The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently announced that it will award Sedgwick county $300,000 over the next three years to address racial inequalities in the county's juvenile justice system. Additionally, Sedgwick county will become the newest member of the Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Action Network. Rep. Melody McCray-Miller, Wichita, has been instrumental in these accomplishments.

Happy Thanksgiving

When Thanksgiving arrives each fall, it provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks for our blessings.

Included in my many blessings is the rare and unique opportunity to wake up every day and do a job I love, with Kansans, the finest people on earth.

Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District - Kansas) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (Fifth District - Missouri) will hold a press availability at 3:45 p.m. followed by a press conference at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20th to discuss efforts to protect our children from toys containing lead-based paint and other hazardous materials. Over 25 million toys, primarily ones made in China, have been recalled for lead levels or because the toys were gravely dangerous if used and played with by children.

With the busiest holiday shopping day of the year approaching, the Congressmen will urge parents to learn more about this important issue and consumer and medical experts will outline concrete steps parents can take to insure the safety of their children.

In addition, Cleaver and Moore will discuss legislation they are cosponsoring to expand and improve the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the organization responsible for overseeing the testing of children's products. Until now, all the toy recalls that Americans have experienced have been voluntary and initiated by the manufacturer - they have not been enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

WHO:Congressman Dennis MooreCongressman Emanuel Cleaver, IIRob Schneider, Director of State Campaigns for Consumer Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer ReportsMichelle Miller, Program Manager, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

WHAT:Press availability with children, parents, experts and Members of Congress, followed by a press conference and presentation to parents to raise awareness of the dangers of toys containing lead paint and the need to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

WHEN:Tuesday, November 20, 2007Press availability begins at 3:45 p.m. (very good visuals and ability to speak with experts, doctors, parents and Congressmen).Press conference at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:Community Room at Children's Mercy Hospital2401 Gillham, Kansas City MO 64108Kansas City, Missouri

The following column is by Attorney General Paul J. Morrison:Home foreclosure is a growing problem in Kansas and across the nation. Mortgage fraud and subprime lending have left many homeowners stuck with home loans they can no longer afford. This fall, my office convened a task force to investigate this problem. Consumer advocates met with representatives from the lending and real estate industries to develop recommendations on how to stem the tide of home foreclosure in Kansas.

Recently, Republican leaders of the Kansas Legislature expressed concerns that the decision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to deny an air-quality permit for two new coal burning plants would have negative consequences for other businesses and industries. These concerns are unfounded and inaccurate.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has awarded nearly $585,000 in grants to local community mentoring programs.

"Mentoring programs play critical roles in young people's lives and I'm happy these funds will be put to good use," Sebelius said.

The grants awarded will support programs that work to prevent violence in and around schools; prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs; and involve parents and communities. The programs also coordinate with related federal, state, school and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment encouraging student academic achievement.