Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R) recently opened a local office in Broad Ripple at Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) station #32 at 6330 North Guilford Avenue. She invites community members to meet with her district office staff on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Constituents can also visit Rep. Brooks' two nearby fifth district offices staffed by her colleagues at 11611 N. Meridian Street, Suite 415 in Carmel, whose phone number is (317) 848-0201 and at 120 East 8th Street, Suite 101 in Anderson, where the number is (765) 640-5115. These offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those who wish to call the Broad Ripple office should contact the Carmel number as IFD #32 has no direct line.

Rep. Brooks represents Indiana's fifth district that covers eight counties in the Hoosier State, which are: Blackford, Boone, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Madison, Marion and Tipton. She earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio and her law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, she was general counsel for Ivy Tech Community College and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. She also served as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis during Steve Goldsmith's mayoral tenure where she provided oversight on public safety operations and conducted community dialogue on vital civic issues. During her tenure, she managed police, fire and emergency response efforts while serving on boards related to criminal justice, community corrections, violence reduction and race relations.

Rep. Brooks currently serves on the Education and Workforce, Homeland Security and Ethics Committees. She is also Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.

Her career in the private sector includes practicing law at Ice Miller and working as a criminal defense attorney for McClure, McClure and Kammen.

IFD #32 has strong community ties to her public service background. "The Congresswoman was looking for an easy to access location within the Marion County portion of the 5th District. The Broad Ripple Fire Station fits this description. In addition, dating back to her time as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, she's had a close relationship with our first responder community. So she's always looking for ways to collaborate with our first responders and call attention to the great work they do. The firefighters at IFD #32 are great at their jobs and are also extremely friendly and gracious hosts. All of them, most especially Captain Harris, have gone out of their way to make our office and our guests feel at home, "said Alex Damron, Rep Brooks' press secretary.

Regarding current legislative issues on her agenda, "Congresswoman Brooks is focused on creating an opportunity for every American to find a good paying job. We have four million open jobs in this country and we must do more to make sure Americans are prepared to fill these open positions. She's introduced the Computer Science Education Act, which will provide more students around the nation access to computer science curriculum and programs. Without increasing spending, the bill will provide schools new flexibility to purchase technology and teachers more professional development. It does so by adding Computer Science to the list of "core academic subjects" in our federal education laws. By 2020, it's expected half of the 9.2 million U.S. STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs will be computing or IT-related. So it's important we do more to prepare our kids for these jobs," Damron explained.

"She'll also continue to support efforts to help the unemployed and underemployed. One bill she'll continue calling attention to is the SKILLS Act. By streamlining more than 35 overlapping federal workforce programs, it reduces barriers that prevent people from receiving the immediate in-demand job training they need. Congresswoman Brooks also authored an amendment to the bill which gives states new freedom to fund local programs that are working. Programs like EmployIndy's PriorITize, which partners with community leaders like Ivy Tech Community College and Goodwill's Excel Center to provide computer concepts training and access to externships. The bill passed the House in 2013 and she's hopeful the Senate will pass it in 2014. Congresswoman Brooks also continues to monitor the flood insurance reforms that have impacted many Broad Ripple area residents. As Congress continues to debate the issue, she will keep in mind the feedback she's received from 5th District residents," he added.

Mary Lueders is Congresswoman Brooks' Director of Constituent Services. "We address questions from constituents regarding federal agencies. Some examples of federal agencies include the United States Postal Service, United States Citizens and Immigration Service, Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration. We also address questions from constituents regarding federal grants. Federal grants are typically available for non-profit groups and local government entities. We help constituents in any way that we can. We also welcome constituent opinions on any federal issues," she explained.

Describing her background, Ms. Lueders said, "I'm an attorney who has practiced law in downtown Indianapolis who represented doctors and hospitals. I've also done some work with non-profits. I've been with Congresswoman Brooks since January 3, 2012. We have mobile offices like this all over the fifth district listed on her website, www.SusanWBrooks.house.gov. We also have a mobile office in Zionsville and I do staff that one. I grew up north of Chicago and now live Zionsville. I lived on the Old Northside of Indianapolis and also lived in Broad Ripple." She graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington.

"Congresswoman Brooks brings so much intelligence, integrity and hard work to Congress that it is a pleasure to work for her. Politics has always intrigued me. I do find it fascinating. We're happy to be here (in Broad Ripple) and look forward to visiting with the constituents in this area," Ms. Lueders noted.