Honoring two amazing educational leaders
Friends,
The last few weeks have been hot and humid in Washington, D.C. There’s nothing quite like 100 degree heat with 90% humidity to make you feel like you're in a swamp. I now have a much better understanding of why two states gave that property up for nothing.
Despite the heat (and, have I mentioned, the humidity?) we’ve been getting a lot of visitors lately. I was proud to host Ian Wheelock, the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for our region. His art now hangs in the U.S. Capitol along with paintings, drawings and photographs from students all across America.
It's always great to see folks from our region in our nation’s capital. Recently, I got to show a very special couple – my parents – around Congress. Nearly two weeks ago, my dad retired after 50 years in the classroom. He visited D.C. on his very first day of retirement.
Dad began teaching way back during a time when Lyndon Johnson was president, starting at Roosevelt Junior High School in Port Angeles. He finished up at a high school in Woodinville.
In addition to enjoying having my folks in town, it was a real joy for me to honor my dad on the floor of the House of Representatives. In my speech, I pointed out that my dad was born to teach and, like so many fantastic educators, he has affected the lives of so many.
Teachers do such critical work, and I think it’s important that we thank them and honor them for what they do.
If you want to check out my comments, just click here.
Saying Goodbye
Like many folks in our state, I was heartbroken at the passing of Dr. Elson Floyd, the President of Washington State University and a giant of Washington state higher education.
Every member of my family went to the UW, so I confess (somewhat sheepishly) that I was raised to root for the Huskies and against the Cougars. I admitted to President Floyd recently that -- having worked with him over the years and having admired his leadership -- I suddenly found myself rooting for WSU too. I was proud to call Elson a friend and a partner.
Presiding during a challenging time in our economy, he never hesitated to make the tough decisions that he believed would be best for his university, his students, and for all of higher education. Our state is stronger for his leadership, not just in Pullman but in communities like Bremerton where people got new opportunities because he made it a priority. He will be sorely missed.
He was such a good man – ethical and wise. My condolences go out the entire WSU community along with my thoughts and prayers for the family he loved so much.
Watch my speech honoring Elson here.
A Critical Tool Turns Into a Political Hot Potato
There was also a lot of (in)action on the part of Congress since my last newsletter. Tomorrow the charter for the nation's Export-Import Bank will expire. As I’ve mentioned before, the bank helps many businesses in our region reach customers around the world who want to buy what they sell. This is an important tool that ensures that American products made by American workers can be sold all over the world.
Prior to becoming your representative, I worked for a decade in economic development. In that capacity I worked with several small businesses who were able to export their products overseas as a result of the Export-Import Bank. Many local manufacturers cannot get private financing to export a product without export credit insurance offered by the Export-Import Bank. In addition, our state's largest private employer – the Boeing Company – and many of the small aerospace manufacturers and their employees benefit when they are able to export airplanes to customers all over the world.
The Export-Import Bank helps finance U.S. exports of manufactured goods and services. It provides U.S. businesses with direct loans, loan guarantees, working capital finance, and export credit insurance. It also works with foreign firms and governments to help exporters resolve problems with payments that come up overseas, and keeps them from having to engage in costly legal disputes in other countries.
So, what happens if the Export-Import Bank is not reauthorized? I’ve heard directly from small business owners who have said that if the Export Import Bank is not reauthorized, they will be forced to stop selling goods to foreign markets. In every instance, the employers said that this will have a direct impact on Washington state jobs. That's why the Association of Washington Business highlighted this issue as one of its top priorities. The elimination of this tool would have a particularly negative impact on Washington state because ours is the most export-dependent state in the nation.
Over the last 8 years, the bank has supported 149 small businesses in our state for a total of $130 billion in exports.
So, why on earth would Congress allow such an important tool to go away? Well, unfortunately, the Ex-Im Bank has become a political hot potato – based more on myths and political rhetoric than on reality.
There are a few myths out there about the Ex-Im Bank. First, the bank does not compete with private industry. In fact, the bank is statutorily prohibited from competing with private sources of financing. Second, the bank does not cost taxpayers money. In fact, after covering expenses, the Export-Import Bank contributed more than a billion dollars back to the U.S. Treasury last year. Third, this economic development tool is not unique to our country. In fact, nearly every country with whom our nation competes offers this type of export financing. I do not want to see the United States pursue a strategy of unilateral disarmament in the global economy.
I've cosponsored legislation (called the Protecting American Jobs and Exports Act) to keep it open for another seven years--so American manufacturers can sell more products and create more American jobs. If you would like to learn more feel free to write and email me with questions.
We owe it to workers in Washington state and across the nation to renew this charter. I want us to export products – not jobs. The Export-Import Bank helps us do just that.
Shared Maritime Traditions
If you grew up or live along the coast you take pride in our state’s rich maritime traditions. Anywhere you go along the Puget Sound coastline, you’ll find national treasures that tell a rich and complex story. You can see landmarks that recall our tribal heritage and how that impacts us to this day. Or markers for boundary disputes that shaped our state’s borders, and lighthouses that dot our coastline, recalling a time when fishermen relied on them exclusively as a guide home. There are also sites that remind us of the generations that put together the vessels our marine economy depends on.
For me, it’s really important that we shine a spotlight on this history to remind future generations of our ties to the water. That’s why I’ve joined with Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Rep. Denny Heck to introduce the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Act to designate most of Western Washington’s saltwater shoreline as a National Heritage Area.
If passed, this would be the first National Heritage Area in the Pacific Northwest and empower local communities to take advantage of resources that are dedicated to protecting sites important to our nation’s heritage and promoting tourism. National Heritage Areas empower local regions to develop new resources (including maps and websites) that give people more access to our vital landmarks and history.
Fire Danger
This year along with the usual warm summer temperatures we are seeing unusual drought conditions. After our snowpack on the Olympic Peninsula was discovered to be far below normal levels Governor Inslee declared a drought emergency on the normally wet Peninsula.
It’s clear that Washington is facing a very dangerous wildfire season. That’s certainly evident as we’ve seen the Paradise Fire hit Olympic National Park
Now is the time for us to get some additional support for our first responders and pass the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act. This legislation would fund emergency wildfire suppression efforts through separate disaster programs, like those that fund hurricane and flood relief efforts.
With this approach we can get aid more quickly to folks in harm’s way and focus on prevention measures to better protect homes and businesses before a massive fire strikes like the Paradise Fire.
Stay safe and take a look at this link for current information about wildfire danger in your county.
Canada, Clean Up Your Mess!
Over the past two weeks I continued my work to see that Canada finally does something about its raw sewage that ends up in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
I authored a provision in a bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee urging the U.S. State Department to work with their Canadian counterparts on a solution.
Let’s bring our Canadian partners to the table so we can ensure this doesn't impact our shared waters any longer.
Take a look at this Tacoma News Tribune editorial for more details on why Canada should take care of this mess.
Working for You
My favorite part of this job is getting to meet the hardworking folks that are making a difference in our community.
I had a great talk with the folks involved with the Mustard Seed Project, a group on the Key Peninsula that serves over 500 seniors and helps connect them with resources such as housing and transportation.
It was my honor to be a part of the Olympic STEM Pathways Partnership Kickoff Event at Galaxy Theaters in Gig Harbor. It was inspiring to see educators from across the Peninsula join together to kickoff this project that will increase STEM learning opportunities for students of all ages. A special thanks to Dr. Kareen Borders of Olympic ESD 114 for spearheading this terrific event!
I'd like to thank all the staff from the Bremerton Housing Authority for welcoming me to their offices and asking good questions during our town hall. I appreciate the hard work the team does to support our community! Following that discussion, I sat down with people involved with the Alzheimer's Association for a discussion about the devastating impact this disease has on families and how we must invest in research to fight it.
Meeting with local groups enables me to better understand your priorities and concerns. If you're involved with an organization that you'd like me to visit, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office. Remember – I work for you!
It’s an honor to serve as your representative,
