A Note From the Desk of Congresswoman Letlow

It’s been a busy and productive month spending some much needed quality time in the Fifth as we traveled over a thousand miles across the district hearing from constituents and local leaders on the issues that matter most to Louisianans. From hearing about initiatives and ideas to keep our community safe, expansive projects for increased healthcare access, and high-quality education options for families - I always enjoy hearing from Louisianans of all walks of life and bringing the stories I hear on the road back with me to Washington to continue fighting for the issues that matter most.

I’ll continue working to keep the Fifth District the best place to live, work, and raise a family as I continue to focus on access to education, healthcare, protecting taxpayers, and combatting government overreach from the Biden Administration.

Please feel free to always reach out directly when you have questions, comments, or concerns. Our team is always accessible through this newsletter and our website. We are here to serve you!

Read on for more about my work for Louisianans during my time in the district this month.

Sincerely,

Julia Letlow, Ph.D.
Member of Congress

This Month’s Legislative Update

Notable Letters/ Co-Sponsor Alerts:

• It’s my commitment to support our close alliance with Israel, which is why I co-sponsored H.R. 3152, the Fight CRIME Act, which would further bolster the partnership with Israel and protect our own national security interests. The Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports (CRIME) Act strengthens sanctions on Iran and those who support or are involved in Iran’s missile and drone efforts and deters the transfer of weapons to and from Iran.
• Our national security is a top priority when it comes to pushing back on our adversaries like Iran, which is why I recently co-sponsored H.R. 3774, the SHIP Act. The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act imposes sanctions on foreign ports and refineries that accept exports from or process Iranian petroleum. It also requires the EIA to issue an annual report to Congress on the realities of Iran’s petroleum exports.
• I supported H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, after the Biden Department of Education recently came out with guidance that school archery and hunting programs will be prohibited from receiving federal funding. This bill explicitly states that school programs that train “students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports” are eligible for federal funding.
• I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to request an extension of the “Proposed Rule” titled Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations. I remain concerned about our domestic energy supply and production, and this deadline would be detrimental to small and independent oil & gas producers.

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Grow Your Own Teacher

This is a perfect example of what community funding grants can do for our community! Through this grant I was a part of, we can continue to address the teacher shortage we are currently facing in our region, and especially in rural areas. This program will allow college students to simultaneously earn a bachelor's degree and become a certified teacher within just three years. Read more about this amazing program HERE.

Check-In with our Law Enforcement

I met with law enforcement leaders from central Louisiana who work tirelessly to ensure their departments have what they need to protect our communities. The initiatives and ideas they have will keep our communities safe. I look forward to continuing my support for them in any way I can.

Aviation and Innovation at England Airpark

While I was in Alexandria, I stopped by England Airpark to tour their facilities and learn about the projects they are working on to further develop the aviation industry workforce. We stopped by to see the progress of the $3.5 million funding we secured to purchase land that will assist with noise mitigation efforts for the community. What a treat to see this investment coming to life!

St. Francis Cabrini

St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, located in Alexandria, is Louisiana's leading cardiac hospital. Last year I secured $775,000 in community project funding for access to a stable water supply - an essential component to maintain medical operations during natural disasters, and ensure that the hospital will be able to continue providing life-saving medical care to patients. We are so fortunate to have this facility, and I will always do what I can to help.

Citizens Rural Clinic

The new Citizens Rural Clinic broke ground at the beginning of August! It is a new healthcare facility that will serve Columbia residents 7 days a week. I was proud to support this expansive project for the future growth of healthcare access in Caldwell Parish for residents, patients, and care providers, and am looking forward to watching it take shape.

Ochsner Health

We need to increase healthcare access in the Fifth District. Luckily, Oschner Health shares this sentiment, and is dedicated to looking for ways to make it happen. Having robust healthcare access is critical to our region, and fighting to improve options is one of my top priorities in Congress.

CommuniHealth Services Medical Center

CommuniHealth Services Medical Center in Bastrop is a game changer for the Fifth District. They house a plethora of medical services including on-site dental and mental health services, and a pediatric suite filled with highly-skilled professionals! They provide high-quality care to those who otherwise wouldn’t receive it. The doctors, nurses, and staff were so kind to everyone and I enjoyed meeting with everyone!

Our Lady of the Angels Hospital

Our Lady of the Angels hospital in Bogalusa is an outstanding acute care facility, focusing on maternal health as one of the very few hospitals in Louisiana that qualify for the Birth Ready+ program.

As a mother myself with two little ones, I know firsthand how critical it is that our mothers have the services and quality care they need for support. The folks who work here exuded genuine care for each and every patient they care for.

Call Me Mister

I had the honor of speaking to a remarkable group of young men at Grambling State University’s Call Me MiSTER Conference! I look forward to this every year. The students in the Call Me MiSTER program play a critical role in the future of our region, and I’m honored to be a part of this incredible program that is paving the way for these future educators.

Last year I sponsored $2 million to help bolster the program and provide students with the tools necessary to succeed as future teachers. This program has grown so much over the years, and I’m proud of the leadership these men show!

Read more about the Call Me Mister program HERE

Lincoln Prep Tour

I was so glad to have the chance to visit Lincoln Preparatory School, a charter school in Grambling that focuses on preparing students for higher education. Lincoln Prep partners with nearby colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment programs so students can be a step ahead and start earning college credits before they even have to think about applications. Schools like Lincoln Prep are vital to the success of our children and provide much needed high-quality education options for families. If you give a child quality education, you give them a bright future!

GNO, Inc.

During my time in the district, I had the chance to speak with GNO, Inc. about how the public and private sector can work together to create real change for Louisianans. It is my job to listen to Louisiana residents and small businesses to find opportunities to ensure that our region and state can receive the resources for our critical priorities. This group is dedicated to seeing Louisiana prosper, and I look forward to continuing the dialogue with them.

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