Hoyer Statement on Signing of Congressional Redistricting Map

Maureen — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:41:58 -0400

FIFTH DISTRICT, MD – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement after Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law the congressional redistricting map for Maryland:

“This afternoon, Governor O’Malley signed Maryland’s Congressional redistricting map after it was approved by the General Assembly. I am pleased that the new Congressional map does not make drastic changes to the Fifth District, which I have been proud to represent. I want to thank all parties involved in this process for their hard work. In the coming months, I hope to have the opportunity to meet and welcome the new residents to the Fifth District and look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties.”

Congressman Hoyer inspects Charles flood damage

Maureen — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:15:19 -0400

U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer visited Charles County on Sunday, September 11, to inspect damage caused by Tropical Storm Lee, according to a Charles County press release.

Joined by Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly, Commissioner Ken Robinson, County Administrator Dr. Rebecca Bridgett, Director of Emergency Services Bill Stephens, Director of Public Works Bill Shreve, and Supervising District Engineer for the State Highway Administration Lee Starkloff, Congressman Hoyer surveyed three sites in the county that were heavily affected by the storm, and spoke with citizens as well as those still working to repair the damage.

Commissioner President Kelly stated, “We are so gratified that our Congressman made time for us on such an important day to our country. I truly feel that he has an understanding of the issues we are facing.”

The release also states that Commissioner Kelly was impressed by the work and commitment the State Highway Administration (SHA) has shown Charles County. “We are impressed by the excellent response from the SHA throughout all of this,” she stated.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee remain throughout Charles County. Residents are advised to tune in to local radio and television news stations for emergency alerts and actions. Updated information is also available online at www.CharlesCounty.org, on the Charles County Government Facebook page, and on Charles County Government cable television stations (Comcast channel 95 and Verizon channel 10).

Hoyer gives St. Mary’s athletes the Olympic treatment

Maureen — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:28:16 -0400

Olympians are a rare breed. But an entire soccer team of them is native to St. Mary’s County.

Nearly two months after it won gold at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens with a 2-1 victory over Spain, the U.S. men’s soccer team comprised entirely of players from St. Mary’s assembled the morning of Aug. 26 at Chancellor’s Run Regional Park for a little due recognition from Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md., 5th).

“The gold medal winners,” Hoyer said as he began shaking hands with each player inside the park’s Softball Hall of Fame. “Wow.”

The congressman had already congratulated the 10-member team during a July 19 address on the floor of the House of Representatives, but said he wished to commend the team in person, as well.

“I am so incredibly proud to be here with you,” Hoyer said. “St. Mary’s County is proud and the country is proud of what you have done. It’s very rare that you get to meet the best of the best, and that’s what you guys are.”

Team members include Avery Long, Larry Mills, Brandon Chan, Thomas Smith, Shaun Ridley, Terrell Nowlin, Sam Huffman, Wesley Thompson, Steven Summerfelt and ace

goalie Alan Hill, who led Division 5 with only two goals allowed during the 2011 World Games.

“To think that in St. Mary’s County our team went to Greece, where the Olympics started a very long time ago, and was the best in the world,” Hoyer stated, cueing a reaction from Shaun’s mother, Bobbie Ridley of California.

“Yes!” she exclaimed.

“Fired up!” Hoyer roared back, impressed with the enthusiasm.

Three of the players could not make it to the ceremony — Hill and Thompson were at work and Summerfelt was recovering from recent knee surgery. “These athletes are always getting surgery on their knee,” Hoyer said.

The congressman read aloud the address he entered into the congressional record, which made note of perhaps the most impressive aspect of the team’s gold-medal victory — it was the first ever by a U.S. men’s soccer team in the Special Olympics.

“Not only were you the best in the world, you were the best to ever play for the United States,” Hoyer said. “That’s awesome.” Teams from Maryland won a total of 10 medals, eight of them gold, at the 2011 World Games.

The speech also included a brief recap of the July 2 gold-medal match, during which Long scored both of Team USA’s goals. “Avery,” Hoyer said, giving him a thumbs up. “Way to go.”

A senior running back at Leonardtown High School, Long had never touched a soccer ball before he succumbed to peer pressure and joined the Special Olympic team.

Hoyer also credited Mary Lu Bucci, county director for the Special Olympics, and coaches John Toner and Ken Cohen for their devotion to the team.

