Dear John,

Exciting news this week!

Since being elected, I have made it a priority to connect with Second District law enforcement officers to hear about the challenges and obstacles they face. Through my conversations with South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke and West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon, I heard about the intense staffing shortages facing their departments – and the impacts these shortages were having on their officers. It was unacceptable to me that our departments lacked the resources needed to address the challenges impacting their communities – so I worked closely with Chiefs Wicke and Sturgeon to secure the additional funding needed to change that.

Just a few days ago, I was pleased to learn that West St. Paul and South St. Paul will be receiving three-quarters of a million dollars in federal funding to address their staffing shortages and increase their community policing efforts – and they are the only two police departments in Minnesota to receive this funding! Through the COPS Hiring Grant, West St. Paul requested and will receive $250,000 to hire 2 additional police officers and South St. Paul requested and will receive $500,000 to hire 4 additional police officers.

I am proud to have worked with Chiefs Wicke and Sturgeon to secure this critical funding – and I am looking forward to welcoming 6 new officers to the Second District!

Here are some other highlights from this week:

Meeting with Second District Family Farmers
Thank you to Dave and Mark Legvold for inviting me out to their farm in Northfield. Dave is a retired educator who is dedicated to restorative farming and soil conservation. It’s amazing to see that dedication from family farmers right here in the Second District!

Celebrating our Yellow Ribbon Businesses
This week, I was proud to join Minnesota’s National Guard in recognizing Prime Therapeutics in Eagan as a Yellow Ribbon business for their continued support of Veterans and members of our Armed services. Thank you for all that you do on behalf of our service members and their families!

Day of Service
This past week, the staff in my district office joined Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College for their 5th annual Day of Service. I’m so happy they were able to get out of the office and spend the day working to clean up the community garden!

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig:

This week, my team was able to bring a piece of Minnesota history back to the U.S. Capitol. From 1979 -1983, Arlen Erdahl was the Republican Congressman for Minnesota’s First Congressional District – and most of his old district would now fall in the Second District. While he was in office, Mr. Erdahl planted a White Oak tree at the U.S. Capitol and installed a plaque to honor the many Vietnam Veterans from Minnesota. When Mr. Erdahl came back to visit decades later – the tree was still there, but the plaque was gone.

When my team heard this story, they worked diligently to restore the plaque. And because of their hard work and determination, you can now find a plaque dedicated to Minnesota’s Vietnam Veterans proudly displayed in the Capitol lawn!

It’s been a great week here in the Second District. I hope you all can enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

Until next time,

Angie Craig

Member of Congress