The holiday season can bring a wide array of emotions, and for many, that includes grief.
Grief is a profound sorrow, especially one that is caused by someone’s death.
“The key thing to remember is grief looks different for each and every one,” says Behavioral Health provider Sara Jarrett, LMSW. “We have all lived our own experiences. Because of this, and because the circumstances surrounding each person’s passing vary, none of us experience grief in the exact same way.”
Grief can be caused by many things. It could be the first holiday season without a loved one. You may have recently finalized a divorce, and your children will spend the holiday with an ex-spouse. Perhaps you’ve moved, or other family members have moved, and you won’t be together as you were in previous years. Maybe your family is alive and well, but you’ve had to set a healthy boundary to protect your peace, so you’re spending the holidays without them.
No matter the situation, grief is heavy and unpredictable. It has no timeline, and healing doesn’t always happen as quickly as we’d like.
How to deal with grief during the holidays
These nine points can help, but there’s no wrong or right way.
Trust that grief is part of healing
Time does not heal the pain associated with loss; It is what we do with the time that matters.
Grief is a process by which we heal. Experiencing the pain, rather than trying to escape it, can help us feel betterin the long term
.
Set healthy boundaries
We don’t have to force ourselves to face every holiday event or celebratory tradition. If attending a family dinner or participating in the office gift swap will bring too many painful memories this year – be willing to say no. Other people may try to convince you and tell you what you should do, but it’s okay to say no.
Focus on what you can control
We can’t control many things about the holidays, such as being subjected to Christmas music in waiting rooms or hearing co-workers discuss holiday plans. There are some things we can control. We can plan ahead and acknowledge within ourselves that this time of year is hard. We can make a list of things that make us happy and find ways to incorporate those things into our now.
Plan ahead
Often, the anticipation over how hard something will be is worse than the event. While Thanksgiving dinner may be only two hours long, we can easily spend weeks dreading it. Instead, creating a simple plan for getting through the holiday could be helpful.
Allow yourself to feel a range of emotions
The holidays can bring many different emotions. You might feel joy, guilt, and sadness all within a few minutes. Allow yourself to feel those emotions without judging yourself. Don’t judge yourself for feeling happy or laughing. It’s okay to feel however you feel.
Find a way to honor your memories
Find a special way to honor the person you have lost. For some, that may mean setting an extra spot for them at dinner. If a tradition is ending for you, journal how things used to be or share those memories with loved ones.
Create new traditions
Don’t be afraid to start new traditions this year. It’s okay to think outside the box to alter old traditions and make them work with this new phase of life.
Do something kind for others
It can be helpful to a grieving person’s spirit if we find a way to help others. Finding a way to serve a purpose in other’s lives can remind us we have more to give to the world. Feeling connected and part of
something is always important.
Ask for help
Whether a loved one has passed, a tradition has concluded, or our perspective around relationships has changed, we don’t have to do it alone. It’s okay to reach out to a friend and say, “I need you.” It’s okay to sell someone, “I don’t know how to do this anymore.” When we need help, we need to ask for help from a friend or a professional.
Talking to a behavioral health provider can be helpful when dealing with grief. Make an appointment with a CHC/SEK Behavioral Health Provider by calling 620-231-9873.
FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) for adult and pediatric scans as
the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The location is also accredited by the ACR for mammography.
CT scanning — sometimes called CAT scanning — is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and tailor treatments for various medical conditions. Mammograms are X- ray images of your breasts designed to detect cancers and other changes in breast tissue.
The ACR gold seal of accreditation acknowledges CHC/SEK’s commitment to the highest level of ACR practice and technical standards for image quality, patient safety, staff qualifications,
facility equipment, quality control and quality assurance.
“Having CT in our facility gives the patient access to affordable scans if they don’t have insurance, or if they have high deductible insurance, it gives them the option to receive a CT
scan that they wouldn’t receive because they couldn’t afford it,” said Kimberly Wass RT(R). “On- site CT allows our clinicians to diagnose and treat sooner because it removes hospital
scheduling backlogs and transportation barriers for the patients.”
