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Congressman McHenry Weekly Update
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Hearing From You
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This week, Congress' August work period began and with it, I started my annual town hall meetings in each of the Tenth District's seven counties. These town hall meetings provide me another chance to hear directly from you--my bosses. I hosted my first meeting for the people of Rutherford County at Isothermal Community College in Spindale on Monday evening.
Tuesday night, I hosted a town hall meeting in Lincolnton for the constituents in Lincoln County. You can read more about that meeting here courtesy of the Lincoln Times-News.
On Wednesday, I was in Shelby at the Cleveland Community College's Keeter Auditorium for a town hall meeting with Cleveland County residents.
I wrapped up my first week of town hall meetings in Hickory where I met with constituents from across Catawba County.
Next week, I will host three more town hall meetings for Tenth District constituents. A full list of those meetings can be found here.
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A Busy Week Across NC-10
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In addition to my evening town hall meetings, I use the August work period to meet with local leaders, community groups, and businesses throughout western North Carolina. On Monday, I began my day in Ellenboro where I presented an American flag flown above the U.S. Capitol to Mayor Jim Rhyne in honor of his recently passed brother Mike who served as a town alderman. In July, I paid tribute to Mike Rhyne on the floor of the House. Video of those remarks can be found here.
My next stop was Forest City where I spoke to the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce's Congressional Lunch and Learn.
I began the afternoon in Spindale at Rutherford Life Services where I learned about their programs helping adults with developmental disabilities.
My last stop of the day was back in Forest City where I donated computers formerly used in my Hickory office to Rutherford County Schools.
Tuesday I spent the day in Lincoln County where I spoke to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce's annual Legislative Luncheon.
That afternoon I toured the Helping Hands Health Center in Lincolnton as part of National Health Center Week.
After my Lincoln County town hall meeting, I participated in a National Night Out event in Lincolnton. National Night Out is an effort to bring police together with their communities to encourage greater cooperation and improve relations between law enforcement and the communities they protect.
Wednesday, I began my morning in Belmont where I joined with drug store Walgreens and local law enforcement and health care leaders to dedicate a drug take-back box. These boxes are safe and secure locations to dispose of medications and will help fight against the opioid epidemic that is hurting so many of our communities. Read more about Wednesday's dedication here courtesy of the Gaston Gazette.
Next I was in Dallas to visit and tour the new Gaston County Owens Corning facility.
In the afternoon I headed to Cleveland County, beginning with a tour of the county's Pregnancy Resource Center where I learned about their mission and the resources they provide.
I concluded the day by touring the soon to be opened Shelby location of the popular Belmont restaurant, the String Bean.
Thursday I started my morning in studio at WHKY with First Talk host Hal Row. Each month I call-in to Hal's show and with Congress out of session for August, I had the chance to appear in studio.
Next I headed over to Newton where I met with city leaders including Mayor Ann Stedman, City Manager Todd Clark, and members of the City Council.
I then headed over to Conover where I visited and toured the HSM Complex which includes their Wire Technology facility.
At lunchtime, I spoke to a meeting of the Hickory Rotary Club providing an update on my recent work in Washington.
I began the afternoon by visiting the Catawba Family Care Center in Hickory. This visit was also in honor of National Health Center Week.
I concluded my afternoon by holding a Coffee with the Congressman at Adult Life Programs in Hickory.
For additional photos from my visits throughout western North Carolina, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter and like my Facebook page.
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Honoring Fallen Heroes
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Firefighters are everyday heroes who put their lives on the line to protect ours. In western North Carolina, we are blessed to have countless professional and volunteer firefighters who serve our communities with distinction. Tragically, this summer we have lost two of these heroes and this week I paid tribute to both.
On Tuesday, I was in Stanley where I paid tribute to Joshua Warren. Joshua served the East Lincoln Fire Department, the Alexis Volunteer Fire Department, and the Lucia-Riverbend Volunteer Fire Department when he passed away while training in June. I presented American flags flown above the U.S. Capitol to Joshua's wife and children and to all three departments he so ably served. You can read more about Tuesday's presentation here via the Denver Weekly.
On Thursday, I honored the life of Newton Fire Captain Bradley Long. Long was also lost in the line of duty in June. Later that month, I spoke on the House floor to pay respects to Captain Long. You can see video of my remarks here. In the morning I visited the Newton Fire Department where I presented an American flag flown above the U.S. Capitol in Captain Long's honor to the department and Chief Kevin Yoder.
In addition to serving as a full-time Captain in the Newton Fire Department, Captain Long also volunteered with the Sherrills Ford – Terrell Fire and Rescue Squad. Prior to my town hall meeting in Hickory, I presented a flag to the Sherrills Ford -- Terrell Fire and Rescue as well.
You can see video of the flag presentation at the Newton Fire Department here.
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What I Have Been Reading |
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McHenry pushing crowdfunding as alternative to banks
Asheville Citizen-Times
Since I came to Congress, I've worked tirelessly to advance legislation to help grow the small businesses that call western North Carolina communities home. This year, that work has continued with my bills on crowdfunding and angel investing; two bills aimed at increasing access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
U.S. Sent Cash to Iran as Americans Were Freed
The Wall Street Journal
Around this time a year ago, President Obama was aggressively pushing his nuclear deal with Iran. At the time, I said it was a disastrous mistake and a year later that could not be more true, especially in light of these revelations. Ransom or not, it was unbelievable that the Obama Administration would send $400 million of cash on a secret flight to the Iranian regime and all the more troublingly that President Obama cannot definitively say whether or not this money is being used to fund terrorist activities.
War vet reunited with lost dog
Gaston Gazette
Heartwarming ending to this story as Shelby resident and Iraq war veteran David Dowell was reunited with his service dog Milka. Dowell suffers from post traumatic stress disorder caused by his service in the Middle East and Milka helps keep it under control. Yet on the 4th of July, Milka was spooked by fireworks and ran away from home. Fortunately, with some help from a Dallas police officer, Dowell and Milka were recently reunited.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
2334 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: 202.225.2576
Fax: 202.225.0316
GASTONIA DISTRICT OFFICE
Suite 115
Gaston Co. Administrative Bldg
128 West Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28053
Telephone: 704.833.0096
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HICKORY DISTRICT OFFICE
1990 Main Ave. SE, PO Box 1830
Hickory, NC 28603
Telephone: 828.327.6100
Toll-Free in NC: 800.477.2576
Fax: 828.327.8311
BLACK MTN. DISTRICT OFFICE
160 Midland Avenue
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Telephone: 828.669.0650
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