HOUSE DEMOCRATS • KEN GREEN • NEWSROOM - 2002
Newsroom - 2002
December 17, 2002
State Representative Kenneth P. Green (D-Hartford) announces his recent election as Regional Chairperson of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), which will include the following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
"I am humbly proud to be elected to this positions by my peers," said Rep. Green. "I will work diligently to promote the mission of NBCSL and advocate for African-American legislators and their constituencies all over the country."
The NBCSL's primary mission is to develop, conduct, and promote educational, research and training programs designed to enhance the effectiveness of its members, as they consider legislation and issues of public policy which impact, either directly or indirectly upon "the general welfare" of African-American constituents within their respective jurisdictions. Issues developed at the annual conference and endorsed through resolutions guide the legislators at the state level, thus the impact affects all citizens.
Rep. Green also states, "My goal is to exert a positive influence across America. I will begin to increase communications with my regional colleagues, share the resolutions and objectives of NBCSL, and outline action plans to meet our goals."
December 4, 2002
State Representative Kenneth P. Green (D-Bloomfield, Hartford) is pledging to fight any further cuts to the State Administered General Assistance Program (SAGA) today at the Legislative Office Building. He plans to outline the estimated impact of the state's budget deficit on low-income families in urban areas.
"These programs serve as a lifeline to people who have few, if any resources," said Rep. Green. "It would not be wise to sever this lifeline in good times, but to suggest cutting it when more and more people are losing their jobs is cruel and thoughtless."
SAGA has two separate, independent components: The cash assistance program is for people who are physically or mentally impaired for short periods of time; the medical program is for anyone that meets very strict income guidelines. Historically, both cash and medical portions of the SAGA program have been reduced during past budget crunches. The cash program has suffered repeated reductions over the last decade causing the caseload to decrease from 35,000 recipients in the early 1990’s to roughly 4,000 recipients. The medical program currently serves over 23,000 recipients statewide. It primarily serves adults who do not have children in the household.
In the past special session, Governor John G. Rowland successfully pushed through cuts that eliminated vision care and home health care amongst other services. The governor also attempted to persuade the legislature to cut "durable medical goods" to SAGA recipients.
Rep. Green states, "As benign as the term "durable medical goods" sounds, it really represents basic necessities of life for some, such as wheelchairs, crutches, and hospital beds."
Rep. Green also states, "In the richest state in the nation, it is unconscionable to take away one's ability to have use of a wheelchair. Our social service agencies say they want their clients to be self-sufficient, but taking away one's chance to get eyeglasses and wheelchairs seem to run counter with this goal."
May 8, 2002
State Representative Kenneth P. Green (D-Hartford) announced today passage by the House of Representatives Raised Bill No. 5493: An Act Designating Juneteenth Independence Day. This bill requires the governor to proclaim the Saturday closest to June 19th of each year as Juneteenth Independence Day in recognition of the formal emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.
"As Juneteenth takes on a more national and global perspective, the events of 1865 will never be forgotten," said Rep. Green. "I am grateful that this day will be recognized throughout the state of Connecticut giving Juneteenth a bright future as many other states come on board to join us in celebrating this jubilant day in history."
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This day was two and a half years after President Lincoln’ Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
Rep. Green also states, "This is great news for the nation and the people of Connecticut. This is a day that I hope to be celebrated for many, many years to come passing it down from generation to generation in order to teach our children and grandchildren about the accomplishments of their ancestors."
Juneteenth today celebrates African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. Throughout many states, Juneteenth is celebrated with a range of activities to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today. Certain foods, such as strawberry soda pop and certain traditions like barbecuing became popular and subsequently synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations.
February 8, 2002
State Representative Kenneth P. Green (D-Hartford) is working with HOPE Ministries to specifically address the violence and safety concerns of Hartford's citizens. Rep. Green is encouraging all to not only see the end result of violence but to address the causes of the problem. Rep. Green supports the efforts of community advocates, churches, public leaders and citizens as they try to come up with proactive, positive solutions.
Rep. Green has recognized for a number of years the issue of violence and hopelessness that permeates the community. For example, Rep. Green sponsored the Youth In Crisis legislation to try to address an age that is vulnerable to anti-social behavior, anger management and other issues.
“If there is no support from the community, then our young people will continue to make poor choices in an unsafe environment,” said Green. “Hartford needs priority attention from the community, leadership, and public leaders.”
For a number of years, Rep. Green has sponsored the Youth Prevention Summit and various activities in the community in association with Andrew Woods and other youth prevention programs to bring youth together to discuss problems and solve in proactive ways.
Rep. Green has joined with Hope Street Ministries and other efforts to address violence in the city. He has been doing this through meetings with Chief of Police, city and state officials, and the citizens of Hartford to address the problem at hand.
Today is another effort to encourage citizens to get involved by working with public officials, churches and community-based organizations in order to create solutions to the problem.
Rep. Green also states, “I urge all of us, particularly churches, community-based groups and officials to work with each other to come up with comprehensive and practical solutions for the health and well-being of our citizens.”
January 16, 2002
State Representative Kenneth Green (D-Bloomfield, Hartford) has been recognized by Northeast Action for his leadership in the passage of legislation to restore voting rights for felons who have repaid their debt to society. Rep. Green received the group's “Fulfilling Democracy's Promise” award during their January conference.
"Thanks to Kenneth Green, Connecticut has taken a significant step forward," Northeast Action's Darryl McMiller said. "These reforms should be a beacon light for those states that continue to engage in large-scale voter disenfranchisement."
Rep. Green said, "It is an honor to receive this award. When you have people in the community working and paying taxes, they should have the right to vote. Otherwise, you are talking about taxation without representation. With this legislation we have opened up the political process to those who have been shut out for so long."
Northeast Action is the regional hub and support center for a network of citizen action organizations and coalitions in the six New England states and New York. Their goal is to foster a grassroots movement for social change in the Northeast where progressive individuals and communities can find joint purpose and common ground.
State Representative Kenneth P. Green has been serving the people of the First General Assembly District in the Connecticut House of Representatives since 1994. He sits on three Legislative committees: Banks (as Vice-Chair), Education, and Judiciary. He was the architect of the 2001 voter reform legislation. |
