Huelskamp Meets Manhattan

Press Release

During his first constituent work week of the 113th Congress, Congressman Tim Huelskamp made several stops in Manhattan, Kansas. He visited Abbott Workholding Products, attended a Legislative Luncheon hosted by the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, and toured the Manhattan Boys and Girls Club.

"Friday's visits were very productive and informative, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to meet with us," Huelskamp said after he finished his stops in Manhattan and headed down the road to Abilene for a town hall. "In addition to the town halls that I host, it is incredibly helpful to hear from and talk with business and community leaders who are shaping the economy and culture of our great state. I look forward to the years to come in which we can help to lower taxes and reduce the burden of regulation so that Kansas businesses can continue to prosper and flourish."

The day began at Abbott Workholding Products, where Criss Mayfield, Director of Administration, gave Congressman Huelskamp and his staff a tour of the facility. Abbott manufactures chuck jaws, tooling columns, and other workholding fixtures. Owner Carl Reed has testified in the past before the House Small Business Committee on which Huelskamp will serve in the 113th Congress. On the tour, they discussed taxes, overregulation, immigration, and the need for more young people to be trained to work in manufacturing.

Next, Congressman Huelskamp addressed a lunch-time legislative meeting of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. In his brief remarks, Huelskamp discussed the fiscal cliff legislation that passed last week, and its impact on small businesses. Huelskamp explained that on the same day that the fiscal cliff bill passed (but which he voted against) with tax increases on small businesses, $1 trillion in new ObamaCare taxes went into effect. Huelskamp also discussed tax reform, his support for NBAF, the upcoming debt ceiling fight, his assignment on the Small Business Committee, and how he will continue to work for a regulatory climate that does not stifle and antagonize small businesses.

Lyle Butler, President and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, said: "We were pleased that Congressman Huelskamp was able to visit with local Chamber business leaders within his first week of now officially representing Manhattan as part of the First Congressional District. Today's visit allowed the local business community to get to know the Congressman better and his positions on various subjects while also allowing him to hear the concerns and priorities of our local Chamber business representatives."

Following the lunch, Congressman Huelskamp visited the Manhattan Boys and Girls Club. Melissa Kirkwood, Director of Operations, Joyce Glasscock, Former Director of the Manhattan Boys and Girls Club and current Director of Government Relations for Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Wayne Sloan, President of BHS Construction (the company that built the facility) and Board of Governors Member, provided Huelskamp and his staff with a tour and update about the activities at the Club. Huelskamp was informed that he is the first Member of Congress to visit that club.

Before the 113th Congress began, Huelskamp announced that he would open an additional office in Manhattan to serve the new region added to the "Big First." The office will open next week. Each week the staff's office hours will be posted at http://huelskamp.house.gov/manhattan.

Source