THE WEEK IN THE DISTRICT
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Visits Virginia
Last week, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland visited Virginia to commemorate Black History Month. The Department of the Interior (DOI) protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage, provides scientific information about those resources, and interfaces with indigenous communities and tribal nations. The Secretary’s visit touched on all of those aspects of DOI’s mission.
We began our day at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Jackson Ward to celebrate the life and legacy of Maggie Walker. Throughout her life, Walker broke barriers and fought to advance civil rights and educational opportunities for Black Virginians during Jim Crow. She was a trailblazing figure who became the first Black woman to serve as a bank president and to run for statewide office in Virginia. She was also a newspaper editor and fraternal leader.
We then traveled to the Chickahominy Tribal Center in Charles City County for a listening session with Virginia’s federally recognized Tribes: the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe Eastern Division, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Nation, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe, and Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe. We discussed the Tribes’ history, priorities, challenges, and how we can work together to strengthen Nation-to-Nation relationships and support their goals. It was a special moment to witness the first Native American cabinet secretary visit with Virginia’s federally recognized Tribes.
Next we traveled to Hampton and met Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) to visit Hampton University and learn the rich history of this Historically Black College and University (HBCU). We visited the Hampton University Museum Native American Exhibit to learn more about the Native American education program from 1878-1923. We also visited Emancipation Oak, the site of the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. Finally, we met with the faculty and students of the Department of Marine and Environmental Science to learn more about Hamptin’s research around climate change and habitat restoration.
We ended our day with a tour of Fort Monroe National Monument, the site of the first recorded arrival of Africans in English North America in 1619. During the Civil War, Fort Monroe became known as “Freedom’s Fortress,” after Major General Benjamin Butler provided safe haven for enslaved men who reached Union lines as "contraband of war" (captured enemy property).
It was a meaningful day around Virginia, and I thank Secretary Haaland for visiting.
Checking In With Local Governments Throughout the District
In order to better serve our mutual constituents in the Fourth District, I periodically meet with local government officials on a regional basis to discuss their priorities, share updates about my work in Washington, and discuss our shared vision for our constituents. Last week, I met with officials from Brunswick, Emporia, and Greensville; Charles City, Dinwiddie, and Prince George; and Surry, Sussex, and Southampton. I appreciate these opportunities to hear directly from local lawmakers and share information and resources regarding potential federal funding opportunities for their communities. It’s also great to have these vital conversations in different parts of the district.
USPS Town Hall with Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin
My office continues to receive complaints about inconsistent, late, and missing mail deliveries throughout the Richmond Metro Area. My regional conversations last week underscored that while the bulk of the constituent calls about the postal service have come from Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, it is an issue impacting the entire district, the bulk of whose mail is processed at the Sandston Processing Plant, where most of the delivery issues originate.
As I’ve previously shared, I have taken several actions to pressure USPS to address these issues and develop solutions to ensure constituents receive their mail in a timely, reliable manner. Last week, I joined Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin for a USPS Town Hall to hear directly from constituents and share updates on my efforts in Congress to resolve the mail delivery issues impacting our community. It was a helpful and informative discussion, and I thank everyone who attended.
During the town hall, I updated constituents about an ongoing investigation by the USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into the Sandston Processing Plant. The OIG will share its report with the Virginia congressional delegation, which will help inform our next steps, whether that is additional oversight letters, legislative action, or a hearing request to the House Oversight Committee.
You can learn more by watching this clip from WAVY News here or below.
Congratulations to BHM Essay Contest Winners
In January, I launched my inaugural Black History Month Essay Contest to increase education and awareness of prominent figures and events in Black history. We received 46 submissions from middle and high school students across our district. Congratulations to Frances Widmer from Albert H. Hill Middle School and Zahara Flowers from Petersburg High School on their winning essays!
It was wonderful to meet them and the other participants at a reception last week, where I presented them with awards and a Congressional Record featuring their winning essays. Thank you to the students, parents, and teachers who helped make this program successful!
Touring Wakefield VA NWS
Did you know that the weather forecast you get on your phone, local news, the radio, or even on social media comes from Wakefield, Virginia? Last week, I visited the Wakefield VA National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office to learn more about their operations. During the tour, we discussed their forecasting capabilities and the various technologies they use to monitor and predict weather patterns. I also learned how to issue an extreme weather alert! As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I will continue fighting to ensure facilities like NWS Wakefield have the resources and support they need to continue their essential work.
Visiting the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
You probably think of interest rates when you think of the Federal Reserve, but they impact so much more than that. Created by Congress in 1913, the Federal Reserve is the central bank and monetary system of the United States. Its main functions include supervising and regulating banks, implementing policies to manage our nation’s financial systems, and maintaining economic stability. The Federal Reserve includes 12 regional Reserve Banks across the country.
Last week, I visited the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which covers North and South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and most of West Virginia. I met with their senior executive leadership to learn more about their operations, joined President and CEO Tom Barkin for a fireside chat with discussion with employees, and toured the cash operations facility.
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