RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County Human Services officials will hold a roundtable discussion Monday with three North Carolina Congressmen to brief them on Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that operates a site in Wake County.

The group will discuss how the program is helping transform the lives of first-time, low-income Wake County parents and their children.

A Wake County NFP nurse and enrolled mother will also share their experiences during the roundtable discussion.

WHO: Participants and interview opportunities include:
* Regina Petteway, Wake County Human Services’ Director of Community Affairs
* Sharon Sprinkle, NFP National Service Office Eastern Regional Manager, Nursing Consultation and Program Support
* Ida Dawson, Wake County NFP Administrator
* Susan Little, Wake County NFP Nurse Supervisor
* NFP Nurse and Mother
* Congressman Bob Etheridge
* Congressman Brad Miller
* Congressman David Price

The discussion will take place at 2 p.m. Monday at the Wake County Human Services, Sunnybrook Building, 10 Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh.

Both supporters and opponents of health care reform are targeting Congressman Brad Miller of North Carolina’s 13th district.

His staff says they can’t keep up with the phone calls over the past two weeks.

Conservative meetup groups and bloggers have urged constituents to call and demand a town hall specifically on health care.

Now add to the mix, an email blast from the President’s grassroots group, “Organizing For America” which offered a script for supporters to call and read to Congressman Miller and others.

Sometimes the passionate callers get ugly, Miller’s staff said he received a threatening call last Monday.

“I’m not going to change my position based on screaming or intimidation,” said Congressman Miller.

Hundreds of protestors lined the streets outside Miller’s office to protest government intervention on Friday.

The meetup group “Triangle Conservatives Unite” helped drive some of the folks to share their opinions and sway their Congressman.

“The people are fed-up,” said group coordinator Laura Long, “This is not a Republican thing, it’s an American thing.”

Long is worried about too much government interference, ” My America is changing before my eyes.  I want my children to have the same freedoms I enjoyed and that includes choosing whether or not to be insured.”

The group plans more calls and protests targeting Congressman David Price and Senator Kay Hagan.

On the other side, health reform supporter Bill Page stopped by Miller’s office telling him to stand strong and put rules in place to help middle America and not the insurance company executives.

“The single-pay monitored system  is one way to stop  greed and corruption at the top of insurerance companys.,” said Page.

Miller supports health care reforms, but keep in mind there is not a single piece of legislation drafted.

Lawmakers let for August recess with three committee reports in the House and two in the Senate.

WASHINGTON  – A House panel approved legislation Wednesday that would outlaw the kind of “liar loans” and other questionable bank practices that helped drag down the economy.

The proposal, by North Carolina Democratic Reps. Melvin Watt and Brad Miller, is one of several that Democrats are pushing to tighten financial regulations on an industry that underwrote risky loans and passed off the bad debt to investors.

While Democrats cast the bill as a necessary measure that could have helped prevent the financial meltdown, the banking industry and Republicans warned that the would-be rules could restrict the flow of credit.

“Now is not the time to limit choices, raise costs, disrupt the secondary mortgage market, and look the other way on fundamental… reform” of government-created financial services corporations, said Rep. Spencer Bachus of Alabama, the top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee.

Under the Democratic-pushed bill, banks offering other than traditional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages would have to verify a person’s credit history and income and make a “reasonable and good faith determination” that a loan can be repaid. This provision targets high-risk credit lines that became known as “liar loans” because they required little or no documentation.

Banks also would have to make sure the loan provides a “net tangible benefit” for the consumer.

Another provision would prohibit banks from paying mortgage brokers and loan officers more money if they steer clients toward more costly loan options. Under the bill, a broker would receive the same compensation for selling a 30-year, fixed-rate loan as he would a riskier adjustable-rate mortgage.

The legislation also would place new restrictions on banks wanting to sell nontraditional mortgages to Wall Street by requiring they retain at least some of the risk on their books. Proponents say doing so would further deter banks from lending to people with risky credit.

