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Congress in Your Inbox - A Lesson in Community

US Air Flight 3883, Seat 1A

Wow. This weekend was a weekend of contrasts. It started with touring the tornado damage in Manhattan and Soldier. We saw so much damage in Manhattan. Around 30 houses there were totally destroyed, many of them new. You've seen the pictures. The damage is terrible. It's even more terrible when you see it close up and talk with the families.

K-State was hit but all I heard was how much worse it could have been. Most everything can be repaired. President Jon Wefald had things well under control when we got there.

I visited the spot where a man outside of Soldier lost his life. His mobile home was gone. Only the pad remained. Three houses were lost all together in that community.

It is truly amazing how Kansans respond in time of crisis. Volunteers were already making huge headway in cleaning up. The Community Center in Soldier served meals to victims, volunteers and workers. It’s a lesson in community.

It is very moving to hear someone whose home has been totally destroyed say they are more concerned about their neighbors than themselves. You would be wonderfully surprised how often it happens.

They will make it. They are strong. Ad astra per aspera.

Contrast – the uplifting: Friday night, Steve and I drove up to Horton for the finish of Biking Across Kansas. The cyclists had enjoyed a great week and missed the bad weather (mostly). People were in a great mood. It's a huge high when you finish the week--usually about 500 miles. Kansas is absolutely gorgeous-brilliant green in early June. You fall in love with the state all over again each year. (I've completed 10 BAKs.)

Steve and I slept on the gym floor (I call it "surround sound snoring") and got up early for pancakes. The weather was perfect. We biked 34 miles through the drop-dead gorgeous hills between Horton and Atchison. Kansas is NOT flat!!

Contrast – the somber: We got back to Topeka, changed clothes and went to the Kansas Expocentre for "The Reading" of more than 4,000 names of the fallen of Iraq and Afghanistan wars. What a moving experience. Steve and I both read names. A bell was rung after each name and a volunteer walked across the stage holding a placard with the name. We talked with families who had lost loved ones. Their grief continues to be immense.

Contrast – the uplifting: We stayed with the families longer than planned so we were late when we headed west to the Symphony in the Flint Hills. It was a picture perfect evening in a picture perfect setting. The big sky Flint Hills are simply stunning. Add the KC Symphony playing pastorale and cowboy music and you don't want it to end.

Contrast – the somber: Steve and I watched the tribute to Tim Russert on Meet The Press. You may have heard me say he is the second sexiest man in the country. (Steve verified a few years ago that he in fact holds the number one spot!!) Joking aside, I had come to respect Tim Russert more than any other newsman or woman. He was the antithesis of hate talk radio hosts who tear down our democracy for entertainment. Tim LOVED this country and knew that an informed, thoughtful electorate is vital. We will miss him. I will miss him.

Contrast – the uplifting: Finally, we ended the weekend with a busy Father's Day. All of Steve's 5 kids made it as did his mom (90 years old next month) and grandkids. We even ate healthy! It doesn't get any better.

So, a bittersweet weekend. But that's life. That's what makes Kansans strong. Ad astra per aspera.

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress