Listening to Kansans
Garden City
On Thursday, I was in Garden City to visit with members of the community at the Garden City Chamber Coffee to provide a legislative update and hear their concerns. We discussed the continued crisis at the southern border, responsible government funding, the Farm Bill, national security, and how to support our veterans.
Thank you to Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce President Myca Bunch, State Senator John Doll, State Representative Dr. Bill Clifford, County Commissioner Larry Jones, Mayor Deb Oyler, City Commissioners Roy Dixon and Shannon Dick, City Manager Matt Allen, Police Chief Courtney Prewitt, Fire Chief John Irsik, Lona DuVall, Janie Welsh and all who came to visit. Thank you also to Garden City Community College for the hospitality.
Syracuse
Later on Thursday, I held a second listening tour stop in Syracuse with rotary members and folks from the community at the Black Bison in downtown Syracuse. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with those in attendance about the issues in the communities and ones affecting the nation. I enjoyed our conversation about the need to protect our borders and resolve issues with immigration, serve our veterans and increase the strength of our military, support our allies in Israel and Ukraine, and to be steadfast in our mission to protect our nation from adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
Thank you to club president Megan Larkin, Mark Davis, Pastor Larry Alexander, and thank you to the Syracuse Rotary Club and the Hamilton County community for their hospitality.
Meeting with Jewish Community Leaders
This week, I met with three different Kansas City Jewish organizations at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park to discuss my commitment to Israel. One of the individuals I met with was Gavriela Geller, the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Board at the Jewish Community Center. Over 30 people joined the meeting to discuss Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. I condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and stand in support of Israel as it responds to this terrorism.
There is no doubt that Iran’s support was instrumental in this barbaric act. Hamas thanked Tehran for the funding and weapons that Iran has provided for many years. Iran must be held accountable for its pursuit of destroying Israel. Supporting Israel means the U.S. must be prepared to deter our enemies and those of our allies. The U.S. also must enforce the sanctions already in law on Iran and any nation that backs terrorist organizations in Israel and around the region.
Announcing Funding for FHSU Department of Nursing
On Wednesday, I joined Fort Hays State University (FHSU) President Tisa Mason and Dr. Jenny Manry, Chair of the Department of Nursing, in announcing two federal grants totaling more than $4 million for the department of nursing. These grants aid FHSU in expanding the number of highly-trained nursing professionals in rural Kansas. Quality health care is important to the vitality of rural Kansas communities. When you look at the factors that determine the future prospects of a community, one of the most critical is access to health care. It means families can stay, and babies can be born in our communities. And it means that our seniors can remain in their homes. FHSU’s Nursing Department is committed to improving the health care workforce in Kansas and has demonstrated that commitment by teaching nurses who are uniquely trained to work in medically underserved areas. Thank you to President Mason for the invitation to participate in this announcement and to the FHSU Nursing Department whose work will undoubtedly save lives by improving the health care workforce in western Kansas.
You can read more about the grants here.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced in a letter that it has agreed to conditionally pause its request to secure its senior water right in 2024 and called on the Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Water Resources and local stakeholders to find a practicable and permanent solution to the current impairment. I appreciate the effort from the FWS to listen to Kansans and hear their concerns with the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed. It is important we establish long-term solutions that support the refuge and the regional economy, and I am pleased that all parties are working together towards a sustainable future for the watershed and our Kansas producers. I want to thank Governor Laura Kelly, Senator Roger Marshall, Congressman Ron Estes and Congressman Jake LaTurner for their help and leadership on this issue as well.
You can read more about the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed here.
Demanding Answers Amidst Iranian Proxy Attacks on Israel
This week, I joined other Senate Republican Colleagues demanding an update from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on U.S. efforts to hold Iran accountable for its ongoing violations against international nuclear restrictions. The Biden administration has failed to press for concrete action against Iran in Vienna. We are especially disturbed by reports that the United States led efforts to oppose a censure of Iran and must hold them accountable for its failure to comply with the obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Visits Across Kansas
KU and the Kansas Geological Survey
On Tuesday, I visited with University of Kansas (KU) officials and the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) to talk about renewable energy production in Kansas. KU partnered with private sector employers to leverage our state’s natural resources with research expertise to develop new hydrogen energy infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel offers reliable homegrown energy to repurpose carbon dioxide and create clean power. Thank you to KU Chancellor Doug Girod, KGS Director Jay Kalbas, and KU Associate Vice Chancellor Tricia Bergman for their continued work to ensure Kansas remains at the cutting edge of our nation’s energy development. I look forward to supporting future efforts that provide Kansans with affordable, clean and reliable energy sources.
