Dear John,

With the end of the State Fair in sight and Labor Day right around the corner, we’re wrapping up summer here in the Second District. It’s been a busy one – but I’m grateful to have spent so much time in district, meeting with and hearing from so many of you.

Thursday was International Overdose Awareness Day – a day to remember and honor every Minnesotan we’ve lost to an overdose, hold their loved ones close and double down on our efforts to fight this American crisis.

The bottom line is that overdose deaths are preventable – but we’ve got to work hard to expand access to the resources, education and tools we know will help reduce overdoses in Minnesota.

One of those tools is naloxone – a commonly used opioid overdose-reversal drug. This crucial drug gives people another chance at treatment and recovery – and will help save so many Minnesota families from the devastation of losing a loved one to an opioid overdose. We must do more to get naloxone into the hands of those who need it.

So yesterday, I participated in a training with the Indigenous Peoples Task Force to learn how to properly administer Narcan – one brand of naloxone that will be available over the counter in the coming days. My training was insightful – and I walked away more determined than ever to expand access to and awareness of this life-saving medication.

A big thank you to Melissa and everyone with the Indigenous Peoples Task Force for providing me with this training – and for everything you do to educate our community. Your work makes us all safer.

Here's what else I was up to this week:

Hosting the Inaugural Meeting of My Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council
Yesterday, I convened law enforcement, mental health professionals, community advocates and Minnesotans who have lost loved ones to the opioid and fentanyl poisoning crisis for the first meeting of my Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Council. We’ll be working together to find new ways to combat this crisis. 

Honoring the Pavlak Family’s Law Enforcement Legacy in South St. Paul

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Betty McCollum, as well as other elected leaders from the South St. Paul community to officially rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of Officer Leo Pavlak, who was killed in the line of duty 90 years ago.

I’m proud we were able to get this one done to honor the Pavlak family and their decades of service to their communities.

Supporting Career and Technical Education Opportunities for Minnesotans
We know that having access to career and technical education and job training programs opens up a world of opportunities for Minnesotans. This week, I stopped by the Walmart Academy in Hastings to hear more about how their program helps connect people to good-paying careers in our community.

Enjoying the State Fair
Well, it wouldn’t be summer without the State Fair – and it wouldn’t be the State Fair without a bucket of Sweet Martha’s! Got the chance to enjoy them both on Monday.

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig:

As your federal representative, it’s my job to always be on the lookout for ways to bring your hard-earned tax dollars back home. This week, I joined Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham to push for new federal funding to upgrade intersections along U.S. Highway 61 and make room for new homes and businesses.

See below for the surprise of my Cottage Grove visit! 

On one final note, I am hosting my September Town Hall next Wednesday at 5pm CT – and I want to hear from you!

Make sure to submit your questions, comments and concerns here, and stream my town hall through my Facebook page on Wednesday.

Wishing you all a restful weekend and a Happy Labor Day! Labor built the working class in our country – and I’ll never stop fighting to support these families.

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress