Charlie's Blog

Reportaje Rangel (En Espa�ol): C�mara de Representantes Aprueba Reforma de Salud H�storica

2009-11-17T16:32:48Z

Por meses, hemos estado trabajando día y noche para avanzar con la reforma de salud. Hoy, puedo dar buenas noticias. El sábado pasado la Cámara de Representantes paso el Acto de Cuidado Médico Accesible para América, una legislación histórica que ofrecerá a todos los ciudadanos opción y competencia y pondrá a los pacientes primero.

Para visitar nuestra página de Web en español, pulse aquí.

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Rangel Report: House Passes Historic Health Insurance Reform

2009-11-13T15:44:09Z

If you would like to receive legislative updates and video like the one below, please sign up for our Rangel Reports here.

For months now, we have been working day and night to advance health insurance reform. And today, I can report great news. Last Saturday, the House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a historic bill that will offer all Americans choice and competition and will put patients first. Below is a video I would like you to see. It will brief you on this unprecedented achievement and what it means for you and your family.

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Constituents Talk Rangel in Local Publication

2009-10-27T18:08:14Z

The following is a nice newspaper cover story, featuring constituents from Congressman Rangel's district:

Click on the photo above to zoom in.

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Bill to Promote Solar Technology Will Bring More Jobs

2009-10-22T21:14:56Z

During the Internet boom of the 1990s and early this decade, technology drove a whole new realm of communications, creating jobs for us and economic security. As we move toward a clean energy economy, technology is going to unleash millions of jobs that provide environmentally friendly ways to build our communities and power our lives with sources of energy that we can produce here and that improves our community's quality of life.

Today, the House passed H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, to strengthen the American solar technology industry through coordinated research and development and public-private partnerships. These partnerships would identify the actions needed to improve the performance and reliability of solar technologies, decrease costs, and reduce water use. Recommendations that come out of this work would direct a growing percentage of federal solar funding over time.

We New Yorkers stand to gain in this development as renewable energies like solar provide a broad variety of good-paying jobs − from electricians and truck drivers to cashiers and IT specialists − that are distributable across the U.S. economy. Energy from the sun offers a tremendous opportunity for us, with the potential to help create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs, including estimates of 250,000 jobs by 2020. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal even mentioned the huge potential in trapping solar energy from space! ("Five Technologies That Could Change Everything," by Michael Totty, October 19, 2009)

This is one of the many reasons for investing in solar research, development, and projects. But we risk falling behind to other countries and losing job opportunities if we do not accelerate our efforts as our global competitors are devoted to expanding solar technology development.

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Keep Them Coming

2009-10-21T12:55:56Z

Thank you for all of your constituent calls yesterday in support of President Obama's plan to reform health insurance. The President called on all of you to make your voices heard − on Facebook here − and we appreciate that you did.

It was a pleasure hearing from all of you.

Here's what I tweeted in response to your outpouring of support:

"Thank you for all of the constituent calls yesterday, supporting President Obama in reforming health insurance. I agree wholeheartedly."

I am proud that the Ways & Means Committee, the committee I chair, was the first to pass a draft reform bill that followed the guidelines set in place by President Obama, one that included a strong public option.

We will continue to work to ensure that every American has access to affordable, quality health insurance that does not discriminate, keeps costs down, and keeps insurance companies honest.

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Did You Know...

2009-08-12T14:18:43Z

... In about 160 days, more than 30,000 Recovery Act projects - including community health center expansions, military facility upgrades, and transportation construction jobs - have already been approved.

35

2009-07-30T22:07:44Z

35. The number of housing projects in the district that have received Recovery Act funds as of July 7. Find a list here.

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Public Option

2009-07-29T18:54:16Z

"The health reform debate has brought together members with diverse opinions to work toward quality, affordable health care for all Americans. I am particularly pleased that today's agreement solidifies the creation of a public health insurance option that will promote competition and ensure choice."

