Conyers Supports Justice Department Investigation into Trayvon Martin Case

(WASHINGTON) – Following the jury’s verdict in the Trayvon Martin case, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

“In the wake of this weekend’s verdict, I strongly support the Department of Justice’s determination to conduct an independent and thorough review of the Trayvon Martin case and consider whether federal charges should be brought.”

“Beyond the Department’s investigation, I believe it is more critical than ever that we adopt a nationwide law concerning racial profiling.  That is why I will be reintroducing theEnd Racial Profiling Act of 2013 to address the improper use of race in our law enforcement activity.

“I believe the Trayvon Martin shooting and its aftermath should stand as a clarion call for states to repeal so-called ‘stand your ground’ laws.  I first conducted a Democratic forum on this case in March 2012 with Trayvon Martin’s parents, and believe more strongly than ever that the laws are short-sighted, dangerous and disproportionately impact people of color.”

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Reps. Richmond, Conyers, Nadler, and Scott Lead Letter Calling for Investigation into Several Louisiana Prison Facilities

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), ranking member of the full U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) sent a letter to the Department of Justice’s Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas Perez calling for investigations into the alarming conditions in several Louisiana state prison facilities.  Specifically, the members expressed deep concern that the Louisiana Department of Corrections has, “engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of the United States Constitution and federal law in its use of such confinement and detention practices.”  In the letter the representatives urge the attorney general to begin an investigation into the use of solitary confinement, and other troubling detention practices, in numerous Louisiana prison facilities, especially in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, Louisiana.

Letter from U.S. House Judiciary Members Cedric Richmond, John Conyers, Jr., Jerrold Nadler and Bobby Scot...

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Conyers: Historic Healthcare Reform Already Saving Michigan Consumers Millions on Premiums

(DETROIT) – Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new findings on the effects of the Affordable Care Act and money saved by healthcare consumers. In response to the announcement, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“As Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services work to implement the Affordable Care Act, communities across the country are already seeing the benefits of this historic reform to our healthcare system. In Michigan, residents can expect to benefit from almost $19 million in insurance rebates this summer alone,” said Conyers.

“Healthcare reform has already saved consumers $3.9 billion in premiums since 2012, a marked improvement in healthcare affordability. This is encouraging news; the project of healthcare reform has been long in the making, and these premiums savings demonstrate how the Affordable Care Act is moving our healthcare system in the right direction.

“An additional example of meaningful reform can be seen in the new Medical Costs Ratio Standard, or 80/20 rule, which requires insurance companies to devote 80 cents of every dollar to improved quality of patient care. In doing so, it improves corporate practices, fosters a relationship of trust between companies and their patients, and raises the general standard of treatment within the health insurance industry. The results of the 80/20 rule are already promising; the HHS confirms that insurance companies have devoted increased premium amounts to patient care since 2011. In fact, increased efficiency among insurance companies has saved 77.8 million consumers over $3 million dollars in premiums up front, as well as more than $18 million in rebates for Michigan families alone.

“The Affordable Care Act represents a renewed effort to improve the wellbeing of families across the country by providing Americans with high-quality, low-cost health insurance, and guaranteeing that medical treatment doesn’t sacrifice quality for affordability. It’s clear that Obamacare is working.”  Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Conyers Announces $360k Grant Award to Alternatives For Girls Programs

(WASHINGTON) – This week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $360,000 to Alternatives For Girls, a nonprofit based in Detroit that helps the homeless as well as high-risk girls and young women. The grant funding is provided by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families - Family and Youth Services Bureau. Half of the awarded funds, will be directed to the Transitional Living and Maternity Group Home Program, while the other half of the grant funding is appropriated to the Maternity Group Home for Young Women in Detroit, Michigan. Following the announcement, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued this statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Today I am pleased to announce that the Administration on Children, Youth and Families - Family and Youth Services Bureau has awarded the Detroit-based nonprofit Alternatives For Girls more than $360,000 in grant funding. The Transitional Living and Maternity Group Home Program will receive $180,000 of this funding, and an additional $180,000 will go to the Maternity Group Home for Young Women,” said Conyers.

“Alternatives For Girls is an incredible nonprofit that focuses on helping homeless women and high risk girls and young women in the Detroit community. By providing shelter, and a corresponding network of support for its members to transition to independent living, Alternatives For Girls helps women who are struggling with abuse, homelessness, and drug use.

“I commend HHS for recognizing the exceptional, critical work of Alternatives For Girls, and I thank Alternatives For Girls for their selfless work to improve the lives of our neighbors in need.”

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Rep. John Conyers, Jr. Presents: The Paycheck Reduction Act...In Song

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Conyers Co-Sponsors Legislation Boosting Mental Health Access to Veterans

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) co-sponsored the bipartisan “Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act,” introduced by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa). Currently, veterans face a five-year window in which they must seek treatment for mental illnesses before losing their higher priority status.  This legislation would eliminate that five-year waiting period and allow veterans to seek treatment for mental illnesses stemming from service, regardless of when their conditions arise. Following his co-sponsorship of the bill, Rep. Conyers issued this statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“It is an appalling figure, yet unfortunately 22 veterans commit suicide every single day. Sixty years after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established, it is time for Congress to renew its commitment to providing the men and women who served our nation - from Detroit and all across the country - with the healthcare services they earned," said Conyers.

“Currently the VA provides healthcare treatment and services to veterans who suffer from service-related mental or physical disabilities. Typically, the diagnosis of physical injuries is made before or shortly after separation from the military. However, mental illnesses may not arise until years later. In addition, some serious mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder were virtually undiagnosed in veterans of conflicts prior to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“As the United States armed forces and the VA continue to improve treatment for those who served, there remains a gap for veterans struggling with mental illnesses. Fortunately, the ‘Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act’ will go a long way towards ensuring that the services and treatments relating to mental health that are available to recently discharged veterans are also made available to all who served.”

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Conyers Issues Application Reminder for COPS Hiring Program

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the application period for the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program (CHP) opens for interested participants. CHP is a grant program within the Department of Justice that offers funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire additional officers to bolster community policing measures. The deadline for participating in CHP’s competitive grant program is 7:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Following the application announcement, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued this statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“As the grant application window re-opens for the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program (CHP), I strongly encourage all interested local law enforcement agencies to apply for funding before the May 22^nd deadline,” said Conyers.

“Since the program was established in 1994, CHP has been a tremendous boon to the Detroit metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs. Through CHP’s competitive grant program, local law enforcement agencies have been able to hire new full-time officers and re-hire officers who had been laid off due to city-wide budget cuts. In addition, the hiring process affords priority consideration to veterans and school resource officers.

“While CHP grant funding is limited, this program has nonetheless played a critical role in reducing both crime and unemployment in our community. For these reasons, I hope that local law enforcement agencies will take advantage of this opportunity before the grant application window closes next month.”

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