BROWN HONORED AS FIRST COUNCILMEMBER TO JOIN THE CONGRESSIONAL AWARD FOUNDATION BOARD
This week, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown was appointed as the first Councilmember in history to be a member of the Congressional Award Foundation Board of Directors. He was asked to join the Foundation because of his dedication to education in the District of Columbia.
“We need to engage teachers, parents and civic leaders in the education of our children,” said Brown. “When our children succeed, we must recognize their efforts. I’m honored to be a part of the Congressional Award and I’ll encourage more DC student participation in the program.” The Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress' award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. The Congressional Award Foundation has had a long history of participation from students in the District of Columbia. Thus far there have been: - Over 275 youth from DC to register with the Award;
- Five Gold Medalists from DC;
- 22 Silver Medalists; and
- 65 Bronze Medalists. There are currently over 25,000 youth working towards their Award nationwide and the National Office will be working with Councilmember Brown to increase the number of active participants from the District. Councilmember Brown has consistently fought for higher quality education and is determined to raise standards in DC public schools. He has led the fight to: - Pass the School Modernizing Funds Resolution of 2007 approving $30 million in funds to build Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School;
- Recognize student achievement by awarding the Most Improved Student Award to deserving male and female students in every high school in the district for three straight years;
- Increase parental involvement by creating the Parental Engagement Pledge, which commits parents to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours with their children’s school; and
- Fund the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Act of 2005, providing over $1.9 million for the program. When Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso was confirmed by the City Council earlier this month, Councilmember Brown urged him to focus on creating an Ombudsman’s office and wrap-around services. As part of the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007, Reinoso has been tasked with creating an Ombudsman’s office to collect feedback and concerns from parents and citizens in the community. Along with the Ombudsman’s office, he has been charged with effectively developing the Interagency Collaboration and Services Integration Commission, which would provide wrap-around services that create a comprehensive approach to education. Wrap-around services expand the focus of a child’s education by including and tracking a child’s ongoing progress in health care, social services, home life and any court involvement. A child’s individual needs can be taken into account and teachers can work more closely with parents to provide informed solutions. “Young students need an opportunity to be challenged and to be recognized for their achievements,” said Brown. “That’s why I authored the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute Act of 2005, which allowed over 400 youths to participate in the leadership program and stay on campus at George Washington University. Students must have hopes and set high standards for themselves.” Students interested in participating in the program should visit www.congressionalaward.org or by calling the National Office at 202-226-0130.
__________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL PARENT-TEACHER MAGAZINE DISCUSSES THE PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT PLEDGE
As printed in the October Issue of PTO Today Magazine (www.ptotoday.com) D.C. ASKS PARENTS FOR 10 HOURS As part of a plan to improve its schools, Washington, D.C., officials have asked parents to volunteer 10 hours this school year and to recruit five more parents or caregivers to do the same. City Councilman Kwame Brown drafted the “parental engagement pledge” to boost involvement at a time when the 55,000 student district is undergoing drastic changes. This summer, the U.S. Congress authorized Mayor Adrian Fenty to take control of the school system, which is among the highest-spending and worst-performing in the country. In addition to the pledge program, the D.C. government has created an office of parent and community involvement to promote volunteerism in schools. The three schools with the greatest increase in adequate yearly progress scores will receive tickets to an amusement park or a schoolwide family fun day. Brown is seeking sponsorships to cover the cost of prizes. (To read the rest of the article go to PTO Today’s website at www.ptotoday.com)
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BROWN WORKS WITH LERNER GROUP TO ASSURE NATIONALS ADHERE TO DC HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
Brown calls on Major League Baseball to follow Nationals’ lead
On Thursday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown announced an agreement with the Washington Nationals to change its Vendor Procurement Program non-discrimination policy to assure that it adheres to the more specific rules of the DC Human Rights Act (HRA). He called on Major League Baseball to follow the Nationals’ lead and adopt the anti-discrimination policies of the HRA as well. “Equal opportunity and non-discrimination are the building blocks of a fair democracy and those principles should extend to the marketplace,” said Brown. “Residents and business owners should never face discrimination based on their race, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristic. I commend the Nationals for taking quick action to clarify the policy and am encouraged by their efforts to work with the community. Major League Baseball should follow the Nationals’ lead and adopt standards that are consistent with the DC Human Rights Act.” On Monday, October 15th, Councilmember Brown attended a meeting of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club. At the meeting, it was brought to Brown’s attention that the Washington Nationals’ non-discrimination policy for the team’s Vendor Procurement Program did not specifically include all protected classes covered by the DC Human Rights Act. In particular, the Stein Club expressed concern that LGBT protections such as sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were not included. As a result of his meeting at the Stein Club, Councilmember Brown decided to contact the Nationals’ leadership as part of his oversight function as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. He inquired about the team’s non-discrimination policy and urged the team to work with the community to change its policy. The Nationals assured Brown that it would adopt the rules of the HRA and work to develop a more comprehensive anti-discrimination policy for the program. The Stein Club is now working with the Nationals to change the team’s policies. “We are pleased to collaborate with Councilmember Brown to ensure that the Nationals' non-discrimination policy is inclusive of LGBT protections as well as all protected classes covered under the DC Human Rights Act,” said Mario Acosta-Velez, President of the Stein Club. “We have made progress on this issue and have started to work with the Nationals' leadership to accomplish this goal.” The DC Human Rights Act was originally passed in 1977 and was most recently amended in March of 2007. The intent of the Act is to end discrimination “by reason of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression…,” and other protected classes. There are 19 protected classes in all and the Act is considered one of the most inclusive in the country. The Nationals team was using the anti-discrimination policy of Major League Baseball for the team’s Vendor Procurement Program. The program guides the Nationals when deciding what vendors the team works with and hires for specific jobs. The anti-discrimination policy of that program was at issue. “It’s critical that residents, businesses and government work together to create positive advances for the District,” said Brown. “This is a great example of what we can do by sharing ideas and concerns through effective communication. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the team to benefit DC residents and local businesses.”