The same is with mammography. Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat.
Radiologist reports are received quickly and to the doctor, so the patients are notified in a timely manner of what’s going on, Wass said adding, “And, if there’s anything of concern, we’re able to ‘cloud’ our scans to other facilities. We don’t have to worry about creating a disk to be mailed, or carried by the patient if we are sending them on to a specialist or a hospital.”
CHC/SEK has CT and mammography services in Fort Scott and Pittsburg. For more information
about CHC/SEK CT and mammography services call 620-231-9873 or visit www.chcsek.org
Paul Philip Constans, age 75, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at his home. Funeral Services for Paul Constans will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Private burial will take place later in the Bronson Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Josie Kay Motley “JoJo” entered the world in Pittsburg, Kansas on Dec 30th, 2020. She was raised on a small cattle ranch in Redfield Kansas. On November 20th, 2023, JoJo ran into the arms of Our Loving Savior at the age of 2 at Childrens Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. \
Josie lived in Redfield with her parents, Levi and Aubri Motley, siblings Piper and Dusty, and Papa Tom. JoJo was a very energetic and loving child. She loved to steal Memaws coffee, do anything she possibly could with Papa Tom, ride their pony Chunky Monkey and play with her big yellow goat. She loved going to church and participating in Sunday School. She was driven and determined. She was a big kid and could do anything that anyone else was doing and there was no telling her any different. Josie had a bright personality. People were drawn to JoJo due to her contagious laugh and smile.
Josie is preceded in death by her great grandparents, Sarah and Frank Kottwitz, Rollin Motley, Debbie Walters, and Max Potter, and her grandfather Dennis Brown.
JoJo is survived by her parents Levi and Aubri Motley, siblings Piper and Dusty Motley, Grandparents “Papa” Tom Motley, “Memaw” Joyce Brown, “Poppy” Lawrence Potter and “Grandma” Dennise and “Grandpa” Scott Peck, Great Grandparents “Grandpa” Roy Walters, “Nana” Kay Potter, and “Grandma” Wanda Mifflin, Aunts, “Aunt LaLa” Laurie Motley, Kendra (Howie) Butler, Jessica Motley, Autumn Potter, and Angela (Will) Crawford, Uncles Austin Potter, Enos Gingerich, and Nick Brown, many great aunts and uncles, cousins, extended families, and friends.
Pastor Kenny Moulder will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, November 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, KS.
Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery, Redfield, KS.
The family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 Noon until service time at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to either Ronald McDonald Charities or Childrens Mercy PICU and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Paul Everett Tinsley, age 84, resident of Bronson, KS, died Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Moran Manor Nursing Home, Moran, KS. He was born April 6, 1939, 6 miles southeast of Blue Mound, KS, on the family farm, the son of Everett “Ebb” and Edith Marie Stewart Tinsley.
He graduated from Moran high school. Paul married Beth Ann Glasgow on May 25, 1959, in Lone Elm, KS. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2020.
Paul worked his entire career for the Local Union #101 Pipe Liner’s Union Kansas City. He enjoyed raising coon dogs and hunting. He was a lifetime member of the Treeing Walker Breeders and Fanciers Association of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the NRA. Paul was also a member of the Mirza Shrine and Masonic Lodge as well as the Xenia Baptist Church.
Survivors include three children, Paula Ann Vincent, Everette Allen Tinsley, and James Bradford Tinsley; four grandchildren, David Paul Vincent, Deianeira Vincent, Danee’ Vincent, and Alex Lee Lukenbill; a brother, Kenneth Tinsley, and wife Donnell; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Johnson, and his parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Monday, November 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Paul Tinsley Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Jessie Mae Neville, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 20, 2023. She was born December 24, 1931, to Carl Ausemus and Emma Armstrong Ausemus, the youngest of the eleven Ausemus children. She was born on the homeplace between Hiattville and Hepler. After her father’s unexpected death, the family moved to Hepler where she finished High School and then moved to Girard. Her first job was at Zettle’s Bakery in Girard.
