View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of October 27-31, 2014
Statement
Good Day,
This was another busy in-district work week as I visited several counties in our district to meet with and to hear the ideas of job creators and those who help others in our communities make our district such a great place to call home. Despite the challenges faced by small businesses, I was pleased to see examples of American manufacturing overcoming those challenges and succeeding. These are the success stories I want to see take root throughout our district, our state and our country, and I am committed to promoting policies that ease the burdens on our job creators and give them the support they need to demonstrate that American manufacturers make the finest products anywhere in the world. It is difficult to be anything but optimistic after visiting our manufacturing businesses. It is through the hard work of these manufacturers and the men and women creating top notch products that America's economy is steadily improving and will continue its recovery.
A visit to Lamar gave me an opportunity to see ingenuity in action as I toured the city's power facility which was created to utilize a city landfill's methane gas that was being flared into the atmosphere. This gas has now been harnessed and is being used as fuel to generate electricity. The venture began with two generators and now consists of four. It provides Lamar with about one third of its power needs and helps keep rates down.
I have said, time and time again, that America needs an "all of the above" energy policy that includes coal, oil, and other traditional sources of energy in addition to alternative sources that include renewable fuels. It is through an "all of the above" approach that we help create jobs, boost manufacturing, and make energy more affordable for citizens of Missouri's Fourth District and for Americans in other parts of our country. Lamar is demonstrating the wisdom of this approach.
I had the pleasure, this week, of visiting the Hickory County C.A.R.E.S. Food Pantry in Wheatland. This food pantry and its 162 volunteers lend a helping hand to residents of Hickory County who need temporary assistance to get on their feet again.
Nearly 875 Hickory County residents used the food pantry in August. Food pantries like C.A.R.E.S. and others across the nation will have greater access to funds through the Emergency Food Assistance Program following a $200 million increase to the program in the Farm Bill, which I strongly supported, and which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President earlier this year.
A visit to the Buffalo Prairie Care Center provided an opportunity to see a nursing home that is ranked among the top 20 percent of nursing homes in Missouri by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Care Center recently held a golf tournament to raise $2,200 for the Greater Ozarks Alzheimer's Association to aid it with the good work it is doing. Some of this money that was raised will aid Buffalo Prairie's very impressive Alzheimer's and Dementia unit. I am pleased to see so many good citizens working together to help raise money to combat these debilitating diseases.
Finally, I had an opportunity to visit the Free Women's Center of Pulaski County this week to meet with staff members, medical volunteers, and peer counselors. The Free Women's Center was founded in 2010 to offer women facing crisis pregnancies a place to go for information and assistance. This valuable center provides services to women and their families, offering one-on-one and group classes as well as workshops that are free and confidential. As someone who believes that the life of every child is valuable, I was extremely pleased to find that the services provided include pregnancy testing, ultrasound, adoption referrals, maternity home referrals, and support. I commend the efforts of these dedicated people who are making a difference in the lives of many good citizens of Pulaski County.
Have a great week.
Vicky
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