Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Valerie Conklin Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

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This is part of a series on the

2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.

 

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Valerie Mignone-Conklin, a Library Media Specialist at Jericho Middle School in Jericho, NY. Valerie will arrive in Fort Scott on June 15th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

 

Valerie Conklin, a ­­­­Library and Information Science teacher from Jericho Middle School, was honored, with her students, as a 2020 Lowell Milken Center National Discovery Award winner. She empowers her students to succeed and excel, working collaboratively with the Social Studies teachers in her school to create research projects that consistently receive national recognition in both the National Discovery Award and National History Day competitions.

Within her school, Valerie has served on building leadership and collaborative decision-making teams, the technology committee, the restorative practice committee, an antibullying committee, and more. She also co-wrote the school’s research curriculum. Outside of school, Valerie has served as a board member for Long Island History Day and serves on the council of Nassau BOCES School Library Services. She received the Nassau BOCES eva efron Memorial Award in 2023 and the 2024 Librarian of the Year Award from the Long Island School Library Association.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Valerie’s enthusiasm for discovering the stories of Unsung Heroes in history has led to many winning national history projects for her students, including several Lowell Milken Center National Discovery Awards. Her passion for discovery and project development will greatly benefit our 2025 team of Fellows.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Presenting the 2025 ArtEffect Grand Prize Award: Jia (Jina) Zhao

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Presenting the
2025 Grand Prize Award!

Jia (Jina) Zhao, an 11th grade student at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, Washington, earned the $6,000 Grand Prize. Zhao’s acrylic painting, Duty Among Blaze, depicts Unsung Hero James Braidwood, a Scottish firefighter known for establishing the first municipal fire service and implementing innovative techniques to combat fires in the 19th century.

“The scene in this painting is based on the Great Fire of Edinburgh in November 1824, a major disaster that James Braidwood and his newly established fire brigade bravely fought and eventually overcame to save the city’s residents,” Zhao explains in her Impact Statement. Her painting illustrates the intensity of Braidwood’s firefighting profession and pays homage to his steadfast leadership. “As I painted his determined expression and the intense fire scene around him, I kept thinking about how he stayed calm and focused under pressure. That made me ask myself: How do I respond when things get difficult?”
Congratulations, Jina Zhao!
Learn more about Duty Among Blaze
Photo courtesy of Jina Zhao.
Congratulations to All the 2025 Awardees!
View 2025 Awardees!
Congratulations to all the 2025 Awardees! ARTEFFECT selected 34 winners in the 2025 competition across the middle and high school divisions.

In this year’s international competition, students in grades 6-12 explored and championed the stories of LMC Unsung Heroes—role models who made a positive and profound, yet previously unrecognized, impact on the course of history. For their entries, these young artists created original works of art and wrote reflective impact statements to reframe these untold stories in an array of artistic expressions and reflections.

“The ARTEFFECT competition is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young people to consider, interpret, and create original works of art about Unsung Heroes and the invaluable lessons their heroic deeds exemplify,” said Lowell Milken, Founder of ARTEFFECT and the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Read Press Release
Thank you to all sponsoring educators and instructors for supporting these talented young artists through the 2025 competition. ARTEFFECT looks forward to celebrating these achievements over the coming weeks!

Stay connected through social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arteffectlmc
X: https://x.com/arteffectlmc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arteffectlmc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arteffectlmc
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
Exercise, Food, Fort Scott

Taco Azul food truck will be at the Woodland Hills Golf Course June 11

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Diane Striler – Ladies Golf League

Wednesday, June 11th

Taco Azul, food truck will be at the Woodland Hills Golf Course hosted by ParTeeGirls Golf League!

5-9pm

The truck will serve the dinner and the Clubhouse will serve the drinks. Take the night off from cooking and join family, friends and community for a night out.

Everyone welcome!

Carry out available!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Back to Fort Scott

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 Featuring Documentary and Two-Volume Book

 

Fort Scott, Kan. June. 10, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum, in partnership with photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, D. Michael Cheers, recipient of the 2025 Choice of Weapons Award, are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Gordon Parks’ Back to Fort Scott with the production of a feature documentary and a two-volume book project.

