Ways to Celebrate

It was great touring John Brown Park. This historic site sits on the grounds of the Battle of Osawatomie. It serves as a key cultural and recreational destination for the community.

It’s been a true privilege to commemorate America’s 250th birthday by connecting with folks across Kansas’ Third District.

That includes meeting with veterans to talk about the care they've earned. I learned more about efforts to protect bison. And I visited John Brown Park to celebrate an important piece of Kansas history.

Are you, your family, or someone else you know also looking for ways to celebrate this historic milestone? Here’s some information I hope will be helpful to you.

• Kansas 250: On the Kansas 250 website, you can find a variety of events and activities taking place during the Fourth of July weekend. That includes a free concert at the Kansas State Capitol.

But the fun doesn’t end on the Fourth. Kansas 250 is helping folks celebrate all year long! Click here to explore a statewide lineup of events and festivals with something for everyone.

• The Kansas 250 Bookshelf: Created by the State Library of Kansas, the Kansas 250 Bookshelf highlights the literary achievements and history of the Sunflower State.

For each month of the year, the Bookshelf has a themed reading list, program ideas, and partnership suggestions. You can also find a calendar of monthly virtual events that focus on entertaining conversations about Kansas history.

Click here to explore all the ways to celebrate America 250 in Kansas.

Staying Safe in Extreme Heat

As many of us are looking to celebrate this weekend, remember to stay safe. Weather forecasts show extreme heat across our region.

Here’s some key information to help you prepare:

• Get Ready for Extreme Heat: Did you know that extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of yearly deaths among all weather-related hazards? Learn more about how to keep your family safe at ready.gov.

• Johnson County’s Heat Safety Guide: See how to stay safe in extreme heat. You can also find information about cooling centers throughout Johnson County.

• WyCo Cooling Centers: The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas also keeps a map of cooling centers open to the public.

• Weather.gov: This website is maintained by the National Weather Service. They’re the federal agency responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings, and information on protecting lives and property.

• You can also visit my public safety page to find local law enforcement and emergency contacts, as well as other resources.

Share Your America 250 Story

And don’t forget – please share what this moment means to you.

What do you love about America? What does patriotism mean to you? What is your hope for this country for the next 250 years?

If you’d like to participate, please submit a short video response by July 10, 2026.

Click here to learn more and send in your short video now.

Once again, I hope you and your family have a very happy Fourth of July! This is a time to recognize the common bonds that unite us and continue to drive progress.

I know things often feel difficult or frustrating these days. It’s true that these aren’t easy times.

But it’s also true that our nation has come such a long way over our history. From the abolishment of slavery to women’s rights to the establishment of the middle class. Let’s celebrate this milestone with pride, and recommit ourselves to the path ahead.

My job is to serve every person and corner of our community – regardless of party. Whether we agree on every issue or not is beside the point. Everyone deserves a government that works for them – not for special interests, big corporations, or the extremes of either party.

It’s an honor to serve you and your family. Please stay safe, and if you have any questions, please let me know.

My warmest regards,

Sharice L. Davids
Member of Congress

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Remember, if you ever need help right away with the federal government – anything from backlogged veterans’ benefits to stalled tax refunds – please contact my office in Overland Park at (913) 621-0832. You’re also welcome to contact my office to share your concerns on any issue.