An Update on My Work to Support Our Rural Communities
Hello Folks –
There’s one more week in D.C. until the August district work period. The current forecast for Friday is 101 degrees, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting to spend time in our Washington – the better Washington! I’m gearing up for a whirlwind of traveling from pillar to post around our region through the month of August.
There’s a lot to cover this week, so let’s jump right into the news.
Recognizing and Honoring Our Veterans
First off, if you follow me on Facebook or listen to KXRO Radio, you may have heard that tonight I’m inviting veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the Vietnam War period, regardless of location, to receive a Vietnam veteran lapel pin at a ceremony at the American Legion in Aberdeen.
At the pinning ceremony, I’ll present veterans with lapel pins provided by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, as a lasting commemoration of our nation’s thanks. Members of the Grays Harbor community are encouraged to attend and show support for friends and neighbors who served during the Vietnam War period.
Monday, July 24, 2023
Grays Harbor Veterans Pinning Ceremony
5:00 p.m. PDT
American Legion, 112 W 1st St, Aberdeen, WA 98520
Anyone who would like to attend can RSVP for my Grays Harbor Veterans Pinning Ceremony here. If you don’t have an Eventbrite account, don’t worry! Just drop on by – we’ll be happy to have you join.
Standing Up for Rural Healthcare
Having been born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula, I was grateful for the great health care providers who choose to practice in rural Washington. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you ought to be able to find quality health care close to home.
That’s why I recently introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, legislation designed to protect and strengthen rural hospitals in places like Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, and Grays Harbor Counties.
My Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act makes permanent, an existing program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides technical assistance for rural hospitals to help prevent closures, strengthen essential health care services in rural communities, and improve overall hospital performance.
Folks in our region know this: It’s time for Congress to step up and make sure Americans living in rural areas can get medical help without traveling far from home and without going broke. My bill is all about keeping facilities in our region running. And it’s about improving the overall level of care in rural America, where the need is greatest.
Investing in Rural Airports
I can't emphasize enough the importance of airports in times of crisis, particularly for folks living in places like Port Angeles. Folks in our state have seen earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – and know the threat of tsunamis along our 150 miles of coast. When disaster strikes, our airports are a vital piece of the infrastructure we already have in place to get people and supplies where they need to go.
Just last week when Congress passed a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, it included my Resilient Airports Act, a bipartisan effort to improve emergency and disaster response capabilities at airports.
The Resilient Airports Act would expand eligibility criteria for the Airport Improvement Program, a federal grant program that’s already helping to improve airports like the Tacoma Narrows Airport, Sanderson Field in Shelton, and Bowerman Airport in Hoquiam, enabling more Washington state airports to complete critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing resilience against earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. My bill would also ensure that general aviation airports designated as federal staging areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, like Fairchild Airport, are eligible to apply for AIP funds. This way, rural airports can continue to play a crucial role in medical emergencies, evacuations, and disaster preparedness – and can keep Washingtonians safe in times of crisis.
Out on the Olympic Peninsula, airports are the backbone of our emergency response systems – yet they're not invulnerable to natural disasters or even the impacts of climate change. The FAA Reauthorization bill is off to the Senate, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure that Congress steps up to help guarantee our airports have the resources they need to stay strong and reliable, because when our airports are resilient, our communities are too.
Remembering a Friend and Leader
Last week, I had the distinct honor of speaking on the House floor to remember a man of profound courage and vision who recently passed away: Jeromy Sullivan, the late Chairman of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.
Jeromy was a gifted leader, a proud family man, and a dear friend. He had such extraordinary passion for the work he did on behalf of the members of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.
Whether he was advocating for affordable housing investments or for the right to harvest shellfish, he did so with a heart for service and a commitment to treaty rights.
Jeromy often told me that he prayed for the leaders of his Tribe – and for the leaders of our country. That he asked for strength and wisdom … He showed those every day.
In the musical Hamilton, they ask the question “What is legacy?”, answering, “It’s planting seeds in a garden you’ll never get to see.”
While I’m saddened that Jeromy won’t get to see the fruit of some of his projects, they will nourish the Tribe’s members for generations. Indeed, Jeromy’s legacy will live on, reminding us to protect what we love and stand tall for our beliefs.
I want to offer my sincere condolences to Jeromy’s family and to the members of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. His memory will continue to guide his people, and his spirit will endure in the lands he loved, the waters he healed, and the community he served so faithfully.
Working for You
Checking In with Local Business Leaders
The Key Peninsula Community Council does great work, enhancing folks’ lives with better broadband access. Grateful to Mark for briefing us on their projects and how we can support. Thanks to Bryant and the Madrona Cafe team for a delightful meeting space, sandwich, and latte!
Supporting Our Seniors
Rural communities often have the worst access to assisted living and residential care facilities. It was great to tour the Mustard Seed Project’s assisted living and memory care homes on the Key Peninsula and discuss their work to help folks age in place in the community.
OK – that’s it for now, folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer