Dear Friend,
The ability to have our voices heard at the polls is one of the most precious rights we have as Americans, and is only one component of what makes our nation so great.
On November 6, the voters spoke, and determined that I will not be serving as your representative in the 113th Congress. My term representing you continues through the end of this year, but because rules of the House of Representatives require us to close our office by November 30, this will be my final e-newsletter as your Congressman.
In the mere two years I’ve had the honor of representing the 17th District of Illinois, my team and I have accomplished some remarkable things. We have helped thousands of constituents work through issues with federal programs or agencies, we’ve helped many war heroes receive the medals and awards they have earned, and we worked in a bipartisan fashion on legislation to grow jobs right here in our backyard at area manufacturers and at facilities like the Rock Island Arsenal. Some of our work has made the local papers; some of it hasn’t. But all of it has been important to the folks we serve.
In many ways, Washington will look much the same after the ball drops and we ring in the new year – 2013 will bring with it President Obama’s second inauguration, a Democrat-led Senate, and a Republican-led House of Representatives. This balance of power will provide plenty of opportunities for Washington’s leaders as well as the new folks in town to set aside their party and their talking points, roll up their sleeves, and work together to grow jobs and get our country out of debt.
My family and I have made many new friends here in Illinois and across the country over the last several years, and we have much to be grateful for when we gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m deeply honored and thankful for the opportunity to have served Illinois’ 17th District in the 112th Congress, and will continue serving the folks of our area during the final weeks of the 112th Congress and beyond.
In parting, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite Bible verses – “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).”
Thank you again for the honor of serving you. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Sincerely,
Bobby Schilling
Member of Congress
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