Jessie Mae married Merle E. Neville on September 24, 1950, in Girard. While living in Girard, they owned and operated a service station and rental cabins. To their union four children were born, Gerald, Larry, Julie and David. Jessie Mae later worked at Key Work Clothes in Ft. Scott from 1962 to 2000.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, gardening and cooking. She was a great encouragement to her family; you could always count on Mom.
Survivors include three children, Gerald W. Neville of Wichita, Kansas, Julie Ledford (Brian) of Neosho, Missouri and David Neville (Doretta) of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Linda Neville of Nixa, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Darcy Sinn (Doug), Chelle Lear (C.J.), Levi Neville (Joey), Jeremy Neville (Megan), Joseph Neville, Jordan Neville, Kimberly Large, Sarah Bussey and Joshua Dillahay (Megan) and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merle and her son, Larry, as well as ten brothers and sisters, Bertha Stone, Helen Dumm, James Ausemus, Earl Ausemus, Kenneth Ausemus, Chet Ausemus, Lavon Fosberg, Elsie Montee, Lucille McDaniel, and Leeroy “Bub” Ausemus.
Pastor Mark Ledford will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Corporation Commission approves settlement agreement in Evergy rate case
TOPEKA – This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a proposed settlement agreement in the Evergy rate case. The unanimous agreement, resolving all issues in the case, was submitted to the Commission on September 29 following negotiations between KCC staff, Evergy, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, and a variety of groups representing commercial, educational, and environmental interests.
In its Application, Evergy sought a net revenue increase of $204 million (9.77% increase) for Evergy Kansas Central (formerly Westar) and a net revenue increase of $14 million (1.95% increase) for Evergy Kansas Metro (formerly KCP&L). Under the approved settlement agreement, Evergy Kansas Central will receive a net revenue increase of $74 million (3.54% increase), and Evergy Kansas Metro will receive a net revenue decrease of $32.9 million (4.53% decrease).
The average monthly impact to residential customers will be an increase of $4.64 per month for Evergy Kansas Central customers and a decrease of $6.07 per month for Evergy Metro customers. The new rates will take effect based on the customer billing cycle date beginning December 21, 2023.
Today’s order states, “The Commission finds the agreed-upon rates will provide Evergy sufficient revenue to meet its financial obligations and provide safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates to its customers. After considering all of the terms of the Unanimous Settlement Agreement, the Commission finds it is in the public interest.”
The settlement agreement also states Evergy may file an abbreviated rate case within 12 months of the current order to update rates to include Panasonic related distribution investment, Wolf Creek Decommissioning Trust adjustment, and investment in a new renewable generating resource to address 2024-2026 resource adequacy requirements supported by Evergy’s Integrated Resource Plan.
The Commission received comments from ratepayers at three public hearings held in July. In addition, the Commission also received 3,915 public comments through its Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection. The Commission noted that today’s decision was issued with due consideration of those comments.
Commissioners also considered the extensive evidentiary record in the docket including testimony from 57 witnesses, approximately 1,000 data requests, the joint motion in support of the settlement agreement and related testimony filed by parties in the docket. Having reviewed the record as a whole, the Commission finds the settlement agreement is supported by substantial, competent evidence.
Hendrick Automotive Group/Toyota
Nick Karras of Shawnee
National Association of Music Merchants
Nancy McGuire of Kansas City
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
Sunee Mickle of Topeka
Matt All of Lawrence
Evonik
Robert Brown of Wichita
Society for Human Resource Management
Kyle Russel of Mission
Stacey Moeder of Hutchinson
Makala Navano of Wichita
Amber Neises of Wichita
Community Care Network of Kansas
Sonja Bachus of Topeka
Dispatches from Israel Leading a Trip to Tel Aviv
I led a bipartisan and bicameral delegation to Israel one month after Hamas’ horrific attacks against the Israeli people. The delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to better understand how the United States can support our ally, Israel. During the meeting, we saw firsthand footage of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attack. We also met with other key Israeli senior leaders, including the Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
One of the most compelling meetings in Israel was with Steven Gillen, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and several of the families of the 240 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Anyone who uses children, the elderly and ordinary citizens as hostages is an enemy of the United States, and we should support Israel in their efforts to bring these Israelis home and deliver them from the hands of Hamas.
