HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #01 - Discussion ItemCARRIE P. MEEK
Please Respond To:
17TH DISTRICT, FLORIDA
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401 CANNON HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON
OFFICE BUILDING
APPROPRIATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
12021225-4506
SUBCOMMITTEES
(2021226- 0777 FAX
TREASURY, POSTAL
SERVICE, AND GENERAL
25 WEST R STREET
GOVERNMENT
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SUITE 10
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MIAMI, FL 33130
VA, HUD, AND
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INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
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(30510381--8t 376 FAX
WasljtnWon, &C 20515-0917
November 16,1998
Mayor Joe Carollo and Commissioners
City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Mayor Carollo, City Commissioners, and Citizens:
I am sorry that I could not be here at this very important meeting as my
Constitutional duties in Washington require my presence there to vote as well as to
prepare for the new 106th Congress. Today's focus on Overtown is a very
important one and I want to commend Commissioner Teele for mobilizing the
community, and also commend the Commission for holding this meeting in the
neighborhood.
Let me say from the onset, that I strongly support any funds that can be redirected
to the Overtown neighborhood through the CRA and all other funding sources. As
always, I am continually working on financial and other assistance in this
community and am always ready to work with you or anyone else who is prepared
to make things happen here.
As I reflect on my career over the years both in the Florida Legislature and now in
Congress, Overtown has been a reoccurring issue which I have addressed as a part
of larger Black Community issues in general, and sometimes with specific
appropriations just for Overtown. Some of the specific projects which were funded
from the State level in Overtown include $200,000 in 1985 and 1986 for the Inner
City Drop -out Prevention Program, $290,000 for Chapman House, $249,000 for
the Historic Villages of Overtown, $100,000 for the Overtown Public Health Unit,
funding for the Lyric Theater, and funding for Booker T. Washington High School.
Beyond these specific appropriations, while I was in the State Legislature, a host of
my initiatives had a decided impact on Overtown including:
• The Documentary Surtax Program providing housing assistance loan
trust funds for the purpose of making mortgage loans to assist families
of low or moderate income in the construction, rehabilitation of
homes.
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• The Affordable Housing Act of 1988 which created the Florida
Coalition of the Homeless, and created Housing Pre -Development Trust
Funds.
• Creation of a State Plan for minority children requiring a
comprehensive approach to their problems.
• Creation of a comprehensive State policy Aids.
• Funding for teenage pregnancy with Health Departments working on
drop -prevention.
• Creation of the Teenage Parents / Housing Assistance Grant Program.
• Addressed bias in the courts and judicial systems by requiring minority
representation in the judicial system.
• Provided funding increases in the Low -Income Home Energy
Assistance Program Grant.
• Creation of the Housing Finance Authority Bank providing for the
state's Housing Finance Authority to own and operate a savings and
loan bank.
• Secured Community Development Corporation funding.
a Created the Enterprise Zone Tax Exemptions.
• Amended the State's Lottery Bill to include minority set -asides.
• Creation of MLK as a paid state holiday.
0 Funding for emergency home repair for low -moderate income persons
and the elderly.
And the list goes on and on and on, Commissioners. Even recently, as a member
of the Appropriations Committee, I was able to earmark $2.4 million for Overtown
issues. This consistent level of commitment to this neighborhood and others
clearly demonstrates a recognition of tremendous obstacles which mediate
necessary improvements in the quality of life for the Overtown community.
I, therefore, urge you to do whatever you can to move this community forward.
When we reflect on your record, let it be clear - - - that as far as Overtown is
concerned, you did the right thing. Please feel free to call me at anytime so that
we can maximize our effort in this community.
Sincerely,
Carrie P. Meek
Member of Congress
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