Congressman McHenry Weekly Update

June 12, 2016

Congressman McHenry Weekly Update

Honoring a Fallen First Responder

On Monday, tragedy struck the Tenth District as a local firefighter was lost in the line of duty. Newton Fire Department Captain Bradley Long--who spent most of his life serving Catawba County as a firefighter--died while assisting with the recovery of a stricken swimmer in Lake Norman. Captain Long started as a junior firefighter with Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire and Rescue at the age of fourteen and later worked his way up from a part-time role to become Captain with the Newton Fire Department. When he died Monday, Captain Long worked full-time in Newton while continuing his voluntary service in Sherrills Ford and Terrell.

On Thursday of this week, I took to the House floor to pay tribute to Captain Long for his years of selfless service to the people of Catawba County. You can watch video of my speech by clicking here or on the image below. Additionally, you can read more about Captain Long and his life of service here via the Charlotte Observer and here via the Hickory Daily Record. My prayers continue to be with Captain Long, his family, and his brother firefighters while they mourn this tremendous loss.

10th District's 2016 Service Academy Appointees

One of the many highlights of my job is nominating Tenth District high school students for appointments to our nation's military service academies. Our nation's service academies are among the best and most challenging colleges in the world. Each year, I interview and nominate local students for appointments to the academies. This year, the Tenth District had eight students accept appointments to the US Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy respectively. You can learn about these eight students here. Last Friday, I had the pleasure of hosting a reception for all eight students at my office in Hickory. Click here or visit my Facebook page for additional pictures from Friday's reception.

A Busy Day in Gaston County

I spent Monday with a packed schedule of events in Gaston County. My morning began with a visit to the Stanley Fire Department. During my visit I toured the department and met with their firefighters.

My next stop was at Kiser Elementary School, also in Stanley. There I toured the school and met with excited classrooms as students were enjoying their last week of school before summer vacation.

I spent lunch time at a meeting of the Gastonia East Rotary Club, which I attended as a guest of Julia Allen, the Chief Development Officer at Gaston College.

I began the afternoon by meeting with Gaston County Police Chief Joseph Ramey. During our meeting we discussed the opioid drug crisis that plagues our nation and how Congress has responded to it.

My next stop was back at my Gastonia office where I met with Lily Reed, the winner of the Tenth District's annual Congressional Art Competition. Learn more about Lily and her winning artwork--'Donkey in Lights'--here.

I wrapped up my day at the groundbreaking ceremony for Gastonia's newest elementary school. Special thanks to the Gaston County Board of Education for asking me to be a part of this big day.

For additional photos from my visits in Gaston County be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter and like my Facebook page.


	What I Have Been Reading
	Catawba County Public Information Officer Dave Hardin dies at 56 Hickory Daily Record I was deeply saddened Monday when I heard about the passing of Catawba County's Public Information Officer, Dave Hardin. Dave served Catawba County with distinction for many years and will be missed by all who know and worked with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they mourn his passing. A t least 12 released Guantanamo detainees implicated in attacks on Americans *The Washington Post* I have long opposed President Obama's attempts to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and have been deeply troubled by his efforts to relocate the detainees currently held there. My concern at the time was there is no guarantee these hardened terrorists won't return to fighting Americans or our allies. The report above confirms my worst fears and highlights why we must keep these Islamic extremists incarcerated. Obamacare is Coming After Your Craft Beer *Townhall* Obamacare has driven up costs, led to the loss of healthcare plans and doctors, and now it could come after our craft beer. Buried in the thousands of pages of Obamacare regulations is one that requires craft beer to post detailed calorie counts on their labels. This poses significant costs to small brewers who will be forced to redesign their packaging.

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

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

WEBSITE | UNSUBSCRIBE | CONTACT