[WardFive] Fw: The Mayor Gray Report -- July 2, 2012

FYI.

 

"Let there be Light"
 
Albrette "Gigi" Ransom
Commissioner, ANC 5C12

________________________________________________

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From: Vincent Gray <Mayor.VincentGray@dc.gov>
To: Office of the Mayor <mayors_office@lyris.dc.gov>
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Subject: The Mayor Gray Report -- July 2, 2012

THE MAYOR GRAY REPORT                                            

July 2, 2012

 

Mayor Vincent Gray & Other District Officials Provide Update on City's Response to Storm Damage, Heat

Mayor Vincent C. Gray joined officials from the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Department of Public Works (DPW), Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and other DC agencies today to provide a comprehensive update on the District's response to the severe storm that struck Friday night and ensuing power outages and extreme heat. Mayor Gray and other District officials are continuing to direct a comprehensive citywide response to the derecho (the meteorological term for a long-lived severe thunderstorm event characterized by destructive straight-line winds) that the DC region experienced Friday night and the extreme heat that has followed in its wake. A state of emergency continues in the District as a result of the storm damage.

 

Mayor Vincent C. Gray Mourns Passing of Longtime DC Civic Leader Albert 'Butch' Hopkins, Jr.

On June 28, Mayor Vincent C. Gray expressed his sadness at the news that longtime Anacostia Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) President & CEO Albert "Butch" Hopkins, Jr. had passed away.

 

"Butch Hopkins played an important role in the economic development of the District of Columbia for nearly his entire career," said Mayor Gray. "His contributions to the betterment of life for all people in the nation's capital are innumerable, and his hometown will sorely miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family – and particularly his two children and six grandchildren – at this time of loss."

 

Albert R. Hopkins, Jr. was born in the District on April 26, 1941 and graduated from Mackin Catholic High School. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Howard University and went to work as an engineer for Martin Marietta. He graduated from Howard University Law School with a J.D. in 1969. Read more.

 

Gray Administration Applauds Supreme Court Ruling to Uphold Affordable Care Act

On June 28, Mayor Vincent C. Gray welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius and related cases, which upholds the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. The decision leaves President Obama's health-care-reform law intact and helps expand health coverage to millions of Americans who need it.

 

The Supreme Court ruled that the ACA, including its individual mandate that virtually all Americans buy health insurance, is constitutional. The mandate dictated that nearly all Americans obtain health insurance or pay a fine. That mandate was upheld under the federal government's power to levy taxes rather than under the government's power to regulate interstate commerce. The Court's majority emphasized that individuals can choose to pay the small penalty rather than buy insurance.

 

The ruling put some limits on the law's plan to expand the Medicaid insurance program for the poor, a joint effort of the federal government and the states. It says the US government cannot threaten to withhold a state's entire Medicaid allotment if the state refuses to participate in the expansion.

 

The District is not at risk of losing any Medicaid funding as a result of this ruling, because District officials have already begun implementation of the ACA's Medicaid-expansion provisions and will continue to implement the expansion. Read more.

 

Mayor Vincent C. Gray Opens DC China Center in Shanghai

While visiting China on a trade mission with key staff, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins last week announced the launch of the DC China Center in Shanghai. The District's first foreign-trade office, the DC China Center will cultivate business and trade relationships in the People's Republic of China.

 

The office is a crucial part of the Mayor's efforts to build a New Economy in the District that cultivates local businesses and businesspersons who want to compete in the global marketplace. The DC China Center will be overseen by the Business Development Office within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), and it will serve as a platform to aid both Chinese and District businesses seeking to enter either the Chinese or US market. Its launch marks a pivotal step forward in the District's economic development by giving the District a physical footing on foreign soil for the first time. Read more.

 

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Delegation Members Participate in 2012 Beijing Forum on Sustainable Development of Cities

On June 27, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Office of Planning (OP) Director Harriet Tregoning participated in the 2012 Beijing Forum on Sustainable Development of Cities, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Government at the National Convention Center in the Beijing Olympic Park. The theme of this year's conference – "Culture: the Engine for Cities' Sustainable Development" – offers District leaders an opportunity to glean from the international community more information to aid Mayor Gray's sustainability efforts. Read more or view news clip.

 

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong Reaffirm Sister City Relationship and Emphasize Economic Exchange

While visiting China with other District officials and business leaders on an economic-development mission, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong last week announced the reaffirmation of the Sister City Agreement between the two capital cities. DC's special relationship with Beijing spans 28 years, and signing of the renewed agreement reflects a continued commitment to cooperative engagement while symbolizing the mayors' efforts to maintain and strengthen the partnership. Read more or view news clip.

The Mayor Gray Report is the weekly report to key stakeholders, community leaders, and opinion makers of the important steps the Gray Administration is taking to move the District forward.  As this information frequently goes unreported by the mainstream media, feel free to share this report with others so that the progress can be more broadly known.  Help spread the word!  If you wish to be taken off the distribution list, would like additional people to receive it, or would like to suggest topics, projects, or initiatives to be profiled in future editions, please email Sheila Bunn.

 

Sheila E. Bunn

Deputy Chief of Staff

Executive Office of Mayor Vincent C. Gray

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Suite 310

Washington, DC  20004

(202) 442.8160 - office; (202) 727.8527 - fax

Sheila.Bunn@dc.gov

 

    

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