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PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE—POPLAR POINT IN FOCUS: What’s the best plan for Poplar Point?
On Saturday, October 20, 2007, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, will hold a Public Oversight Roundtable on development at Poplar Point in Ward 8. The Roundtable is jointly sponsored by Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, who is a member of the Committee on Economic Development. “The focus of economic development in the District has shifted from downtown to the neighborhoods,” said Brown. “We need to see local businesses thriving, cleaner streets, and more affordable housing. We can achieve these goals but with billions of development dollars at stake, it’s essential that the public plays a key role in deciding the fate of the community. When we create new development it should incorporate the community’s needs and input. This is an historic opportunity to make Poplar Point a great place to live, work and raise a family.” The purpose of this Oversight Roundtable is to solicit ideas and comments from the public as to the future development of the 110 acres in Ward 8 known as Poplar Point. The area will be deeded to the City by the Federal government in the near future. This is also an opportunity to hear more about plans and timetables for future development of Poplar Point from the Mayor’s office. WHAT: Public Oversight Roundtable on the Development at Poplar Point (In Ward 8) WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 2:30pm WHERE: The Multi-Purpose Room, Thurgood Marshall Academy, 2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20020 CONTACT: Those who wish to testify should contact John Adams at the Committee on Economic Development by email at Jadams@DCCouncil.us or by telephone at (202) 727-6683 by 5:00pm on Friday, October 19, 2007. E-mail contacts should include the full name, title, and affiliation – if applicable – of the person(s) wishing to testify. Witnesses should bring 10 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable. Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation. If you are unable to attend the Hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Economic Development, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 119, Washington, DC 20004 no later than 5:00pm Friday October 26, 2007.
__________________________________________________________________ How Can Being Green Make Your Profits Greener?
Councilmember Brown to hold Public Oversight Hearing on Green Economic Development and its Benefits to Small Businesses Washington, (D.C.) – On Monday, October 22, 2007, At-Large DC Councilmember Kwame R. Brown will hold a Public Oversight Hearing entitled “Green Economic Development and its Benefit to Small Business in the District of Columbia.” Last year, the DC Council passed the Green Building Act, which Councilmember Brown co-sponsored. The act: - Creates a Green Building Task Force to monitor new developments in the field and update compliance standards as needed;
- Requires green building standards first for government buildings (and buildings in which the government leases space), then buildings that receive subsidy from the government, and finally (2012) private buildings;
- Applies to nonresidential buildings of 50,000 square feet or more; and
- Is the first law in the country to require private buildings to meet green building standards. Experts from across the country will be in attendance at the hearing to discuss initiatives like this and to focus on how being green can benefit small businesses in the District of Columbia. Organizations such as the Center for American Progress, Enterprise Community Partners and GreenHOME will have representatives to testify at the hearing. “We don’t have to play a zero sum game with the economy and the environment. We can make this a win-win situation if we put our minds to it,” said Councilmember Brown. “I believe there are ways to stimulate our local economy, while simultaneously creating a healthier environment for our children to live. That’s what this hearing is about; finding creative solutions to tough problems for small businesses in the District.” WHAT: Public Hearing, “Green Economic Development and its Benefit to Small Business in the District of Columbia” WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2007 at 11:00am WHERE: Room 500, Council Chambers, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CONTACT: Those who wish to testify should contact John Adams at the Committee on Economic Development by email at Jadams@DCCouncil.us or by telephone at (202) 727-6683 by 5:00pm on Friday, October 19, 2007. E-mail contacts should include the full name, title, and affiliation – if applicable – of the person(s) wishing to testify. Witnesses should bring 10 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable. Representatives of organizations will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for oral presentation and individuals will be allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentation. If you are unable to attend the Hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Economic Development, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 119, Washington, D.C. 20004 no later than 5:00pm Friday, October 26, 2007.
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