Remembering 9/11

Today, we pause to remember the thousands of lives lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget the events of that day, the brave men and women who saved lives, and the resilience of the American spirit in the face of pure evil.

It was incredibly moving to be in Lower Manhattan this morning at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to remember the lives lost 22 years ago. We will never forget.

Read more: LaHood: "We will never forget 9/11."

Advocating for Illinois farmers

I was in Dixon and spoke with the Lee County Farm Bureau recently. We had a good discussion about crop yields, biofuels, trade, and input costs. As Congress negotiates the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization, I want to ensure that our ag producers have a seat at the table.

I also authored an op-ed for Shaw Media about my efforts to advocate for Illinois farmers in Farm Bill negotiations.

Read more: Guest column: Protecting Illinois agriculture in upcoming Farm Bill negotiations

Combatting China's unfair trade practices

China continues to threaten American manufacturers. I joined Congressman Mike Gallagher and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in Stoughton, WI for a Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party roundtable on the CCP’s predatory trade tactics. Thank you to David Rashid and Dan Billie of Plews and Edelmann in Dixon for joining us.

Read more: Semafor: U.S. Congress puts on a China roadshow

Visiting with IL16 constituents

Collins Aerospace is defining and innovating the future of flight and travel. Thank you to the Collins Aerospace Team for showing us their facility in Winnebago County last week. We had a robust discussion about the future of aerospace and the leading role Illinois can take.

I visited the new Precision Planting facility in Morton last week, which opens in the fall. This new location will bring hundreds of jobs to the area while supporting Illinois agriculture, the #1 industry in our state. I appreciate all of the innovative work Precision Planting does to support Illinois farmers!

I visited OSF Health Care last week for a hard hat tour of the Cancer Institute in Peoria. The new Cancer Institute will make OSF in Peoria a hub for cancer research and treatment, supporting patients from across the state and country. Thank you to State Rep. Ryan Spain, former Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, and Ryan Luginbuhl for hosting us. I appreciate OSF’s hard work to serve the community and Bring Hope Home.

Congratulations to Enercon Power in the Peoria area for 48 years in business!

Enercon is family run and a leader in engineering and power solutions. I was honored to join them to celebrate this milestone and recognize their continued commitment to central Illinois.

Thanks to Dunlap Fire Chief Jim Hanson for meeting to update us on his Department, including work to upgrade and improve their facilities. I appreciate all the work Dunlap Fire, their crew, and volunteers do to keep our community safe.

As always, thanks for subscribing to my newsletter!

Sincerely,

Darin LaHood
Member of Congress