September 17, 2017
Congressman McHenry Weekly Update

We Will Never Forget


We will never forget the lives lost on September 11th, 2001. On Monday we remembered the thousands of Americans that lost their lives sixteen years ago during the horrific terrorist attacks. Communities all over the Tenth District came together to honor those who perished at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93. We also gathered together as a community to recognize the brave first responders, many of whom gave their lives to save others on that fateful day. In Kings Mountain, the community came together to pay tribute to the lives lost sixteen years ago, which you can read more about here. First responders were recognized by firefighters in Gastonia and by a new honor garden in Catawba. Annie Bynum, a Red Cross volunteer from Gastonia also shared her incredible story of helping the Red Cross in the aftermath of the attacks in New York which you can read by clicking here.


Ensuring American Security and Prosperity


On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the H.R. 3354, Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. This legislative package marks a return to governing for the House of Representatives as we passed all twelve annual appropriations bills for the first time in nearly a decade. The funding provided in this bill helps ensure security on our southern border including fully funding President Trump's request for a wall on the southern border. It also increases resources for local law enforcement agencies, helps combat the opioid epidemic devastating our communities, gives our troops the biggest pay raise they've seen in years, and supports other critical programs helping the American people. It also rolls back job-killing Obama-era regulations and reduces government waste by eliminating unnecessary government programs and wasteful spending. To see my full statement on the passage of this important bill please click here or on the image below.


We Must Never Forget Those Left Behind


Friday was National POW/MIA Recognition Day which honors the sacrifices made by those who were imprisoned or went missing while serving in our nation's armed forces during armed conflicts around the world. Over 138,000 service members have been imprisoned since WWII and there are still over 83,000 missing in action. The Department of Defense created a great video to remind us of the incredible sacrifices these troops made in defending our freedoms. You can watch that video by clicking here. To learn more about this important day click here or on the image below.


What I Have Been Reading

Conover showcases Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall Memorial through 9/11

Hickory Daily Record


Last weekend Conover Station hosted the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall Memorial. The wall, which is one-fifth the size of the actual memorial in Washington, provided the people of western North Carolina the opportunity to pay their respects to all those Americans who gave their lives serving in Vietnam. I am forever grateful for our U.S. military and everything they do to protect our freedoms.                                               


Local man wants signatures of fellow surviving World War II veterans

Gaston Gazette


Ray Stewart not only served his country in the Army's famous 2nd Armored "Hell on Wheels" Division during World War II but now is working to preserve the memory of his fellow servicemen. Mr. Stewart, who is well known throughout Gastonia, is working to get all of Gaston County's living World War II veterans to sign his prints of the "Day of Days", a painting that depicts servicemen preparing for their advance in to France on D-Day.


Lenoir-Rhyne University hosts inauguration ceremony for 12th president

Hickory Daily Record
 

Last week, Hickory's Lenoir-Rhyne University held an inauguration ceremony for the twelfth president in the university's history, Fred Whitt. President Whitt, who is a native of Gaston County, has actually been with the university since February when he joined from Appalachian State University in Boone. I look forward to working with President Whitt as he takes over one of the Tenth District's great, four-year institutions. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
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Telephone: 202.225.2576
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GASTONIA DISTRICT OFFICE
Suite 115
Gaston Co. Administrative Bldg
128 West Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC  28053
Telephone: 704.833.0096

HICKORY DISTRICT OFFICE
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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: 828.669.0600

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