“They do this because they care about you, they care about competition and they care about you being the best you can be, and you were,” he told the players. “Best in the world is the best you can be.”

Following a team photo with Hoyer and Del. John Bohanan (D-St. Mary’s), the congressman signed a copy of the address for each player.

“I’m a huge fan of our president, President Obama,” Shawn Ridley said as Hoyer signed his certificate.

“Me, too,” Hoyer answered. “I’ll tell him you said that.”

The congressman often mentions his support for the disabled during public appearances and is close with the family of the late Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was married to Peace Corps founder and Maryland native R. Sargent Shriver, who died Jan. 18.

A sponsor of the 1990 legislation Americans with Disabilities Act, Hoyer took issue with the term “disabled,” remarking that he might be considered “disabled” at basketball due to a lack of height or sufficient athleticism, “but there’s a lot of things I can do.

“Drop that ‘dis,’” he continued. “We ‘dis’ too many people. Find out what a person’s abilities are.”

Faced with a struggling economy and mounting federal debt, members of Congress have spent recent months quarreling with each other and the White House over where to best find savings. Well aware that social programs are often among the first to feel the fiscal ax when cuts are made to government budgets, Hoyer maintained that any budget balancing should include tax hikes on the wealthy .

“Those that are most vulnerable in our society should be the last ones to get cut,” Hoyer said. “It’s those with the most who should be making the largest contribution, not those with the least.”

As for the local Olympians, Hoyer’s visit is far from the last recognition they will receive. Following a Sept. 21 appearance at RFK Stadium during a D.C. United soccer match, the team will also be honored at St. Mary’s College of Maryland during its Oct. 1 homecoming.

Women's Equality Day

Maureen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:17:21 -0400

Tina Tchen, chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama, listens Aug. 25 as U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyerspeaks during the ninth annual Women's Equality Day Luncheon held at Colony South Hotel in Clinton.

St. Mary's: Power Out; Downed Trees, Lines

Maureen — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:19:06 -0400

A dawn broke Sunday in St. Mary’s County, anyone with a chain saw became the most popular person in the neighborhood. Hurricane Irene left in its wake many downed trees and power lines and a large population without power.

Although most waterfront areas, unlike Isabel, were spared major flooding, there were some notable exceptions, including the St. Mary’s River in Great Mills and Town Run in Leonardtown at Maryland Antiques Center and the Port of Leonardtown.

Although crews worked hard to at least open one lane for traffic, some roads, such as North Sangates Road and many others remained blocked at midday. Even the major roads, such as Routes 5, 235 and 245, had lanes blocked. At almost the exact spot of the recent glider accident on Route 235 in Hollywood, a power pole was severed, a tree down, the northbound right lane closed and no crews in sight.

By midday the St. Mary’s County Public Schools had announced they would be closed on Monday. SMECO was working hard to restore power. But some homes in more isolated areas could be in for a long wait. As of noon 23,655 homes in the county were without power, a significant improvement over the almost 40,000 six hours earlier. Forty-five SMECO crews and 40 contract crews have been deployed and help was on its way from crews from Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

A group of officials toured Southern Maryland by helicopter this afternoon to assess the damage. They included Rep. Steny Hoyer, NAS Commanding Officer Capt. Stephen Schmeiser, St. Mary’s County Commissioner Francis “Jack” Russell and Commissioner Todd Morgan, Del. John Bohanan, Sheriff Tim Cameron and County Administrator John Savich.

Hoyer said they saw little waterfront damage in contrast to Tropical Storm Isabel. Everyone agreed the problem was downed power lines and trees. Hoyer said he lost 17 trees on his property.

Hoyer said it was too early to say about federal aid. Savich praised SMECO for its quick response.

Russell said the flooding in Great Mills was just a case of too much water, although Bohanan said St. Mary’s Lake did spill over a little.

Cameron said there was a department wide mobilization Saturday night and would be extended to Sunday night as well. He praised the public for staying home and riding out the storm. “They did a nice job.”

Not everyone stayed home. Savich said132 people used the shelter Saturday night at Leonardtown High School. The shelter will also be open Sunday night. Savich said regular ice would be made available sometime Monday.

The following are the most recent updates on the emergency from St. Mary’s County Government.

St. Mary’ County Government will be open Monday, August 29, with Liberal Leave policy in effect.

Hurricane Irene Recovery update, August 28, 2011, 12:00 p.m.

Citizens are strongly encouraged for their own safety to stay off of the roads. There are fallen trees and flooded roads that have created dangerous conditions.

Maryland State Police and State Highway Administration officials are reminding motorists that upon approaching an intersection with non-functioning traffic lights ALL drivers should stop at the intersection first and then proceed with caution. If lights are on flash, those facing yellow flashing lights can proceed with caution. Those facing red flashing lights must stop and then proceed with caution.

Downed power lines and power outages need to be reported to SMECO at 1-877-747-6326.

The State Highway Administration has reopened the Thomas Johnson Bridge and the Harry Nice Bridge.

Agencies continue to deploy tactical teams with a combination of SMECO, State Highway Administration, Dept of Public Works and Transportation, Sheriff’s Office, MD State Police, Volunteer Fire Departments and Rescue Squads, and contract support to systematically secure access to and from power restoration priorities, first responder running areas, local priority routes will soon be assessing the extent of private property assistance that may be needed.

STS Transportation, Convenience Centers and St. Andrews Landfill will be closed Sunday, August 28.

Water system in Hunting Quarter is back on line and water system in Breton Bay and may be operating at less than full capacity. All persons served by public water systems are encouraged to use only that quantity of water as is absolutely necessary until further notice. At this time, there is no need to boil any public water supplies prior to consumption.

Citizens using the METCOM Water System in Wicomico Shores, Piney Point and Holland Forest are asked to limit their water usage until power can be restored to the Water System. Please contact METCOM at 301-373-5305 for updates or to report any outages.

St. Mary’s County amateur radio operators are requested to monitor 147.39 mhz and check in with net control at the Leonardtown EOC.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, August 29.

St. Mary’s County will be providing ice on Monday, August 29, 2011, at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department upper parking lot, 24801 Three Notch Road in Hollywood starting at 11:00 AM. Only one 40 pound bag of ice will be available per family until all supplies are exhausted. For more information, please contact 301-475-4911.

Please stay tuned to your local radio, television stations, and the county’s website www.co.saint-marys.md.us for further updates.

Hoyer Remarks at Women’s Equality Luncheon

Maureen — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:07:57 -0400

CLINTON, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) hosted women business and community leaders for an annual luncheon to mark Women’s Equality Day. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“We come here today to celebrate Women’s Equality Day. We are joined by a wonderful keynote speaker, Ms. Tina Tchen, who serves as Special Assistant to President Obama and Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. She is also Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls in the Obama Administration. She’s an outstanding public servant, and I know we all look forward to hearing from her.

“Joining me today are several prominent elected officials from all counties of our District. And in the audience we are joined by business owners, community activists, political staff, health care professionals, legal minds, and almost all of whom are also women. It is a sign of progress that we are able to host such a gathering, with so many prominent attendees.

“Women’s Equality Day is not just about the history of one gender. As Gloria Steinem has said, ‘being a feminist means seeing the world as a whole, not a half.’ When we celebrate the accomplishments of half of our population, we are celebrating our society as a whole. This day might be also aptly named Human Equality Day.

“The arduous path towards equality is not a mystery to anyone in this room. There is likely not a woman in this room who could not point to a story from her own work history, schooling or even family life when she had to fight against the outmoded notions of gender stereotypes.

“But with strength, determination, and leadership, we have arrived at this day, when we can celebrate our society’s progress, reflect on the work ahead of us, and learn from a woman who is one of the highest ranking members of a presidential administration.

“We have come to this point because of the accomplishments of generations of activists for equality, and we owe them our gratitude—just was we hope to act in such a way that future generations will look back on us with gratitude, as well.

“In August of 1920, women were not suddenly given the right to vote. It had been a generations-long struggle, a victory that was truly earned.

“Women who are lawyers, women who are doctors, women who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives—no one gave them these roles. They were earned. And when we celebrate the accomplishments of the feminist movement, we are celebrating the principle that all Americans deserve the equal opportunity to earn, achieve, and make the most of their God-given talents.