The documentary, titled Fort Scott Now Stories, will offer a compelling glimpse into the community’s heartbeat, character, vibrancy, and diverse cultures. Cheers, along with cinematographer Bryce Lawson, will be in Fort Scott, Kansas from June 22 to June 29 and again from September 28 to October 4 to film local residents. The project will highlight the voices and lives of people across generations, young and old, business owners, and members of church communities, capturing both the ordinary and the extraordinary in a series of rich, authentic stories that reflect the city’s spirit.

This film and book project is inspired by Gordon Parks’ unpublished LIFE magazine assignment in Fort Scott, seventy-five years ago, in late May 1950. Parks was assigned to produce a photo essay on segregated schools, and to follow up on his 1927 classmates from the segregated Plaza School. Back to Fort Scott was eventually published by the Gordon Parks Foundation in 2015.

 

A companion two-volume coffee-table book – Fort Scott Now Stories and I Needed Paris, will also be released this fall during the 22nd annual Gordon Parks Celebration, October 2-4. After Parks’ Fort Scott assignment, he was sent to LIFE magazine’s Paris bureau from 1950-1952, where he photographed fashions and lifestyle assignments.

Actor Kyle Johnson, who portrayed Parks in the 1968 film The Learning Tree and 2021 Choice of Weapons Award recipient, will also participate in the documentary and the 2025 Gordon Parks Celebration.

The Fort Scott Now Stories documentary is scheduled for release in 2026.

For more information about “Feature Documentary and Two-Volume Book” in Fort Scott, Kansas, contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or by email at [email protected].

 

 

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Gordon Parks Museum

Discover The Gordon Parks Museum Through Kansas Sunflower Summer Program

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Fort Scott, Kan. – The Gordon Parks Museum is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer program. The Gordon Parks Museum Celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician.

The Sunflower Summer Program is a benefit for Kansas families with school-aged children, pre-K through Grade 12, to encourage them to explore, and fall in love with Kansas. The program is designed to give affordable access to tourism attractions across the state and support the Kansas tourism economy.

Eligible Kansas families will download the Sunflower Summer App to claim tickets to participating venues. One (1) adult ticket is eligible for free admission with eligible students. Tickets are redeemed at participating venues upon their arrival. Each user can only use tickets once per venue during the 2025 season.  The 2025 Sunflower Summer season will run from July 12- August 3.

“We are thrilled to be a venue for the 2025 Kansas Sunflower Summer program,” said Gordon Parks Museum, Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “There’s something special about seeing kids explore, learn, and enjoy hands-on experiences right here. This program makes it easy for families to create meaningful memories together, and we’re proud to be one of the destinations that helps showcase the best of Kansas.”

Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, aims to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities.

“Kansas Tourism is excited to have The Gordon Parks Museum as a part of the Sunflower Summer program,” said Kansas Tourism Director, Bridgette Jobe. “This program is an amazing benefit for the residents of Kansas, and we are looking forward to growing the program in the 2025 season. The Gordon Parks Museum is an important part of making this the best season yet for the program.”

For more information about Th Gordon Parks Museum visit https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/. To discover more about the Sunflower Summer program, visit SunflowerSummer.org.

 

 

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About The Gordon Parks Museum: The Gordon Parks Museum celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician. The Gordon Parks Museum strives to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role of diversity in our lives A

bout Sunflower Summer: Sunflower Summer is a program operated by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program aims to help Kansas families affordably explore the Sunflower State. The official Sunflower Summer mobile app is available on Apple and Android. More information can be found at SunflowerSummer.org

 

 

Bourbon County

County Commissioners Create Budget Advisory Committee

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In the June 9 meeting, Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower voted to create a Budget Advisory Committee to help with the budget process.

The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

They are accepting letters of interest until June 16 per this document from the County Clerk’s office:

The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest for qualified individuals who would like to serve on The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners Budget Advisory Board. Letters of interest will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office, 210 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Qualifications and duties expected of board members can be found in the Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board which are on www.bourboncountyks.org and available in the County Clerk’s Office.

The bylaws are:

Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board
Article I: Name

The name of this body shall be: The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners Budget Advisory Board

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of the Budget Advisory Board is to:
• Review budget requests from county departments and elected officials.
• Assess revenue projections and spending priorities.
• Make written recommendations regarding the annual budget to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.
• Promote transparency and public engagement in the budget process.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with Kansas budget law and other applicable statutes.

Article III: Authority

The Board operates in an advisory capacity and has no binding decision making authority. All recommendations are submitted to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners for consideration.

Article IV: Membership
Section 1: Composition

The Board shall consist of five (5) to nine (9) members, including the Chair. Members shall be appointed by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Section 2: Qualifications

Members must demonstrate relevant experience in budgeting, finance, accounting, public administration, or related fields. Each applicant shall submit a letter of interest and qualifications.

Section 3: Appointment and Term

Members shall serve two-year terms, renewable by reappointment. Initial appointments may be staggered to maintain continuity.

Section 4: Chair

A Chair shall be appointed by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners. The Chair shall preside over meetings, coordinate activities, and serve as the Board’s spokesperson.

Section 5: Compensation

Members shall serve without compensation.

Bylaws of the Bourbon County Commission Budget Advisory Board
Article V: Meetings
Section 1: Frequency

The Board shall meet as needed, at a minimum of 6 times annually, including during the formal budget development cycle.

Section 2: Public Access

All meetings shall be open to the public, with notice given in accordance with Kansas Open Meetings Act and applicable notice requirements.

Section 3: Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the currently appointed members.

Section 4: Voting

Recommendations of the Board shall be adopted by a majority vote of the members present.

Article VI: Duties and Responsibilities
The Budget Advisory Board shall:
• Receive and review departmental budget submissions.
• Assess short-term and long-term revenue forecasts and spending needs.
• Hold public meetings to gather community input.
• Ensure compliance with Kansas budget laws and procedures, including setting deadlines for:
o Public notices
o Public hearings
o Budget adoption
• Prepare a formal written report with budgetary findings and recommendations for submission
to the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article VII: Reporting

The Board shall submit its final written budget report no later than July 14, in time for review and adoption by the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article VIII: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners.

Article IX: Administrative Support

The County Clerk’s office may provide support, record keeping, and meeting logistics.

These bylaws were adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, KS on the 9th day of June, 2025.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission announce open seat procedures

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Commissioner David Beerbower began the meeting by reading a statement outlining the meeting’s conduct, including the expectation that audience members silence their phones and refrain from conversations, wait to be called on before speaking, and allow the chair to manage the meeting.

Republican Open Seat Announcement

The Republican Party of Bourbon County will hold a convention to fill the vacant District 1 seat on Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Bailey Hall. Applications are due by Tuesday, June 10 at 5 p.m. and can be emailed to [email protected].

Old Business
Zoning Advisory Committee – Beerbower made a motion to postpone the zoning committee’s presentation of their recommendations until June 30, 2025 to allow for a third commissioner to be appointed and present.

The committee will continue to meet to work on its report. Dates of those meetings will be published.

Dr. Cohen HR Solutions – Commissioner Mika Milburn asked Beerbower’s opinion on using the company to conduct HR services for the county now that he’s had time to consider the information from the last meeting. He said he is for it, and he likes their proposal and the cost.

Milburn moved to hired HR Solutions on Call, which would require a contract be paid from the benefits fund.

The motion was approved.

Budget Committee Proposal – Milburn proposed the creating of a budget advisory board to help the commission through budget season. She proposed that the board be made of financial professionals, who will be qualified to advise on budget items.

The motion passed. Letters of interested will be taken until June 16, 2025.

Parliamentarian Proposal – Milburn suggested the commission consider bringing in a parliamentarian to help run their meetings.

