| Keeping It Local |
Dear Friends,
Developing and maintaining relationships with 10th District residents is critical to the success of our community. I’m glad that my most recent district work period allowed me to visit with some of the people and places that help make our district strong and prosperous. Last Tuesday, I was thrilled to be in Athens with Mayor Nancy Denson for the grand opening of the new international headquarters of the World Scout Trading Post.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I was also pleased to join the facility’s general manager, Thomas Robertson, and World Development Manager of the World Scout Shop David Pina for the important event.
Representative Hice addresses the group in Athens |
Congressman Hice joins community leaders for the opening of the World Trading Post in Athens |
Keeping a finger on the pulse of the community is equally important to my staff, which is why my entire office gathered in the district last week to learn how we can better address the needs of the region. On Thursday, Team Hice set up shop at Lanier Technical College in Winder, where we spoke with the Barrow County Campus Dean Lisa Maloof about the school’s recent accomplishments and expansions and received an overview of the economic and business developments happening in each of the 25 counties. During lunch, State Senator Frank Ginn, Barrow County Commission Chairman Pat Graham, and Barrow County Chamber of Commerce President Tommy Jennings joined us to discuss how the recent historic tax cuts have benefitted the community and the desire to see more growth in the district. I believe it’s important to foster state, local, and federal partnerships in order to spur our economic engines at every level, while removing the roadblocks to prosperity and success.
Barrow County Campus Dean Lisa Maloof addressing Representative Hice’s staff during his working session |
State Senator Frank Ginn discussing how much-needed reforms to the federal tax code helped enact changes in the state tax system |
Without a doubt, the real champions in our communities are our friends and neighbors who work determinedly for those less fortunate and who do so with little fanfare or formal recognition. On Friday morning, my staff, Dee Dee, two members of Congressman Rob Woodall’s (GA-07) staff, and I were humbled to volunteer and see the remarkable work being done at Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter in Buford. As a residential care facility, Home of Hope has been an essential resource for kids in our neighborhood who find themselves in great need by providing services for children up to 17 years of age, as well as young mothers and those young women transferring out of the foster care system at age 18.
What’s more, while recognizing that a safe home is a necessary first step, Home of Hope’s mission goes even further by offering educational tools, job training, and life-planning services so that those trapped in a cycle of homelessness can gain the skills and resources they need to find permanent, stable housing and jobs. As a result, these women and children have the ability to go on to lead full and independent lives standing on their own two feet.
Friday was a morning filled with humility and joy, and my staff and I were just as thrilled to play BINGO as the kids in the room. Thank you so much for having us and allowing us to experience firsthand the enormous and incredible impact you all are having in our community. I know that this team of dedicated members, staff, and volunteers will continue to build on the success of their service, and I am especially grateful for their hospitality during our visit by enabling us to learn more about their work.
Representative Hice greeting children |
Representative Hice’s staff enjoys playing bingo with the kids of Home of Hope |
Team Hice visits Home of Hope in Buford |
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| Honoring a Community Hero |
In May, our community lost a brave hero of the Vietnam War and a dedicated public servant, Mr. Ernie Simons. Before he passed, I was humbled to honor his tireless work on behalf of the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces on the House Floor.
Having first answered the call of our Nation by serving as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War, Mr. Simons continued his service as an employee of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. In his nearly 30 years with the department, he worked in a number of capacities, including as the Director of the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Director of the Health and Memorials Division of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. While in these roles, Mr. Simons became known as a tireless, action-oriented servant-leader. To watch my full speech honoring his life, click here.
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| Caring for Our Heroes |
For nearly 80 years, the United Service Organizations (USO) has helped provide our troops who are deployed overseas with some of the comforts of home, including calls to their families and care packages filled with snacks and personal items. Before Memorial Day, I was thrilled to join the USO in preparing more than 2,000 care packages for our men and women in uniform.
Participating in this project was an absolute joy, and although we can never repay our servicemembers for their sacrifice, these care packages are small tokens of appreciation. To learn more about the USO and its mission supporting our troops and their families, visit http://www.uso.org.
Congressman Hice stuffing care packages for our heroes |
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| The Week Ahead |
I invite you to join me On Thursday for my third telephone town hall of the year from 6:05 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. These calls offer a convenient way for families to participate in the political process and share their concerns directly with me from the comfort of their own homes. During this event, I will provide a quick update on what I’ve been up to in Congress and on the homefront. Sign up to receive the call here.
The House will consider the following pieces of legislation this week:
H.R. 5956 - Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018
H.R. 1026 - North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act
H.R. 2991 - Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act, as amended
H.R. 5005 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park System
H.R. 5655 - Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument Act
H.R. 801 - Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, as amended
H.R. 3997 - Free Veterans from Fees Act, as amended
Concurring in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3249 - Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 8 - Water Resources Development Act of 2018, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 5895 - Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)
As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!
Sincerely,
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| TOP NEWS |
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The Herman Cain Show (WHIO)
Dayton, OH – 5/28
Ten Commandments Georgia
Congressman Jody Hice visits Gwinnett’s Home of Hope children’s shelter
Gwinnett Daily Post – 6/1
“N-40, G-48, N-32. Bingo!” 8-year-old Egypt Maxwell shouted with excitement. As she skipped up to the front of the Home of Hope kitchen to pick up her prize, a gift card to McDonald’s, she was greeted by U.S. Representative Jody Hice. Friday morning Hice, who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, and his staff, along with members of U.S. Representative Rob Woodall’s staff, spent time touring the Home of Hope facility in Buford.
VICTORY: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Our National Motto, Dismissing Atheist Challenge to "In God We Trust" on Our Currency
ACLJ – 6/1
The appellate court agreed, holding that the National Motto burdened neither the atheists’ free exercise nor free speech clause rights because Plaintiffs were not compelled to do anything. Citing one of its previous decisions, the court ruled that the national motto is a symbol of common national identity and did not discriminate against or suppress Plaintiffs’ beliefs. With respect to Plaintiffs’ free speech claim, the court stated: “Because Plaintiffs do not allege that the Motto is attributed to them and because the Supreme Court has reasoned that currency is not ‘readily associated with’ its temporary carrier, the district court properly dismissed Plaintiffs’ Free Speech claim.”
Brothers attend West Point
Oconee Enterprise – 5/30
Having completed Marion Military Institute’s Service Academy Program this spring, Oconee native Forde Norris is slated to begin his first year at West Point, where his brother, Sutton, will be finishing up his final year. The Service Academy Program at Marion prepares its students for all United States service academies through both rigorous academic and physical courses. “We took two years of college chemistry in one year,” said Norris. The preparatory cadets also take English composition classes, pre-calculus and calculus, United States history and military science classes.
Longtime Georgia Dept. of Veterans Service official Ernie Simons dies
Union-Recorder – 5/28
In that position, Simons oversaw contract operations of the Georgia War Veterans Home and the state cemeteries in Glennville and Milledgeville, as well as all the construction and renovation projects involving various aspects of the home and cemeteries. “This past Thursday, U.S. Rep. Jody Hice recognized Ernie on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on the Congressional Record for his many years of service to Georgia’s veterans,” Holtz said. “Sadly, Ernie lost his battle with a long illness yesterday.”
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