Quindaro Ruins
Later on Tuesday, I was able to visit the Quindaro ruins of the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas. The townsite was founded in 1857 as a port of entry into Kansas on the Missouri River for people opposed to slavery during the Bleeding Kansas conflict and served as a site on the Underground Railroad. This year, Representatives Sharice Davids, Jake LaTurner and Emanuel Cleaver introduced the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act which gives the Secretary of the Interior more freedom to provide funding and technical assistance to the site for its preservation. The National Historic Landmark status would give the Quindaro Townsite a more prominent designation on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its role in shaping American political debate in the 19th century and stopping the westward spread of slavery into the Kansas Territory. Thank you, Dr Mayor Tyrone Gardner, City Attorney Paul Davis, LaVert Murray, State Representative Marvin Robinson, Alan Carr, and Judge Karen Arnold-Burger, and everyone else in attendance for joining me on this visit.
Hays and Russell City Officials
On Wednesday afternoon, I met with city officials from Hays and Russell to receive an update on water conservation efforts in their cities and the status of their water supply. Water is a scarce resource on the plains and in Hays and Russell citizens learn from an early age how to responsibly and efficiently use water in their everyday lives. They understand that conserving their water supply is essential for the success of future generations in their cities and the potential for economic growth. Thank you to the officials and staff of both the City of Hays and the City of Russell for taking time out of their day to share with me the good work they are doing to ensure the survival of their communities’ futures.
Clay County Medical Center
On Monday, I toured the Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center. I sat down with hospital CEO Austin Gillard, USD 475 Superintendent Brett Nelson, Mayor Jimmy Thatcher and retired legislator Vern Swanson to discuss some of the issues they face. It is vital to keep contributing to rural hospitals and communities by bringing innovative technologies to Kansas and through supporting our health care workers. I look forward to seeing how the hospital continues to remain successful and maintain growth in coming years.
Kearny County Hospital
After my visit in Garden City, I toured the Kearny County Hospital with CEO Emily Dilley, Chief Nursing Officer Robin Allaman, County Commissioner Randy Combs, State Representative Dr. Bill Clifford, and Community Development Director Ralph Goodnight. I was pleased to see the improvements and expansion of patient care availability in Kearny County today. It is apparent this hospital and region are served by innovative leaders and a growing team of exceptional health care providers. Rural critical health care facilities in Kansas face many challenges but are extremely important to ensuring the places we call home can continue to prosper. I was pleased to learn that their Labor and Delivery department delivers 350 babies each year, revealing the growing young population in southwest Kansas. I look forward to their continued success and growth and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the services they provide and their plans for the future.
Ashland Highschool
On Wednesday, I stopped by Ashland High School for a tour of the facility. I was able to talk to students, faculty and staff about the opportunities at Ashland High School and how they set students up for success while making decisions about the future after graduation. Thank you to student Kinley Kay, Superintendent Paula Rice, USD220 Board Member Brandon Grigsby, Government Teacher Destiny Lalicker, and all the other students and faculty I met with for giving me a tour and taking the time to meet with me.
Syracuse Schools
Later on Thursday, I joined Syracuse high school students Brody Keller, Emily Pena, and Addison Dikeman for a tour of Syracuse Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. All under one roof, students have the ability to explore vocational technology and agriculture programs and complete coursework from Garden City Community College from their classrooms in Syracuse. I also had the opportunity to visit with Syracuse’s Newcomers class teacher, Marcozs Valadez. Syracuse has a growing immigrant population, and Mr. Valadez works to ensure the needs of first-generation students are met so they can enjoy the same opportunities as all students in USD 494. I enjoyed meeting many teachers who have taken advantage of the Transition to Teaching program. Teaching is a challenging though rewarding profession. Thank you to USD 494 Superintendent Paul Larkin, Athletic Director Brandon McIntosh, and Elementary Principal Elizabeth Plunkett for the opportunity to tour the schools.
