Columns
Last Wednesday night, students from throughout the First Congressional District gathered in a Mobile auditorium to learn details about attending one of the five United States Service Academies. My staff and I were hosting an “Academy Night” for prospective students to hear directly from representatives of the service academies.
There is no question we live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. People the world over look to the United States as a beacon of freedom and democracy. The question becomes whether or not the United States will always answer the call for help when other countries want to replicate our freedoms.
Imagine this: a thunderstorm rolls through Southwest Alabama and causes a small puddle to develop on an Escambia County farm. Under a rule proposed by the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this puddle could be subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. This proposed rule is the epitome of big government.
Some may wonder why what happens thousands of miles away in the Middle East has any impact on us right here in Southwest Alabama. The answer is simple: the safety and the security of the Middle East is critical to controlling the spread of terrorism, which in turns helps protect our homeland.
As college football season rolls around, people are starting to show their school pride. From the Crimson Tide to the Auburn Tigers to our newest team, the South Alabama Jaguars, there is a lot of excitement over football season. But is there the same level of excitement for what is happening in our college classrooms?
From Atmore to Chatom and Daphne to Theodore, our August District Travel Period has been filled with stops throughout the First Congressional District. At each stop, my top priority has been to listen to the concerns of people from our area. Far too often, it seems politicians are only interested in talking at people, but it is through actively listening that I can better represent you.
It’s that time of the year again. Children all across Southwest Alabama are packing their backpacks, gathering their school supplies, and heading back to school. It is an exciting time for students, parents, teachers, and myself.
Earlier this year, our eyes were opened to an alarming crisis at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We were shocked to learn that veterans were being placed on secret waiting lists and thousands of veterans were experiencing wait times of more than 90 days for medical care. Even worse, many veterans never received care at all.
I know many of you have probably heard that Congress is in “recess” for the month of August. Now to some of you, that may bring up images of a bunch of kids hanging out on the playground, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
As you have probably heard me say before, I believe one of the most important parts of my job is to help make Southwest Alabama a better place for businesses to locate. My family has called this area home for over two centuries, and seeing our area grow and prosper is personal to me.