Jan 26 enewsletter j

Dear Friend,

To all celebrating Rosh Hashanah: we wish you a happy Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It's a time for reflection and new beginnings. L’Shana Tovah.

Save the Date: October 30 Town Hall

I'll be holding a town hall meeting in North Minneapolis on October 30th. This is your opportunity to connect directly with me, share your concerns, and discuss the issues that matter most to our community.

REGISTER HERE

When: October 30th, 2024 6pm CT-7pm CT 
Where: North Minneapolis (Exact location to be confirmed)

Early Voting Ends November 4

November 4th is the last day for early voting in Minnesota.

If you plan to vote early, don't wait until the last minute. Make a plan to cast your ballot. If you have any questions about early voting locations please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's website here. 

Apply for an absentee ballot here.

Reintroducing the No Shame at School Act With Senator Tina Smith 
Senator Tina Smith and I reintroduced the No Shame at School Act, a crucial step toward ending lunch shaming in schools nationwide. Here in Minnesota, we've already taken action by implementing universal school meals. We're showing the country what's possible when we prioritize our children's well-being. 

However, many students across America still face the humiliation of being singled out or shamed because their families struggle to afford school meals. Our bill aims to change that. The No Shame at School Act will prohibit schools from publicly identifying students who can't pay for meals and ban the use of debt collectors for unpaid meal debts. Every student deserves to learn without the burden of hunger or the fear of embarrassment. Read more here. 

Introducing the Long COVID Moonshot Bill With Rep. Ayanna Pressley 

I Introduced the Long Covid Research Moonshot Act in the House, with Rep. Ayanna Pressley, following Senator Bernie Sanders' lead in the Senate. Long COVID is a silent health crisis affecting over 23 million Americans. Our bill would allocate $10 billion to accelerate research and improve treatment of long COVID. As your representative, I'm committed to ensuring that no one suffering from long COVID is left behind or forgotten. Read more here.

Serving at The Aliveness Project
During my visit to the Aliveness Project, I joined their team in serving hot meals to community members. This organization that has been a cornerstone of support for Minnesotans living with HIV for over three decades. I learned about the wide range of essential services they provide. From health support to community building, the Aliveness Project embodies the compassionate, comprehensive care that every person deserves. Their work reminds us that healthcare is about supporting the whole person with dignity and respect.

Visiting the Washburn Center for Children

The Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis provides mental health support to over 4,000 children annually. While visiting the center I learned about their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity for mental health services. That's why I'm proud to co-sponsor several crucial bills in the house like the ACCESS in Mental Health Act to increase the number and quality of mental health training programs at minority-serving institutions and the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, focused on replacing law enforcement in schools with mental health and trauma-informed services.

These bills, along with the work of centers like Washburn, represent our commitment to nurturing the mental well-being of the next generation.

Presenting Minnesota State Senator Kari Dziedzic With a Congressional Record
I had the privilege of recognizing Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic in the Congressional Record. Before my time in Congress, I served in the Minnesota legislature. During that time, I had the opportunity to work alongside Majority Leader Dziedzic and witness her commitment to her constituents and all Minnesotans. Her work reminds us of the impact dedicated public servants can have on our communities. Thank you, Majority Leader Dziedzic, for your dedication to the people of Minnesota.

In Service, 

Ilhan Omar