Dear Friend,
During the August district work period, I’ve been traveling throughout the Seventh District meeting with local businesses, industry leaders, and community groups.
Visits during the work period have included meeting with members of my Agriculture and Veterans Advisory Councils, visiting with Wilmington’s WAVE Transit and Oldcastle Infrastructure in Fayetteville. These conversations provide valuable insight into the issues our communities face and help shape the work I do in Washington. I was also able to attend the annual tobacco market opening to celebrate America's first crop. To learn more, keep reading!
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Agriculture remains North Carolina's top industry, supporting thousands of family farms, businesses, and jobs across our rural communities. From row crops and livestock to forestry and specialty crops, our farmers work tirelessly to provide the food, fiber, and fuel to sustain our nation.
I recently brought together my Agriculture Advisory Council to talk directly with leaders about opportunities and challenges impacting their communities. Our discussion focused on a wide range of issues, including high input costs, labor shortages, trade barriers, regulatory burdens, and the importance of strengthening the farm safety net to ensure producers can continue operating.
I appreciate each of them for taking the time to share their perspectives and expertise. I will continue fighting to ensure North Carolina's farmers and rural communities have the tools and resources they need.
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Marri "Nicki" Fryar, Director of the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System, joined my Veterans Advisory Council to discuss the challenges facing our veteran community and ways we can continue improving access to care and services.
Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our nation, and we owe them our deepest gratitude and the very best care possible. I will continue working with local VA leaders, veterans, and community partners to ensure those who have served our country receive the quality care, support, and respect they have earned.
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WAVE Transit is an innovative microtransit service connecting residents throughout the Wilmington area. I had the chance to see firsthand how its innovative service is expanding access to flexible, on-demand transportation, particularly in areas where traditional fixed-route bus service may not be practical.
Reliable transportation is essential for getting to work, medical appointments, school, and other daily activities. WAVE Transit's dedication to providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation helps keep our communities connected.
As Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I’m proud of the work the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, the BUILD America 250 Act, does to improve the safety of our regional transportation systems. The bill supports a broad range of transit options, including services like WAVE Transit, helping connect people across our communities.
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Strong, reliable infrastructure is the foundation of a strong economy. I recently visited Fayetteville's Oldcastle Infrastructure to learn more about their work building and maintaining the roads and bridges our communities rely on every day.
As North Carolina continues to grow, the infrastructure connecting our communities must keep pace. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from the Oldcastle team about how they are helping meet our state’s growing infrastructure needs. I am proud of the contributions our state and its workforce provide to enhance the infrastructure that keeps America moving.
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I was proud to join many in the agriculture community for this year's Tobacco Market opening this past week. Working on our family farm during the summers when I was growing up showed me firsthand the dedication and grit it takes to grow this crop.
Tobacco has played an important role in shaping North Carolina over many, many years. And during the early years of our country, it was the lifeblood of the colonies. Tobacco grown in the colonies helped finance the American Revolution and sustain the economy. Without it, our country would have never been able to survive.
It’s incredible to see the resilience of our growers, and I appreciate the community coming together to celebrate the important role this crop has played in shaping America over the course of the past 250 years. The values of our farm families are deeply woven into the fabric of our state and continue to define the resiliency of North Carolina agriculture. I look forward to seeing this same spirit of determination carry the state and country into the future.
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With my good friend, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.
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I was glad to join in on the action of an old-school tobacco auction. |
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is the opportunity to assist constituents as they navigate federal agencies and services. So far this year, my office has resolved more than 1,600 cases for constituents, and it’s always great to hear when it makes a difference in someone's life.
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If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, passports, or another federal agency, my office may be able to assist in resolving your issue or obtaining the information you need. Please give us a call at (202) 225-2731 or visit my website. We are here to help!
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After more than 44 years in the classroom, beloved South Brunswick High School science teacher Gary Cavender is retiring after a long career dedicated to inspiring generations of students. Originally hoping to become a doctor, Cavender instead turned his love of science into a passion for teaching and serving his community.
Mr. Cavender leaves behind a remarkable legacy of mentorship, education, and community service and, of course, plenty of memories of his signature Hawaiian shirts! To read more about Mr. Cavender’s remarkable impact on students in the Brunswick community, read the Wilmington StarNews.
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"Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself." — Thomas Jefferson |
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