Friends,

I want to start out by wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day! Thank you to all the hardworking Americans who have made this great nation what it is today.

A special salute to all those putting in long hours on the job today, especially our troops, police officers, and first responders...!

Protecting Our Economy and Our Environment

I was excited to join Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller, Congressman Rob Wittman, Virginia Senator Bill DeSteph, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association at the the 20th annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament, where we met with with people from the recreational boating industry! It was a great opportunity for lawmakers, tournament participants, and community members to weigh in on how to protect access to Virginia’s coastal waters while still supporting the conservation of marine mammals like the North Atlantic Right Whale.

I firmly believe we can support the conservation of Right Whales while maintaining our vibrant coastal economy…!

That's why, earlier this year, I advocated for $5 million to fund enhanced radar for large fishing vessels, in an effort to improve detection of these endangered whales and avoid fatal collisions. I will continue to advocate for steps, like enhanced radar, that enable our fishing community to share the ocean responsibly, rather than burdensome regulations that would cripple our region’s economic output. 

Suffolk's New Fire Station!

Last week, my team attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the future City of Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue Station 11…!

This brand new 20,000 ft facility - set to be completed in around 18 months - is going to house 45 firefighters, officers, and paramedics. It will cut down on critical emergency response times for the Burbage Grant, Huntersville, and Northern Harbor View areas of Western Tidewater. I can’t wait to visit the completed station!! Thank you to all our first responders!

Langley Air Force Association Annual Meeting

Since 1946, the Air & Space Forces Association has done exceptional work to "Educate, Advocate, and Support both services and the Airmen, Guardians, and their families whose service helps support the defense and security of our nation". I was recently spoke at Langley Chapter 323's meeting, which is located in Hampton Roads and boasts around 2000 members!

I provided the group with an update from Washington, focused on my work with the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, including the recently passed fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding for every aspect of our military. I'm proud that the first NDAA I had the opportunity to contribute to in Congress authorizes new investments into our servicemembers' quality-of-life, particularly when it comes to housing, mental healthcare, and family care. (There is still a lot of room for improvement there...which means Congress' work isn't done!)

I was also able to meet this impressive group of JROTC Cadets from Tabb High School in Yorktown. As a Navy veteran with an extensive familial military background, it makes me proud to see young men and women who are passionate about serving their country; I'm confident this group will go on to do great things!

A Community Healthcare Conversation

I recently joined Tidewater Community College for a regional healthcare conversation! I heard from faculty and stakeholders about the types of programs TCC offers in the healthcare space; particularly, how they prepare aspiring professionals to make immediate impacts in our local workforce. Their wide array of accessible degrees have empowered many Southeast Virginians to work full time and raise children while attaining a degree in healthcare and going on to serve our community.

After hearing from University and community leaders, I provided an update on my work in Congress to remove barriers to entry to the workforce and address the national healthcare professional shortage. In recent months, my colleagues and I have introduced the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2023 and the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act to alleviate this national shortage.

Tackling this issue - and lowering healthcare costs for patients nationwide - are two of the top priorities of our bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus. Thank you to TCC for having me and allowing me to provide an update; Hampton Roads benefits greatly from the educational opportunities you provide!

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week, I want to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Richard Beatty Anderson (Medal of Honor action date: February 1st,1944). 

Anderson was raised in Agnew, Washington. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 6th, 1942 and received his training in San Diego, California before being sent to the Infantry Battalion Training Center on April 12th, 1943.

PFC Anderson departed from the U.S. with his unit Company E, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines to participate in the Invasion of Roi Island, a part of the Marshall Islands. In the midst of combat against Japanese forces on February 1, 1944, Private First Class Anderson found himself in a shell crater with three fellow marines. While preparing to throw a grenade at an enemy position, the grenade slipped from his grasp and rolled towards the men at the bottom of the crater.

Recognizing the imminent danger, and with no time to retrieve the armed grenade, Private First Class Anderson displayed remarkable courage by shielding his comrades from harm. He threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the full impact of the explosion, in a selfless act that cost him his life. Anderson's personal bravery and unwavering loyalty, even in the face of certain death, upheld the highest ideals of the U.S. Naval Service. He bravely sacrificed himself for the sake of his country.

Private First Class Richard Beatty Anderson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Rear Admiral J.A. Taffinder, Commandant, 13th Naval District. He was born on June 26th, 1921 in Tacoma, Washington and is buried at New Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington. His Medal of Honor was presented to his parents and is accredited to Washington State.

Five Fast Facts About our Nation's Capitol!

1. The Capitol building has more than 540 rooms and has 658 windows.
2. The Rotunda stands 180 feet, three inches tall and is 96 feet in diameter.
3. National Statuary Hall used to be the chambers for the House of Representatives, called the Old Hall of the House (1809-1857). The hall holds 100 of the Capitol’s collection of statues of notable citizens in US history, two per state.
4. The estimated historical cost of the United States Capitol as of 2003 was $133 million.
5. The original design for the Capitol Building was drawn by Dr. William Thornton and the current dome on the Capitol was designed by Thomas U. Walter, but there have been 12 Architects of the Capitol who have all made contributions to the building.

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