While is Israel, I had the opportunity to present Prime Minister Netanyahu with a copy of the unanimously-passed, Senate resolution reaffirming the United States’ support of Israel and its right to self-defense. It is in the United States’ best interest to stand with our oldest ally in the Middle East, and this means confronting the growing threat of Iran. Iran-backed proxies throughout the region are threatening Israelis and U.S. servicemembers deployed to the Middle East. Iran, the most significant terrorist-supporting organization in the world, enabled the horrendous terrorist attack against Israel by emboldening the will of the terrorists and supporting them with supplies and training. The U.S. must work to deter escalation beyond the Israeli borders and provide the means necessary for Israel to destroy Hamas.
Joining Fox News After returning to Washington, D.C. on Monday evening, I joined Representative Madeline Dean (D-Pa.) on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier to discuss our meetings in Israel and to highlight the severity of the situation in the Middle East.
As Israel pursues bringing the terrorists responsible for October 7 to justice, it is important that Israeli operations in Gaza avoid to the extent possible any unnecessary loss of innocent life. Reports of a rapidly disintegrating humanitarian situation—ranging from a lack of food and shelter to unusable drinking water and the spread of disease—must be addressed. Doing so meets America’s highest ideals, maintains the Israel’s legitimacy in the eyes of the world, and can protect American security by helping minimize the potential for radicalization.
You can watch my full interview with Fox News here.
I also spoke with Kansas reporters after my trip including Michael Schwanke at KWCH and Jon Holt at Fox 4 Kansas City. You can watch my KWCH interview here.
Watch my full interview with Fox 4 Kansas City here.
Demanding Action to Enforce Sanctions After my return from Tel Aviv, I led my colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to enforce congressionally-mandated sanctions on Iranian oil sales. Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel further highlighted the reach of Iran’s influence and support for terror groups across the Middle East. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has failed to properly enforce sanctions on Iran, resulting in tens of billions of dollars for Tehran and it’s proxies. My letter, signed by 18 of my colleagues in the Senate, urges the administration to fulfill its promise of providing unwavering support to Israel by strictly enforcing sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.
In addition, I called on President Biden to rescind the sanctions waivers and licenses associated with the $6 billion held in Qatar. After the October 7th massacre and repeated attacks on both Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East, the weakening of financial penalties on Iran is wholly unacceptable.
You can read the full letter here. Watch my interview with KSN-TV interview here.
On Tuesday, I joined KSHB to highlight the need for sanctions against Iran to keep U.S. military personnel and our allies in the Middle East safe. You can watch my KSHB interview here.
Kansas Radio Interviews
On Wednesday morning, I joined Kansas news outlets to discuss my trip to Israel with other members of Congress. Thank you Pete Mundo with KCMO and Nick Gosnell with KWBW for taking the time to talk with me.
You can listen to my interview with KCMO here. You can listen to my interview with KWBW here.
Investigating the VA Crisis Line On November 6, I requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a thorough investigation into the VA’s Veteran Crisis Line (VCL). I made the request after an alarming report from the VA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and disclosures from multiple whistleblowers who came to my staff on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and provided solid evidence of gross mismanagement at the VCL that is creating a danger to the health and safety of veterans nationwide. VCL responders are currently transferring veterans who they determine to present “complex needs” to an indefinite waiting list for an eventual contact from a special unit that is reportedly understaffed and undertrained. Worse yet, a break in record retention is reportedly resulting in a complete loss of communication with veterans who are disconnected while waiting on hold in this queue.
After receiving confirmation from GAO on Tuesday, I sent a letter to VA Sec. Denis McDonough demanding his immediate attention to this issue. This issue is creating a life-threatening danger to veterans who are already in crisis and reaching out for help. Breakdowns in this lifesaving resource for veterans must be corrected immediately and appropriate actions must be taken without waiting for the full conclusion of this investigation.