−Congressman Charles B. Rangel

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Words of Support from the President

2009-07-21T20:23:45Z

Click on the photograph below to read President Obama's words. The photo was taken in the White House on June 9 during a discussion with the President and Congressional leaders regarding health care reform.

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Rangel 'Face(s) the Nation' on Health Care

2009-07-20T19:25:08Z

The Congressman 'Face(s) the Nation' yesterday, July 19, in support of the health care reform bill passed in his Ways & Means Committee last Friday.

And filed away in our 'department of praise' files is this gem from the interview below:

"If Charlie [Rangel] and I could sit together, we'd get it done. I have a lot of confidence in his ability."
– Sen. Orrin Hatch (R – Utah)

If you're having problems viewing this video, watch it here.

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Korean Veterans Recognition Bill Reaches House Floor Tuesday

2009-07-13T14:05:02Z

The U.S. House will vote tomorrow on a measure honoring the 6.8 million Americans who served in the Korean War by adding Korean War Armistice Day (July 27) to the list of days on which the American flag is displayed at half-staff.

I introduced the resolution on Memorial Day with Representatives John Conyers and Sam Johnson − all three of us are Korean War veterans − along with Members Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Peter King, and Diane Watson.

In light of the tensions in the Korea region, the lessons and sacrifices from the Korean War are still pertinent today. Sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam and often forgotten in the public consciousness, the Korean War claimed 54,246 American casualties. Altogether, the war ended leaving in its wake four million military and civilian casualties.

Only two million U.S. Korean War veterans are surviving today and about 1,000 die each day. A number of them will gather in Washington on Armistice Day to commemorate the freedom for which they fought. Among the organizations supporting the bill are the Korean War Veterans Association, the Korean American Public Affairs Committee, and the Global Commission for Korean Reconciliation.

The House will have the unique opportunity to highlight this story of American bravery and bring the history of this 'Forgotten War' out of the shadows.

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Flashback: Deeply Dominican in Upper Manhattan

2009-07-08T13:32:50Z

Watch this NY Times video article (from Oct. 2007!) of the Dominican American community in the district.

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Debut de La P�gina Web Para Los Constituyentes Hispanohablantes

2009-07-07T14:26:10Z

Este verano entre los procesos de generar nuevos estatutos reformando la infraestructura del sistema médico, del mercado, y el sistema inmigratorio, la Oficina del Congresista Rangel aun ejecutará una nueva iniciativa. Han introducido la Página Web Para Los Constituyentes Hispanohablantes que aumentará las comunicaciones entre el Congresista y sus constituyentes hispanos.

Casi completamente la página Web original se ha traducido al español. Esto será un medio para mantener un intercambio de información para satisfacer la necesidad de responder a los cambios demográficos en el Decimoquinto Distrito.

Primordialmente, lo que esta nueva fuente les ofrece a los constituyentes hispanos es la oportunidad de mantenerles al día con novedades políticas generadas en la Capital, familiarizarse con las instituciones icónicas del Decimoquinto Distrito, y identificar las maneras en como usar los profesionales de la Oficina del Congresista como aliados en aquellos instantes en que se convierte riguroso navegar por la burocracia federal.

Abajo encontrará un resumen en breve de los enlaces que les vendrá de interés a los miembros del distrito. El nuevo producto contiene enlaces a las componentes de la Biografía del Congresista Rangel, los servicios ofrecidos por la Oficina Central y del Distrito al público, la descripción del Distrito Decimoquinto, los Medios de Comunicación, y las novedades de Legislación de la página original.

Con la biografía, los residentes pueden llegar a conocer la historia del Congresista − las dificultades de su juventud, su estancia en las fuerzas armadas, el primer oficio como teniente del estado, y los mitos de sus 40 años en la Casa. En la misma sección se incluirá un listado de las asociaciones y miembrecias del Representante, como por ejemplo la Junta de Apoyo a las Marinas y el Ejército, la Junta Por el Bienestar de Familias y Trabajadores, y la Delegación de Congresistas de Nueva York. Además se incluirá una cronología de los logros del Congresista durante su misión en los pasillos de mármol para establecer una conexión íntima entre los residentes del distrito y su Congresista.

