Dear Friend,
This week, I joined the Saint James community to remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage of the first responders and everyday Americans who answered the call to serve.
Ahead of the ceremony, I was proud to present Lt. Colonel Goetz with a certificate recognizing his new role as Commander of Sunny Point. Local entities across the region also reached a settlement with Chemours regarding contamination in the Cape Fear River which will assist our communities as we continue to improve drinking water and groundwater systems. If you would like to learn more, read below.
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Twenty-five years later, September 11, 2001, remains a solemn reminder that freedom is not free. Though a tragic day, it also showcased the resilience of the American people and the strength of our nation. Across the country, we pause to remember and pay tribute to the 2,977 innocent lives lost as well as all of those still suffering from the health effects.
On Friday, I joined the Saint James community for their 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony was a moment of reflection for the brave first responders, law enforcement, and individuals who ran straight to unimaginable danger without hesitation to save their fellow man. They showed us that ordinary Americans can make an extraordinary difference.
Three North Carolinians were among those we lost: Sandra Bradshaw of Greensboro, a flight attendant aboard Flight 93; Christopher Lee Burford of Hubert, a Navy electronics technician killed at the Pentagon; and Lieutenant Commander Eric Cranford of Drexel, a naval aviator serving at the Pentagon. We remember their lives, their service, and their families.
We also saw incredible courage in the days and weeks afterwards. North Carolinians and others from across the country traveled to New York to help with the rescue and recovery effort, and in the days and years that followed, Americans answered the call to serve. From Fort Bragg to communities across the great state of North Carolina and the rest of the nation, may we never forget their selfless courage and heroism.
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This week, North Carolina reached an agreement with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva, Inc. regarding PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear region.
While the process of removing PFAS from our waterways will take continued work, this settlement represents an important step forward and will aid significantly in restoration and remediation efforts. Most importantly, it will help ensure everyone across our region has access to clean drinking water.
I will continue working with local and state leaders to identify ways we can support local efforts to protect our waterways and ensure clean drinking water for communities across southeastern North Carolina.
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I am proud to present Lieutenant Colonel William G. Goetz with a certificate recognizing his promotion to Commander of the 832nd Transportation Battalion at Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU).
MOTSU serves as one of the most critical military logistics hubs in the United States and is the transfer point between rail, trucks, and ships for the U.S. Army. It has supported U.S. forces across many major conflicts, including Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I look forward to working with Lt. Colonel Goetz in this important role and continuing to strengthen the partnership between Sunny Point and the surrounding communities.
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My grandparents played a large role in my life, and I'm grateful for the lessons and values they passed to me, especially the importance of integrity and hard work.
Today, on National Grandparents Day, I’m thankful for all the incredible grandparents helping shape the next generation!
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One of the most rewarding parts of this job is helping people navigate federal agencies and services. So far this year, my office has helped resolve more than 1,850 cases for constituents, and it’s always great to hear it makes a difference in someone's life.
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If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, passports, or another federal agency, my office may be able to assist in resolving your issue or obtaining the information you need. Please give my office a call at (202) 225-2731 or visit my website. We are here to help!
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For this week’s good news story, I’d like to spotlight the 6th Annual Bob Jones Cancer: Surviving & Thriving Golf Tournament, which brings together golfers, sponsors, and community members from across Ocean Isle Beach.
Founded in 2020, the tournament supports the Cancer Survivorship Fellowship at the Duke Medical Center. This year, the tournament raised more than $270,000 for cancer survivorship care — a tremendous accomplishment and a great example of what our community can achieve when we come together. Read more about this story at WECT News.
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“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” — Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2002 |
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