My full letter to Sec. McDonough can be found here.
Read more about the investigation in Military Times here or in the Kansas Reflector here.
Expanding American Entrepreneurship On On Wednesday, I was joined by Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), in introducing the Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act. This bill would simply raise the threshold to allow more people in invest in angel funds. By allowing more people to invest while growing the size of the fund, capital can be raised with a significantly lower buy-in. This would allow Main Street to play a bigger role in investing in America’s start-up businesses. Entrepreneurship is a hallmark of the American economy, and this legislation aims to make investing more accessible and impactful for both individuals and emerging companies.
Meeting with Paralyzed Veterans of America President
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with the National President and Chairman of the Board of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Robert Thomas. President Thomas is an Army veteran from Ohio who was injured during a diving accident while he was on active duty in 1991. He sought help from VA for his injuries and he found community in his fellow veterans at PVA. He was elected President in May 2023 and also serves on PVA’s Education Foundation and on VA’s Family Caregiver and Survivors Advisory Committee.
During my conversation with President Thomas and his leadership team, I congratulated him on his achievements and discussed PVA’s priorities for the coming year, which include ensuring VA medical facilities are accessible and supporting military and veteran caregivers. I am grateful for PVA’s efforts and advocacy and for PVA’s support for my bill, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act. With PVA’s support, I look forward to getting the Dole Act signed into law as soon as possible and to continuing our work on behalf of veterans everywhere.
Aeronautics Innovation Starts in Kansas
On Wednesday evening, I spoke at NASA’s “Aeronautics Day on the Hill” event, where attendees could experience how NASA Aeronautics innovation benefits the public and our nation’s position as a leader in aerospace technologies. The first “A” in NASA stands for Aeronautics and the efforts to safely and sustainably transform aviation for the 21st century guide the agency to focus on four major areas: High-Speed Commercial Flight, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Ultra-Efficient Airliners, and Future Airspace and Safety. Our nation can only continue to advance our aviation ecosystem when the regulatory agencies that oversee it – such as NASA and FAA – are collaborating, and that begins with its leadership. The leadership void at the FAA has been filled by Administrator Whitaker, and I hope that additional cross-agency collaboration can occur so we can drive progress and redefine the aerospace industry.
As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, I have worked to steadily increase the aeronautics portfolio and safeguard the first “A” in NASA. I want to thank Administrator Nelson for hosting this event and providing the opportunity to celebrate our aeronautics achievements and embrace discovery.
Holding the VA Accountable
On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) emergency preparedness and response efforts. When disaster strikes, the VA has a critical role to play not only in caring for veterans, but also in supporting response efforts of local, state and federal authorities when called upon. During the pandemic, VA staff stepped up across the country to provide supplies, staff, inpatient beds, and other support to State Veteran Homes, community nursing homes, and non-VA hospitals and clinics. I remain grateful for VA’s efforts during that harrowing time and for the daily efforts of VA staff to keep veterans and others safe from natural disasters and emergencies, extreme weather events, and other crisis situations. However, there are plenty of areas the VA must improve in order to ensure that the department is equipped to respond well in the face of emergency scenarios. The VA has outdated medical facilities and a lack of effective emergency communications systems throughout those facilities, which are two priorities that I am working on as the lead Republican on the Senate VA Committee.
During the hearing, I also asked VA about allegations that my office recently heard from a whistleblower from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection who alleges that VA is paying for health care services provided in non-VA medical facilities to non-citizens who are in detention at the northern and southern border. VA’s mission of caring for veterans is sacred, and I will fight to make sure that every taxpayer dollar that VA receives is devoted to that mission. The brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces deserve nothing less.