La sección de servicios disemina instrucciones sobre como los miembros del distrito pueden obtener asistencia de la Oficina del Distrito para mediar dificultades comunes al constituyente y aquellas agencias federales que distribuyen beneficios públicos con mayor frecuencia a la población del Distrito. Además se incluye un comprensivo listado en español de aquellas agencias federales para facilitar la navegación del mundo Web. Para enriquecer la experiencia de los residentes Hispanos en sus excursiones a la Capital se incluye una descripción de como solicitar visitas a la Casa Blanca y recomendaciones de monumentos de interés.

Bajo el enlace Decimoquinto Distrito escrituras describiendo las tiendas, los restaurantes y localidades de importancia histórica del Decimoquinto Distrito también se podrán acceder y ayudaría a orientar a cualquier recién mudado al distrito.

Legislación para el constituyente contiene recursos disponibles a la conscripción del Congresista el acceso a los residentes las actualizaciones relevantes de hechos en el Congreso. En esta sección se incluye una cronología de leyes introducidas, en discusión, o en revisión reforzado por las comités del Congreso con una sinopsis de las posturas tomadas para cada asunto por el Congresista en este turno. Como por ejemplo encontrará para su conveniencia una discusión educativa sobre las reformas al sistema de la inmigración, los estatutos demandando encarcelamiento para consumadores de drogas, y también el imprescindible seguro médico.

Con esta nueva fuente ningún miembro de la comunidad encontrará inaccesible información vital sobre acontecimientos en la Capital debido a una falta de acomodación cultural. Este nuevo sitio Web para los constituyentes hispanos ahora permitirá a todos que se mantengan informados de la logística, los discursos políticos, y la moralidad que influye al Congresista a tomar las decisiones que crean las normal estatales del país en nombre de los votantes. Con un distrito cada vez más multicultural, y con un emergente bloque de votadores hispanos, el Decimoquinto Distrito se convierte cada más necesitado de la acomodación cultural. Esta calidad de Manhattan Superior demanda que la Oficina del Representante Charles Rangel se posicione a responder a la variación de su vecindario.

El Congresista Rangel se auto-delegó la meta de mantenerse accesible a su comunidad hispana con la publicación de este nuevo sitio demuestra que a tomado pasos constructivos para alcanzar aquella meta.

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We are debuting a Spanish site that mirrors our English-language one. If you speak the language, head on over.

Health Care Reform Poll Results

2009-06-25T19:38:30Z

Our entirely unscientific, just-for-fun Web site poll results are in for the month of May, and our online viewers overwhelmingly sided with universal health care for every American by a 72- to 28-percent margin.

Do you support a universal health care system that covers every American?

Results:

Yes

71.8 %

28.2 %

VOTE in our June poll right now!

For a extensive overview of the draft health care legislation released by the house, head here.
For a New York Times article discussing a recent, scientific poll of Americans − that said a staggering 85 percent of Americans believed our health care system needs to be fundamentally changed or rebuit − click here.

Here are a few of Congressman Rangel's most recent words on the matter:
"President Obama issued a call to action to reform our nation’s health care system and the House Committees have answered in an unprecedented way, working as one to produce a draft that will help control costs, preserve and expand coverage and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. In the coming weeks, we will continue working with our colleagues and stakeholders to move this draft forward so we can create a new day in American health care that will benefit our nation for generations to come."

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Dept. of Praise II

2009-06-25T13:48:21Z

"The new website look is indeed a welcome change and I am glad to see that this time a lot of thought has been put into making the navigation of the site more user friendly. Also the new polls are a good idea and it gives ground to people expressing their perspective on various issues."

− David Miller, Charlie's Blog Commenter , June 25, 2009

Make sure you take advantage of all of our site's features by perusing a list of them here.
Take a gander at our brand new glossary.

And coming in July, we debut our entirely Spanish-language web page. Y el estreno de nuestra página de web en español llegara en julio.

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