December has finally arrived and with it, cold weather, shorter days, and hopes for a joyous holiday season and a Merry Christmas. As I have said throughout this year, this has been one of the toughest years in recent memory for our nation and our world, but as the end of 2020 looms near, the hope for a better tomorrow remains. Throughout the month of November, I had the opportunity to meet with folks across our region – while many have struggled through these times, everyone I have met with has expressed the same hope and determination to make the future better for our communities, our neighbors, and our families. Check out the highlights from November below.
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.
Sincerely,
Rob
Gloucester County School Board Visit
Last month, I had the privilege to provide an update to the Gloucester County School Board on my work on behalf of area schools. Earlier this year, I championed an expansion of the Summer Meals program from the USDA to help hungry children and struggling families through the end of next Summer. I also have worked with area leaders to ensure our localities are provided with the PPE needed to see us through these times.
Safely meeting with and updating our local Boards 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 serve you in Congress and let them know about federal programs, grants, and agencies that are able to assist them, especially during these difficult times.
Honoring Our Veterans
On Veteran’s Day, we remember the countless men and women who, over the course of our history, have served our nation in uniform.
It is an incredible honor to know that I am able to represent a free people thanks to the service, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans.
Read more: “Tangible ways to thank veterans for their service”
That is why I advocate so strongly for our nation’s veterans. We need to provide them with proper access to educational and workforce opportunities, we must work towards a health care system that actually gets them the care they need, and we must ensure they get the benefits they earned.
Service in the military is so much more than just a job. It is a dedication to support and defend the Constitution and the people of the United States, both at home and abroad. That service is immeasurable, and I am humbled to represent so many of those who have fought for our freedoms. Happy Veterans Day -- Thank you to our vets.
Historic Freshman Class of the 117th Congress
I want to send a Congratulations to all of the new Members who will be joining the halls of Congress in the 117th Congress, with a special ‘Congrats’ to the historic freshman class of Republicans.
Just to name a few facts about the incoming class of Republican freshmen:
- Half of the freshman are either women or minorities
- Young Kim and Michelle Steel will be the first Korean American women to serve in Congress
- Nancy Mace was the first female graduate of the Citadel and will now be the first Republican woman from South Carolina to serve in Congress
- Yvette Herrell is the first Republican Native American woman elected to Congress
- Stephanie Bice is the first Iranian American woman elected to Congress
I look forward to serving with you all in Washington this January!
Merchant Marine Academy Spotlight
I am so glad to see the progress made by Midshipman Bailey McAleese from Stafford who I was honored to nominate to the US Merchant Marine Academy and who received a special highlight from the USMMA Alumni Facebook page!
Click here for more information on service academy nominations through my office
McAleese is a Maritime Logistics and Security major. He has been on the Cross Country and Track team for all 4 years at King’s Point. He traveled to the Far East on the APL President Cleveland during his first Sea Year training period. During his second sailing, he was on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on deployment and the Safmarine Mafadi on a Northern Europe run. His internship was at the US Army Airborne School. After graduation, McAleese plans to serve on active duty in the Navy.
Nominating terrific young adults to our service academies is among the most rewarding jobs I have as the Representative of Virginia's First District. I look forward to following Bailey and all of our wonderful service academy nominees’ careers as they serve this great nation.
Stafford County Toys for Tots
To wrap up November, I had the great opportunity to join the folks at the Stafford County Toys for Tots as they work to help area children and their families during this holiday season.
While this year has been extremely hard for many, the light of the holiday season still brings joy to many. Thank you to Stafford Toys for Tots for hosting me, and thank you for all you do for the people of our region during these difficult times.
COVID-19 and Holiday Safety Measures
As we continue into the holiday season, I wanted to take a quick moment to remind you of the latest guidance and guidelines from the CDC and VDH on what you can do to limit the spread of the Coronavirus, protect your family and friends, and ensure we all get through the holidays safely.
Please, continue to wear face masks at indoor public gatherings (including gatherings of extended family), limit gatherings to a small number of people, do not invite high-risk indviduals like those with respiratory issues or the elderly, wash your hands and disinfect all high-tough areas, and maintain social distancing, including in small gatherings.
Click here for comprehensive information from the CDC on holiday gatherings
Top Clips and Press Releases
EDITORIAL: Tangible ways to thank veterans for their service (Free Lance Star)
Gold Star families find a place (and a desk) in House offices (Roll Call)
Wittman urges Pelosi to pass new coronavirus relief bill (Potomac Local News)
$2 billion gap on funding proposals for Navy's Virginia Class submarine (13 News Now)
Lawmakers push to pass COVID-19 relief bill before the end of the year (ABC 8 News)
Wittman demands action on bipartisan COVID relief from Speaker Pelosi (Wittman Press Office)
Wittman named Conferee for FY21 NDAA (Wittman Press Office)
Wittman on Navy’s decision to decommission USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (Wittman Press Office)
