Homeowners Workshop Saturday; Teletown Hall Thursday

Dear Friends,

One of the biggest obstacles to a full economic recovery, particularly in Rhode Island, has been the struggling housing market. Not only do we have a responsibility to assist those faced with losing their homes through no fault of their own, but Rhode Island families and our state’s overall economy simply cannot afford the continued drop in home values that results from foreclosures.

While I continue to push for stronger federal efforts to provide refinancing opportunities to those hurt most by the recession, I want to ensure homeowners have immediate access to assistance from organizations right here in Rhode Island. Building off previous events I have hosted to specifically address foreclosures, I invite you to my 2012 Homeowners Workshop, taking place this Saturday, May 5, 2012, at New England Institute of Technology’s East Greenwich Campus.

From 10am – Noon, Rhode Island Housing, local banks and credit unions, and housing non-profits will come together for presentations about common homeownership challenges, followed by individual and small group meetings to address attendees’ specific questions. Topics of discussion will include mortgage remodifications, information on avoiding foreclosures and best practices for avoiding housing market scams.

RSVP is requested, but not required. Please call 401-732-9400 to sign up.

To give constituents an opportunity to speak with me on a wider range of topics, I am also excited to announce a live telephone town hall meeting on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 5:45pm. Calls will be made throughout Rhode Island’s Second District, but interested individuals living in my district should contact my office at 401-732-9400 and leave their names and phone numbers to ensure they are called.

I look forward to hearing from many of you Thursday and Saturday. In addition, please stay in touch via email, Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going, and check out my YouTube and Flickr pages.

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin

Second Annual Cybersecurity Symposium

The University of Rhode Island will host its second annual Cybersecurity Symposium on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. I am excited to be joined by one of the Department of Homeland Security’s top cybersecurity officials and other nationally-recognized experts on the subject to address solutions to one of our country’s most daunting national security challenges and discuss ways to create sustainable job growth in Rhode Island by building a strong cybersecurity industry.

Good News for RI-Built Submarines

Through legislation passed by one of my Armed Services Subcommittees, Congress has taken a key step to prevent a proposed cut to Virginia Class Submarines. In recent years, I have been proud to help lead the effort to increase production to meet our national security challenges, and fellow subcommittee member Congressman Joe Courtney and I have made the case to our colleagues that the full complement of boats is necessary. This has created jobs at Electric Boat’s Quonset and Groton, Connecticut, facilities, where employees have performed peerlessly in constructing subs on time and under budget.

Save the date

HOMEOWNERS WORKSHOP
Organizations providing mortgage assistance
Saturday May 5, 2012
10am - Noon
NE Institute of Technology
1408 Division Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818

Did You Know...?

FLAG REQUESTS
Rep Langevin’s office can assist you with ordering an American flag, including one that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington. ››

FAST FACT
About 36,000 Rhode Islanders currently hold over $150 million in federally subsidized Stafford student loans. ››

In Other News

STOPPING STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES INCREASE
Rep. Langevin joined the head of the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority to speak against the doubling of interest rates on Stafford loans. Langevin proposes closing tax loopholes to pay for keeping the rate low. ››

COMBATING CYBER THREATS
Measures that Rep. Langevin has championed to protect vital government computer networks passed the House. ››

PROTECTING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN CYBERSPACE
In an op-ed for The Hill, Rep. Langevin urged substantive action to safeguard our most valuable and vulnerable industries. ››

RECOGNIZING TOP RI STUDENT ARTISTS
Cranston High School East Junior Giulia Davis won Rep. Langevin’s annual high school art competition and will have her work displayed in the U.S. Capitol. ››

MAINTAINING BENEFITS OF RI’S WATERWAYS
Joined by a leader of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, Rep. Langevin pressed the House Natural Resources Committee to support RI streams that have special economic, environmental and cultural values. ››

SUPPORTING EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK
Rep. Langevin continued his efforts to highlight the gender wage gap and advocate for legislation that would better ensure women receive fair treatment in the workplace. ››

CONTINUING RI SKILLED ECONOMY TOUR
Rep. Langevin highlighted a welding initiative in Providence that helps low-income Rhode Islanders gain skills needed to help grow emerging industries in the state. ››