Dear Mr. xxxxxx:

Good Saturday morning. Here we are on the first Saturday of September. Football is back in full swing and hopefully Auburn will win again today and Alabama can get things turned around tonight. And Congress is also back in session after our month long August recess. So, grab a cup of coffee with me as we take a look back at what has been going on since my last email.

Joining President Trump in Oval Office to Announce Space Command Established in Its Rightful Place: Sweet Home Alabama 

I was honored to join President Donald Trump at the White House, alongside members of the Alabama delegation, for the announcement that U.S. Space Command will be permanently located in Huntsville, AL. 

I applaud President Trump’s decision to locate U.S. Space Command in Huntsville. The Air Force originally selected Huntsville in 2021 based 100% on merit as the best choice. President Biden reversed that decision based on politics and kept it in Colorado Springs, even though they had come in fifth place in the selection process. This wrong has been righted and Space Command will take its place among Huntsville’s world-renowned space, aeronautics, and defense leaders. 

The basing decision to establish Space Command’s Headquarters in Huntsville reassures the American people their military makes decisions based on strategy, capability, and readiness, not politics. 

North Alabama has a proud history in space exploration, rocketry, and the aerospace industry. Combined with the area’s growth in defense innovation and manufacturing, it’s the most qualified and appropriate location. North Alabama is ready for the transition, and the benefits will be felt across the entire country.  

This decision is the result of years of work by the Alabama delegation. North Alabama is not only the ideal location for Space Command, but it also serves our common national security interests - not least President Trump’s vision for a Golden Dome to protect America. 

Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremonies Across AL-04

While Congress was out of session in August, I was able to host two Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremonies to honor and thank Vietnam veterans living in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District for their service and sacrifice. 

The ceremonies took place in Florence in Lauderdale County and Cleveland in Blount County. There were more than 300 Vietnam veterans honored during these two ceremonies. These events were a part of the ongoing United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration effort to give long-overdue recognition to those who served during the Vietnam War era. Family members and the public attended alongside veterans. 

These men and women served our nation with courage during a difficult chapter in our history, and many never received the recognition they so rightfully deserved when they returned home. I was beyond honored to present these veterans with a small but heartfelt way to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. Each Vietnam veteran in attendance who resides in the Fourth Congressional District received a commemorative lapel pin as a symbol of the nation’s gratitude. 

If you would like to see the photos of all the veterans, click here.

Renaming of Guntersville VA Clinic in Honor of Colonel Ola Lee Mize 

I was joined by veterans, local leaders, and members of the community to commemorate the official renaming of the Guntersville VA Clinic in honor of Colonel Ola Lee Mize, a Medal of Honor recipient and Marshall County native. Mize's widow Betty was also in attendance.

This dedication was about more than changing a sign, it was about honoring a hero and reaffirming our commitment to all who have served. 

I was proud to introduce the legislation in Congress to rename the clinic and ensure that Colonel Mize’s legacy of service represents a place where veterans come for care. There is already a bridge in Marshall County that honors Colonel Mize, and hundreds of people see his name each day.

But I believe it is important for his name to stand on a building where veterans come for care, so that his legacy is tied not only to remembrance, but to service. 

Colonel Mize, who displayed extraordinary courage during the Korean War and went on to serve his country for decades, represents the very best of Alabama and the very best of America. 

The renaming of this clinic shows every veteran who enters a promise that they will be cared for with the respect and dignity they deserve. That they are never forgotten. And that our community will always honor their service. 

Supporting Children and Families in the Shoals 

It was an honor to visit the Cramer Children’s Center in the Shoals and tour their facility, while also learning more about the vital work they do to support children who have witnessed or experienced violence.

The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Center provide not only a safe environment, but also critical services that help children and their families begin the healing process.

Organizations like Cramer Children’s Center are on the frontlines of protecting our most vulnerable, offering counseling, advocacy, and support that can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.

Their work is a testament to the power of community-driven care, and I am deeply grateful for the difference they are making in the lives of families across Alabama’s Fourth District. 

Meeting with the Northport and Tuscaloosa Area Lions Club 

It was a pleasure to join the Northport and Tuscaloosa Area Lions Club and spend time with dedicated community leaders and constituents from Alabama’s Fourth District. There is now even more of Tuscaloosa in the Fourth District. It now includes all of western Tuscaloosa County, down to the Hale County line.

During our discussion, I was able to share updates on the work we are doing in Washington, whether it’s strengthening our economy, supporting families, or ensuring our communities have the resources they need to thrive.

The Lions Club has a long tradition of service, and I am grateful for their continued commitment to making a difference here at home. Meetings like these remind me of the importance of working together to advance the values and needs of the Fourth District. 

