Press Releases
- 07/21/10 - IDP Chair Dan Parker’s Statement On President Obama’s Signing of Wall Street ReformINDIANAPOLIS -Today, President Obama held a signing ceremony for the recently-passed Wall Street reform legislation. Following that ceremony, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker issued the following statement: "Wall Street reform is a tremendous victory for every Hoosier who has ever struggled with the fine print on a mortgage or credit card offer and every Hoosier whose retirement savings were impacted by the financial crisis. It is a victory for every taxpayer and every honest business. "Wall Street reform will end abusive lending practices, bring Wall Street's financial dealings into the light and under regulation, guarantee that American taxpayers are never again left holding the bag for big banks' risky trades, and secure the foundation for stable economic growth. These are critical common-sense reforms, but nonetheless, the vast majority of Republicans in Congress voted against them. Now, Republicans are calling for the repeal of this vital legislation. "Republicans have made it clear - they're going to stand up for big banks and other powerful special interests no matter the cost to middle-class Americans. If they have the opportunity, they'll repeal all the progress enacted by President Obama and return to the failed policies of the Bush era - the same policies that led to the financial crisis and recession in the first place. "That's why, this year, it is so important that people here in Indiana and all across America support strong Democratic candidates who will stand with the President to overcome Republican obstructionism and continue to move America forward." MORE
- 07/19/10 - Carson Urges Senate Action On Unemployment Benefits, Job CreationWASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to spur action by Senate Republicans, Congressman André Carson today posted on his website a counter showing the running tally of unemployed Americans losing their benefits. He called for Republicans in the Senate to stop blocking important pieces of legislation that would extend unemployment benefits and create jobs for Americans. “Thousands of Hoosiers have lost their economic lifeline because of partisan posturing,” said Congressman Carson. “While Republicans continue to call for hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, those in dire need are being pushed to the side. This delay is hurting families as well as our economy. The Congressional Budget Office has found extending these benefits to be one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy.” The nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute (EPI) recently released a report on the economic benefits of unemployment insurance. The report concluded that expanded unemployment benefits have added 1.15 million American jobs since 2007, promoted spending resulting in longer work-hours for the employed and resulted in a 1.7 percent boost in GDP. MORE
- 07/12/10 - IDP Chair Dan Parker’s Statement on the Passing of Ben GiaQuintaINDIANAPOLIS - Yesterday, former Democratic state representative from Indiana's 80th District, Ben GiaQuinta, passed away at the age of 87. GiaQuinta was a World War II veteran, serving with the 102nd Infantry in Europe as a rifleman and machine gunner. He survived the Battle of the Bulge and was the last WWII veteran to serve in the Indiana Statehouse. In honor of his service to fellow Hoosiers, GiaQuinta was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2007 by Governor Mitch Daniels. In response to GiaQuinta's death yesterday afternoon, Dan Parker issued the following statement: "Yesterday Indiana lost a true hero, dedicated public servant and a true gentleman. "Ben GiaQuinta was a devoted and determined Democrat, who served the people of greater Fort Wayne dutifully and faithfully for many years. "I am personally saddened by his passing. He will be remembered for his military service during WWII, his time spent in the Indiana legislature, and for being a devoted husband and father. He lived a remarkable and accomplished life. "I offer my sympathy and condolences to his family. He will be missed by many." MORE
- 05/28/10 - Andre Carson Statement on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman André Carson released the following statement tonight after voting for an amendment to repeal the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy: "Hundreds of qualified troops have been removed from service because of this flawed policy. Today we have finally taken an important step to address not only an important equal rights issue, but a national security issue. "Don't Ask Don't, Don't Tell has been bad policy since day one. This amendment will repeal DADT while still allowing the Department of Defense to complete its review. By giving defense and military leaders the opportunity to weigh in on the findings of the study, we can ensure that the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is implemented as smoothly and as quickly as possible. "Any patriotic American willing to give his or her life in defense of country should have that opportunity. And our troops should never be forced to lie about who they are in order to continue their service. Today's vote will help ensure this kind of personal conflict is never an issue for the brave men and women in our military."
MORE - 05/20/10 - Statement by IDP Chair Dan Parker on Stutzman Seeking Souder’s Congressional Seat
INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker released the following statement on Marlin Stutzman's announcement that he is seeking Mark Souder's Congressional Seat in Indiana's 3rd District: "Now that we have learned that Marlin Stutzman has decided to enter the race for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, I think we have to question whose interests Marlin Stutzman is looking out for - his is own career, political interests or that of Hoosiers in the 3rd District? "Marlin comes across as a political opportunist. Someone who is looking for any opportunity he can find to advance his political career. "It's clear that Marlin Stutzman is a career politician and a perpetual candidate, as he is now seeking his 4th office in just 2 years."
