MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
The three most important jobs I have as a Congressman are to represent my constituents, to vote on matters of war and peace, and to nominate students to the United States service academies.
These students represent the very best of our district, and our country.
We thoroughly reviewed each of this year’s candidates, and I am sure that our country’s future is in good hands. Although we had to make some tough choices, I know these applicants will go on to do great things. The list of students we nominated is here — congratulations to one and all!
AIR FORCE CONTRACTING SUMMIT
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to speak at the 2020 Air Force Contracting Summit in our district. Over 600 military, government, business, and community leaders attended and discussed how to improve our military readiness and keep America safe.
In Northwest Florida, the military has generated an increase of over $500 million in economic impact since 2017. Additionally, we have seen an increase of over 25,000 active-duty military members employed in our district in the same timeframe.
In last year’s NDAA we secured a 3.1% pay raise to all military personnel — the largest in over a decade. Not only does this help our district, but a stronger American military means a safer world. Investment in our Armed Forces is essential to maintaining and promoting freedom across the globe.
IMPEACHMENT WINDS DOWN (FINALLY!)
This week, we are finally seeing the end of the impeachment saga. As of Monday morning, the Senate is on track to acquit President Trump on Wednesday morning. It’s about time!
From the beginning, this sham impeachment has been baseless.
Four facts have never changed:
1) In the transcript of the call, no ‘quid pro quo’ was offered.
2) President Trump and President Zelensky have both said there was “no pressure” exerted.
3) When the call was placed, the Ukrainians didn’t even know aid was being paused.
4) Finally, no investigation was ever opened.
This entire spectacle has been a waste of time and resources, but it is heartening to see that this national nightmare is almost entirely in our rearview mirror. Democrats have put our country through a lot of unnecessary partisanship and pain. It’s time for Congress to get back to work and legislate on issues that actually matter to the American people.
On Wednesday, January 29, I joined Sean Hannity to discuss Adam Schiff’s lack of credibility. Watch it here:
 |
| Click to Play! |
I also wrote a joint op-ed about impeachment, with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), which you can read here:
Fox News — January 30, 2020
Sen. Paul & Rep. Gaetz: In Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, Dems are the ones abusing power
AROUND THE DISTRICT
HONORING MAYOR RANDALL WISE
 |
| Click for video! |
This week, I had the opportunity to speak on the House Floor to commemorate the service of one of Northwest Florida’s most dedicated public servants, Niceville Mayor Randall Wise. Since his appointment in 1971, he spearheaded the construction of essential public works projects including a senior center, library and more.
Mayor Wise will be remembered by his family and friends as a man who built a reputation on getting things done and working for others. He was a dear friend and mentor who helped me learn what it means to be a public servant.
Mayor Wise, you will be missed.
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the nation. I am proud to recognize three in particular: Ms. Jeannine Abadie (Walton County), Ms. Devon LaMonica (Okaloosa County), and Ms. Cheyenna Novotny (Escambia County), each of whom was named “Teacher of the Year” for their respective counties. I would also like to extend congratulations to Ms. Lisbeth Turner, named Walton County’s Educational Support Professional of the Year.
I thank all four of these exceptional educators for their service to their students and their community, and I am truly proud to have them as consrtituents in Florida’s First Congressional District. With teachers and professionals like these, the students of Northwest Florida are in great hands!
NEW SPACE FORCE GENERAL
As the United States faces new threats and challenges, it is essential that we embrace cutting-edge technology — particular in the emerging frontier of Space.
Northwest Florida has always produced some of America’s finest military and aeronautical personnel. It is a privilege to learn that one of our own, Colonel Michael Conley — a 1SOW commander from Hurlbert Field — has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General in the Space Force.
As second in command, he will assist with such tasks as space domain awareness, electronic warfare, satellite communications, missile warning, nuclear detonation detection, environmental monitoring, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, command and control, and positioning, navigation, and timing.
For more:
Air Force Magazine — January 31, 2020
Senior Space Force Official Named Among New Job Assignments
NAVARRE PILOT DIES FIGHTING WILDFIRES
Senior Master Sgt. Rick A. DeMorgan Jr. hailed from Navarre, Florida. He entered the United States Air Force in 1995, and was deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. After dedicating nearly 25 years in service to our nation, logging over 4,000 flight hours, he was preparing to retire on March 1, 2020. Tragically, he perished on January 23; his aircraft crashed in Australia, where he had gone to assist firefighting efforts.
His selfless service extended far beyond the borders of our district, and indeed, beyond our nation’s borders. In Australia’s time of need, his sense of altruism did not waver. His courageous and unselfish life was exemplary of the men and women of the Armed Forces in our district.
For more:
Panama City News Herald — February 1, 2020
Hurlburt honors airman who died fighting Australian fires
HONORING LOCAL HEROES
As we remember the sacrifice of our friends and neighbors who lost their lives on December 6 at NAS Pensacola, it is important that we also remember those who put their lives on the line to protect students and personnel.
On Friday, a service was held to honor six Escambia County Sheriff Office deputies and two Naval Air Station officers. These eight brave men were presented with the Medal of Valor, and three were presented with the Purple Heart. Thank you to Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, and all the volunteers and attendees who made this event possible. It is a great honor to represent these courageous officers in Congress.
See also:
NorthEscambia.com — February 1, 2020
Medals Of Valor, Purple Hearts Awarded To Officers Involved In NAS Pensacola Attack
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
WEAR TV — February 1, 2010
Veteran’s History Project comes to Northwest Florida
“The United States Congress launched the Veteran's History Project in 2000. Nearly 6,000 Florida veterans have submitted to their stories to the collection, but Gaetz says he knows there are many more out there, especially in NWFL.”
Washington Examiner — January 30, 2020
How House Republicans won over conservatives to gain consensus on a climate agenda
“‘Climate denial is a bad political strategy,’ said Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a 37-year-old member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and an ally of President Trump.”
Northwest Florida Daily — January 27, 2020
Despite diminished role, Gaetz remains staunch Trump defender
“Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., a staunch defender of President Donald Trump, is playing less of a role than expected in defending the president from charges leveled in an impeachment inquiry, but he will remain a fixture among Trump supporters.”
Washington Examiner — January 24, 2020
Twitter flags Trump campaign and Matt Gaetz for anti-abortion content on eve of March for Life
“Gaetz posted a video from his congressional account earlier this week corresponding with the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. In the video, to which Twitter added a ‘potentially sensitive material’ warning, he referenced his ‘sincere hope’ that the Supreme Court case will be overturned.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
National Review — January 31, 2020
The Equal Rights Un-Amendment
The Economist — January 30, 2020
Will the Wuhan virus become a pandemic?
The Economist — January 30, 2020
Voting with their eyeballs
Washington Examiner — January 31, 2020
After Years of Political Turbulence, Brexit Is Finally Happening
New York Times – January 30, 2020
Helicopter in Kobe Bryant Crash Wasn’t Legal to Fly in Poor Visibility
Bloomberg — January 31, 2020
Huawei Scouts Europe for Tech Startups to Secure Supply Chain
|
