Proud of our flag and our country

Dear John,

As a St. Louis County commissioner and a Hermantown city councilman before that, I was always proud to say the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings. The flag means many things to many people. To me, it represents the fundamental freedoms we enjoy and fight for every day. After making a misguided decision to forego the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings because some council members thought it made people feel unwelcome, the St. Louis Park City Council reversed its decision last week and reinstated the Pledge of Allegiance before council meetings. On July 12, I was honored in the House Chamber to lead my congressional colleagues in the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a moment I’ll treasure and never forget.

Border security a national emergency

The crisis on our border with Mexico is at a state of national emergency. When I traveled this spring to see the border firsthand, I saw the crisis with my own eyes. In response, I was pleased to support legislation that provides humanitarian aid, but we must disincentivize people from coming into our country illegally. America was founded by immigrants and immigrants continue to enrich our nation, but in order to continue this legacy we must fix our broken immigration system and ensure those who are here, are here legally. Read a Brainerd Dispatch report here.

Mines critical to our regional economy will soon be unleashed

In Minnesota, miners who are educated and trained in our communities, use state-of-the-art technology to develop our resources powering our modern world, including smartphones, wind turbines, solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles. Because we call this area our home, we hold mining projects to the highest environmental standards in the world. In the coming months, Twin Metals will offer a mine plan of operation. Our regulations, the strongest in the world, will ensure the company operates at the highest of environmental and labor standards. Twin metals isn’t alone. As the Star Tribune reported last month, PolyMet is “closer than ever to getting [its] Iron Range mine operational.” Believe me when I enthusiastically share it won’t be long before we once again see what unleashing an economic engine looks like!

A guiding principle: listening and learning

Well before I was ever elected to Congress, I firmly believed that listening is fundamental to democracy. It’s one of my guiding principles. Next month, when Congress isn’t in session in Washington, D.C., I look forward to continuing to travel around the 8th congressional district to meet with citizens and local officials, small businesses and manufacturers, to listen to your concerns, learn about what matters most to you, and advocate on your behalf. I’ve only been in Congress seven months but every day it remains an honor to serve! Check out this International Falls Journal report.

Celebrating summer with family and friends in the 8th district

I can’t believe we are already halfway through the summer parade and community festival season. Last weekend we had a blast at the Hinckley Corn & Clover community celebration. Later that afternoon we joined in on the fun at Karl Oskar Days in Lindstrom. Yesterday morning, I was joined by a massive team at my hometown Hermantown Summer Fest parade. I always enjoy seeing so many family and friends. Maybe I’ll see you next week at Mora’s Kanabec County Fair parade or sometime in August! Contact us here if you want to join us there or any of our upcoming parades!

Upcoming parades include:

• July 27 – Mora’s Kanabec County Fair parade
• August 1 – West Duluth
• August 4 – Grand Rapids
• August 17 – Proctor
• August 25 – Pierz

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Pete Stauber