“We are shorthanded,” she said. Milburn and Beerbower both had people they wanted to ask to consider the position.

The issue has been tabled until June 16.

Sales Tax Discussion Update – Milburn followed up on the hiring of a firm to conduct the county’s tax sales. She said the treasurer is working through the steps necessary to facilitate that and it’s in process.

Dump Fees for Employees – Milburn wants to remove it as a benefit.  Beerbower said that after receiving feedback from various members of the community and an email regarding fringe benefits from the County Clerk, Susan Walker, he believes times have changed and the perk needs to be stopped as well.

The commission voted to end free dump fees for county employees starting immediately.

Commissioners went into a 20 minutes executive session for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorny-cliet relationship.

Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

Mr. Parks suggested that out-of-county trash haulers who use the transfer station for trash disposal pay more than in-county users.

New Business
SEK-CAP General Public Transportation – Casey Brown brought the funding request to the commission to get it in before the budget meetings start. Historically, SEK-CAP has been funded by the county, the City of Fort Scott, and area churches and businesses.

It costs approximately $8,000 per day for a full year of transportation services. Currently services are offered three days a week, but they are considering going to five days a week, which would cost $40,000.

Commissioner Milburn asked for more precise data about how much of the county outside of Fort Scott is served by SEK-CAP.

When asked about changing their hours of operation, Brown said they were open to discussion and want to fit the community’s needs.

Fireworks Licenses Days

Fireworks licenses were issues to Hale Fireworks and Jake’s FIreworks. Sale dates have been extended by state statute from July 5 to July 7.

Commission Comments

Milburn said that she loves “the idea of a steady, reliable process” to govern the county and that there so many citizens getting involved.

She said she would be happy to visit with anyone interested in the job. “This job takes a lot of stamina and I am going to do what I have to do to serve Bourbon County and keep up.”

Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Board Minutes of June 9

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Unified School District 234 424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
www.usd234.org
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, June 9, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, for their
regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
05-12-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – May 15, 2025 – $1,707,170.52
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the mental health grant that has been approved for the
district.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update of summer facilities,
budget closing for the fiscal year, and an update to the Preschool building.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes updated the board on Extended School Year and the
various summer projects that are being completed.
The Board Approved the following items:
• Purchase of 385 Student Chrome Books
• Purchase of 90 Staff Laptops
• Purchase of 10 Passenger Van
• Purchase of two 71 Passenger Buses
• Purchase of Passenger Car
• Continued participation in the National School Lunch Program
• Revision to the Policy EE – Food Service Management for “unpaid meal charges”
• E-Rate Category 2 Funding – Purchase of Wireless Access Points
• Renewal of Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools Property and Casualty
Insurance
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for negotiations review.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
June 09, 2025
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Altic, Doug – Retirement – Counselor – High School
Hendrickson, Ela – Resignation – Special Education Teacher – High School
Hunsaker – Josseline – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Karleskint, Amanda – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Stepps, Abby – Resignation – 5th Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations
Brown, Trey – 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher – Middle School
Campbell, Marjorie – Special Education Teacher – High School
Ellis, Christina – Special Education Teacher – KRI
Johnson, Amanda – Music Teacher – Winfield Scott
Kemmerer, Angie – 8th Grade Science/Social Studies Teacher – Middle School
Mena, Kati – SLP Tele-therapy
Stanley, Tammy – 6th Grade Science Teacher – Middle School
Turner, Jesse – Special Education Teacher – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year
Bradbury, Luke – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Bruner, Genea – MIS Tech Support
Clayton, Emily – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Dawson, Jamie – Behavioral Analyst
Hill, Landon – IT Help Desk
Hill, Katherine – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Montojo, Anthea – Cook – Winfield Scott
Prine, Aubrey – Part Time Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Reichard, Besty – MIS Tech Support
Stephens, Emily – MIS Tech Support
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Barner, Alex – Assistant Football Coach – High School
Brown, Trey – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – Middle School
Coen, Jessica – Special Education Teacher – Extended School Year
Coen, Serenity – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Davenport, Heather – Summer School Teacher
Durossette, Jake – Assistant Wrestling Coach – Middle School
Durrosette, Jake – Girl’s Summer Conditioning – High School
Eugene Ware Site Council
Eugene Ware Supplemental
Hall, Addisyn – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Kegler, Terra – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Merriman, Virginia – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Middle School Supplemental

