June 5, 2015

Press Release

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend. While we all enjoy the barbeques and parades we must remember that this holiday is dedicated to our loved ones who served our country and did not make it home. We can never fully repay the debt owed to the brave men and women who laid down their lives for our country, but we can honor their courage by upholding our duty to support our Veterans, members of the military and their families. On Memorial Day, I visited Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton. It was inspiring to see so many dedicated to the mission of honoring those we have lost and advocating for Veterans and Servicemembers.

In Washington I introduced the Military Spouses' Achieving College Education for Survivors (ACES) Act. The Fry Scholarship is an educational benefit given to children of our fallen troops. In August of 2014, Congress voted to extend this benefit to surviving spouses. This bipartisan legislation would provide surviving spouses whose husband or wife died in the line of duty after 9/11/2001, the time necessary to use the full 36 month benefit from the Fry Scholarship without fear of it being cut short halfway through their educational pursuits.

While serving in the Iraq War, I saw firsthand the painful price our country pays because of our dependence on foreign oil. American investors and consumers at the gas pump are better off supporting American jobs and access to clean, secure American energy, rather than Middle Eastern oil. That's why I sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency and Office of Management and Budget asking that it continue its commitment to renewable fuels. Investments in renewable fuels will help our economy grow by driving innovation and job creation here at home, bringing America closer to energy independence.

I also recently introduced the bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act, which would require airports to provide accessible, safe, clean and convenient lactation rooms for travelers. The legislation would require all large and medium hub airports in the U.S. to provide a private space in each terminal for mothers to express breast milk. The space would also be accessible to persons with disabilities.

I sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security expressing concern over the detention of mothers and children in "jail-like" facilities. The conditions in these facilities have the potential for creating long term physical and psychological injuries to women and children who are often fleeing incredibly traumatic situations in their home countries. It is time that DHS seek a better alternative.

Finally, last weekend I attended the Schaumburg's Prairie Arts Festival. It was a great opportunity to see the work of our local talented artists and small business owners. If you know of a great resident or small business that deserves recognition, please visit my website and nominate them for a Congressional Commendation.

I hope you are having a great week.

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