A description of the office and constituency of the 13th Congressional district of Ohio as well as information about the Congresswoman and the services provided by her office.
1. “ Trust is a fragile thing. It is difficult to win, but easy to lose. It finds its hold on promises kept and honesty sustained and unquestionable integrity. As the representative from the thirteenth district of Ohio, I am honored to rise on this historic day to speak for the first time on the floor of the people's house.” -Congresswoman Betty Sutton
2. Serving constituents is my highest priority. All citizens deserve full access to all government programs and the benefits to which they are entitled. I offer this information as a guide to the types of services and assistance available to my constituents of the 13 th district. WELCOME
3. B etty began her public service career during law school when she ran for an at-large Barberton City Council seat, beating out the incumbent. Just over a year later, she ran for a seat on the Summit County Council and was elected as a member at-large. In her second year on the council, Betty was elected by her fellow council members as Vice President of the council. In 1993, she won a difficult race for the Ohio House of Representatives. There, Betty served on the Commerce and Labor Committee and fought against an attack on workers compensation benefits in a Republican controlled legislature. After serving the people for eight years, term-limits prevented her from seeking reelection. She continued her advocacy in the private sector as a labor lawyer with the firm of Faulkner, Muskovitz & Phillips LLP. Her work with teachers, nurses and other workers, led her to run for the open U.S. Congressional seat for the 13th District in 2006. Since her election, she has been elected as president of her freshman class and has continued to champion the rights of her constituents. ABOUT BETTY
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5. BETTY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS LEGISLATION: MORTGAGE CRISIS H.Amdt. 916 - Amendment to H.R. 3915 Congresswoman Sutton offered an amendment to H.R. 3915, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007. The amendment would require loan creditors or servicers to provide a written notice to Act of 2007. The amendment would require loan creditors or servicers to provide a written notice to consumers with hybrid adjustable rate mortgages six months before their interest rates are due to reset. This notice would provide borrowers with information on the interest rate that would apply after reset, as well as information on local HUD-approved housing counseling agencies where they could seek help. Status: Passed House on 11/15/07
6. LEGISLATION: CHILD HEALTHCARE H.R. 4926 - The Josh Miller HEARTS Act Congresswoman Sutton introduced H.R. 4926, the Josh Miller HEARTS Act. H.R. 4926 would create a grant program to ensure that every elementary and secondary school across the country can obtain an automated external defibrillator. The bill has been endorsed by a number of the nation's premiere advocacy organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Education Association. Status: In Committee on 12/19/07
7. LEGISLATION: ANIMAL SAFETY H.R. 3219 - The Dog Fighting Prohibition Act Congresswoman Sutton introduced H.R. 3219, the Dog Fight Prohibition Act. H.R. 3219 amends the Animal Welfare Act to make it unlawful to: (1) knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in, or knowingly attend, a dog fighting venture; and (2) knowingly sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive for purposes of transportation any dog or other animal for the purposes of having the dog, animal, or offspring of the dog or other animal participate in a dog fighting venture. Provides for imprisonment for up to five years for violations. The bill has been endorsed by The Humane Society. Status: In Committee on 9/10/07
8. LEGISLATION: EDUCATION H.Res. 531 - Resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 2669 Congresswoman Sutton introduced and managed the floor debate on H.Res. 531, the resolution leading to the passage of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. H.R. 2669 increases college financial aid by $18 billion over 5 years, increasing the number of Pell Grant recipients receive from $4,050 to $5,200. H.R. 2669 provided the largest single increase in college aid since the G.I. Bill was signed in 1944, and the President signed H.R. 2669 into law in September 2007. Passed House on 7/10/07
9. LEGISLATION: JOBS & INDUSTRY H.Res. 602 - Resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 2272 Congresswoman Sutton introduced and managed the floor debate on H.Res. 602, the resolution leading to the passage of H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES Act. H.R. 2272 invests in innovation through research and development and improves the competitiveness of the United States. Status: Passed House on 8/1/07
10. LEGISLATION: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS H.Res. 203 - Resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 800 Congresswoman Sutton introduced and managed the floor debate on H.Res. 203. the resolution leading to the passage of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act helps to end years of discrimination against workers who simply wish to be able to bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Status: Passed House on 2/28/07
11. LEGISLATION: TRADE AGREEMENTS H.Res. 926 - Recognizing the importance of food, product safety and U.S. trade policy Congresswoman Sutton introduced H.Res. 926, which recognizes: (1) the relationship between free trade agreements and the increase of imports; (2) that adoption of additional trade agreements will likely significantly increase the number of products and food our nation imports; (3) that current U.S. trade policies must be improved to adequately ensure the safety of imported food and products; (4) the link between current U.S. trade policies and the increase in tainted imported food and unsafe products; (5) that the percentage of food imports currently inspected by the United States is inadequate and poses a risk to American families; and (6) the need to ensure the safety of imported food before additional trade agreements are ratified. In addition, the bill encourages: (1) federal agencies charged with keeping imported food safe to step up inspections; and (2) greater vigilance by federal agencies in ensuring imported products and food are safe. Status: In Committee on 1/16/08
13. Originally nicknamed the “Turnpike District”, the 13th District’s unique shape traces across the shoreline of Lake Erie in Lorain County, captures the “Emerald Necklace” of the Cleveland MetroParks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and extends south to include the Portage Lakes State Park in Summit County. THE DISTRICT
29. WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU CASEWORK It is my responsibility and pleasure to assist you when dealing with federal agencies. My district staff can help overcome issues that arise when dealing with federal agencies. CASEWORK AREAS:
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31. CONTACT US WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE 1721 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-3401 Fax: (202) 225-2266 LORAIN COUNTY OFFICE St. Joseph Community Center 205 West 20 th Street, Suite M230 Lorain, OH 44052 (440) 245-5350 Fax: (440) 245-5355 SUMMIT COUNTY OFFICE 1655 West Market Street, Suite 435 Akron, OH 44313 (330) 865-8450 Fax: (330) 865-8470 Toll Free Number: 1-866-317-9980 Web Site: http://sutton.house.gov E-mail: oh13ima@mail.house.gov