Honoring a Local Hero
Honoring a Local Hero
I was honored to present the Purple Heart to the Burnham Family to posthumously honor Corporal Robert "Bob" C. Burnham, Sr. Corporal Burnham served in the U.S. Army as a member of Battery D of the 548th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion during WWII and was wounded in action in Germany in 1945. After returning home, Bob served his community for many years as a courier for Kalamazoo Public Schools before passing away in 2005. After being contacted by Corporal Burnham's son, my constituent services team worked closely with the appropriate military agencies to locate and secure the Purple Heart that Corporal Burnham had never received. Ahead of our nation's 250th anniversary, I was proud to honor the legacy of a hero who made extraordinary sacrifices so that our nation could endure and thrive.
Defending Religious Liberty
Protecting religious freedom on campus is essential to ensuring higher education serves every student. While the Trump administration and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting student liberties on campuses, we've seen other administrations try to undermine the foundational principle of academic freedom and the right to religious expression. On Thursday, under my leadership, the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced my bill, the Equal Campus Access Act. This bill would protect the First Amendment rights of college students across the country, ensuring freedom of expression is protected.
Recognizing the 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner
Congratulations to Wyatt Herb, the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, which was themed "America 250" in honor of our nation's Semiquincentennial. It was a pleasure welcoming Wyatt to Washington, D.C., this week to recognize his outstanding creativity and artistic abilities. His piece, Bowing to the Cross, depicts a soldier bowing to a cross in a forest, honoring Jesus and his fallen brothers-in-arms, and is currently displayed in the Cannon Tunnel to the U.S. Capitol Building.
As we approach our nation's 250th anniversary, it is important to reflect on the storied heritage and ideals on which our country was founded. If you would like to request a commemorative letter in recognition of this historic moment, please do so through my website here. The last day to request a letter will be Friday, July 3, 2026.
Modernizing Workforce Data for Age of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our workforce, making it essential for us to understand how this new technology impacts America's workers. We cannot be asleep at the wheel, which is why I introduced legislation on Monday to help us gain valuable insights into how AI is affecting jobs and workforce needs. The AI Workforce Assessment and Research Enhancement (AWARE) Act supports workers by closing the data gap and providing clarity that can help guide education efforts and shape training, guaranteeing America stays at the forefront of technological innovation. The AWARE Act was advanced by the Education and Workforce Committee on Thursday.
Preserving Our National Parks
Our national parks offer cherished places for families to come together to explore, while serving as vital economic engines for communities across the country. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, I was proud to help advance the Great American Outdoors Act 250 through the Natural Resources Committee. This bipartisan legislation makes historic investments in our public lands and national parks like those in Michigan, helping to strengthen local economies, enhance visitor experiences, and create new recreational opportunities for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors.