Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Twenty-five years ago, our nation endured one of the darkest moments in American history. On September 11, 2001, enemies of freedom carried out the most devastating attack ever witnessed on American soil. In a matter of hours, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, thousands more were injured, and countless others were sickened by the horrific acts of terrorism at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93. I was honored to participate in a memorial ceremony to remember the victims who lost their lives on that dark day, to honor the extraordinary bravery of our first responders, and to recognize the enduring impact of the tragedy.

During the event, I was able to present tributes to Cpl. Jaclyn Supianoski, a Marine Corps canine handler who worked explosive detection at Ground Zero and now serves the Coldwater Fire Department, as well as to the families of two fallen local Marines, Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson and Sgt. Anthony D. Matteoni, who lost their lives while serving in the aftermath of 9/11.

I was also proud to join more than 200 of my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution, recognizing the 25th anniversary of these tragic attacks and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to never forget.

Honoring Veterans in Brooklyn

Today, I also had the opportunity to tour Camp Liberty in Brooklyn, an organization that provides outdoor recreation programs to aid in the reintegration of U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families. It was great to learn about all that the organization does to support our veteran community and build fellowship among those who have served. It was especially an honor to visit this organization on the 25th anniversary of the tragic attacks of 9/11.

After one of the darkest days in American history, many heroes stepped forward with unwavering resolve to defend our nation. These courageous individuals answered the call to serve, driven by love of country and a steadfast commitment to securing a safer future for generations to come. Please know that I remain committed to ensuring that the brave men and women who have served our country have access to the services they need.

Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

Recently, I enjoyed visiting the Lenawee Boys and Girls Club in Adrian to participate in their youth voices town hall series with elected officials. It was great to see so many of our nation's youth interested in learning about how our government works and what they can do to get involved in their local community. Earlier this year, I was also proud to secure over $2 million in federal funding to replace outdated infrastructure for the Drager Education Center, where the Boys and Girls Club is housed. After working with local leaders across the district to identify community needs, I requested federal funding and voted in favor of legislation to bring funding back to our community to support key projects. 

Expanding School Choice

I was glad to stop by Lumen Christi Catholic School in Jackson and hear from students, teachers, and leaders on how we can expand options for students. As Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I have been working to champion initiatives that provide families, who simply want the best for their children, with choice. The Working Families Tax Cuts, which prevented a 27% tax hike on residents in Michigan's 5th District, also expanded educational freedom through a new tax credit that states, like Michigan, can opt into. The Education Freedom Tax Credit incentivizes investments in scholarships to support K-12 education for millions of hardworking Americans and pay for expenses that best meet their educational needs.

Strengthening Our Workforce

I enjoyed touring the new site of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian and discussing my efforts to connect workers with in-demand skills for the modern economy. As the Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, I helped draft and implement innovative educational provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts, which were signed into law last year. The legislation expanded Pell Grant eligibility to those who enroll in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. This will provide equal opportunities for students and workers to gain skills in high-demand fields as those enrolling in a four-year degree program. I remain committed to delivering more opportunities for Michigan workers.