We are now in the final stretch of the year 2020, with just two months to go. In that time, I will be working hard for you in Congress as we work to pass all the necessary funding bills for our government in 2021, pass the National Defense Authorization Act, work towards a tangible COVID-19 relief plan, and look forward to the new 117th Congress in January. I hope you and your family are looking forward to a lovely and safe holiday season, and I again remind you to follow the latest guidance from the CDC to keep our families safe as we continue down our road to recovery.
Please, if you or your family needs any assistance through these times, please do not hesitate to contact my office today, we are standing by to help.
Throughout the month of October, I had the great opportunity to safely meet with folks across our region to hear from them on issues that matter most. I have been working for you in Washington on key issues like expanding broadband, strengthening our national defense, and protecting our environment just to name a few. During my visits around our region, I was able to highlight key aspects of our national identity: freedom of religion, support of small businesses, and a critical connection to our communities.
Check out these photo highlights from last month below:
At the start of last month, I was highly honored to receive the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award at Fredericksburg Motor Sports, a local family owned business. One of my top priorities throughout the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic has been ensuring our small businesses are provided for with the resources and opportunities they need to come through these times stronger than ever. Thank you again to NFIB and Fredericksburg Motor Sports for this great opportunity.
Speaking of the importance of supporting our area small businesses, while in West Point last month I stopped by the West Point Family Barber Shop for a trim! I will continue to call on my colleagues in Washington to provide targeted and much needed continued relief for the backbone of our local economies, small businesses. As we near the holiday shopping season, make sure to shop local!
I had the pleasure of visiting the Sikh Center of Virginia in Manassas to speak with folks there and meet with them safely during my visit. The religious diversity of the First District is incredible, and I am so honored to Represent each of you in Congress, and to bring your thoughts, ideals, and concerns to my colleagues in Washington.
I was also honored to join Dar Al-Noor Islamic Community Center last month for socially distanced Friday Prayers. I want to thank all the folks at Dar Al-Noor for having me join them, it was great to visit you again this year to thank God for the many blessings we have and for seeing us through this year.
We are blessed to live in a nation that provides such incredible opportunity and the protections to practice our religious freedoms as we see fit, without the fear of repercussions, penalties, or imprisonment from our government. Each day I am in Congress, I fight to protect our religious liberties and promote religious freedom around the world.
Each time before I set foot on the House Floor, I pray that God will guide my hand as I serve you in Congress. I am thankful for His blessings and for the freedom to celebrate them openly. I will continue to support our First Amendment rights as I serve you.
Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to provide vital updates from Washington to several county Boards of Supervisors and City Council Members across Virginia’s First Congressional District.
Since June, I have visited the Caroline County Board of Supervisors, Fredericksburg City Council, James City County Board of Supervisors, Hanover County Board of Supervisors, Stafford County Board of Supervisors, and the New Kent County Board of Supervisors.
Safely meeting with and updating our local Boards and City Councils is one of the most important things I can do as your Representative in Washington, as it allows me the chance to hear from local officials on ways I can better help you in Congress and let them know about federal programs, grants, and agencies that are able to assist them, especially in these difficult times. Additionally, I updated them on my latest work for our area in Congress, from vital environmental legislation, to support for infrastructure grants, to advocacy for broadband improvements, and much more.
I firmly believe that the best ideas don’t come from Washington but come from people like you, the people I engage with each day in our communities. Together, we will come through these times stronger than ever.
I had the exciting opportunity to tour the Fredericksburg Nationals’ Ballpark here in Fredericksburg and to meet with management and stakeholders within the organization. Even though this year has greatly impacted sports and our ability to come together to enjoy a ballgame, the FredNats have done a great job reaching out to our community this year to provide additional opportunities for safe, fun activities at the park.
While we have been unable to enjoy a game in person at the park, FredNats have taken the initiative to host virtual events, a free, socially distanced Open House, a Jackie Robinson Legacy Night, and just this month they unveiled a history wall inside the park detailing the incredible history of our area.
Life will again return to normal, and when it does, baseball will still be here to help bring us together. Thanks to the folks with the Fredericksburg Nationals for having me, and Go Nats!
I had the great opportunity to participate as a panelist on Governor Northam’s Summit on Rural Prosperity to specifically talk about broadband expansion in our rural areas. As co-chair of the bipartisan House Rural Broadband Caucus, I am working tirelessly to close the digital divide for the people of our region, the Commonwealth, and the nation. Click here for more information on my work on broadband for the people of our region.
Watch the summit here (meeting starts around 16-minute mark).
I had the great opportunity to speak to the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club as I visited James City County last month to provide them with an update on my work in Washington. The James City County area is one of my favorite to visit in our region, and I always enjoy talking with the folks who call this beautiful place home. Thank you so much for hosting me, and it was great to hear from everyone who came out!
During my visits in New Kent, I also stopped by the new VCU Medical Center that opened earlier this year. The new VCU Health Emergency Center at New Kent was opened via a virtual ribbon cutting and began admitting patients this June.
Located near Exit 205 off Interstate 64 at 2495 Pocahontas Trail, in Quinton, the new building comes with a 17,000 square-foot emergency room that brings 24/7 access to doctors, nurses and lab services.
As a former public health official, I applaud the efforts of VCU throughout the ongoing pandemic response for their work to keep the people of Virginia informed, prepared, and healthy. Thank you for safely hosting me for this visit, thank you to the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals, and all frontline workers, who are helping our communities through these difficult times.
I want to say thank you again to everyone who has hosted me and met with me in October, it has been a remarkable year, and throughout it all I have met some remarkable people who I am proud to represent in Washington. I look forward to continuing my work for you in Congress, and will continue to safely meet with folks across our region as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Rob