Keeping Consumer Costs Low
On Monday, I published an op-ed in the American Banker drawing attention to the importance of hedging tools for numerous producers across Kansas and the nation. The proposals inadvertently harm both producers and consumers by raising the cost to responsibly hedge against risk. Farmers’ co-ops, oil producers, and grain processors frequently rely on futures and options contracts to hedge against price swings and market volatility. As regulators continue pushing for higher capital requirements for banks, it is crucial for them to realize that these regulations meant for Wall Street have tangible effects in the Heartland. From a Kansas soybean farmer to some of the world’s largest airlines, end users of derivatives will all be impacted by these proposed capital requirements. Ultimately, the use of these critical risk management tools should be made more accessible, not more expensive.
You can read my op-ed in the American Banker here.
Meeting with Kansans Kansas Farm Credit
This week, members of Kansas Farm Credit travelled to Washington D.C. to visit about issues important to them and their customers. Farm Credit helps provide access to credit to agricultural producers and their rural communities. We discussed the challenges early-career farmers and ranchers face and the important role Farm Credit plays in helping these producers start new and grow existing operations.
We also spoke about the upcoming Farm Bill, crop insurance, risk management and conservation programs. As these important discussions progress, I look forward to continuing to work with Kansas Farm Credit in their efforts to provide resources to Kansas farmers and ranchers.
VA Leaders in Kansas
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Patricia Hall, the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 15, which encompasses the majority of Kansas as well as parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Arkansas. Dr. Hall was accompanied by the Director of the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System in Topeka and Leavenworth Rudy Klopfer, Director of the Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita Michael Payne Jr., and Director of the Kansas City VA Medical Center in Kansas City, MO Paula Roychaudhuri. I expressed my appreciation to each of these leaders for their efforts to provide timely, quality health care to Kansas veterans. We talked about efforts to expand access to VA care in rural communities through new community-based outpatient clinics in Iola, Junction City, and Paola. We also discussed the status of VA’s partnership with community facilities across Kansas and how those partnerships can be strengthened. I encouraged them to use every tool available to them through the MISSION Act to connect veterans in need of health care services who have unique needs with available community care providers.
Providing world-class benefits and services to servicemembers, veterans and military families will always be one of my top priorities, and I am grateful for the work that VA leaders, health care workers, support staff, and all others do every day for our nation’s heroes. Thank you to Dr. Hall, Mr. Klopfer, Mr. Payne, and Ms. Roychaudhuri for your service to our veterans and for making the time to meet with me.
The Honorable Rebecca Crotty
On Wednesday, former District Judge Rebecca Crotty visited my office in Washington, D.C.. Judge Crotty was appointed in 2010 to Division 1 of the 3rd Judicial District in Shawnee County, served as chief judge of the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, and was a district magistrate judge in Finney County. She also was vice president and counsel for a bank in Garden City and a research attorney for the Kansas Supreme Court. Thank you to Rebecca Crotty, Rich Bonebrake, Mike Morrison, and Grace Morrison for the conversation.
Visits Across Kansas McPherson Police Officer Appreciation Banquet
On Friday evening, I was honored to help recognize the extraordinary efforts of our men and women in blue at the McPherson Annual Police Officer Appreciation Banquet. As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Department of Justice, I am committed to making certain our law enforcement heroes—in McPherson, across Kansas and throughout the nation—have the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively and safely. I join all Kansans in thanking our law enforcement for their daily sacrifice and tireless work to protect McPherson and every other community in our state. Thank you to McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden for his leadership of the department and to police chaplain Dean Kroeker for arranging my participation. Thank you also to Mayor Tom Brown for his words of thanks and longtime stewardship of the community.
Christina Peña
At the McPherson Police Academy Banquet, I was able to meet Christina Peña – my nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy. Christina is an incredible young woman who attends McPherson High School and I look forward to seeing how she continues to make an impact on Kansas and the world.
Sunflower Showdown Game
On Saturday, I was in Lawrence for the 121st “Sunflower Showdown.” In a back and forth game, the Wildcats came away with a 31-27 win over the Jayhawks. Congratulations to the Wildcats on their win, and to both teams on their historic seasons. I wish them all the best as both teams get ready for bowl season.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
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