The panel’s endorsement of the bill, by a 49-21 vote, paves the way for consideration by the full House next week.

Congressman Brad Miller will host a roundtable discussion about stem cell research in Raleigh this week.

President Obama’s lifting of a more than eight-year ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research gives new hope to people suffering from debilitating or potentially debilitating diseases, according to a statement released from Miller’s office Monday. 

From his release:

“The Congressman will be talking to research experts, advocates and families about their ideas and concerns as research moves forward once again. Miller has been a strong advocate for scientists who want to do their jobs, free from political influence.

“As Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee on the House Science Committee, he has held hearings on the manipulation, suppression and distortion of research. He values the thoughts and insights of those invited to the roundtable as it relates to embryonic stem cell research and/or other important medical research.”

Roundtable participants include: Elaine Abrams, widow of Dr. Murray Abrams who died from ALS; David Gerber, Division of Transplantation Chief, Department of Surgery, UNC; N.C. Rep. Jim Gulley, Parkinson’s patient; Reece Jenkins, Parkinson’s Action Network; Cindy Heydary, Juvenile Diabetes; Nancy Shulby, Raleigh area parent of diabetic child; Mike Conrad, Piedmont Triad Chapter Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Barbara and Stuart Teichman, Hadassah; Abby Carter, Easter Chapter MS Society; and others

The roundtable will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rex Hospital, Executive Board Room, 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh.

April 14
What:   Operation Iraqi Freedom Troop Send-off – Congressman Miller will deliver remarks at the deployment ceremony for the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, a North Carolina National Guard unit headquartered in Clinton.

Who:    Representatives Brad Miller, David Price, Bob Etheridge, Mike McIntyre, Larry Kissell; Governor Bev Purdue; WV Governor Joe Manchin; Secretary of the Army Pete Geren; Gen. George Casey, Chief of Staff of the Army; Gen. Craig McKinley, Chief of National Guard Bureau; General Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr., N.C. National Guard Adjutant; Command Sgt. Maj. John Swart; members of the 30th Brigade Combat Team and their families

When:   Tuesday, April 14, 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Where:  1960 Crown Coliseum Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28603
April 15

What:   African American Leaders Briefing – Congressman Miller will meet to discuss legislative issues with community leaders.

Who:    Rep. Brad Miller, leaders in the African American community

When:   Wednesday, April 15, 8 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.

Where:  18 Seaboard Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh

What:   Stem Cell Roundtable Discussion – Congressman Miller will hold a roundtable discussion on Stem Cell Research. President Obama’s lifting of an 8 and ½  year ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research  gives new hope to people suffering from debilitating or potentially debilitating diseases. The Congressman will be talking to research experts, advocates and families about their ideas and concerns as research moves forward once again. Congressman Miller has been a strong advocate for scientists who want to do their jobs, free from political influence. As Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee on the House Science Committee, he has held hearings on the manipulation, suppression and distortion of research.  He values the thoughts and insights of those invited to the roundtable as it relates to embryonic stem cell research and/or other important medical research.

Who:    Rep. Brad Miller; Elaine Abrams, widow of Dr. Murray Abrams who died from

        ALS; David Gerber, Division of Transplantation Chief, Department of Surgery, UNC; N.C. Rep. Jim Gulley, Parkinson’s patient; Reece Jenkins, Parkinson’s Action Network; Cindy Heydary, Juvenile Diabetes; Nancy Shulby, Raleigh area parent of diabetic child; Mike Conrad, Piedmont Triad Chapter Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Barbara and Stuart Teichman, Hadassah; Abby Carter, Easter Chapter MS Society; and others

When:   Wednesday, April 15, 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Where:  Rex Hospital, Executive Board Room, 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh

April 17

What:   City of Raleigh Fair Housing Conference -  Congressman Miller will serve as

        the keynote speaker addressing fair housing issues from the perspective of financial services (predatory lending, foreclosure and bankruptcy).

Who:    Rep. Brad Miller

When:   Friday, April 17, Noon to 2 P.M.

