Five Things I'm Thankful for this Thanksgiving |
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As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I wanted to send a special early edition of my weekly e-newsletter reflecting on all that I am thankful for as a mother, New Yorker, small business owner, and your representative in Congress.
Since being sworn in to the 117th Congress in February, my office has hit the ground running to serve you. We've assisted nearly 1,000 individuals resolve issues with federal agencies, we've introduced several bipartisan bills to support our community, and we've held countless town hall events, roundtable discussions, and mobile office hours. Making sure your voice is heard in Washington remains my top priority. As you gather around the table with family and friends today to reflect on life's many blessings, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and wanted share five things I'm especially grateful for this year.
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#1: Our Veterans and Service Members |
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I'm thankful for America's patriots, including those who have served and those who continue to serve. New York's 22nd Congressional District is home to more than 50,000 veterans as well as world-class military institutions like Rome Lab and the Eastern Air Defense Sector. Throughout the year, I have had the distinct privilege of presenting military medals to veterans and to families of veterans who have passed in recognition of their service, sacrifice, and courage.
Pictured above is Mr. Kenneth Thayer (2nd from right). Earlier this year, I presented this 95-year-old US Army National Guard veteran with the Presidential Unit Citation Medal in recognition of his valorous service during World War II as a member of K-Company, 3rd Battalion, 119th Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, also known as "Old Hickory. Thayer's unit helped liberate Maastricht, a small town in The Netherlands, during World War II. It was the first major city in Holland liberated by the Allies. In recognition of his contributions to these victories, Thayer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze stars and three Purple Hearts. Between June 1944 through May 1945, Thayer's unit, the 30th Infantry division, served in every major European Theater of Operations. Until this year, the 30th Infantry Division had not received the distinct honor of a Presidential Unit Citation.
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#2: Frontline Workers and First Responders |
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The last two years have been extremely challenging. We've all been impacted by COVID-19. Many of us have lost family and friends. During the worst days of the pandemic, it was our honorable frontline workers and first responders who lifted our communities up. I am grateful to these heroes and thank them for their dedication, courage, sacrifice and continued service to our communities today.
This includes our brave law enforcement officers. This year, I have been focused on ensuring that we stand with the men and women in Blue and I will continue leading that fight in Congress. Just this year, I've hosted roundtable discussions with law enforcement, introduced the Local Law Enforcement Protection Act to safeguard qualified immunity, and even joined the Utica Police Department for a an insightful ride-along. I remain eternally grateful to our law enforcement officers, who run toward the dangers most other people run away from.
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#3: Essential Caregivers Across America |
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Nursing and group home residents have the right under federal law to access caregivers. Sadly, this right was taken away from residents and families for more than a year during the pandemic. For some, it remains curtailed. It is an absolute injustice, leading many residents in long-term care facilities to suffer in isolation. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful to all the essential caregivers in our community and around the country who fought to bring attention to this problem and change our laws for the better to make sure it never happens again.
One of the first actions I took this Congress was to introduce the Essential Caregivers Act to support nursing home residents. This bill fixes a loophole in current federal law to better protect the rights of seniors and those with disabilities during any future public health emergency. Individuals residing in long-term care facilities have rights, and it is up to Congress to make sure they are protected. I want to thank Utica resident Karla Abraham-Conley (pictured above) and caregivers across the country for their courage and tenacity.
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#4: Our Hardworking Small Businesses |
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Small businesses are the bedrock of our region's economy. I am so grateful for the resiliency and determination they've displayed over the last two years. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I have been fighting to bring the voices of the small businesses in our community straight to Washington.
One of the first things I did after taking office was launch my Small Business Outreach Tour. Through so many great roundtable meetings, small business visits, and committee hearings, I have fought to deliver bills that empower our small businesses and ensure they have the resources needed to not only keep their doors open, but to grow and thrive right here in upstate New York.
I was honored to support the bipartisan PPP Extension Act, which extended the vitally important Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 4568, the Entree Act, which would replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help struggling restaurants in our community. Earlier this year, I also introduced the AIM Act, a bipartisan bill that would increase access to capital and investment for small manufacturers in communities like ours.
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#5: My Family and Our Community |
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Upstate New York is my home, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I was born here, attended college here, raised my son here, and ran my family's business here. It is the honor of a lifetime to represent you and our region in Congress.
Today and every day, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, which you have given me. I am also thankful for my son Trey (pictured above) as well as for my family and friends across our region, who have brought me so much joy in life. I hope you and your loved ones are able to spend some quality time together this Thanksgiving holiday. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
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Have news or updates to share? Email me! |
If you have updates regarding events in the community or other news to share from across New York's 22nd District, please visit the "Contact Me" page on my website to share it with me. My team will try to include as many of your updates from around #NY22 as we can each week.
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