Representative David Rouzer

My prayers are with Mr. Pelosi and the Speaker. I was disturbed to learn of the brutal attack on him in their home the other day and I am praying for his complete and speedy recovery. Violence against anyone for any reason has no place and should be punished immediately.

Inflation Haunts Halloween

Inflation is a tax on ALL Americans. House Republicans have made a commitment to propose and pass legislation that will create an environment for a strong economy. We will work to rein in reckless spending and fight for pro-growth tax policies so families can keep more of their hard-earned money.

Americans are paying more for just about everything this Halloween:

Pumpkins are UP 7.5%
Twix are UP 53%
Skittles are UP 41%
Reese’s are UP 35%
Starbursts are UP 30%
Kit Kats are UP 21%
Snickers are UP 12%
M&M’s are UP 12%
Sour Patch Kids are UP 10%
Butterfingers are UP 5%
Candy prices on average are up OVER 13% as of September.
In September, the CPI came in “hotter” than expected at 8.2% for the 12 months ending September.
Inflation has outpaced workers’ wages for 18 months in a row under Joe Biden’s watch.
The skyrocketing cost of goods and services will cost the average American household over $700 a month, which adds up to over $8,000 a year.

Updates from NC-07

October has been a busy month, full of business tours, constituent visits, and meetings throughout our community. Here are some highlights from the past couple of weeks!

GE Hitachi

I was honored to attend GE Hitachi’s groundbreaking ceremony in support of their continued investment in the Cape Fear Region. The technology developed here can and will help expand American energy independence and our world’s clean energy goals. Read more about the event in the Star News.

Meeting the Wilmington Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit

Thank you to the Wilmington Police Department for introducing me to the WPD Mounted Patrol Unit! Elton, Comet, and Crescent help patrol downtown Wilmington and do a great job of keeping our community safe. The Mounted Unit was created in 1989 with one horse and rider and has grown to a four-man mount unit. Wilmington has one of the only full-time mounted units in North Carolina.

Canines for Service

This past week, I met with the heroes from Canines for Service in Wilmington who train and place service dogs in the homes of disabled veterans at no charge to the veteran. These K9s have impressive skills their handlers depend on thanks to the dedication of volunteers. Thank you for your service to those who sacrificed so much for our country! Click here to learn more about Canines for Service.

Recent Legislation

Advocating for a New Postage Stamp Commemorating Ava Gardner

I recently introduced a bill to create a stamp commemorating the life of Ava Gardner on her 100th birthday. Ava Gardner was born in Johnston County, and for nearly half a century, she wowed audiences in over 60 films and television productions. Ava never forgot her humble beginnings in rural North Carolina, and spent her life championing social and political causes near and dear to her heart. She was a lifetime member of the NAACP, and contributed to special events designed to benefit underserved communities. She also helped raise funds for philanthropic organizations like March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross. Click here to find out more about Ava Gardner from the Ava Gardner Museum in Johnston County!

Resources

Military Academy Nomination Deadline: I wanted to remind parents and students the deadline to apply for a service academy nomination is tomorrow — Monday, October 31st. All high school students admitted into our nation’s military service academies must first receive a nomination from at least one member of their state’s Congressional Delegation, the Vice President, or the President of the United States. Interested students seeking a nomination should visit my website to access the application and learn more about the application process.

Congressional App Challenge: Submissions for the 2022 Congressional App Challenge are due on November 1st! This program allows students to showcase their skills in programming and computer science and supports the next generation of STEM leaders. Find more information and register here: www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.

This Week's Good News Story

For this week's good news story, I'm sharing a discovery centuries in the making. According to the News Reporter, "a dozen members of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe hauled a centuries-old canoe onto their tribal grounds. The massive 23 foot canoe was discovered about two-and-a-half years ago, according to Jacobs. It was radiocarbon dated to be 940 years old — give or take 30 years." The canoe will now be transported to the Museum of the Southeast American Indian at UNC Pembroke to be placed on exhibit.

Closing Thoughts...

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." - Ralph Waldo Emerson