Seymour Safe Haven Baby Box
Last month, in Seymour, an infant was saved when she was left at the local Safe Haven Baby Box at the Seymour Fire Station 3. The box was installed after local teen, Hunter Wart, raised $10,000 so Jackson County mothers in crisis would have a place to turn. I had the opportunity to visit with Hunter, the heroes at the fire station who tended to baby Mia, and Monica Kelsey, the Hoosier founder of the Safe Haven Baby Box movement. Safe Haven laws are vital to give infants a chance at life when their mothers feel they have nowhere else to turn. I was also joined by Fire Chief Brad Lucas and Mayor Matt Nicholson.
Stops in New Albany, Salem, and Jeffersonville
Last week, I also visited several Hoosier businesses in southern Indiana. I met with the owners of Aebersold Florist, who were working hard to make sure New Albany’s residents had a special Valentine’s Day. I also stopped by Stemler Corporation in Jeffersonville, which has employed Hoosiers for nearly 100 years, and H&R Bakery in Salem where I heard from elected officials in Washington County.
Resolution on ‘‘Potawatomi Trail of Death’’
Today, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the forced relocation of the Potawatomi people from their homeland east of the Mississippi River to Kansas and Oklahoma. The resolution remembers the devastating hardships the Potawatomi people endured during the march west, known as the ‘‘Potawatomi Trail of Death’’.
To learn more about this resolution, click here.
Double Track Northwest Indiana Project Moves into Phase Two
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) is now eligible to begin the next phase of the Double Track Northwest Indiana Project after receiving approval to from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Process. I will continue to work with all stakeholders to advance this project and achieve significant economic development in northwest Indiana. Learn more about the project here.
Bipartisan Bill to Support Career Training
As our economy changes, so does the demands of our workforce. New evidence-based innovations in postsecondary education have been discovered to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow. Which is why my bipartisan Assisting Community Colleges in Educating Skilled Students (ACCESS) to Careers Act would harness those successful models and provide resources to states and community colleges giving students the tools to succeed in high-demand careers.
Last week, I spoke to WDRB about how this legislation would benefit Hoosiers.
Strong Economy Benefits Hoosiers
This month, we received yet another strong jobs report. 225,000 jobs were created in January, wages continue to grow, and labor force participation remains high. Tax relief, regulatory reform, and our trade deals like USMCA are kicking in and people are optimistic about the future. The Republican controlled United States Senate will continue to work with this President on the people’s agenda so that all of America can enjoy the fruits of prosperity.
To watch my full remarks, click here or on the image above.
Resolution to Honor 75th Anniversary of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima is hallowed ground for me, my fellow Marines, and all those who lost loved ones in the battle. Last week, I introduced a resolution to recognize those who gave their lives in Iwo Jima seventy-five years ago. The resolution also calls upon Americans to honor these veterans and reaffirm the deep bonds of friendship between the United States and Japan that have developed over the seventy-five years since we were at war. More here.
My Bill to Support Small Business Innovation
As the son of a small businessman, I value the essential role that small firms play in ensuring America remains the world's leader in commercializing cutting-edge technologies. Our Small Business Innovation Voucher Act will build on Indiana's existing voucher program to facilitate public-private partnerships between small businesses and our world-renowned research institutions. Giving Hoosier entrepreneurs expanded access to world-class lab space and brilliant scientists will help drive innovation and enhance economic opportunity across Indiana.
Taiwan Symbols and Sovereignty Act
Last week, I introduced the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty (Taiwan SOS) Act with Senator Ted Cruz to allow diplomats and service members in the Taiwanese military to display their flag and wear their uniforms while in the United States on official businesses.
At every turn, China is attempting to coerce countries around the globe to accept their worldview and sadly, this even applies to the U.S government. It is time to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and recognize our friends and allies regardless of how China may respond. This begins with Taiwan. Taiwan and members of the Taiwanese military and government should be treated the same as every other sovereign nation.
Ensuring Lifesaving Organs Reach Patients
A recent investigation following a human heart being left behind on a Southwest Airlines flight found that a “startling number of lifesaving organs are lost or delayed while being shipped on commercial flights, the delays often render them unusable.” Clearly we must fix our broken organ transplant system.
One lost organ is one too many. With more than 112,000 Americans on a transplant waitlist, including nearly 1,300 Hoosiers, we must ensure lifesaving organs are getting to the patients who need them. That’s why I introduced the LOST Organs Act, to create greater transparency and accountability so that these critical organs aren’t getting lost, damaged, or delayed in transit.
This is the second in a series of bills I have introduced to reform the nation’s organ transplant system.
Constituent Spotlight
Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington, IN is making sure sailors on the USS Indiana (SSN-789), one of the most technologically advanced submarines in the world, have a little home-town fuel while aboard the vessel. They are sending 140 pork tenderloins to the brave sailors manning this Virginia class submarine. It is inspiring to see our Hoosier communities supporting our men and women in the armed forces.
Read more on the USS Indiana and Nick’s Kitchen in WPTA’s article: “Huntington restaurant sends tenderloins to crews aboard USS Indiana”.
 : Photo Review
For an overview of the past week in photos, click here or the image above.
Social Media Recap
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