On October 12th, I hosted my annual Military Service Academy Day at West Charlotte High School to provide students, families, and educators in the 12th District with a comprehensive overview of the academies and their application processes. Representatives from The United States Military Academy West Point, The U.S. Air Force Academy, The U.S. Naval Academy, and The U.S. Coast Guard Academy shared information on admission requirements. Each year, Members of Congress nominate a select group of students to be considered for admission at each Military Service Academy. While the application process for each academy is different, all but the US Coast Guard Academy require a Congressional, Vice-Presidential, or service-based nomination. Thank you to the representatives who came out and to West Charlotte High School for hosting us.
What are the basic eligibility requirements? - Age: Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
- Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
- Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the Congressional District of North Carolina.
- Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy
The deadline to be considered for a Congressional nomination is Tuesday, November 12, 2024. If you or someone you know is interested in applying or learning more, visit my website today.
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Meeting Barber-Scotia President Christopher Rey, J.D.
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On October 21, I met with Christopher V. Rey, J.D., President of Barber-Scotia College in Concord. Barber-Scotia is one of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in my district. New leadership brings new hope, and President Rey has expressed his commitment to ensuring that the campus, faculty, and students thrive!
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Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage Voices for Courage Luncheon (courtesy of the Jamie Kimble Foundation)
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Thank you to the Jamie Kimble Foundation for courage (JKFC) for recognizing me as one of our community's "Voices for Courage" during their annual luncheon themed “Courageous Engagement: Violence Prevention for Our Youth” on October 22nd. The Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage is an organization named for a young woman who senselessly lost her life, and is devoted to preventing and responding to incidents of domestic and sexual violence among teens and young adults. We appreciate your work to educate young adults on how to engage in healthy relationships and recognize the signs of abuse before they escalate.
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Stratford Richardson YMCA's new Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine Clinic.
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On October 24th I toured the Stratford Richardson YMCA’s new Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine Clinic. With the addition of this on-campus clinic, the residents in the community will now have access to quality, affordable care, close to where they live.
By providing minor surgical procedures, women’s care, pediatric care, and other preventive services, the clinic is an important step in closing the healthcare gaps that exist in our community. I am proud to have helped support this clinic and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte by securing $2 million in community project funding towards its development. Thank you again to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte for recognizing me as its inaugural ‘Champion of Change.' I'm honored to serve.
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Meeting with the leadership of the YWCA Central Carolinas
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Access to affordable housing is an issue I am most concerned about. On October 24th, I met with the leadership of the YWCA Central Carolinas to follow up on the good work they are doing to provide transitional housing to Charlotte families in need. YWCA also helps to provide a pathway to more permanent housing later on. The Park Road facility will break ground on eighty affordable housing units to be added to their campus next year.
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Addressing the North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers
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Thank you to the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 545 for the invitation to join their annual training session on October 26th. I spoke to the members about some of the legislative initiatives in Congress to protect employees from excessive heat exposure and their right to organize. Thank you to Tim Rorie, former head of the Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council and current Branch President; Eddie Davidson, former President; and Union Representative, Craig Schadewald for your leadership.
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Touring the Fresenius Kidney Care Charlotte Clinic and DaVita Dialysis Huntersville
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On October 29th, my staff and I visited the Fresenius Kidney Care Charlotte Clinic in East Charlotte and DaVita Dialysis in Huntersville to follow up on the work being done to keep Charlotteans with renal disease in the best possible health. During this educational tour, we learned about the latest in kidney care, including in-center treatment and at-home options that allow patients to have a better quality of life. Both visits were informative and provided an opportunity to meet patients, staff, and administrators for both facilities. I will continue to support legislation that protects those who depend on this life-saving treatment.
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Addressing the Effective Food Procurement Webinar
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Advocates for a healthier and more sustainable food procurement system gathered for a webinar hosted by the Federal Good Food Purchasing Coalition on October 23rd. We discussed the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act (H.R.6569), which I introduced last December, and looked at how we can create a healthier food chain with viable solutions for those who can’t afford organic or values-aligned food options. Learn more about the Effective Food Procurement Act on my website.
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We are North Carolina Strong!
Since the end of September, there has been a tremendous show of support for our neighbors in Western North Carolina as they rebuild from Tropical Storm Helene. We salute the organizations in our district who are
1. Nourish Up is working on feeding our people and ensuring no meal is missed.
2. Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation - Help After Helene: Parks and Recreation is working to help the victims of Hurricane Helene, by collecting donations and supplies. They’ll be taking donations until Friday, November 1st at 20 locations across Mecklenburg County. They need things like cleaning supplies, bottled water, soap, hand sanitizer, baby formula, diapers, non-perishable food, and much more. Visit parkandrec.mecknc.gov to learn how you can help.
Thank you to these organizations for showing the best of who we are as North Carolinians.
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In honor of National Book Month, I am happy to launch our Books Surplus Program! We are partnering with the Library of Congress to provide books to organizations in need with the hope of expanding literacy in North Carolina. If your organization is interested in receiving books, please complete the application at this link.
Please note that completing this interest form does not guarantee that your organization will receive books as we are anticipating a high volume of responses. We will be operating under a first-come, first serve system. Should you be selected, you will receive email notification. If you have any questions, please contact Edna Ulysse at [email protected].
Eligible organizations and institutions must fall into one of the following categories:
Full-time, tax-supported or nonprofit educational institution: school, school system, college, university, museum, or public library.
Agency of local, state, or federal government.
Nonprofit institution or organization that has tax-exempt status under the provisions of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (see 41 CFR 101-44.207 (a)(17)) and that operates a library and/or research center open to the public.
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The 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is seeking Spring interns. The spring internship application closes on Friday, November 1. Apply online here.
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The right to vote is one of our most powerful and important civic duties as American citizens and we have just one more week to let our voices be heard. Remember, early voting ends on Saturday, November 2nd. Find a location in Mecklenburg or Cabarrus County here.
If you wait until Election Day (November 5th), you can vote specifically at your precinct place only. Enter your information here to confirm where. If it is your first time voting at this site, you must bring ID. A photo ID is required at all voting sites.
For those affected by Tropical Storm Helene, the NC Board of Elections provides this helpful resource to ensure that your votes are counted.
This election season has been divisive at times, but we will soon be back to work in Washington and closing out the 118th Congress. I encourage you to do your part by casting your vote. Visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website to answer any questions you may have about voting.
That's where I will lay my hat this week.
God Bless,
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Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.
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