“The theme for today’s lunch is ‘Success in Today’s World.’ This is a broad theme, and we all have our own ways of measuring and conceiving of success. We all have our own definitions of what success means. But one thing is certain about success: it is earned, not given. Our nation benefits when women push themselves to the front lines of achievement. Our world benefits when it can make use of the whole of human talent, ingenuity, and innovation, not just half of it.

“I am proud to be a member of a party that has done so much to advance the cause of equality, and that is so committed to finishing the work of equality. I’m proud that advancing equality and opportunity is at the heart of Democrats’ agenda. That’s why we passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, so that women can secure equal pay for equal work. That’s a reason why we passed the Affordable Care Act, which ends the discrimination on the basis of preexisting conditions, including even pregnancy, that has driven women’s health care costs up. That’s why we’ve fought against the divisive social agenda of some in this Congress—at a time when getting our economy going again matters far more to Americans than refighting the culture wars. And that’s why we’ve worked so hard to push the Make It In America plan, a legislative program to revive American industry and create well-paying jobs, which means more opportunity for all Americans.

“I’m proud of all of these efforts. Government can’t create success or legislate success—but when we break down barriers to equality and create the conditions for opportunity, when we help Americans from all walks of life unleash their talents, we will all be amazed with the results. The successful women with us here today are proof of that.”

Hoyer leads fundraising among county incumbents

Maureen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:21:28 -0400

Of the four congressmen who represent Anne Arundel County, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer has raised the most during this election cycle, according to federal campaign finance reports filed this month.

Hoyer, D-St. Mary's County, represents southern Anne Arundel and raised $1.2 million since the 2010 election. He raised $716,214 between April and July of this year, and his $996,927 campaign chest is the largest of the four congressmen currently representing Anne Arundel.

Congressman Hoyer Working to Avoid a Government Shutdown

NGP Admin — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:51:04 -0400

Democrats believe we must cut spending, and that it can be done without hurting American families and workers

Congressman Hoyer is working with Republicans and Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. But so far, Republicans have refused to compromise, even though Democrats have agreed to meet them more than halfway.

Republicans' only proposal rejects Americans' priorities by cutting investments that allow us to out-build, out-innovate, and out-educate our competitors.

According to non-partisan experts, the Republican cuts would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. We can cut spending without cutting jobs, ending Medicare or slashing Pell grants for college students. Democrats are hopeful that a compromise can be reached to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.

A shutdown would put Maryland's economy at risk.

According to the MD Department of Budget and Management:

A two-week federal shutdown could reduce Maryland income tax revenues by as much as $40 million if federal workers residing in Maryland do not receive retroactive pay for the shutdown days.

Additional State revenue losses are anticipated from the furloughing of federal contractors working in Maryland.

A two-week loss of income for federal workers is projected to reduce spending on taxable goods by more than $160 million - impeding our State's economic recovery.

There are more than 62,000 federal employees in the Fifth District who will be affected by a government shutdown, which is why it is of utmost importance that we continue working to ensure that no American families and workers are impacted by Republicans' unwillingness to compromise.

If you have any questions about how the shutdown may impact you, or if you need assistance in the event of a shutdown, please call our office at 301-464-5710.

Hoyer Op-Ed: County residents already reaping benefits of health care reform

Maureen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:17:21 -0400

A year ago this week, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, or the ACA. The ACA gave families — not insurance companies — the freedom to control their own health care choices. Just a year after it became law, the ACA is making it easier for small businesses in Prince George's County to cover their employees, the law is taking important steps to bring down health care costs, and it's stopping insurance company abuses that bankrupt sick Marylanders or deny them coverage.

The ACA was an effort to respond to health care premiums that have more than doubled, to a coverage crisis that saw more than 40 million Americans — and nearly 770,000 Marylanders — going without coverage, and the skyrocketing cost of health care driving our country deeper into the red.

But I also supported health care reform because of the stories of ordinary Maryland families. Carla Smith of Upper Marlboro told me about her son and daughter, wondering where they'd find jobs that provided health coverage in this tough economy. Jessica Davila, a mother of a 4-year-old daughter from Fort Washington, told me about the pre-existing health condition that threatened her ability to get insurance and afford her medication.