Business

25th Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Raffle Drawing to be held on June 20

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Some lucky person will be the new owner of a brand new 2025 Ford F150 Platinum Edition SuperCrew 4 x 4 Truck—and the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is hopeful the individual will be from Kansas.  This is the agency’s twenty-fifth year for a raffle give-away.  The event is a fund-raiser for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation, a charitable organization that raises money to build homes for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

 

“Everyone likes the idea that for a $50 donation they may win a brand-new truck.” Comments Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator.   Entries in the drawing are limited to 3,000.  “Those are pretty good odds; better than the lottery,” Campbell said.

 

The Friends of Tri-Valley purchased the truck from Steve Faulkner Ford in Chanute, KS.

“The truck is really luxurious, with lots of unique features,” Campbell said.   “We are excited to be able to giveaway a truck that will last for years and bring so much enjoyment to its new owner.”

 

The lucky winner’s name will be drawn at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20th, at the Foundation’s offices at 521 W. 35 Ch Pkwy, Chanute.

“Even though it only takes a second to pull the winner’s name, it’s always exciting,” Campbell said.  “And it’s really fun when we call the winner to let them know!”

 

Proceeds from the annual drawing have helped the Friends of Tri-Valley build five houses and acquire ten homes and one duplex for individuals with developmental disabilities.  The houses are located in Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Neodesha, and Moline and are “home” for 82 individuals served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.  The Foundation is licensed through the state for the annual raffle, license number RAF000005.

 

 

Information about entering the drawing may be obtained by calling Campbell at 620-431-7655, emailing [email protected], or by visiting Tri-Valley’s website, www.tvds.org/truck-raffle.

Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Weekly Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

After a busy week back home, I returned to Washington last week. With the One Big Beautiful Bill now in the Senate’s hands, the House will now turn our attention to enacting smaller pieces of President Trump’s America First agenda, with the shared goal of getting our country back on the right track.

 

On Tuesday evening, I joined my colleagues from Kansas and Colorado for a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the horrific antisemitic attacks in Washington, DC and Boulder.

These disgusting acts have absolutely no place in our country. It’s incredibly important for all of us to stand strong against these radical, hate-filled views, which unfortunately seem to be increasingly commonplace in our world.

 

Last week, the House passed several pro-small businesses bills and legislation aimed at tackling the opioid crisis, I questioned Army leadership about the impact on Kansas of their planned branch-wide changes, and I joined my colleagues to fight for increased opportunities for Kansas farmers.

Protecting Kansas Small Businesses

Last week, the House passed multiple bills aiming to protect and strengthen Kansas small businesses.

 

H.R. 2966, the American Entrepreneurs First Act, codifies the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) recently announced policy requiring proof of citizenship and age verification when applying for an SBA loan. Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found more than $630 million in loans given to applicants older than 115 years old and younger than 11. That is unacceptable.

 

H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, relocates SBA offices from sanctuary cities and jurisdictions to non-sanctuary municipalities. Fortunately, states like ours saw the dangers of sanctuary jurisdictions and banned the practice statewide in 2022. Unfortunately, not every state has the common sense of Kansas, and sanctuary policies still exist across the country. By relocating these offices to non-sanctuary localities, we’re returning the agency to its original intent of helping small businesses without having to fear the consequences of these misguided policies.

 

Both these pieces of legislation aim to codify aspects of President Trump’s Executive Order ending taxpayer subsidization of the Biden border crisis.

Fighting the Opioid Crisis

Last week, the House passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which ensures the federal government will continue to provide critical prevention, education, treatment, and recovery resources for Americans with substance use disorder.