Joining the Tuscaloosa Farmers Federation Annual Dinner

Speaking of Tuscaloosa, Caroline and I enjoyed joining the Tuscaloosa Farmers Federation once again for their annual dinner. This event is always a wonderful opportunity to connect with the hardworking men and women who help make Alabama’s agricultural community one of the strongest in the nation. 

It was great to catch up with so many friends and neighbors, and I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships throughout the area.

Annual NACOLG Fish Fry

I was glad to join community leaders, local officials, and so many friends at the annual NACOLG (Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments) Fish Fry in Florence. This event is always a highlight of the year, bringing people together from across Northwest Alabama to celebrate our region and the important work being done here at home.

The NACOLG team plays such an important role in supporting our cities and counties—helping with everything from infrastructure to economic development—and I am grateful for their continued service to our communities.

Fourth District Feel Good News

I always like to end the newsletter with some feel good news about the Fourth District, and I think this certainly qualifies. As a part of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations process, I was able to secure more than $56 million in federal funding for community and transportation projects across Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District.

These projects have been approved by the House Appropriations Committee but have not yet been signed into law and will continue through the full legislative process before receiving final approval.  

These projects are about strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our rural communities, and investing in the future of Alabama’s Fourth District. From modernizing transportation, to expanding healthcare access, from boosting workforce training to enhancing economic development, these investments will directly benefit the people who call our communities home. I am committed to seeing these priorities as the FY26 process moves forward. 

I have long said that I want to make sure the people of the Fourth District get a fair share of the money they send to Washington in federal taxes, and these projects are a clear example of that commitment in action. 

Community Project Funding Requests:

Albertville Regional Airport Expansion (Albertville, AL) – $5,000,000  
Expands airport capacity to boost corporate investment, tourism, and regional economic growth.  

Career and Technical Education Center Equipment (Walker Area Community Foundation, Jasper, AL) – $1,100,000  
Purchases equipment for welding, automotive, diesel, construction, engineering, and other technical training labs to prepare students for high-demand careers and strengthen the local workforce.  

Hanceville Affordable Housing (Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, AL) – $2,540,000  
Constructs 10 micro homes with an integrated childcare center and tornado shelter to provide affordable housing and support services for disadvantaged student families.  

Health Clinic in Fayette, AL (Fayette Medical Center) – $5,551,812  
Builds a new 22,219-square-foot rural health clinic offering comprehensive primary care, chronic care management, and mental health services for underserved communities.  

I-22 Connector Feasibility Studies (Winston & Franklin Counties, AL) – $5,000,000  
Studies to create a north-south corridor linking Florence/Muscle Shoals to I-22, improving safety and economic opportunities.  

Lauderdale County Agriculture Multipurpose Complex (Lauderdale County Agriculture Center Authority) – $1,500,000  
Creates a public facility to expand agricultural education, workforce training, and economic development opportunities in the region.  

Medical Equipment at UAB St. Vincent’s Blount (Oneonta, AL) – $1,000,000  
Purchases a new CT scanner to replace outdated equipment, ensuring faster, higher-quality diagnostics for patients.  

Medical Equipment for Hospital in Winfield, AL (Northwest Regional Health)– $1,147,500  
Replaces an end-of-life MRI machine to enhance diagnostic imaging capabilities and keep rural patients close to home for care.  

Northeast Alabama Community College Nursing School Equipment (Rainsville, AL) – $273,188  
Upgrades simulation labs for nursing and medical assisting programs to address critical healthcare staffing shortages in the region.  

Sanitary Sewer Service Implementation and Septic System Elimination (Guntersville, AL) – $2,174,898  
Eliminates failing septic tanks near Lake Guntersville to prevent environmental contamination and improve water quality.  

Snead State Community College Workforce Advancement (Boaz, AL) – $437,500  
Purchases additive manufacturing (3D printing) equipment to prepare students for careers in aerospace, defense, healthcare, and automotive industries.  

Tuscaloosa National Airport Terminal Improvements (Tuscaloosa, AL) – $8,500,000 Replaces the outdated terminal to meet current and future operational needs.  

U.S. 278/SR 69 St. Bernard Bridge Replacement (Cullman, AL) – $13,500,000  
Replaces an 82-year-old bridge rated “high priority” for replacement, enhancing safety and traffic flow.  
 
Waterloo Bridge Replacement (Lauderdale County, AL) – $7,000,000  
Replaces a weight-restricted, one-lane bridge, improving commerce and transportation access. 

Winston County Road 57 and 61 Resurfacing (Winston County, AL) – $1,553,000  
Resurfaces key county roads for safer access to the Bankhead National Forest.  

That's it for this month. I'll be back in touch the first Saturday in October.

May God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,


Robert B. Aderholt