Friend –
What a busy month we’ve had across Virginia’s First District. Throughout all of September, I spent a great deal of time hearing from folks across our region about the issues that matter most to them and in Washington advocating on your behalf to my colleagues in Congress. I started off the month hosting my second Community Broadband Field Seminar in Lancaster, held the inaugural meeting of the First District Career and Technical Education (CTE) Task Force, and visited the great folks at Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Hanover to talk about my work supporting first responders in Congress. In Washington, I spoke to my colleagues advocating for my legislation to help veterans in our nation, awarded the Congressional Bronze Award to a deserving young woman from the First District, and talked about important transportation priorities with the Virginia Secretary of Education.
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The above is just a short list of some of the activities from this month, so check out these great photo highlights!
I hosted my inaugural First Congressional District CTE Task Force Meeting at Northern Virginia Community College, Workforce Regional Center, in Woodbridge. This meeting brought together local business and education leaders to discuss the importance of CTE in workforce development and in bridging the gap between businesses and schools. I am dedicated to ensuring our children receive the education they need to thrive in the 21st Century workforce.
It was an honor to visit the Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Hanover to recognize the incredible work these public servants do for our community each and every day. I presented a copy of remarks I delivered on the House Floor in recognition of their service to Black Creek as just a small way to say thank you for all they do. I talked with them about my dedication to first responders in Congress and ensuring they have the resources they need to keep us safe. To all first responders and law enforcement officials across our region, on behalf of a grateful Commonwealth, we say thank you.
I attended a roundtable discussion with the New Kent Chamber of Commerce to talk about the ways I am working in Washington to strengthen area businesses. I talked with them about my tireless efforts to, as a Co-Chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus, bring broadband service to the unserved in rural areas across our region, get funding for vital infrastructure projects like widening I-64 and re-paving U.S. 60, and to secure greater access to small business grants and loans. Our communities survive based on how area businesses thrive. I will continue to be a strong supporter of commonsense legislation to keep our economy booming and support hardworking Virginians.
It was a pleasure to open the 45th annual Market Days in Mathews last month as we celebrated community and local businesses. Strengthening our communities and the bonds we have with our neighbors, friends, and family is what matters most in life, and I am always glad to play a part in that. It was great to talk with folks in Mathews about issues that are on their mind the most: expanding broadband to our rural areas, securing our southern border, and fixing our out of date roads and bridges.
I testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to inform my colleagues about a few pieces of legislation I have put forward this year to benefit the over 18 million veterans across the United States, 750,000 of whom call Virginia home. I made sure to advocate for two bills I have introduced: the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act and the Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and sharing of Disability Examination Procedures with DOD Doctors Act. I look forward to continuing to work with the committee to ensure our veterans have the resources they need and the benefits they have earned defending our freedom.
It was so nice to have Chloe Hudson, winner of the Congressional Bronze Medal, from King George in the office last month. Chloe has completed at least 200 hours combined of voluntary service, personal development, and physical fitness work, as well as a minimum 2 day expedition. I am always glad to see students like Chloe so involved in bettering our community and engaged in service. Congratulations on all your hard work!
I celebrated the 5 Year Anniversary of the Caroline County Family YMCA with all the folks who work there and who rely on the services of their local Y. Bringing communities closer together and building strong bonds is what matters most in today’s hectic world, and I was so honored to be a part of this celebration. I talked with families there about my work in strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. We must better prepare students for the demands of our current society and provide unemployed Americans with opportunities to reintegrate into the workforce. There is incredible opportunity for growth and potential by preparing our students for jobs of the future and connecting them with businesses who need them most.
I had a great time talking with folks at the Rise & Shine Diner in Ashland at last month’s Breakfast with Rob stop-by. I believe the best ideas don’t come from Washington, but from my constituents. This is just another way for me to connect with constituents and hear their thoughts and ideas on how to make Washington work better for them. I provided updates on many of my efforts to make our area better for the folks that call the First District home.
I attended the September Management Roundtable for Richmond-area business leaders with my colleague Rep. Abigail Spanberger to discuss ways the American economy is stronger now than it has been in decades. I believe this economic strength is thanks in large part to pro-growth policies I have supported in Washington. I am continuing to work on strengthening Virginia’s economy through expanding access to rural broadband, promoting CTE programs, investing in the Port of Virginia, and so much more.
I was glad to attend the 39th Annual Modern Day Marine Expo at Marine Corps Base Quantico right here in VA01. I am a staunch supporter of our warfighter and it was great to see some of the cutting-edge technology made for our Marines. I was able to talk about my support for our military with current and former Marines, as well as talk with folks from area businesses that keep our fighting men and women on the leading edge of military technology.
I had a great meeting last month in my office in Washington with Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine as we talked about our commitment to improving the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure, especially regarding Long Bridge across the Potomac, commuter rail, and highway improvement projects. I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Valentine as we work to resolve the transportation issues facing Virginia.
I was honored to speak at the Caroline County Habitat for Humanity Self-Help Ground Breaking ceremony for their latest project in the heart of Virginia’s First District. The homes we broke ground on used the USDA Mutual Self Help Method, which allows low and very low income buyers to build modern, age in place, and energy efficient homes ensuring the payment is no more than 30% of their household income. Last year, I was pleased to help write the letter of introduction for Caroline County Habitat as they applied for these USDA assistance programs. I will continue to support the efforts such as these as much as I can in Washington so we can continue to build homes, build communities, and build lives.
I visited and talked with folks at the Triad Seniors Fair at the Caroline Community Services Center in Milford. This was a great event, and I was so glad to talk with folks about some important reminders regarding safety from scammers, as well as to provide them with an update on my efforts in Washington to lower drug prices and secure our seniors’ retirement future.
I spoke at the Prince William County Chamber’s Congressional Series Breakfast in Manassas on my multifaceted efforts in Washington to strengthen our community. We live in one of the most economically diverse regions in the United States, host to many vital national defense assets, and home to some of the most influential leaders of tomorrow. Ensuring that all these varied and equally important aspects of our area are taken care of and supported in Congress is my number one priority as your representative.
This month's clips:
Wittman pushes for better broadband maps to expand access (Prince William Times)
Wittman hosts Community Broadband Field Seminar (Augusta Free Press)
Wittman, Jeffries Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Celebrate Urban Wildlife Refuges (Prince William Living)
Congressman Wittman advocates for First District veterans (Augusta Free Press)
Shad Plank: No fish tale — Wittman’s working waterfront, fish habitat and wetlands bills on the move (The Virginian-Pilot)
Wittman holds first meeting of CTE Task Force (Augusta Free Press)
Feds Fund Wetland Conservation Projects (Jackson Hole Radio)
Rob Wittman named to NDAA conference committee (Augusta Free Press)
Secretary Bernhardt Announces Over $100 Million In Public-Private Funding For Wetland Conservation (Los Alamos Daily Post)
This month's press releases:
Wittman Hosts 2nd Community Broadband Field Seminar in Lancaster
Congressman Wittman Advocates for First District Veterans
Wittman Holds First Meeting of First District Career and Technical Education Task Force
Wittman Named to NDAA Conference Committee
Breakfast With Rob: Ashland
Wittman Votes NO on CR
Three Wittman Priorities Pass Out of Committee
Wittman, Jeffries Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Celebrate Urban Wildlife Refuges
It's an honor to serve you and Virginia's First District in the People's House.
Rob
