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1036 WORDS | 8.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful February. From celebrating veterans, casting consequential votes in Washington, paying tribute to fallen Minnesota heroes, and so much more, it was a memorable month. Read on for more on all of that below:
State of the Union
Progress, principle, and decency were on full display in last nights State of the Union Address. The stakes have never been higher as our rights and freedoms are under attack at home and abroad. Crucial protections for reproductive care and voting rights have been stripped away, and we must work together to enshrine these into law once more. We must continue to invest in all Americans by lowering costs for families, seniors, and for those seeking medical care. By building our economy from the middle out and the bottom up we can ensure everyone has a chance to thrive. I thank the President for his steadfast leadership and invite all Americans – regardless of political party – to be participants in building a more prosperous, equitable, and free nation.
I’m also thrilled to celebrate Keenan Jones - a public middle school educator from Plymouth - who attended last nights address as a guest of First Lady Jill Biden. When we incentivize public service, we prepare a new generation of leaders to build resilient communities, and I’m glad to see the White House honoring such a fantastic individual and initiative.
Valentines for Veterans
As a Gold Star Son, my gratitude to our veterans is immeasurable. Thanks to all the remarkable kids and teachers from schools across our community for making heartfelt valentines for my team to deliver to Minnesota veterans. Together, we were able to brighten some days and show our deep appreciation for their service. As always, I hope you'll join me in honoring our veterans through acts of kindness and lots of gratitude all year long.
Remembering Minnesota's Fallen Heroes
Our courageous police officers and first responders work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and healthy – even when it means putting themselves in harm’s way. Last month, we lost Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and fire-medic Adam Finseth in the line of duty. To honor and remember these heroes, I joined the entire Minnesota House delegation for a moment of silence on the House floor. May their memories be a blessing and may we honor the fallen by showing gratitude for our officers and first responders and recommitting ourselves to that same sense of selfless service to community.
Averting a Government Shutdown
Most Americans aspire to leave our country in better shape than it is now and view Congress’s inability to keep our government operational as a very serious threat to our nation – and I agree. On February 29th, I voted for and helped pass H.R. 7463, a continuing resolution (CR) which extended government funding for certain agencies until March 8th and March 22nd, 2024. This week, we finally passed a first round of bipartisan appropriations bills that will fund agriculture, commerce, justice, science, energy, veterans affairs, military construction, transportation, and housing.
The truth is, fiscal responsibility has been missing from Washington, D.C. for some time. This problem has no easy solution, and it is further complicated given that political incentives are misaligned, but I’m working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to prevent an unnecessary and inexcusable shutdown come the end of March.
The ADINA Act
Last Summer, I introduced a bipartisan bill called the Allergen Disclosure In Non-Food Articles (ADINA) Act in honor of Adina, an 11-year old from Maple Grove who was sent to the hospital after a reaction to undisclosed ingredients in her medicine. This bill aims to set the same standards currently in place for food products by requiring all prescription and over-the-counter medicines to be labelled for major food allergens and gluten-containing grains. Last month, the Star Tribune Editorial Board endorsed the ADINA Act and amplified my call for other members to support this common sense legislation. In my estimation, everyone has a right to know what’s going into their body, whether it be medication or food, and it's my hope that Adina's inspiring story gives you hope, too.
Congratulations App Challenge Winner!
Our panel of distinguished judges have spoken, and the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge is Ananya Murugavel from Eden Prairie. Anaya's app, Act1on 4 Chang3, makes it easier for students to track their volunteer hours. Act1on 4 Chang3 will be hosted on the Congressional App Challenge website, featured in a display in the U.S. Capitol, and Ananya will be honored at the national #HouseOfCode reception in Washington, D.C.
Once again, I’m impressed by the passion, energy, and talent of our students. Now more than ever, we need to create opportunities to show young people that their skills can make a difference. Public service is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I’m thrilled to see students like Ananya using their talents to give back to the community we call home!
Congressional Art Competition
Every spring, I have the honor of hosting the Congressional Art Competition in our community. Since 1982, this competition has showcased the remarkable talent of high school artists across the nation, and the students in our community never fail to impress with their pieces. Visit phillips.house.gov/art for more information about the 2024 competition, and spread the word to the student artists in your life.
Calling Summer Interns!
As a former Congressional intern myself, I know the life-long value that internships in public service can provide to young people. Over the course of their service, interns gain a deeper knowledge of the federal government and strengthen their communications, writing, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Applications are open until March 15th for internships in my Minnesota and Washington, D.C. offices, so If you or someone you know is interested in interning in my office, please encourage them to apply today! If you have questions about our internship program or application process, please stop by or give my Minnetonka office a call at (952) 656-5176 or my D.C. office at (202) 225-2871.
Keep the faith and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
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