 

This is such a personal issue for so many people; everyone knows someone who struggles or has struggled with addiction. On Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor about how our statewide efforts in Kansas made a real difference in many people’s lives.
Video

Recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows overdose deaths involving opioids decreased from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024 (26%). While this is welcome news, the number of deaths remains far too high.

 

Providing resources for education, prevention, and treatment is absolutely critical; however, this crisis must be addressed on multiple fronts. In Kansas, we took the pharmaceutical companies engaging in malpractice and contributing to the crisis to court and won. The resulting settlements will provide more than $340 million to our state over the next 17 years, money which will make a real difference in our communities.

 

The southern border is an enormous factor in the crisis. During fiscal years 2023-2024 alone, Customs and Border Patrol seized nearly 50,000 pounds of fentanyl, enough to produce more than 2 billion lethal doses. Thankfully, with President Trump in office, the border crisis is largely contained…for now. Congress MUST make the President’s border security measures permanent so we can continue to decrease the amount of criminal illegal aliens and deadly narcotics in our communities.

Increasing Export Market Access for Kansas Farmers

India’s population growth and the shifting global economy have skyrocketed their demand and desire for American agricultural products. The export market is extremely important to our state: in 2024, Kansas exported more than $14 billion of goods across various industries.

 

A key piece of President Trump’s America First economic agenda involves increasing exports to other nations as a way to reduce our trade deficits. India’s growing demand for our products presents a perfect opportunity, which is why I recently joined my colleagues to encourage United States Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer to provide improved market access for American agricultural exports in the country, specifically U.S. ethanol, distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and soybean meal (SBM).

 

These products aren’t the only thing in demand in India. Traditionally, China is the biggest international buyer of U.S. sorghum, accounting for nearly 90% of total U.S. exports as recently as marketing year 2021/2022. However, in recent years, India’s population growth has spurred a steady increase in demand for non-GMO grain, which is why India’s sorghum market is projected to generate $1.2 billion annually by 2030.

 

Kansas is the number one producer of sorghum in the country, averaging 185 million bushels annually. That number is equal to half of all production in the United States. India’s rapidly growing market presents an enormous opportunity for Kansas farmers, which is why I also recently joined fellow Kansas Representative Tracey Mann and several of our colleagues in encouraging Ambassador Greer to increase Indian market access for our sorghum producers.

 

Four years of Bidenflation were extremely tough on our family farms. I’m working to repair that damage and provide our farmers with the support they need for long term success.

Modernizing the Army while Protecting Kansas Assets

Last week, our House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the Army’s budgetary needs for fiscal year 2026. Their request is of particular importance this year, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently announced the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), a $36 billion overhaul of the branch with a focus on modernization.

 

The Second District is home to two of the Army’s divisions at Forts Riley and Leavenworth. I questioned Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff General Randy George on how the ATI will affect our soldiers and assets in the Second District.
Video

In the coming weeks, our committee will introduce the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for every aspect of our Armed Forces. This year’s legislation will be transformational, as we work alongside President Trump to refocus our military’s priorities on warfighting and servicemember quality of life. I look forward to sharing updates about the legislation soon.

Weekly Visitors

Thank you to Kansans with the Ford Motor Company, United States Department of Agriculture Kansas State Director for Rural Development Gimmie Jo Jansonius, the Kansas Association of REALTORS, National Feed & Grain Association, and Kansans with the Foundation for Rural Service for visiting with me in Washington last week!

I’d also like to extend a big thank you to all the Kansans who joined our monthly telephone town hall on Thursday evening! Speaking directly to Second District residents is critical to ensuring I’m representing you to the best of my ability. If you weren’t able to join us last night, be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s!

I’ll be back in Washington this week, where I expect to vote on the first rescissions package we’ve received from the White House. Now that we’ve passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, we MUST turn our attention to codifying President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders and the DOGE cuts.

 

Kansans deserve a strong economy, a secure border, and a government free from waste, fraud, and abuse. I aim to deliver it.

Bourbon County Local News