Friends,

Welcome back to another weekly recap! I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colors across Southeast Virginia. As a reminder, fall weather brings the time change, so don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night.

I was in the district this past week and had the pleasure of meeting with different groups and individuals throughout Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore. Take a look below at what we've been up to recently!

Celebrating Small Businesses in Cape Charles

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with several Cape Charles small businesses on the Eastern Shore and help welcome them to Southeast Virginia! Almost all of these businesses opened in the past year - each and every one is an important part of our community and a testament to the people who live on the Eastern Shore. These small businesses add to the economic security and success of our region, and I was glad to thank each of them for choosing Cape Charles as their home.

Small businesses and the communities that form around them are part of what makes our country great. In Congress, I'm proud to advocate for our small businesses by supporting bipartisan policies that will spur economic growth and help businesses of all sizes create jobs, drive innovation, and give back to our community.

I have always believed in a commonsense approach to government that helps employers, and their workers, succeed. I will continue to support policies that benefit our local businesses so our regional economy can continue to grow and become more prosperous. Thank you to Cape Charles Main Street and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber for partnering together to highlight the amazing value these businesses add to our local community...!

Preserving Veterans' Access to Telemedicine

Those who defend our country in uniform should receive the best possible care once they return home from service. For many veterans across Hampton Roads, sometimes receiving the best possible care means seeing a provider from the comfort of their own home. That's why I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 9324, the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2024. This legislation would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare providers to continue prescribing and delivering certain medications via telemedicine to their veteran patients.

As the only geriatric nurse practitioner in Congress, I know how critical telehealth is for older patients, especially those in rural areas. According to the VA's Office of Rural Health, there are more than 2.7 million veterans in rural communities who are enrolled in and rely on the VA's healthcare system. These veterans often have less access to VA healthcare clinics than veterans in more suburban areas. The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2024 would reduce this disparity by waiving the requirement of having one in-person medical examination for veterans seeking treatment from VA providers.

In recent years, telehealth services have offered many of these veterans in rural areas greater access to critical healthcare...allowing the VA to continue with this practice will reaffirm our nation's commitment to those who risk their lives for our freedom. I am proud to support our veterans and will continue to do so as your Member of Congress!

Congratulations, Michele!

Last week, I had the honor of presenting a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to Michele from Southeast Virginia as a congratulations for becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen...! It was a privilege to meet with Michele in person in our district to commemorate this special occasion!

Legislative Updates with Virginia Credit Unions

Last week, I joined local and state legislators at the Virginia Credit Union League's Legislative Reception to discuss important policy updates and learn about the challenges they face in today's economy. So many people and businesses in our community and across the Commonwealth rely on credit unions to succeed and make an impact in the community. Believe it or not, more than one-third of Americans rely on credit unions to manage their finances, and more than 350,000 people in Virginia's Second District are members of a credit union...!

I came to Congress to advocate for the Second District, its people, its businesses, and its success. Unfortunately, the financial institutions in our community are facing difficulties navigating burdensome regulations as they try to support their local neighborhoods and businesses. That's why I'm proud to fight for policies that ensure the 105 member-owned credit unions in Virginia can thrive and be financially prosperous...!

Thank you to the Virginia Credit Union League and its members for the work you do on behalf of Hampton Roads and the entire Commonwealth. I appreciate all that you contribute to our communities and enjoyed hearing directly from you on how I can advocate for you in Congress!

Honoring Vietnam Prisoners of War

Our men and women in uniform risk their lives for our freedom, but sometimes, those in service don't come home. As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, it was a privilege to join local Vietnam veterans and Mission: POW/MIA for their lunch meeting in Virginia Beach last week. Together, we honored our heroes who went missing in action or were taken as prisoners of war in Vietnam. Those who have not returned home, and their families, are not forgotten.

Weekly Poll

With over 1,200 votes last week, 82% of you said that you were concerned over North Korean troops joining with Russian forces against Ukraine. I agree with you. This is unfortunately yet another example of North Korea causing increased tensions and conflict across the world. This is exactly why we must restore American military deterrence.

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 Chief Boatswain's Mate (BMC) James Elliot Williams , United States Navy (Medal of Honor Action Date: October 31, 1966).

James Williams was born on June 13, 1930 in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He largely grew up in Darlington, South Carolina and graduated from St. John’s high school. In 1947, Williams enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 years old. He completed basic training at Naval Training Center, San Diego. 

He began his service during the Korean War onboard the destroyer USS Douglas H. Fox from 1950 to 1952. During this time, BMC Williams often led small boat raiding parties on the North Korean Coast. After Korea, he was next assigned to the cruiser USS Little Rock. In April, 1966 he was transferred to River Squadron Five of the River Patrol Force and commanded the patrol boat PBR-105 in Vietnam. The intent of the River Patrol Force was to prevent arms and supply shipments by the Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) on the Mekong Delta.

On October 31, 1966, BMC Williams’ PBR-105 and one other ship were patrolling on the Mekong Delta searching for enemy shipments when they came under fire from two hostile boats called sampans. The Americans killed the crew of one sampan but the other boat fled to an inlet. Williams’ boats pursued the fleeing sampan into the inlet and encountered a vastly superior force of at least ten enemy boats. BMC Williams led multiple attacks against the force of boats and called in helicopter support. In launching his attacks, he encountered an even larger force of dozens of enemy boats including seven larger Junk boats. He utilized the wake of his boat to throw off the aim of the hostile boats. After three hours, the two patrol boats under the command of Williams had destroyed or damaged at least 65 enemy boats and killed or wounded around 1,200 enemy soldiers. No American casualties were sustained. 

BMC Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on May 14, 1968, one year after he retired from the Navy with 20 years of service. He was also made an Honorary Chief Petty Officer. After retiring from the Navy, Williams became a U.S. Marshal serving in the District of South Carolina until 1977 when he was transferred to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for two years. In 1979, he was appointed as the U.S. Marshal for South Carolina. In 1980, he moved to Washington D.C. and served at U.S. Marshal's Headquarters until his retirement in 1983.

By the end of his service in Vietnam, he had been awarded not only the Medal of Honor, but also a Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and many other awards. BMC Williams was the most decorated enlisted sailor in U.S. Navy history. BMC James E Williams passed away on October 13, 1999 and is buried at the Florence National Cemetery in South Carolina. The USS James E Williams (DDG-95) is named in his honor and is home ported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Constituent Corner!

I know how difficult it can be to navigate the federal government, especially when it comes to the IRS. Recently, my office was able to assist Bob from Virginia Beach and helped get his overpaid taxes returned 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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