Press Releases

"We must reshape trade agreements in NorthAmerica to ensure rising standards of living for ourpeoples," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

The groups met in Ottawaon June 5, 2006, to extend the work of the first North American Forum held in Washingtonin May 2005. This second forum brought progressive legislators togetherwith representatives from civil society networks Red Mexican de Acciónfrente al Libre Comercio (RMALC) of Mexico, Canadian organization CommonFrontiers, le Réseau Québécois sur l'intégration continentale (RQIC), and theAlliance for Responsible Trade (ART) from the United States.

"NAFTA has aggravated poverty across the continent," says Pierre-YvesSerinet of RQIC.

Our coastal region can draw millions of visitors here annually byshowcasing the beauty of our 'Bloom Coast’. Lucas and LorainCountiesare Ohio's flowercapitals. Homeowners, businesses, organizations and local governments canvisually show their support by beautifying their own property andneighborhood,” said Kaptur. “Through coordinated theme plantings, our regionwill draw visitors to lake-oriented experiences from Toledo to Clevelandas our region gains a reputation as the Cape Cod or Hilton Head of the Midwest. Our hope is that this willbuild a major, annual eco-tourism attraction, as the Maumee Valley Growers,Lake Erie Coastal Ohio and so many other entities pursue their efforts.”

A hazardous substance grant of $200,000 and a petroleum grant of $200,000will be used to conduct community outreach activities, perform environmentalsite assessments, and to investigate the impacts of exposures on at-riskpopulations.

The funding will aid the City and the Port Authority to identify potentiallyhazardous sites and prepare preliminary clean-up plans for those sites. The EPA Brownfield Assessment fund has been used successfully before by theCity of Toledoin identifying the extent of contamination in East Toledo's Marina Districtand to attract clean-up funding to the site.

"As we enjoy one of the most beautifulspring seasons on record, it seems an appropriate time to welcome the start ofthe Senior Farmers' Market Coupon Program," said Kaptur. "Since thiseffort began in the summer of 2001, it has provided more than $5 million infresh fruits and vegetables to thousands of our region's older adults, whilealso providing income to hundreds of local growers. We are always lookingfor ways to expand our Farmers' Markets as well as the success of our local andindependent growers throughout the district. The Senior Farmers' MarketCoupon Program does just that and encourages good nutrition for older adults."

TOLEDO,OHIO- Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) released the following statement on thelatest trade deficit numbers released by the Department of Commerce today. The trade deficit hit $62 billion in March, which is almost $10 billion morethan the previous year's monthly deficit of $53.7 billion. The deficitfor the first three months of this year is already running at an annual rate of$785 billion, up by 8.4 percent from last year's all-time high of 723.6billion. The statement follows:

WASHINGTON,DC -Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) joined her colleagues in the House andMembers of the Democratic Rural Working Group today to unveil a plan to investin America,grow our energy, and establish energy independence. The Biofuels Energypackage would rapidly expand the production and distribution of biofuels;encourage the deployment of new engine technologies for flex fuel, hybrid andbiodiesel vehicles; and encourage cutting edge research to develop the nextrevolution in renewable energy. The Democratic Real Security Agendacalls for energy independence by 2020.

Kaptur has been strongly advocating an eco-tourism theme presenting LakeErie's coast as Ohio's"Bloom Coast"and has enlisted all stakeholders along the lakefront in that endeavor. TheCity of Vermilionand LorainCountyare also interested in being part of Ohio's"Bloom Coast."

Kaptur was joined by the USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources andEnvironment Mark Rey, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the ExtensionService of Ohio State University, several area landscapers and nurseryoperators, and school children to bring community awareness to private home andland owners. She urged scout troops, school groups, the businesscommunity, public organizations, and religious groups to undertake treeplanting this spring to replace what is being destroyed by Emerald Ash Borer infestation.