Welcome to the April edition of The Moran Minuteman.

This monthly newsletter is our way of recognizing extraordinary efforts in Texas Congressional District 1 and providing an inside look into what happens behind the scenes in the life of a Congressman.

Over 60 rescued Christians brought to Tyler

The week before Easter brought an opportunity to participate in an effort to help rescue Christians from persecution. Members of the Mayflower Church, who had fled China to South Korea then Thailand due to religious persecution, were being threatened with deportation back to China. Many churches in Congressional District 1 support the Mayflower Church and brought this situation to my attention.

We were able to work with the State Department, foreign leaders, and others to help bring the members of the Mayflower to Texas. Special recognition and thanks go to Deana Brown and Freedom Seekers International, Bob Fu and ChinaAid, Flint Baptist Church, Grace Community Church, South Spring Baptist Church, Sylvania Church of Tyler, First Baptist Church Tyler, Rose Heights Church of God, and many more for all they did on behalf of the Mayflower worshippers.

The Mayflower congregation arrived in Texas on Good Friday, one of the holiest of days for us as Christians, a fact that was not lost on those of us working to protect these persecuted Christians.

This effort - the ability to stand up for religious freedom and help save individuals from persecution - has been a high point of this job thus far.

Congratulations to our April Minuteman - Artie Erwin 

When I think of East Texans, I think of the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War. Loyal to country and community, dependable, selfless, and ready at a moment’s notice, the Minutemen were American heroes who helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War. Today’s East Texans reflect those traits. You are patriotic, dependable, and deeply committed to making our communities better.

Each month, I will recognize an East Texan who has gone above and beyond in serving our region - someone who epitomizes the identity of a Minuteman. In addition to recognition in the monthly newsletter, we will send the person a Moran Minuteman t-shirt. 

This month’s Minuteman, Artie Erwin, has spent his life serving our community, state, and nation. He is a retired Army nurse who now resides in Texarkana. In 2018, Artie saw a need facing children in foster care. The children needed beds. Artie responded to the call, starting a Beds for Kids program as a ministry of Walnut Church of Christ in Texarkana.

He now leads an entire team of volunteers to build the beds and works with area businesses to secure donations of lumber, mattresses, and linens. Artie embodies the Minuteman spirit - ready at a moment’s notice to make our community better. Thank you, Artie, for your selfless service!

Do you know an East Texan who would be a great next recipient? Please submit their name here.  And to be clear, women can receive the Minuteman honor, too. Don’t hold back those suggestions!

Our Moran Minuteman team will also be out and about serving at community events and in disaster relief efforts. Look for us, and we’ll toss you a t-shirt!

Delivering on Promises

When I ran for Congress, I promised to protect our Constitutional rights, including our 2nd Amendment rights. Listen to this clip from a KTBB radio interview on March 21 to hear about one way I’m taking our East Texas values to Washington, DC.