Today, though, Smith's son and daughter — like all Americans 26 and under — can stay on their parent's insurance plan as they get their start in life. Jessica Davila has been able to purchase private insurance — and soon, thanks to the ACA, health insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to any Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Those are just some of the benefits of reform — and many of them have already kicked in. The days of insurance companies placing unfair caps on coverage are over. Small businesses are starting to get tax credits to help them cover their employees. Across the nation, 3.5 million seniors — including 32,172 Maryland seniors — have received checks to help them pay for prescription drugs. Seniors in the "donut hole" prescription drug coverage gap started receiving a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs — and ultimately, the "donut hole" will be eliminated altogether.

Despite those benefits, Republicans have worked hard to put insurance companies back in control. But the effects of repealing the health reform law would be disastrous for Prince George's families. In Maryland alone, insurance companies would take back the power to deny coverage to as many as 343,000 individuals. As many as 12,100 small businesses would lose their health care tax credits. And almost 4,000 seniors in the "donut hole" would face higher drug costs.

On the national level, leading health care economist David Cutler found that repealing the ACA will cost us up to 400,000 jobs over the next decade. And the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that repeal will pile more than $1 trillion in debt on our children.

The people of Prince George's County are already seeing what the ACA means for their everyday lives. And, a year later, it would be a huge mistake to roll that progress back.

U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville

Hoyer Remarks at 30th Annual Black History Month Breakfast

Maureen — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:28:12 -0500

WALDORF, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended the 30th Annual Black History Month Breakfast in Waldorf where he was joined by Senator Benjamin L. Cardin and keynote speaker, Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative serving in the Obama Administration, and hundreds of community leaders from Maryland’s Fifth District. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“It’s my honor to welcome you all to our 30th annual Black History Breakfast. Black History Month originated 85 years ago—and that means that for more than a third of that time, we’ve been celebrating it with this breakfast, here in Maryland’s 5th District.

“Our Black History Breakfast started as a more informal event in the Cannon Caucus room near the Capitol. It was a chance for the 5th District community to come to Washington to share stories and talk about the most important issues of the year ahead. That was back in the early 80s—when all you had to do to get into the Capitol was to park your car on the street and walk through the door. The Capitol may have changed since then—and we may have moved this breakfast into the 5th District—but what hasn’t changed is the importance of this event to our community.

“For 30 years, we’ve come together to reflect on history—and to hear from some speakers who have made history themselves. We’ve heard from John Lewis and Kweisi Mfume, Donna Brazile and Valerie Jarrett. In 1995, we heard from a future Attorney General, Eric Holder. In 2006, we heard from a Senator named Barack Obama. And in 2008, we heard Tavis Smiley tell us that Barack Obama was going to win the White House—but that this was still going to be a divided country, and that there would be an enormous amount of work in front of us.

“For almost nine decades—and for three decades of this breakfast—why has marking Black History Month been so important? We do it, in large part, to correct the record: to counteract the untruth that black history has no place in American history.

“Dr. Carter G. Woodson said that he created this observance because, for too long, he had seen the centuries of African-American contributions ‘overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them.’ Black History Month was created as a way of overcoming that ignorance. But Black History Month isn’t only about history. Dr. Woodson believed that one of the great sources of racial injustice is ignorance of the past—of ‘instruction to the effect that [black Americans] have never contributed anything to the progress of mankind.’ Black History Month is about recognizing the 400 years of African Americans whose lives helped to make our country what it is today, who made contributions in every sphere of our national life, from culture and business to politics and science.

“Black History Month is about progress: not just progress in how we understand our country’s story, not just understanding the progress that black Americans have helped create, but building progress for the future. We measure the march of America’s progress, from the slaves who fought for their freedom in the Civil War, to the civil rights movement that inspired the world, to the black leaders who are making history today. We measure the distance we have yet to go, before we can say that we have lived up to our nation’s founding promise of equal opportunity. We reflect not only on the achievements of the past—but on all that remains to be done in the present, whether it is ensuring all of our children an outstanding education, helping every American access a doctor’s care, or creating jobs in all of our communities, so that all of our families can have a chance to make it in America.

“And I believe, as Dr. Woodson believed, that we can build a better future by understanding the past—both our errors and our triumphs. I believe we can bring that better future closer when every American can say: black history is our history.”

Congressman Hoyer helped launch the annual breakfast when he became a Member of Congress in 1981, and attends every year to participate in a morning of fellowship and friendship with community leaders in recognition of Black History Month. Mr. Kirk participated in this year’s breakfast at the invitation of Congressman Hoyer.

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