MORE - 05/20/10 - Committee Approves Carson Amendment
An amendment authored by Congressman André Carson was included in legislation to spur small-business lending. The bill, which was approved by the House Financial Services Committee, will create a Small Business Lending Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. Carson's amendment requires banks who participate in the program to include women- and minority-owned businesses in their outreach and advertising. Carson's amendment also calls on the Treasury Secretary to file a report detailing the number of women- and minority-owned businesses that receive assistance from the fund. "This amendment is vital to create a level playing field for all American business-owners," said Carson. "Bringing more businesses to the table to actively participate in this recovery means a stronger and quicker economic comeback for America. That's why it's so important to make sure our minority- and women-owned businesses know about the opportunities presented through this small business loan fund.
MORE - 05/20/10 - Why Does the State Continue to Award Contracts to Embattled Real Estate Broker?
Recently, it has been learned that the state of Indiana had plans to sell more than 700 acres of land surrounding the Pendleton Correctional Facility sometime within the next month. However, after the move came under intense scrutiny from Pendleton residents, including current and former prison correctional officers, who expressed concerns that selling the state-owned land would eliminate a buffer zone between the prison and the town, the deal has been delayed. This deal was highly questionable in the first place, given this land represented the only buffer zone between the Pendleton Correctional Facility and the Maple Ridge Elementary School, located across the street from one of the tracts of land that was for sale. The land was set to be auctioned off on June 3. Of additional concern was the real estate company the Indiana Department of Administration hired to broker the deal and auction off the property - Venture Co., which is owned by John Bales. John Bales has been under intense scrutiny recently for his role in numerous, questionable real estate and business dealings involving Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, financier Tim Durham, who is one of Brizzi's largest campaign contributors and now the target of a federal securities-fraud probe, and the State of Indiana. The FBI is currently looking into an Elkhart real estate deal specifically involving Brizzi and John Bales. The building is leased by the Department of Child Services.
MORE - 05/06/10 - Long-time Carmel Native Wins GOP Nomination in Ninth District Congressional Race
Seymour, IN - Despite only residing in the 9th Congressional district for barely 3 years, long-time Carmel and Hamilton County native Todd Young successfully fended off Mike Sodrel and other Republican challengers to earn the GOP Congressional nomination. Young, who was born and raised in Carmel, was the hand-picked candidate of the Indianapolis Republican establishment. Even with all of the Indianapolis support, Young was only able to win the GOP nomination with 34% of the vote. "One thing this tells us is that two-thirds of Republicans in the 9th Congressional district did not want the hand-picked candidate from Central Indiana," said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker. "Todd Young will have hard time in November, because he is out of step with the concerns of voters in Southern Indiana because Young is not from Southern Indiana."
MORE - 04/27/10 - Indiana Democratic Party Calls For Republican Candidates To File Personal Financial Disclosures
INDIANAPOLIS - Today, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker held a press conference to announce the Party would be sending a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee. The official letter will request that the Committee require Senator Coats and the other candidates for U.S. Senate to file their past due personal financial disclosures prior to the May 4th Primary Election. The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires all candidates for federal office to file a personal financial disclosure, which four of the five Republican candidates failed to do. While no candidate should be above the rules, Senator Coats' past as an elite DC lobbyist with ties to Wall Street banks and foreign countries is of special concern. Despite his persistent commitments to transparency, Coats has yet to comply with Senate ethics rules. "The continued refusal of Senator Coats and the other Republican candidates for Senate to disclose their personal financial holdings is disturbing. Dan Coats has made continued claims to Hoosiers that he would be open and transparent about his lobbying ties and he has yet to live up to those commitments," said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker. "Hoosiers deserve to know where Dan Coats' loyalties lie and that is why we are asking the Senate Ethics Committee to require all candidates file their disclosure. Senator Coats and the Republican candidates need to bring this race out of the shadows and let Hoosiers know who they would represent in DC."
MORE - 04/22/10 - Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker Lauds President Obama’s Wall Street Reform Efforts
INDIANAPOLIS - Today President Obama traveled to New York City to argue for Wall Street reforms that will address the underlying causes of the economic crisis that nearly drove the U.S. economy off a cliff. President Obama has called on Congress to enact strong reforms that increase Wall Street accountability, boost consumer financial protections, and end taxpayer bailouts for Wall Street gamblers. "When President Obama took office last year the economy was shedding jobs at an alarming rate- nearly 800,000 a month- and the economy was in a free-fall," said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker. "However, in the last year President Obama, Democrats in Congress, including our own Indiana Democratic Congressional Delegation and Senator Evan Bayh have worked hard to turn our economy around by enacting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and supporting job-creating investments in infrastructure, education and local governments."
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