Honoring Central Washington Veterans | |
Central Washington is home to over 33,000 veterans, and I am proud to represent them in Congress. This Veterans Day, we honor and remember all those who served, past and present. Our veterans selflessly stepped up to protect our country to ensure we can practice our freedoms and rights. From a grateful nation, we owe our veterans who sacrificed so much the best care possible.
| |
There is no other group of Americans our society is more indebted to than our veterans. I have always supported veterans’ benefits that assist former service members and their families—just this year, my office has helped more than 100 veterans in Central Washington receive the benefits they have earned.
I am proud to have voted for the Honoring Our PACT Act, which increases disability compensation and expands health care services for our military service veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other dangerous substances while serving our nation.
Our veterans have given so much to our community and our country, and they deserve to be honored—not just on November 11th, but every day. Join me in honoring and remembering our nation's heroes. Thank you to all those who have served—our country salutes you.
|
|
Local Voices Must Be Heard Regarding Grizzly Concerns | |
Yesterday, the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced they are once again initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to evaluate options for restoring and managing grizzly bears in the North Cascades of Washington.
By introducing grizzly bears to the North Cascades, our communities would directly and negatively be impacted. Our community has consistently opposed these proposals that would threaten the safety of our friends, families, wildlife, and livestock.
I encourage you to attend the virtual public meetings NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are holding to voice your opinion.
| |
Central Washington Veterans Day Celebrations | |
|
Communities across Central Washington will be gathering tomorrow and this weekend to honor our veterans. Here are a few events you can attend:
-
Yakima: The Yakima Veterans Day parade commences November 11 at 10:45 am, led by VFW Post 379.
-
Prosser: There will be a Veterans Day Breakfast on November 11 at the Senior Citizens Club from 7:00-10:00 am, followed by a Veterans Day Procession at 11:00 am.
-
Pasco: There will be a Veterans Day Observance on November 11 at the City View Cemetery at 9:00 am.
-
Moses Lake: There will be a Tree-Lighting and Veterans Day Celebration at Sinkiuse Square from 4:00-6:00 pm on November 11.
-
Ephrata: The Veterans Day Parade will be held November 11 at 11:00 am, led by American Legion Post 28.
-
Yakama Reservation: On November 11, there will be a 7:30 am flag-raising at the Warriors Building; a 9:00 am breakfast at the Wapato Longhouse; and a 5:30 pm Grand Entry for the Veterans Powwow at the White Swan Pavilion.
-
Methow Valley: There will be a luncheon for veterans on Nov. 11 at 11:00 am at the Methow Valley Senior Citizens’ Center in Twisp.
| |
Native American Heritage Month | |
|
Our Native American friends and neighbors contribute so much to our communities with their rich history, culture, traditions, and values. Central Washington is home to several tribes, and I am proud to represent them in Congress.
I am also committed to continuing to raise the voices of the missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) in Central Washington and across the country. I am actively working in Congress to address this crisis and have successfully passed legislation to help end MMIW.
On Veterans Day, there will be a dedication to the Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The ceremony includes a procession of warriors from the National Museum of the American Indian to the memorial. Two Yakama Warriors will be participating: Shawn Marceau, Gold Star father and president of the Yakama Warriors' Association, and Marine veteran Loren Corpuz.
Throughout the month of November, join me in celebrating the Native American heritage and honoring their legacy.
| |
Highlands Middle School Remembers Our Veterans | |
|
Last week, Highlands Middle School honored some of Central Washington's veterans, including LTC Hank Cramer, my Congressional Aide for Veterans and Gold Star Families.
| |
|
LTC Cramer was a keynote speaker at the ceremony, speaking to the students about his time serving our nation.
| |
The Next Generation of STEM | |
|
Last weekend, high school students gathered at Hanford High School to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Every year, a new challenge is presented to the students to design, build, and program robots to compete with and against other teams.
| |
|
I had the opportunity to stop by to see what the next generation of STEM came up with.
Students showed me their robots and told me all about the designs they came up with to compete.
Congrats to all of you on your hard work!
| |
Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans | |
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) pays tribute by reading more than 58,000 names engraved on the wall. Every 5 years VVMF does an in-person reading to pay tribute to our Vietnam Veterans who lost their lives fighting for our country.
This year, two of my staffers volunteered to read the names of some of our nation's heroes.
We will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
| |
Mobile Congressional Office Hours | |
|
Mobile Office Hours are happening now! Hosted on a weekly basis by my staff, these hours are an excellent opportunity for constituents throughout Central Washington to get personal assistance with questions or issues related to federal agencies. Mobile Office Hours are open to the public, and no appointment is necessary.
Every Tuesday
Twisp
The Cove Food Bank, 206 S Glover St, Twisp
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM PST
Every Other Wednesday
Brewster
Brewster American Legion, 102 E Main, Brewster
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST
Grand Coulee
Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber Of Commerce, 17 Midway Ave, Grand Coulee
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST
Every Thursday
East Wenatchee
Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, One Columbia Parkway, Suite A, East Wenatchee
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM PST
Okanogan
Okanogan USDA Service Building, 1251 2nd Ave S, Okanogan
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST
Tonasket
Tonasket City Hall Council Chambers, 209 S Whitcomb Ave, Tonasket
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM PST
| |
Central Washington is lucky to be home to over 33,000 veterans. As our nation observes this upcoming Veterans Day, we reaffirm a solemn promise to remember and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces - past and present. | | | |
High Diesel Prices Put Strain on Farmers | With diesel prices more than $1.50 per gallon higher than this time last year, the American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on the Administration to bring more domestic supply online. The Ag organization said a ban on U.S. imports of petroleum from Russia, lower domestic production capacity, and seasonal demand are all contributing to higher costs. | | | |
The Rural Economy Is Struggling | The Creighton University October Rural Mainstreet Index dropped for the sixth time in the last seven months. It's the fifth-consecutive month that the index has been below growth neutral. Creighton University's Dr. Ernie Goss said the index shows the rural economy is struggling. | | | | | | | |
