Friends,

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of September 11th...Like many of you, I remember watching in shock as the terror attacks unfolded that Tuesday morning as if they happened yesterday. In a matter of minutes, our entire notion of safety within our own country was destroyed.

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who were killed that day, including the brave first responders who saved countless lives while sacrificing their own. May we continue to pray for the families who live every day with the memories of their lost loved ones. Today, we also honor our brave men and women in uniform who have served to keep us safe in the years since. We owe them a debt that can never truly be repaid.

As President Bush said that evening as he stood with first responders as they searched for survivors in the rubble: "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining."

Let us never forget that fateful day and the lives lost, but also how our nation came together and united against fear and hate. We live in the greatest country in the world and so long as we stand together as Americans, we will never be defeated by terrorism.

Visiting U.S. Troops Stationed Abroad

Supporting and advocating for our military is one of my top priorities in Congress...! That's why last week I traveled to East Asia with a bipartisan group of lawmakers who serve on the House Armed Services Committee to meet with U.S. troops and assess the national security threats they are tasked with countering.

As we seek to maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia, we know that strength is the best deterrence for unwanted aggression. The reality is that China is the most challenging national security threat America has faced in 30 years. The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated its desire to increase its influence and aggression far beyond the South China Sea.

We started in Japan, where I lived for several years as an English Language teacher and later as a Navy Spouse at Naval Air Station Atsugi. Our delegation had productive meetings with Japanese government officials and met with U.S. Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force for an update on the work of the Third Marine Littoral Regiment and Force Design 2030. We also also spent time with a Navy P-8 crew deployed to Kadena Air Base from Naval Air Station Jacksonville and learned about their tip-of the spear missions patrolling the South China Sea...!

From there we traveled to the Philippines, where we met with Defense Deptartment officials for similar conversations centered on our unified goal of acting as a strong deterrent force to increased Chinese aggression throughout the region. We concluded by visiting Taiwan. It was an honor to meet with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng. We discussed our shared democratic values, our economic partnerships, and our joint military work. America is proud to stand with the Taiwanese people and our other partners in the Indo-Pacific to present a strong, united front to deter increased Chinese aggression.

Now more than ever, we need our friends to partner with us to deter authoritarian expansionism from China and protect regional prosperity. America stands with our allies who value democracy, the rule of law, and free economic development, and will continue to pursue avenues to strengthen these relationships. As a former Naval aviator, I’m committed to providing our military - especially our maritime forces - and our allies with the resources and support they need to effectively counter this growing threat.

Supporting Our Nation's Nurses

I’m proud to share that the AARP has endorsed the Improving Care and Access to Nursing (I CAN) Act, which I reintroduced this Congress! This important, bipartisan legislation would allow advance practice registered nurses to practice to the full extent of their training, resulting in better care and easing the pressure of the nationwide healthcare worker shortage - particularly in our rural communities.

As a primary care provider, I have seen first-hand some of the challenges faced by both patients and our healthcare workforce. The unfortunate reality is that there are a lot of hurdles facing America’s healthcare industry and those it is tasked with caring for. I came to Congress with a unique perspective on how best to tackle these challenges head on. As the Vice Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus, I am laser-focused on finding solutions that will provide affordable and accessible care for Virginians and all Americans. 

Clean Energy Champion!

Each year, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions - known as CRES - awards federal policymakers with the Clean Energy Champion award as a testament to their work supporting commonsense clean energy and climate legislation that protects our communities as well as our economy and to celebrate their commitment to building a clean energy future for America. I was honored to be announced as one of CRES' 2023 "Clean Energy Champions" this year...!

I know that skyrocketing energy prices have caused countless hardships for the families of Virginia’s Second District over the past several years. Combined, inflation and Washington bureaucracy have put a stranglehold on the American energy market. I agree that we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that secures our energy independence and provides the American people with affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

Coastal Virginians know how to be good stewards of the environment without sacrificing jobs or hurting our economy. That’s why I support America's clean energy production and want to utilize our vast resources and innovative technological advancements to lower costs for consumers. 

I believe we owe it to ourselves and the generations that will come after us to take care of the world we live in. That's why I am proud to lead efforts in the House to unleash America’s energy resources to not only strengthen national security but also lower global emissions. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I will continue working to craft and shape legislation that would streamline the permitting process, bring clarity to domestic manufacturers, and promote an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes renewables as well as conventional energy.

National School Picture Day

Did you know that this past Thursday, just as families throughout our VA-02 communities went back to school, was National School Picture Day? This day was created as a way to recognize and celebrate the importance of school photos in our lives – they capture memories that will last a lifetime! In honor of this special day, I’m begrudgingly sharing my senior portrait from high school! (Yes - those are natural curls….!)

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson (Medal of Honor action date: October 15th,1967). 

Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne during the Korean War. Eventually ranking as a Staff Sergeant in the Vietnam War, Anderson would serve as Chief of Section in Battery A of the 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Infantry Division. While serving in Vietnam, Battery A's defensive position came under attack from a resolute North Vietnamese Army infantry unit. Supported by intense mortar fire, recoilless-rifles, rocket-propelled-grenades, and automatic-weapons fire, the initial enemy assault breached Battery A’s defensive perimeter. In an act of pure selflessness, Anderson positioned himself on the exposed parapet of his howitzer location, becoming the linchpin of the battery's defense.

From this exposed vantage point, Staff Sergeant Anderson directed howitzer fire at the advancing enemy, simultaneously engaging them with rifle and grenade fire. Despite sustaining severe leg injuries from two exploding enemy grenades at his feet, Anderson did not falter. Unable to stand due to his injuries, Anderson valiantly propped himself up on the parapet, and continued to lead the howitzer fire against the rapidly closing enemy forces. This valiant act further motivated his comrades to persevere.

In a moment of true courage, Anderson noticed an enemy grenade land near a wounded member of his crew. Without hesitation, Staff Sergeant Anderson grabbed the grenade and attempted to throw it away to safeguard his men. Unfortunately, the grenade detonated in the process, causing further serious injury. Despite being only partially conscious and severely wounded, Anderson adamantly refused medical evacuation and remained steadfast in encouraging his men's defense of the position.

After his action date and recovery, Staff Sergeant Webster Anderson was promoted to Sergeant First Class before his retirement in 1968.Through his inspirational leadership and unwavering commitment to the line of duty, Webster Anderson upheld the defense of his section's position and thwarted a determined enemy attack. His exceptional valor and courage, demonstrated at great personal risk, epitomize the highest standards of military service and further reflect immense credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon on November 24th, 1969 at the White House. Anderson was born on July 15th, 1933 in Winnsboro, South Carolina and died on August 30th, 2003. He is buried at Black Jack Baptist Church Cemetery in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

Five Fast Facts About Congress!

1. The First Congress was made up of sixty-five representatives. The First Congress lasted for two years; they met from March 4, 1789 to March 4, 1791.
2. The President of the Senate of the First Congress was none other than John Adams. The President Pro Tempore was John Langdon.
3. The House and the Senate operate under different rules for debating potential legislation.
4. Only 395 women have ever been elected to serve as a member of Congress. Of that number, there are still 147 still serving as members of the current Congress.
5. During the First Congress, there were no political parties represented as we recognize them now. 

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my D.C. Office at (202) 225-4215 or my Virginia Beach District Office at (757) 364-7650 with questions, concerns, or if you require assistance with a federal agency. And don't forget - if you’d like to stay up to date with what I’m working on, check out my website and follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District