Where:  Raleigh Convention Center, 500 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
April 18

What:   N.C. Peace Corps Association Celebrates Africa Night  – Congressman Miller will attend the fundraiser for the Peace Corps Partnership Program.

Who:    Rep. Brad Miller

When:   Saturday, April 18, 6 P.M. to 7 P.M.

Where:  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Ave., Raleigh
April 20

What:   N.C. Policy Watch Crucial Conversations Luncheon Series   – Rep. Miller will deliver the keynote address on consumer rights and his work in Washington to combat predatory lending, foreclosures and changing bankruptcy law.

Who:    Rep. Brad Miller

When:   Monday, April 20, 11:45 A.M. to 1:45 P.M.

Where:  Marbles Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh

April 7th
What:    Wake Health Services Visit – Congressman Miller will visit with staff and tour Wake Health Services after securing $238,000 in federal funding to allow the community health center to implement an electronic records system.
Who:      Rep. Brad Miller; Penny Washington, CEO of Wake Health Services; Dr. Cecilia Gordan, Rock Quarry Road Family Medicine Physician
When:   Tuesday, April 7th, 10 A.M. to 11 A.M.                    
Where:  1001 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh              

What:   Check Presentation St. Augustine’s College   – Congressman Miller will present a $285,000 check which represents the federal money he secured for St. Augustine’s College to create a Health Disparities  Institute near the site of the historic St. Agnes Hospital.            
Who:     Rep. Brad Miller; Saint Augustine’s President Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber; Commissioner Harold Webb; Councilman Dr. James West
When:  Tuesday, April 7th, 3:30 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Where: President’s conference room at Boyer Hall, Saint Augustine’s College, 1315 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh

April 8th

What:     Financial Security Meetings and Roundtable  – Congressman Miller will meet privately with North Carolina families who are struggling due to the economic crisis at his district office in Raleigh in the morning hours.  The media is invited to an afternoon roundtable discussion with the Congressman, who has taken the lead in Congress on Anti-Predatory Lending and Bankruptcy Reform Legislation, and several members of organizations trying to help families in crisis. There will be a media availability with the Congressman immediately following the discussion.         
Who:      Rep. Brad Miller; Members of Legal Aid of Raleigh; NC Housing Coalition;NC Housing Finance Agency; Lutheran Family Services; Raleigh Area Development Authority; and others
When:    Wednesday, April 8th, 2 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Where:   Legal Aid of NC, 224 South Dawson St., Raleigh

April 9th
What:  Poverty and the Recession in North Carolina: Challenges and Opportunities– Congressman Miller will deliver the keynote address at the National Conference on Poverty at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Who:   Rep. Brad Miller
When:  Thursday, April 9th, 11:45 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Where: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Watts-Hill Alumni Center, 106 Stadium Dr., Chapel Hill

Rep. Brad Miller (NC-13) will deliver remarks at the dedication ceremony for the new Camp Butner Barracks Facility which is part of troop training improvements for the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG).

The Congressman secured nearly $1.4 million in funding for the NCNG training site at Camp Butner in the FY09 Military Construction Appropriations Bill. Camp Butner already had a housing shortage and training at the site has quadrupled over the last five years, increasing the need. The new construction will minimize costs for the NCNG by providing economical and convenient housing for troops.

In addition to the barracks facility, a multi-phase construction project at the training site includes a dining facility, maintenance areas and logistical facilities. The improvements will also support the use of Camp Butner as an alternate Command Post in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack.  The Department of the Army has mandated that each State’s Joint Forces Headquarters develop such contingencies.

Who: Rep. Brad Miller

What: Dedication Ceremony for Camp Butner Barracks Facility

When: Monday, March 16, 10 A.M.

Where: Camp Butner, 539 Roberts Chapel Rd., Butner, NC

The Raleigh Democrat has co-sponsored a bill that would create a one Financial Product Safety Commission instead of 10 agencies that oversee lending now, the N&O reports.

Rep. Brad Miller:

What Wall Street wanted to hear tonight is that we’re going to hand them the nation’s wallet and say “just take what you need.” That’s not what the American people wanted to hear, and that’s not what I wanted to hear. President Obama understands the severity and urgency of our economic crisis, and that by itself is an important change. Our nation has come through tough times before, and we will again, but we can’t flinch from what needs to be done.Gov. Bev Perdue:

President Obama was very clear tonight about his plans to rebuild America’s economy and to put our financial house in order.  He spoke forcefully about the challenges we face, as a country and a people, on the pathway to recovery,” Gov. Perdue said.

I applaud the president’s leadership and willingness to make tough decisions while also focusing on progress in the 21st century – investment in energy technology and education – the seed-corn of the new century.U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington):

“Tonight the President laid out a comprehensive plan to address the economic and fiscal crises we face, and to rebuild and recover the nation.  The President was frank in assessing the tough challenges we face, but he reminded us that as Americans we always overcome our difficulties.  Our challenges are interrelated – we cannot just address one, we must address them all if we are to return to a path of sustained growth.

“I was pleased to see the President speak about the role that education will play in our economic recovery.  If we are going to emerge from the economic crisis a stronger nation, we must invest in our future workforce, our students.  Education is an investment, not an expenditure – what we spend on investment now will bring us great dividends in the future.

“We face serious economic problems.  We must confront the long-term challenges we face, and take steps to provide fiscal stability and to grow our economy over the long term.  We must invest in our priorities, like reforming the health care system, making our country energy independent and strengthening our education system.  While we must make investments, we must also make hard choices.  Responsibility means spending wisely.  The President will send his budget to Congress on Thursday, which calls for cutting the deficit in half.  I look forward to working with the President to return our country to a course of budget discipline.”

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan:

“We are facing the most serious economic crisis in a generation. North Carolinians need action now to put people back to work, free up credit for consumers and businesses, help stabilize our housing market, and reform our financial system.  President Obama recognizes that these challenges are interrelated and I agree that we cannot return to a steady course without addressing them all. But President Obama also acknowledges that our fiscal problems are not happening in a vacuum, and other issues such as health care, education reform, and green energy sustainability cannot fall by the wayside.

“I was struck by President Obama’s tone. No one, least of all our President, disagrees that the issues we face are great. But collectively, our ability to tackle these issues and move our country forward only serves to strengthen our resolve and our nation. At a time like this, when there is much to be concerned about, President Obama’s hopeful and confident tone is greatly appreciated.”

“I was also pleased to hear President Obama speak forcefully about the need for increased accountability and transparency. Yes, we have inherited this financial mess, but that fact alone does not justify denying the American public the accountability they deserve. It is high time that members of government remember that they are here to serve the people of this country, not their own devices.  I am looking forward to receiving President Obama’s budget proposal, which will be released later this week.  As a former state budget writer myself, I am pleased that he has decided to do away with the common budget gimmicks that often mask actual federal spending including the use of supplemental, “off-the-books” spending which costs taxpayers billions of dollars.  I know that a budget that includes transparency, fiscal restraint, and investments in priorities that will move America forward is possible and I look forward to working with the Administration to ensure its passage.”

U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina):

“From the economic crisis we are facing to the continued threats from those who wish us harm, our nation is confronted with many tough challenges. President Obama rightly noted many of these challenges tonight. I agree with the President that our nation can best overcome these challenges by working together.  I believe the best way to turn around our economy and create good paying, long-term jobs is to let Americans keep more of what they earn in the first place. By empowering individuals, families and small businesses–not expanding the government–we can more quickly and more effectively strengthen our economy.

“Finally, I was pleased to see that the president spoke about the growing epidemic of the declining high school graduation rates.  Currently, only 70% of our nation’s high school students graduate on time.  This is simply unacceptable, and we must address it.  That is why I introduced the Graduate for a Better Future Act earlier this year to help public high schools across the country improve their graduation rates.