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1271 WORDS | 9.8 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
I'm checking in with updates from another memorable visit back home! From going “On the Job” to celebrating vietnam veterans and community investments to hearing from you, I was left feeling more hopeful for our future and honored to represent this remarkable community. Read on to see what I was up to in Minnesota:
On the Job with Dean
The best way to understand the challenges of owning and operating a business is to put in a hard day's work. That’s why I’ve been picking up shifts at small businesses across our community as part of my “On the Job with Dean” project. This August, I worked at three incredible places, beginning with the Hennepin County Library in Brooklyn Park. I spent my shift reshelving books and learning more about what it takes to operate one of our communities many public libraries.
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| Public libraries are so important for our communities, and I enjoyed learning more about how they are operated. |
My next shift I headed to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America to see what it's like to be a member of the Slime Team. During my shift, I learned and performed a dance in front of MOA goers and had the opportunity to slime crowd members (and was slimed myself!). Thank you to the hardworking team at Nickelodeon Universe for a more than memorable afternoon!
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| I had such a fun time working with the Slime team, it was a shift I’ll never forget! |
I concluded my On the Jobs at Where's the Flour?, a restaurant located in the Eden Prairie Center, that specializes in celiac safe fried foods that are not easily found in the U.S. During my shift, I cooked and served their delicious bites to hungry customers, learned more about the allergen food service industry, and highlighted the importance of my bill, the ADINA Act, for the gluten free community.
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| Working at Where’s the Flour? was a great way to end my On the Job visits – drop in the next time you’re in the area! |
During my time in Congress, I have made more than 180 business and chamber of commerce visits in every corner of our community, 48 of those being On the Jobs. I have learned so much from the small business owners in our community, hearing about the challenges they face has made me better equipped to advocate on their behalf in Washington – and to encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Honoring Vietnam Veterans
I have met many Vietnam-era veterans who have complicated perspectives about their service and their experience returning home. For that reason, I've been on a mission to honor the sacrifice millions of Americans in uniform have made to keep our nation safe and free. Since 2022, I've been partnering with the Vietnam War Commemoration Program to recognize and celebrate Vietnam-era veterans and their families at pinning ceremonies throughout our community. So far, my office has held nine commemoration ceremonies and has recognized more than 100 Vietnam-era veterans and families. Hearing veterans’ personal stories has been an honor and serves as a constant reminder of the heavy burden carried by those sent off to fight for our country.
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| Thank you to all the veterans we have honored over the years, we are endlessly grateful for your service. |
Celebrating Community Investments
I've been on a mission to bring more of our federal tax dollars back to Minnesota, which is why over the course of my career, I have successfully advocated for over $68 million dollars in funding for projects directly serving our community. Absent our advocacy, these dollars could have flowed to other states – but instead, they continue to help deliver federal investments that have improved water quality and provided clean drinking water, facilitated domestic violence prevention programs, funded critical infrastructure and road construction, bolstered our public safety, improved youth centers and parks, aided critical need for housing in our community, and provided assistance for programs providing substance abuse and mental health supports.
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| It was a highlight to celebrate these remarkable individuals and to hear more about the impacts their projects have made. |
To celebrate these investments, I hosted an event to recognize and celebrate the meaningful work of the outstanding individuals that brought these projects to my attention. I am so grateful to the mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs, and community leaders for their hard work and dedication, and I'm excited to continue to see the dividends these investments pay in the form of a safer, healthier, more prosperous future for us all.
Technology in Schools Roundtable
Cell phones, smart watches, and other technology have become integral to our daily lives, providing connectivity to the world around us. When it comes to the classroom, personal technology can pose significant distractions and challenges for our students. That's why I convened a roundtable with parents, students, teachers, and superintendents to hear their perspectives and discuss the impact of technology in schools on students’ mental health, safety, and performance.
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| Thank you to the parents, students, teachers, and superintendents for sharing your insightful perspectives with me. |
We also discussed the impact that legislation like the Focus on Learning Act would have on schools and students.This bill, which i'm a cosponsor of, would launch a pilot program providing schools with secure containers for students to store technology, and require the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to complete a study on the effects of cellphone usage in classrooms on students’ mental health and academic performance. It was an eye-opening discussion, and I will continue working with my colleagues to act on this important issue.
Supporting Access to Reproductive Healthcare
I support a woman’s right to make decisions about her body – decisions which I believe should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. During my time back home, I had an informative tour of Brooklyn Parks Planned Parenthood Health Center to learn more about the care they offer in our community. Their center provides health services to individuals with and without health insurance, ensuring that everyone - no matter their background - has access to reproductive healthcare.
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| Gratitude to the staff at Planned Parenthood Brooklyn Park for your commitment to protecting and providing reproductive health services. |
Academy Nominations
Each year, I have the privilege of nominating a number of Third District residents to the U.S. Service Academies. The academies allow talented and dedicated young people to receive a full four-year scholarship to highly competitive institutions. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Applications for nomination to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2029 are open through November 1, 2024. Click here for more information on how to receive a nomination from my office.
Recognizing Commitment to Community Service
The United States Congress established The Congressional Award in 1979 to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people and provides opportunities for them to unlock their potential. I was thrilled to award Mark Swanson of Greenfield, Minnesota, the 2024 Congressional Award Gold Medal to recognize and celebrate his inspiring dedication to service.
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| Thank you Mark for your commitment to service, may we all work to follow in your footsteps! |
I had an amazing time home in Minnesota, and I look forward to being back soon! In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful fall weather and check out the MN Department of Natural Resources fall color finder to catch the fall foliage.
Keep the faith, and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
 Resources For You
My team and I are here to serve every person and every corner of our community. I want to make sure you have the resources you need to succeed:
- Look before you book: Do you have international travel plans on the horizon? Make sure you are prepared before you book! Visit https://travel.state.gov/ to check your passport expiration date, apply for a passport, and much more.
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