Friends,

Welcome back to another weekly debrief! I want to start with a quick reminder about the deadline for the 2024 Congressional App Challenge. If you are a middle or high school and are planning to participate in this year's competition, make sure to finalize your submission by October 24th...!

As our world and economy continues to increasingly rely upon technology it is important now more than ever for the next generation to continue pursuing their passions and develop future technology that will shape our world for years to come.

Last year more than 11,000 students across the country participated in this competition and, in VA-02 alone, students produced apps that tracked people’s exercise, the cost of goods, helping veterans access resources, and SO much more... I can't wait to see all of the incredible apps our students will come up with this year!

Last week, I had a wonderful time in Hampton Roads visiting with various groups across Virginia's Second Congressional District. I also had the pleasure of spending one day back in Washington for the Navy Museum Site Selection Ceremony!

Continue reading to learn all about what I was up to this week...!

Preserving Local Oyster Reefs

Like many Southeast Virginians, I've seen firsthand the positive effects oyster reefs have on our coastlines and our local economy. I want to make sure we prioritize oyster preservation, which is why I introduced the Oyster Reef Recovery Act! My bipartisan bill would allocate existing funding to critical conservation programs that support the restoration and management of our oceans' oyster reefs.

Specifically, my bipartisan legislation would create the "Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program" and authorize $15,000,000 under existing authority for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for these grants. Additionally, the program would identify priorities for oyster reef restoration and evaluate the health and threats to oyster reefs through mapping and water quality monitoring.

This would allow members of the academic community, the shellfish industry, non-profit organizations, private entities, and state agencies to apply for these grants and use the funding to explore opportunities for further conservation and management of oysters in estuarine ecosystems. I'm proud to be leading the effort to preserve the oyster reefs that play such an important role in our estuarine ecosystems and our coastal communities...!

You can read more about this important legislation here.

Announcing the Future Navy Museum

Last week, I traveled up to Washington, D.C. to help announce the future site of the new National Museum of the United States Navy! I was honored to join Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James W. Kilby, Chairman of the National Navy Museum Development Foundation and former Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite II, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea, and other distinguished officials at this event.

As a Navy veteran, the wife of a Navy veteran, and the mother to future Navy veterans, I am beyond proud to advocate for a museum to honor the tens of thousands of servicemembers who have worn the Navy uniform. This future museum will recognize the Navy's 249 years of commitment to our great nation and will allow American citizens the opportunity to learn more about the Navy's role in our national defense.

Earlier this year, I introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund the National Museum of the United States Navy. While my amendment was not included in the final NDAA that passed the House, I am committed to doing everything in my power to help establish the Navy's flagship museum, and will continue to advocate for it in Congress!

Visiting with Saint Gregory's Civics Students

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with a great group of 7th graders at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School (SGGS) in Virginia Beach! These students are currently studying civics, and I was excited to speak with them about my experience in Congress and answer some of their questions about the federal legislative process.

Understanding our country's government is very important and something every young American should learn. I enjoyed speaking with them about my job as their Member of Congress and providing them with a firsthand account of all that our legislative branch does. Thank you, SGGS, for inviting me to speak with your students - they are the next generation of great leaders...!

50 Years of STIHL in Hampton Roads

I recently had the honor of joining STIHL USA to celebrate their 50th anniversary here in Virginia Beach! Since its incorporation in the United States, STIHL USA has grown significantly and has more than 3,300 employees - including 2,700 in Virginia Beach alone. I am proud that Virginia Beach has been the home to STIHL since its incorporation in the United States.

The unfortunate reality is that in recent years, China secured a superior, strategic position in the global supply chain while America was asleep at the wheel. We need to continue to focus on rebuilding our domestic manufacturing base and reducing our reliance on China. That's why it's critical that we continue to prioritize American-made products, like those made by STIHL. It is encouraging to see the investment STIHL has had here in Hampton Roads - we are grateful to have a strong domestic manufacturer like STIHL in our district...!

Celebrating Sister Cities with Symphonicity!

Last week, I had so much fun attending the kick off of the “Sister Cities” Season for Symphonicity at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach…! The “Sister City” season for the symphony will honor the City of Virginia Beach’s special relationship between five of its sister cities from around the world! Having spent years in Japan as an English teacher and then Navy wife, it was special to kick off the series honoring the relationship between Virginia Beach and Miyazaki, Japan. 

It was a beautiful concert from talented community musicians. I appreciate opportunities like this to show support for our local artists!

Weekly Poll

With nearly 1,200 votes last week, almost 80% of you said that the Department of Justice should not have sued the Commonwealth of Virginia and Governor Youngkin over his removal of non-citizens from the voter rolls.

I agree with you, which is why I am proud to be a cosponsor of the SAVE Act to prevent non-citizens from voting and to have voted twice for the SAVE Act on the House Floor. I am grateful for Governor Youngkin's eagerness to fight for Virginia law and for the security of our elections in the Commonwealth. Know that he has my support and that I will do everything in my power as your member of Congress to ensure non-citizens do not vote in Virginia elections!

And now on to this week's poll question...!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor Medal of Honor recipient Vice Admiral (VADM) Lawson “Red” Ramage United States Navy (Medal of Honor Action Date July 31, 1944).

VADM Lawson P Ramage was born on January 19, 1909 in Monroe, Massachusetts. Ramage graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931 and was commissioned as an Ensign. From 1931-1935, he served onboard the destroyers USS Dickerson and USS Lawrence and the heavy cruiser USS Louisville. Afterwards, he volunteered for submarine service but was unable to pass the submarine physical due to an eye injury he obtained at the Naval Academy. In order to pass, VADM Ramage memorized the letters on the eye exam board in order to pass. When the doctor administering the test grew suspicious and gave him a new test board, Ramage faked switching covering his good eye and only covered his bad eye without the doctor realizing it and passed the eye exam. 

VADM Ramage qualified for submarine service and was assigned to the submarine USS S-29 where he would remain until 1938 when he returned to the Naval Academy to undergo postgraduate education. He next served aboard the destroyer USS Sands as executive officer until February, 1941 when he was assigned to Commander, Submarines Pacific Fleet as the force communications and sound officer. VADM Ramage was in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Beginning in 1942, he served onboard the submarine USS Grenadier as the navigator. He earned a Silver Star for his work on a two month patrol in 1942 which resulted in 24,000 of Japanese cargo destroyed. In June 1942, he assumed command of the submarine USS Trout at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Over eight war patrols from June 1942 to March 1943, VADM Ramage sank three ships and damaged several others. Most frustratingly, VADM Ramage attacked the Japanese battleship Kirishima but failed to score a hit despite firing five torpedoes. On his final patrol in command of USS Trout, VADM Ramage launched 15 torpedoes with only one minor hit scored. It is widely believed that the high miss rate was due to glaring failures in the U.S. Mark 14 torpedo. VADM Ramage, along with many other submarines complained loudly to the Navy Ordnance Bureau but had their complaints initially dismissed. VADM Ramage was awarded a Navy Cross for his actions during his fifth, sixth, and seventh patrols.

In 1943, he was given command of the USS Parche and by the time of his first patrol in March 1944, many of the problems with the Mark 14 Torpedo had been fixed. THeir first patrol was with a submarine wolfpack, a strategy in which several submarines operate together to more effectively attack targets. VADM Ramage’s wolfpack sank seven ships with two sinkings credited to USS Parche. 

On July 31, 1944,during the Parche’s second patrol, the submarine encountered a Japanese convoy. VADM Ramage initiated a pre-dawn attack in which he successfully penetrated the screen of the heavily escorted convoy, surfaced his submarine and attacked two cargo ships, one directly in front of him and one directly behind him. Ramage hit the ship to his front with his deck cannon and subsequently sank it with torpedoes from his ship’s front torpedo tubes. VADM Ramage simultaneously damaged the ship behind him with USS Parche’s stern-launched torpedoes. He then sank a transport ship with torpedoes which had been reloaded in the bow. The USS Parche was subsequently illuminated due to illumination flares that had been launched by the convoy and had naval gunfire landing close by as the Japanese frantically tried to defend against it. VADM Ramage ordered all crew below while retaining a quartermaster to act as a rear lookout. A Japanese ship attempted to ram the USS Parche but the crew expertly maneuvered his boat out of the way. With their ship now in a crossfire between Japanese escorts, VADM Ramage attacked the Japanese ship which attempted to ram him with three torpedoes, shrinking the ship. USS Parche then withdrew without suffering any damage. VADM Ramage was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony by President Franklin D Roosevelt on January 10, 1945. He was also awarded a second Navy Cross for his actions.

After World War II, VADM Ramage held various posts including command of Submarine Division Two and Submarine Squadron Six. He also commanded the amphibious cargo ship the USS Rankin. As a flag officer, VADM Ramage served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, as Commander, Cruiser Division Two, and as deputy commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic. In this position he led the search and rescue effort for the nuclear powered submarine USS Thresher which had sunk in an accident. VADM Ramage rounded out his naval career as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Operations and Readiness and finally as Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service. VADM Ramage retired from the Navy in 1969 after 38 years of service. He passed away from cancer in 1990 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The destroyer USS Ramage (DDG-61) was named in his honor and is active in service today.

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government, especially when it comes to getting your passport renewed. My office was recently able to assist Minor from Virginia Beach, and helped him renew his passport quickly!

If you need assistance with your passport or with another federal agency, my team is here to help. Contact my District Office at (757) 364-7650 or visit my website and my team will be in touch!

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!

If you or your family are visiting Washington, DC in the coming fall months, please stop by to say hello! If you are interested in a tour, please let us know!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District

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