Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I’m excited to update you on my work in Washington, D.C. and the First District of Kansas. It is an honor to represent Kansans in the Big First District in the 118th Congress. I do not serve in Congress to be a caretaker in the slow demise of America – I serve to fight and work to make it stronger, and I believe our brightest days are yet to come. Yours in service,   Mann.House.Gov   Remembering September 11, 2001 This week, we honor and remember the thousands who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Rather than cower in the face of evil, Americans rose from the ashes and stood firm in the fight for freedom, as we always have and always will. Every year, September 11 makes me proud to be an American and to live in a country that will always stand ready to defend liberty, just like the generations of Americans before us.  That is why we will never forget. The Week Ahead This week, the House of Representatives is back in session and scheduled to vote on the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act. The bill prioritizes funding to counter Communist China, optimizes the Department of Defense (DoD) workforce, promotes innovation, supports service members and their families, and increases the DoD’s role in combating the flow of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and other illegal drugs into our communities. As a part of my Commitment to the Big First, I am dedicated to creating a nation that’s safe and reviewing this legislation with that in mind. I will attend a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing this week, as well as a House Small Business Committee markup to review legislation that seeks to increase accountability at the Small Business Administration, protect taxpayers from fraud, and enhance rural economies. Meetings in the Office: Kansas Farmers Union World Food Program Kansas Automobile Dealers Growth Energy Elanco Animal Health Harvesters - The Community Food Network Concerned Women for America   In the News ICYMI: Mann Listening Tour Op-Ed Fighting for Kansans in the Big First is my top priority as I advocate for agriculture and our conservative Kansas values. I host a town hall in every county of the district each year to listen to the needs and concerns of residents in every community I have the privilege of representing. I’ve hosted 186 town halls over the past three years, and last month, I completed my third annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. I’m grateful for the chance to hear from you. When you roll up your sleeves, get into the middle of difficult issues, and carefully listen to people, you get a better perspective and end up with better results. In my conversations with Kansans, I hear about the importance of small government, personal responsibility, faith, family, freedom, and patriotic duty. I was raised on those conservative Kansas values, and I advocate for them every day I serve in Congress. Click here to read my op-ed in the Great Bend Tribune In the District Participating in the 2023 Legislative Showmanship Contest I had a great time participating in the State Fair Legislative Showmanship again this year. This annual event gives elected leaders a crash course in showing livestock, under the mentorship of 4-H and FFA members. Thanks to their excellent teaching, we were named this year’s grand champions! It was a privilege learning from Kirbe Koons and Tyree Figge. You both did a great job! Watching 4-H and FFA members like Kirbe and Tyree showcase their hard work at the fair always leaves me excited for the future of Kansas agriculture. I am wishing all of this year’s participants a fun state fair! Speaking at the Kansas Farm Bureau Breakfast Thank you to the Kansas Farm Bureau for hosting me at their annual members' breakfast at the state fair this weekend. I enjoyed visiting with Kansas agricultural producers, sharing updates about my work on the House Agriculture Committee, and discussing the reauthorization of the next Farm Bill. The intrinsic American values of faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility, and caring for our neighbors are alive and well in our state. It is critical that we get agricultural policy right for our producers because they are the underpinning of our rural communities, which is where these values live. I'm grateful for the work Kansas Farm Bureau is doing to support our Kansas agricultural producers, strengthen our rural communities, and preserve our rural way of life. Participating on the Kansas Ag Network Farm Bill Panel At the state fair this weekend, I had the opportunity to listen to concerns from local leaders in agriculture and answer their questions about the upcoming Farm Bill. I value every chance I have to hear from Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. As Congress prepares for the next Farm Bill reauthorization, I'm committed to bringing their voices to the conversation. Thanks to Greg Akagi and Slade Wiley with WIBW Radio and the Kansas Agriculture Network for hosting and for their commitment to top-notch agricultural broadcast journalism. Participating in the Kansas Hospital Association Roundtable I appreciate the members of the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) for taking the time to meet with me for a roundtable discussion last week. Rural America is facing unprecedented health care challenges, including a nationwide hospital closure crisis. I'm committed to strengthening rural health care in Kansas. Thank you, KHA, for the work you do to support rural health care in the Big First District and across the state. Touring Ellsworth Correctional Facility Thank you to Deputy Warden Jerry Castro and the staff at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility for giving me a tour of the facility. During my visit, we discussed their partnership with Barton County Community College through which they offer educational and technical training for inmates. I was inspired to see the facility's great work. Visiting Barton County Community College I enjoyed visiting Barton County Community College (BCCC) last week. During the campus tour, I saw the college's new agriculture and transportation complex. Young people with skills in agriculture, technology, and transportation are vital to our state's economy and the future of America, and I am grateful to BCCC for equipping students to excel in these career paths. Meeting with ICL Performance Products Headquartered in Lawrence, ICL specializes in manufacturing sustainable solutions used in everyday products. ICL currently employs 140 people and is still growing. I enjoyed touring the facility and learning more about their operation. I am proud to see cutting-edge businesses like ICL call the Big First home. Visiting Holton Community Hospital Last week, I visited the Holton Community Hospital and met with their staff. Like many rural health care providers in Kansas, they are facing staffing shortages and skyrocketing prescription drug prices. As the representative for the Big First District, I will continue to support legislation that ensures Kansans have access to the care that they need and deserve. 2023 Military Academy Nominations Now Open As a member of Congress, it is my honor to offer service academy nominations for ten students in the Big First District who wish to pursue a career serving in our nation's military. My office is accepting nominations for the 2023 class of Military Academy Nominations. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT If you or a student you know is interested in attending one of the U.S. service academies, please visit my website for more information about the nomination process, or contact my Manhattan office at (785) 370-7277. Deadline to Submit all Required Application Documents is September 30, 2023 Click here to learn more and to apply.     CONSTITUENT SERVICES     Manhattan Office 317 Houston Street Suite A Manhattan, KS 66502 Phone: (785) 370-7277 Dodge City Office 100 Military Avenue Suite 203 Dodge City, KS 37801 Phone: (620) 682-7340 Washington, D.C. Office 344 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515  Phone: (202) 225-2715 If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office. Sincerely,   Rep. Mann | 344 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]