet of beach in Bal Harbour. We're competing with other cities, other states for federal dollars to come down here and it's important for us to keep very vigilant and fight for them. I know I will.

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Demanding the Return Of Bonuses Received by Executives Of AIG

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 03/20/2009 16:01

The American people are outraged and rightly so. It is beyond belief that these companies would use taxpayer funds to award executives in the midst of the worst economic crisis in a generation. My number one goal is to recoup as much taxpayer money as possible from these immoral bonuses. We must continue doing more to assure that all the bonus dollars are returned.

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Miami Students up in DC!

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 03/13/2009 16:54

Met with a lot of great students and parents from local schools this week, almost all the students were graduating seniors. These young adults are off to colleges and careers but we need to make sure that today’s sad state in the job market improves so they can be successful!

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Elementary School Visit

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 03/13/2009 16:53

I was happy to speak at private elementary school in Miami earlier in the week. These kids had so many wonderful questions and I was delighted to answer them. As many of you know, I am a former Florida certified teacher and I love going to classrooms. This next generation is going to be so bright!

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Miami International Airport Mover

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/27/2009 18:33

I am excited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Miami International Airport Mover this coming Monday. The MIA Mover is an elevated landside automated people mover system which will provide a convenient way to transport passengers inside the airport.

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State of the Union address

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/27/2009 18:32

I was glad to attend this week’s historic State of the Union address. We have many problems before us in the coming months and years and we need to take strong actions to get our economy and our country back on track. Taxing and spending will not be the answer either; we need to get to the roots of these systemic problems.

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Save American Jobs

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/20/2009 18:25

I have been fighting a terrible situation this week with foreign workers being brought to the St. Regis site to do construction work when we have so many folks right here in our community who could use the work. H2B visas are only supposed to be issued for seasonal work and only when there are no American workers available, sadly this does not seem to be what CYVSA International is using them for.

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Naval Air Station Key West

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/20/2009 18:24

This week I was greatly pleased to visit the Naval Air Station Key West and take part in the check presentation to the base commanders. The $6 million that was secured will allow these fine men and women to continue their training in upgraded facilities that enhance our security and maintains our readiness.

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Christopher Columbus High School

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/13/2009 16:39

I was more than glad to meet with some of the gifted students from Christopher Columbus High School this past week. They came to Washington DC on a tour to gain a better understanding of our Government. I encourage everyone to view the videos on youtube and hear some of the interesting questions they asked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FreoVtjqWh8&feature=channel_page

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Military Order of the Purple Heart

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/13/2009 16:39

This week I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with some of the men from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. I am proud to support our veterans and I will be working with them this Congress to accomplish a combined legislative agenda.

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Digital Television Delay

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/06/2009 16:06

This week, Congress passed the Digital Television Act, which will delay the television broadcasting transition from analog to digital until June 13, 2009. You will need to take action before this date ONLY if you currently watch TV on a TV set that is NOT connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service.

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Education for the State of Florida

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 02/06/2009 16:05

I was glad to meet with the Commissioner of Education for the State of Florida, Eric Smith, to discuss providing funds for education from the federal level during Florida’s financial crisis. Our children must not be forgotten as we work to better our economy.

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New Youtube!

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/23/2009 17:31

I am happy to announce that I have a new Official U.S. House of Representatives YouTube page that will allow me to better reach out to you and share the things I am working on both in Washington and in South Florida and the Keys. You can find my new page at http://www.youtube.com/user/IleanaRosLehtinen - I hope in the coming weeks to share as many of my old archived videos with you as possible!

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The inauguration went over smoothly

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/23/2009 17:31

This week I am both pleased and relieved that the inauguration went over smoothly up in Washington. My office in D.C. was open throughout the weekend and into the inauguration to help South Floridians navigate the complicated restrictions around the Capitol. I hope that you had a chance to visit with us if you were up in Washington for the event, if not however, please stop in next time you are in town!

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The Strength of our Democracy

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/17/2009 16:34

On Tuesday, January 20 our nation will celebrate a process as old as our republic itself: the peaceful transfer of power. Although seen as commonplace, it speaks volumes about the strength of our democracy. Citizens will come together to welcome our new President. As I reflect on this event, I am humbled to be able to be part of a nation that allows all the chance to succeed if they put forth the effort.

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4th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival at Bayview Park, Key West

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/17/2009 16:33

I look forward to spending a great Saturday at the 4th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival at Bayview Park, Key West. The festival provides Keys fishermen the opportunity to share the freshest seafood in the State of Florida with festival attendees. The seafood festival provides me a great opportunity to see first hand the many talented persons and their craft that call the Keys their home. Indeed, it will be a wonderful day.

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Saving Native Plants in South Florida

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/09/2009 12:31

Next week I will meet with top Agriculture Department officials to request emergency funding to combat the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. The insect introduces a killer fungus that causes Laurel Wilt disease, which is ravaging the forest industry and native plants in the Southeastern United States and it is now quickly spreading throughout the State of Florida.

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482nd Fighter Wing Deployed to Iraq

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/09/2009 12:29

Just this week, the 482nd Fighter Wing based at Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB) was deployed to Iraq. My step-son, Dougie Lehtinen, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay Nelson, both served in Iraq so I understand all too well about the mixed emotions felt by the families of these brave service men and women. The fears, pride, anguish, and resolve we all endure when the deployment date nears are universal. We know though, that it is the valor of our men and women in uniform that gives us the opportunity to live in the greatest country on earth.

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Grouper ban will NOT be taking effect in January!

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/05/2009 17:12

I am pleased to announce that the Grouper ban will NOT be taking effect in January. This ban would have been economically devastating to Miami-Dade and Monroe County fishermen. I am so very grateful to Secretary Gutierrez for reaching a common sense decision that takes into account the dire financial situation many of our commercial fishermen find themselves in as well as the ecological impact to our Grouper fisheries.

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Florida Pre-Paid College Tuition Program

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 01/05/2009 17:11

When I was a member of the Florida State Senate, I introduced the college pre-paid tuition legislation that became law in the State of Florida. The Florida Pre-Paid College Tuition Program allows families to lock-in current college costs for their children’s future college education in public and private colleges and universities in Florida and in many other states. This program saves parents and students thousands of dollars because college costs increase dramatically each year. For enrollment information, please call the Program toll free at 1-800-552-4723.

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New Washington D.C. Office!

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 12/11/2008 19:32

This Saturday my Washington D.C. office will be moving to a new location. Starting Monday the 15th of December you are welcome to stop by my new office, 2470 Rayburn House Office Building to chat with me and my staff, just as in my old office! Please come and say hello!

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Addressing the root causes of our economic situation

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 12/11/2008 19:31

I have a great appreciation for the hard-working men and women of our country’s automobile industry, however, the mismanagement that got them into this horrible crisis can not be bailed out. I certainly can not trust the money of the American taxpayer to the same management that for years has promised to turn an ailing industry around and had such poor results. We need to address the root causes of our economic situation.

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Holiday wish to our brave men and women serving overseas!

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 12/05/2008 17:00

Please send a holiday wish to our brave men and women serving overseas! The Red Cross has an absolutely wonderful program called “Holiday Mail for Heroes” and I encourage you to take a moment to brighten the day of a service member by participating in this great program. All you need to do is write a card to: A Service Member, Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, Maryland 2079. All cards must be postmarked no later than December 10, 2008. The cards should be signed, should be addressed “Dear Service Member,” should not include personal information, and cannot include gifts of any kind.

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Boot Key Briefing

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 12/05/2008 16:59

I participated in an overview briefing about properties on Boot Key and met with the City of Marathon Mayor and Council and officials from the City and County who would like to purchase properties for conservation and recreation activities. We discussed available options on what sort of assistance could be expected from the local, State and federal levels.

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110th Congress Coming to a Close

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 11/24/2008 17:39

The current 110th Congress is coming to a close but I am proud to once again be given the opportunity to serve you in the upcoming 111th Congress which will convene in early January. There is much that this new Congress must work for, but as always, I will make sure that the residents of South Florida and the Florida Keys are well represented and that your voice is always heard in Washington

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All Out of Presidential Inauguration Tickets

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 11/24/2008 17:37

I am all out of Presidential Inauguration tickets! I am sorry to say that we will not be able to accommodate any more requests for Inauguration tickets this year. The amount of people requesting tickets has already exceeded our allotment of 198 tickets. Anyone having already requested tickets is still in the running for receiving them, however, they will not be distributed until December. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

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Veterans Day

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 11/14/2008 17:03

As wife to a wounded Vietnam veteran and step-mother to a currently serving Marine officer I was proud to show my support for our brave servicemen and women this past Veterans Day. I hope that your Veterans Day was equally significant and that you too will remember the great sacrifices that our armed forces make for us each and every day.

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Ileana a guest on 'Real Time with Bill Maher'

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 11/14/2008 17:02

I am excited to have the chance to again appear as a guest on the ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ show live on HBO Friday November 14 at 11:00 PM EST. This is always a great opportunity to reach a wider audience on the issues we face in South Florida and the Keys.

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National Flood Insurance Program

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 10/03/2008 18:01

I am proud to have had the National Flood Insurance Program extended. This program is critical for many of our South Florida residents.

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Economic Stabilization Plan

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 10/03/2008 17:59

This week I am proud to have voted for an economic stabilization plan that is designed to help middle-class families and those Americans feeling the brunt of the current economic crisis.

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Wall Street & Main Street

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 09/26/2008 17:25

The grave and serious mistakes made in Wall Street are now reverberating all across Main Street. While we are adamant in assuring that no more damage is done to the US economy and the taxpayer, we will not just sign over a $700 billion check without guarantees on its usage.

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South Florida Funding Projects

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 09/26/2008 17:24

I am pleased to note that several important South Florida projects were included for funding in this weeks Continuing Resolution Bill. These federal funds will help our municipalities during these very tough economic times. I will continue working with the other members of the Florida Congressional Delegation so that our State receives its fair share of federal assistance.

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New Website

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 09/19/2008 16:17

This week I published my new website with a new design that will allow visitors quick reference to current issues and ways to contact my office. There are other helpful components on the website such as information on how to request help with a federal agency. I encourage everyone to browse my website and explore the ways I can help you.

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No Child Left Inside Act

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 09/19/2008 16:16

This week I voted in favor of the No Child Left Inside Act. This legislation addresses the increasing need for environmental education so that students may learn how to lead healthy life styles. Children are our future, and it is important for them to understand the importance, and be prepared for the challenges, of environmental issues we face today.

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Inter-American Development Bank

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — 09/17/2008 12:14

This week I had the opportunity to address the Inter-American Development Bank on the increasingly important subject of Energy. My focus was to talk about Federal investment's significance in relation to alternative energy in any comprehensive energy plan.

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