Rep. Grothman Newsletter- Opportunities Inc.

Opportunities Inc.

Earlier this year, I spoke with a young man and his father in Wisconsin. The young man was in his early-mid 30s and severely physically disabled. But, he was a very sharp guy. For years, he was employed at a work center, which is equipped to employ workers with disabilities. The young man I spoke with told me that he loved going into work and earning a paycheck. Recently, however, he was forced out of his job and though he was in good spirits when I spoke with him, his father told me that he was crushed when he lost his job.

I have toured nearly every work center in Wisconsin's Sixth District and this story is not unique. I know a young woman with a disability named Yael. She has a job in a work center and at a retail store. When I ask her which job she likes better, she tells me she likes her job at the work center because "that's where all my friends are".

Opportunities Inc. is a Wisconsin company whose mission is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have a place to learn, work and achieve independence. A-Team USA is a national organization that brings individuals with disabilities and their families together in a grassroots effort to create awareness that certain legislation, like the Democrats' $15/hr. minimum wage bill, would hurt individuals with disabilities by forcing them out of their jobs. This week, these organizations sent me a video, made by their members, highlighting my work on this issue.

Thank you to Opportunities Inc. and A-Team USA for bringing these important issues to light. I am a proponent of keeping work centers intact because they allow more people, like my friend Yael, to live fulfilling lives and achieve the dignity that comes with employment and earning a paycheck.

Click above to play the video

Service Academy Nominations

One of the best parts of my job is nominating young people from Wisconsin's Sixth District for our country's military academies. I wish all applicants the best of luck as they seek to attend one of the U.S. service academies and serve our country.

The deadline to apply for a service academy nomination through my office is Friday, October 11, 2019. The application can be found online at https://grothman.house.gov/constituent-services/service-academy-nominations.htm or by clicking the picture below.

As you may know, Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Manufacturing Day

Every year, Manufacturing Day is held on the first Friday of October to recognize the importance of manufacturing careers and how much value the manufacturing sector adds to the U.S. economy. This week, I invite you to join me in celebrating Manufacturing Day, especially as our great state of Wisconsin is one of the top manufacturing states in the country and, as you may have heard me say before, the Sixth District is home to more manufacturing jobs than any other.

In honor of Manufacturing Day, what do you think is the coolest thing made in Wisconsin? Vote for your top choice in the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce competition by clicking here.

Congratulations to Mercury Marine and their 450R Outboard Motor, and Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) and their 400 Defender Clay Target Machine for making the final four! I am proud to share that both of these businesses are from Wisconsin's Sixth District.

Weekly Roundup

As a fellow Rotarian, it’s great to visit clubs around the state. Thanks to the Menasha Rotary Club for inviting me to speak!

Norstar Aluminum Molds in Cedarburg makes molds for coolers to kayaks to fuel tanks to military-grade marine molds. This is very cool stuff!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month gives us a chance to recognize the joy, laughter and love that individuals with Down Syndrome bring to our lives each day. I’ll always fight to protect their right to life, work and happiness.

It was great meeting with Mayor Dean Kaufert of City of Neenah to discuss where local, state and federal government can intersect to help build a better community.

Thanks to Waukesha Metal Products in Grafton for showing me your facility. Folks like this are what makes Wisconsin manufacturing world-class!

Contact Me

As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District.

You can also stay up-to-the-minute by following me on Facebook (Congressman Glenn Grothman), Twitter (@RepGrothman) and Instagram (@RepGlennGrothman).

Sincerely,

Member of Congress