I've been working on this for months, but FINALLY I was able to honor the men and women of Task Force Three, Tampa Bay's firefighters that responded to the Champlain Tower Collapse in Surfside, FL. This summer, with hope fading, they braved fires below, storms above, and dug by hand under constant risk of further collapse because they refused to give up. 

To all our first responders, we stand with you and thank you for your service.

Did you know that Tampa Bay is home to more than 3,000 manufacturers? With a great port, easy access to the Panama Canal, and a booming economy we have capacity to build even more. That's why I'm a founding member of the bipartisan Manufacturing & Distribution Caucus and I'm excited to co-sponsor HB-4735 to help invest in the sector and create more high-paying blue collar jobs here at home.

Oh, and of course I went on the tour!

I had a very helpful tour of IDEA Public Schools last week! This was my first time visiting a School of Hope operator which is a specific type of charter school that helps students with meals, transportation, and clothing for their students. I am fully committed to making sure that all our children in all our schools, including these kids and the ones left behind at their neighborhood public schools, get the best education possible here in Florida.

ICYMI: The most rewarding part of my week was no-doubt welcoming home Ahmad, his wife, and their four kiddos! Thanks to YOUR generosity we were able to, in just a few hours, put together $1,500 for the family and some new presents for the kids to welcome them at the airport.

Abdullah, after delivering packages all day for Amazon, volunteered to come and to help us translate. He's a 15-year special forces translator who accompanied Americans into combat countless times. Ahmad was with the Afghan Defense Force and fought side-by-side with us in the fight against the Taliban.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

Welcome to Brandon Herzing University! I'm excited to work with them on building out the nursing program with state-of-the-art hands-on lab equipment so their graduates can get to work quickly and more proficiently.

Ok, and YOU KNOW I was going to say something about On Bikes, one of my local favorite events and charities. On Bikes is a local fundraising bike ride and concert where the proceeds to towards buying kids bikes who cannot afford them for Christmas. This year, we bought and build 1,000 bikes for local kids!

And across the Bay, if you have kids (or are into cheesy Christmas date ideas for your next Tinder match), you MUST check out the Tampa Bay Rays' Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field. Simply incredible!

Lastly, Tampa, it's better here.