Friends,

It has been another wonderful week back in the District! Although we’ve gotten some good work done in Washington, D.C., it has been so great to be back home visiting businesses, people, and events that reflect the Second District and Virginia. Also on my list of things to do this month at home was to spend time with my family and get my oldest son off to Navy flight school in Pensacola, my second son back to Virginia Military Institute for his junior year, and my daughter off to Virginia Tech for her freshman year in the Corps of Cadets. I'm proud to say these three are off and where they need to be and ready for the journey ahead. That leaves me with one still home and in high school. Being a Mom & wife and dealing with all the challenges of kids that are growing up is the most important job I have and one that motivates me to work hard in Congress to give my kids - and all children - a bright future ahead in a country that's strong and safe.  

Here are the highlights from our second August District Work Week: 

Supporting our Military Families

On Monday, I visited the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads here in Virginia Beach! In Southeast Virginia and across the country, ASYMCAs play invaluable roles in the lives of our servicemembers and their loved ones. From daycare programs to help with holiday travel to emergency food assistance for military families in need, their advocacy, outreach, and community programs have impacted the lives of so many people.

I toured the facility and got a firsthand look at the incredible work they're doing... I also got to learn about all about the glitter Play-doh and art projects that their military children currently have underway! Thank you to all of the staff who took time out of their packed schedules to show me around. Visits like these mean so much to me; I can't wait to come back!

Protecting our Country from Cyberattacks

Last month, a concerning report revealed that the Department of Defense believes Chinese malware is buried deep within our military networks; specifically, those that control base utilities. Leaving ourselves vulnerable to these types of attacks weakens our national security and endangers both the military and civilian populations that rely on this infrastructure. Additionally, the report found that both domestic and international facilities have shown signs of CCP malware infestation. That is unacceptable.

That’s why I joined several of my colleagues to demand answers from the Biden Administration regarding the extent of the problem and a report outlining what infrastructure has been compromised by this malware. It is imperative to learn the full extent of this infiltration so we can ensure it does not damage critical facilities and military operations.

From lone wolves to criminal gangs to nation-state actors like Russia and China, the unfortunate reality is that nefarious actors target our military, businesses, schools, state and local governments, and federal agencies millions of times each day.

I look forward to the Administration's response, as well as our coordinated effort to fix this problem and ensure the vulnerabilities which allowed these infiltrations are eliminated and our cyber defenses are strengthened. To learn more about the report - and our transparency efforts - click on the picture above. To read our full letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Agency Director of Cybersecurity Rob Joyce, click here.

Touring Norfolk Harbor and the Elizabeth River!

On Friday, I joined the Virginia Pilots Association, the Virginia Maritime Association, and Perdue Agribusiness for a tour of the Port of Virginia!

We also used the opportunity to explore businesses along the Elizabeth River. The Port is incredibly important to the vitality of Hampton Roads, our Commonwealth, and the East Coast. During FY 2022 alone, the Port provided our Commonwealth with $63 billion in income and 565,000 full- and part-time jobs. Additionally, the Port is one of the 10 largest in the United States!

On our tour, we discussed the Port's impact on our economy, future dredging plans, and the Port's unique - and strategically important - role as a joint civilian and military harbor. We're fortunate to have such a large economic driver in our backyard. In Washington, I'll continue to fight for policies that promote job growth and allow places like the Port of Virginia - and the many businesses and workers they support - to flourish!

Coffee with the Congresswoman

This Tuesday (August 15th) I am hosting "Coffee with the Congresswoman" on the Eastern Shore! The event will take place from 10:00-11:00 AM at my Onley District Office. Opportunities to hear directly from Southeast Virginians about their thoughts on what's happening in Congress or around the district are so valuable to me and help me represent you better! I hope many of you will join us!

If you're not able to join, but still have questions or concerns, don't worry! You can always call my office at (202) 451-1405 or visit my website to let me know what's on your mind.

A Day on the Bay

On Tuesday, members of my team visited Virginia Institute of Marine Science's (VIMS) Gloucester Point Campus!

Chartered in 1940, VIMS stated three-part mission is to "conduct research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and citizens, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public." In addition to providing these services and educational opportunities, VIMS is also home to the School of Marine Science, which serves as William & Mary's marine science graduate school!

During their tour, my team was given an overview of Virginia's National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and Coastal Management Programs. The estuary they care for and conduct research in is one of 30 NERR sites across the country...! These locations - which receive federal funding and guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - are focused on stewardship, research, training, and education. Estuaries are incredibly important to our coastal ecosystem, as they protect inland areas from erosion and provide a habitat for many native species.

After they finished up on campus, they took a boat tour to Goodwin Island Reserve, where they discussed water quality, harmful algal blooms, and the Virginia environmental data center, which analyzes the Chesapeake's Bay estuary research data and supports VIMS' projects. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful home; I'm thankful that we have a great institution like VIMS to look after it!

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Lucian Adams (Medal of Honor action date: October 28th, 1944). 

One of 12 children, Staff Sergeant Adams decided to enlist in the Army upon his high school graduation in 1943. Upon enlistment, he completed Basic Training in North Carolina before being sent to Europe to fight in World War II. In January of 1944, Staff Sergeant Adams was sent to Anzio Beach with the Third Infantry Division. In August, their Division was sent to Southern France for Operation Dragoon. 

In October 1944, Adams' Division was sent to the Vosges Mountains. They met the enemy's reinforced troops as they pushed into the division's defense lines. Staff Sergeant Adams' unit was tasked with reforming this breach in the supply line and reconnecting a battalion who they'd had lost contact with.

Adams bravely charged through intense machine gun fire in a solo assault against enemy troops. Despite minimal progress by his company and significant casualties, he skillfully evaded gunfire by moving between trees, firing a borrowed BAR from the hip. In the face of enemy resistance, he closed in on - and eliminated - multiple machine gunners and infantrymen using grenades and BAR fire. His determined advance cleared the hostile elements from the woods, neutralizing nine enemy soldiers, three machine guns, and restoring supply lines to his battalion's assault units. These actions not only saved many men in his unit, but also opened the key supply line that his battalion needed who would not have survived without it.

Staff Sergeant Lucian Adams' actions showed the valiant fighting spirit by going above the call of duty at the risk of his own life and was thus awarded the Medal of Honor by Lieutenant General Alexander M. Patch III on April 23rd, 1945 at the Zepman Stadium in Nuremberg, Germany. He was born on October 26th, 1922 in Port Arthur, Texas. He died on March 31st, 2003 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Five Fast Facts about Chesapeake!

1. Chesapeake is consistently ranked by the FBI as one of the five safest cities of its size in the country.
2. Michael Cuddyer, professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, was raised in Chesapeake.
3. Chesapeake contains more miles of deepwater canals than any other city in the country. 
4. Chesapeake consists of more than 353 square miles of land area, which makes it the 11th largest city in the U.S.
5. Chesapeake's Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is home to 213 species of birds.

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