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Dear Friend,
During last week’s district work period, I had the privilege of meeting with many constituents to hear their views on a variety of issues facing our country and community. I will use the input gathered to help guide my work in Washington. Continue reading to learn more.
Learning from You Here at Home: I held an open forum in West Pasco during which constituents were invited to share their thoughts on issues that are important to them. I appreciated their feedback as hearing from those I represent truly makes me a better member of Congress.
I also had the privilege of speaking at a Vietnam Veterans event in Homosassa. These war heroes were not given the proper welcome when they returned home, yet they continued to fight for systemic improvements to ensure their future brothers and sisters in arms didn’t face similar challenges. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
I enjoyed speaking with leaders of two local community health centers about the ways they are working to address unmet needs in the healthcare system as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s failure. Community Health Centers make sure millions of Americans have access to quality, affordable care and prescription drugs. As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Community Health Centers Caucus, I will keep working to help advance their efforts.
Hernando County Commissioner Brian Hawkins and I learned a great deal from U.S. Fish and Wildlife and expert biologists from Sea World who are working together to help save Florida manatees. As Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus, it is critical that we protect this vital natural resource that draws millions of visitors each year to Florida’s Nature Coast.
I had the chance to speak with the Nature Coast Manufacturing Council about the challenges they face. I’ll continue working to remove barriers so that these small business owners can compete and thrive!
I was also honored to participate in the renaming of the Brooksville Airport tower after Gary E. Schraut. For the better part of three decades, Gary worked tirelessly to promote, develop and expand the infrastructure at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport and Technology Center. May his many contributions to our community never be forgotten.
Constituents win when leaders at all levels work together to solve challenges facing those they serve. I was proud to speak with Pasco Commissioner Ronnie Oakley this week about his priorities for the county and I look forward to continuing to work alongside this dedicated public servant.
Additionally, I appreciated Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco for taking the time to meet with me this week. We discussed his suggestions for federal legislation that would prevent individuals from using Artificial Intelligence to manipulate the images of children for predatory purposes. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce, I am working to reauthorize the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to protect our children from harmful online predators and to ensure law enforcement has the tools needed to go after these creeps!
Celebrating Success
Last week, I hosted my annual Congressional Art Competition. A special thank you to all of our young artists who were selected to represent their school in this year's competition. The judges had a tremendous task in selecting the overall Best in Show as Florida’s 12th Congressional District is home to so many talented young artists.
- Marissa Blomquist of Lecanto High School was the top artist for Citrus County.
- Kaitlyn Stires, a Home Schooled student, was picked as the top artist for Hernando County, and
- Abriana McDaniel of Wesley Chapel High School was the top artist for Pasco County.
Also, Congratulations to our overall Best in Show Artist, Grace Daniel, of Mitchell High School. She and a parent have won two tickets to a reception in Washington, DC. Her artwork will be hung in the Capitol for the next year.
The arts are such an important component of a well-rounded education. I appreciate these students showcasing their talents at this year's competition.
Remembering a Life of Service
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford, after his long battle with cancer. As a tireless advocate for law enforcement and leader with a true heart for public service, Gary made a positive impact on our community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May his memory be eternal.
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team attended the annual Scholarship Dinner hosted by the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce to celebrate 45 local students receiving scholarships for outstanding: Leadership, Volunteerism, Excellence in the Arts, and Community Service.
My team was also happy to support more than 75 new parents in our community at the World's Greatest Baby Shower hosted in Hernando County.
Additionally, my team learned a great deal from Natlie Kahler of the Historic Brooksville Women’s Club as she discussed the many valuable contributions women have made to our community.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message after helping a constituent with his wife's pending VISA application.
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your assistance in expediting the approval of my wife’s immigration documents. After waiting for over a year with no progress, we were feeling hopeless and frustrated. However, your intervention made all the difference. Your dedication to helping constituents like me navigate the complexities of the immigration system is truly commendable. Your swift action and attention to our case have not only brought relief but also restored my faith in the power of advocacy and public service. I cannot thank you enough for your support and for going above and beyond to ensure that the documents were approved quickly. Your commitment to serving the community is truly inspiring and I am grateful to have you as my representative. Please know that your assistance has made a significant impact on our lives and I will always be grateful for your help. I look forward to continuing to support you in your efforts to make a positive difference in our community. Thank you once again for your invaluable assistance.
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |
