Councilmember Anita Bonds Update- Veterans Day

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 11/08/2013 04:06 PM EST

Friends,

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

Many know of the sacrifices made by brave men and women who honorably served our nation in the armed services. These heroic patriots and their families deserve our unsolicited appreciation and support, especially when they return from tours of duty and the experiences of the horrors of war. As the daughter of an Army veteran, I am inviting you to take time during this year’s Veterans Day to express your gratitude to our veterans for their contributions towards keeping our nation safe.

As an newly elected official, I am proud to co-sponsor the “Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption Act,” which will relieve a portion of property taxes for veterans who experience a physical or mental disability from service and to co-introduce the “Veteran Status Driver’s License Designation Amendment Act of 2013,” to authorize the issuance of drivers’ licenses and identification cards designating veteran status to those honorably discharged.

I am co-hosting a scholarship fundraiser for veterans on Monday, November 11th, at the American Legion Post No. 8, 224 D St., SE from 2:00PM until 4:00PM. Please join me.

Sincerely,

Anita

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

DC FEDERATION OF CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS

On October 26, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined the annual gathering of community and civic leaders from across the District of Columbia in honoring numerous individuals and organizations for outstanding service to their community and the District.

The 83rd Annual DC Federation of Civic Associations Scholarship Luncheon, held at the Washington Navy Yard Conference Center, continued their tradition of celebrating those who work to build a greater quality of life and stronger communities in their neighborhoods.

One highlight of the event featured an award presentation to members of the Metropolitan Police Department, DC Fire and EMS, FBI, Navy Police, and first responders who heroically answered the call of duty during the tragic Navy Yard Massacre last month.

Photo- Emcee Denise Rolark Barnes smiles as DCFCA President Barbara Morgan presents Geraldine Boykin with the MacGuire Civil Rights Award.

ISRAEL BAPTIST 25TH

On Sunday, October 27, Councilmember Anita Bonds celebrated the 25th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin Sr. as Senior Pastor of Israel Baptist Church. Rev. Mark Thompson, formerly of WOL-AM radio and now one of the hottest radio commentators on Sirius XM Radio, was the tribute speaker. Councilmember Bonds, along with Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, also made remarks during the inspiring program.

Israel Baptist Church was founded in 1880 and remains one of the District’s strongest community partners in the Brentwood-Langdon neighborhood, where they host community meetings and events, health fairs, day care, and activities for seniors.

Photo- Rev. Dr. Morris Shearin Sr.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE SESSION

On October 29, Councilmember Anita Bonds attended a healthcare information session sponsored by DC Health Link— the online marketplace for District of Columbia individuals and businesses to select a health provider as required by the federal Affordable Care Act.

Following a visit to the Health Exchange call center last month, Councilmember Anita Bonds was particularly interested in ensuring that the District’s process, operation, and reliability of the online enrollment process are working properly. The online pricing and eligibility system now allows users to calculate their actual costs after tax subsidies.

The session was held at St. Paul’s Church, the home church of Estell Lloyd, who serves as the project site administrator. It is one of the 35 community partners the DC Health Exchange contracted to publicize, educate, and assist the District’s diverse uninsured and hard-to-reach populations enroll in the exchange.

Logo- copyright of www.dchealthlink.com

HOMES FOR HEROES

Last Friday, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray, DC Office of Veterans Affairs Director Matt Cary, and several veterans groups at the opening of two “Homes for Heroes” transitional housing units for female veterans and their children.

The two Homes for Heroes properties, located in Deanwood, will house six female veterans in the housing unit and thirteen female veterans and their children in the apartment unit. The facility also provides job training assistance, a community garden, health care services and features on-site dental care.

The units will be provided to those veterans who are unemployed, facing foreclosure, and on the verge of homelessness. Statistics show that female veterans are four times more likely to be homeless.

Project partners include: the D.C. Office of Veteran’s Affairs, the National Association of Concerned Veterans (NACV), The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, the Circle of Friends for America’s Veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Foundation, Samnang Development, the Home Depot Foundation, and others.

Photo- Coalition to Salute America's Heroes CEO David Walker, Councilmember Anita Bonds, Veterans Affairs Director Matt Cary, Jil Hinds in front of the new home.

WEATHERIZATION DAY

On Saturday, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined hundreds of Washington Gas volunteers, friends, and family in weatherizing homes across the region.

WGL/Washington Gas volunteers provided free energy-efficiency upgrades to over 75 homes in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Each home was readied for winter by installing weather stripping, low flow aerators, outlet sealants, door sweeps, and insulation, as well as caulking to seal air leaks.

Councilmember Anita Bonds, a strong advocate of sustainable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions, thanked the Washington Gas volunteers that completed the weatherization installation, and encourages each resident to take steps to reduce their global footprint. Visit here for information on how to conduct a do-it-yourself energy audit: http://ddoe.dc.gov/service/dyi-home-energy-audit

Photo- Washington Gas CEO Terry McCallister, Homeowner Robin Young, Councilmember Anita Bonds.

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

SEVENTEENTH LEGISLATIVE MEETING

On Tuesday, November 5, the Council of the District of Columbia conducted their Seventeenth Legislative Meeting. Highlights of the session include:

The Campaign Finance Reform & Transparency Amendment Act of 2013 (B20-76) passed with unanimous consent. This bill includes measures to:

Require campaign finance training for candidates & treasurers
Impose higher civil and criminal on a broader range of conduct
Cap money order contributions at $100
Raise the cash contribution limit to $100
Mandate online reporting by political committees, political action committees, and independent expenditure committees

Current law will remain in effect through the end of 2014. Councilmember Bonds looks forward to supporting this legislation.

The Drivers Safety Amendment Act of 2013 (B20-275) passed with a vote of 8-3 on its final reading. This bill will allow undocumented workers and immigrants to receive a DC driver’s license or ID card. Councilmember Bonds voted ‘Yes’ on this legislation both times it was put to a vote.

The Focused Student Achievement Act of 2013 (B20-311) passed with unanimous consent on its first reading. This bill will adopt and strengthen assessments for K-12 students, and would set requirements for promotion to higher grade levels in an effort to curb high school dropout rates in future years. Councilmember Bonds co-sponsored this legislation.

The Tax Clarity Equity Amendment Act of 2013 (B20-348) passed with near-unanimous consent. This bill will guarantee that DC taxpayers whose income during or before the year 2000 was changed by the federal government receive tax credits for the discrepancy in upcoming years. Councilmember Bonds co-introduced this legislation.

The Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013 (B20-168) passed as part of the consent agenda. This bill will allow cottage food businesses, including home bakers, to operate without a license from the DOH if the specific laws’ concerning cottage food business are followed, and strengthens DOH regulations and inspections of cottage food businesses. Councilmember Bonds co-sponsored this legislation.

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(202) 724-8064 office (202) 724-8071 fax www.dccouncil.us abonds@dccouncil.us

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