Kansas Common Sense
Hosting a Roundtable on Broadband Deployment
Apr 17 2023
Honoring the Life of Cy Moyer
This week, I joined northwest Kansas residents to remember and honor the life of Charles "Cy" Moyer, someone I was privileged to know well for many years. Throughout his life, Cy embodied the true meaning of public service, servant leadership and community involvement. In particular, during his time serving on the Dane G. Hansen Board and the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development Board, Cy always put others first and earned the respect of all who knew him.
I benefitted greatly from Cy's friendship, and I am certain I speak for many others when I say that to know Cy was to love him. He touched many lives with his heart for service and his desire to make the world around him better. Robba and I are praying for his wife Gladys and their family in this difficult time.
Hosting a Broadband Roundtable with Commerce Secretary
Hosting Broadband Roundtable Discussion
This week, I hosted a roundtable discussion at Wichita State University to highlight the need for reliable broadband in Kansas. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Governor Laura Kelly, Lieutenant Governor David Toland, local leaders and broadband providers joined in the conversation on work being done across the state to provide internet access to Kansans. We also discussed how the funds being allocated by the Commerce Department can be best utilized to connect Kansans to the rest of the world.
As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I held a hearing last February regarding the Commerce Department’s broadband deployment efforts. During this hearing, Secretary Raimondo committed that every Kansan will have access to high-quality, affordable broadband service at the conclusion of the Department of Commerce’s deployment programs. She reiterated this commitment during her visit to Kansas this week, and I look forward to working with her to make certain it becomes a reality.
I appreciate the local government and business leaders who participated in the broadband roundtable, including Terry Holdren with Kansas Farm Bureau, Catherine Moyer with Pioneer Communications, Zach Peres with KwiKom, Jim Jamison with Kansas AT&T, Monique Garcia with WSU, Commissioner Randy Leis, Erica Myers with SpaceX, Jason Smith with Rainbow Communications and Carla Shearer with SCTelecom.
Showcasing Kansas' Capabilities
While Secretary Raimondo was in Kansas, we visited WSU and toured the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) to see firsthand the work being done there to give students both an education and valuable experience. While at WSU-NIAR, Secretary Raimondo said, “I will be talking about this for a long time all across America.”
WSU-NIAR is a national leader in aerospace advanced manufacturing work, with numerous industry and military partnerships that provide students with on-the-job experience while earning a degree. In addition, the advanced manufacturing work being done in Wichita extends beyond aerospace and impacts other focus areas of the Commerce Department, including the domestic production of semiconductors. I was pleased to have the opportunity to showcase the significant contributions and capabilities of our state during Secretary Raimondo’s visit.
Earlier this month, Walter Reed Medical Center issued a cease-and-desist order to the Holy Name College Friary, which has provided Catholic priests to the hospital for nearly 20 years. This order came during Holy Week, the most sacred week of the year for Christians. For Catholics, ordained priests are required to celebrate Mass and other sacraments, and this decision left veterans and servicemembers unable to practice their religion or participate in certain practices the new contract holder could not provide.
I joined Senator Marco Rubio and several of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of Defense expressing our concerns about this contract award to a secular contractor who cannot fulfill these important religious practices to individuals receiving care at one of the most prominent military medical centers in the nation.
You can read our full letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin here.
Kansas Community Visits
IndependenceThis week, I was in southeast Kansas to join Police Chief Jerry Harrison and Labette Health CEO Brian Williams to announce federal funding for the Independence Police Department and for Labette Health’s Independence facility. This federal investment for the Independence Police Department will be used to purchase technology to assist with criminal investigations and enhance public and officer safety. The federal resources for Labette Health will allow the facility to update and expand its health care footprint as well as the services offered to area residents. Independence lost its hospital in 2015, and Labette Health stepped up with local access to quality care.
I want to thank Mayor Louis Ysusi, City Commissioner Dean Hayse, City Manager Kelly Passauer, the Labette Health Board of Trustees, State Representative Doug Blex and State Senator Virgil Peck for joining me to share this positive news for their community.
While in Montgomery County, I also joined Coffeyville Community College President Marlon Thornburg and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center CEO Brian Lawrence to share the news of federal resources for the college and medical center. The federal investment for Coffeyville Community College will allow it to implement several new workforce training programs that will benefit employers throughout the region. President Thornburg stated these funds will allow the college to restart its agriculture/agribusiness program, create a new commercial driver's license (CDL) program and provide technical education in plumbing and heating, as well as air conditioning and diesel technology. With Bartlett Grain’s soybean processing plant set to come online next year and with a steadily growing economy, investing in a skilled workforce is vital to meet the demand of job growth.
In addition, the federal resources secured for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center will allow for the construction of a new rural health clinic across the street from the hospital. This funding will allow the center to better serve patients with a newer, state-of-the-art facility. These resources will also help to meet the need for quality, affordable health care in the area and address the struggles of providers within underserved areas. I appreciate State Senator Virgil Peck for his attendance and support at this event.
While in southeast Kansas, I also visited Day and Zimmerman in Parsons for a demonstration of the production process for the munitions manufactured there. I experienced firsthand this company’s dedicated workforce and commitment to excellence during my tour. Our nation’s military continues to trust this business to provide munitions necessary for our armed forces. This trust is evidenced by the U.S. Army’s recent announcement of an $18 million investment for Day and Zimmerman to expand a production line to help resupply our nation’s weapon stockpiles. Thank you to site manager Jeff Brothers for the tour and to all of the team members who welcomed me and shared their pride in their work.
Next, I toured National Safety Apparel in Baxter Springs, a manufacturer of uniforms for employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS), as well as safety vests for industrial workers and thermal wear for military and law enforcement members. National Safety Apparel prides itself in creating American-made products. As a nation, we learned during the pandemic that we need to domestically manufacture our own materials, personal protective equipment and munitions. National Security Apparel and Day and Zimmerman are two companies making certain that our nation does just that and working hard each day to replenish our nation’s stockpiles.
I want to thank to Vice President Markin Dornan, Plant Manager Joey Roland, Director of Operations Jerry Yates and Managing Director of Rising Tides Associates Dan Sadowski for allowing me the opportunity to tour their facility and learn more about their company.
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I also got the opportunity to stop at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. I was pleased to meet the new director of this National Parks Service location. Director Jill Jaworski is excited to continue bringing events and programming to the site, and I appreciate her taking the time to visit with me.
Visiting Phillipsburg High School
While in northwest Kansas, I stopped by Phillipsburg High School to visit with students and faculty and to receive an update on the spring semester. I also appreciated the opportunity to speak with government and history teachers at the school. Thank you to Principal Todd Bowman and the student council for the warm welcome. 
Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison is Officially Open!
This week, the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum officially opened in Atchison. I encourage all Kansans to visit and learn about Amelia Earhart - a true Kansas pioneer who exemplified our state motto: Ad Astra Per Aspera: ‘To The Stars through Difficulty.' The new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum will be a place for visitors of all ages to learn and be inspired by Amelia’s tenacious spirit of exploration that continues to be exemplified all across Kansas.
You can learn more and make plans to visit the museum here.
You can read about the grand-opening from KCTV5 here.
Photo by KCTV5
Kansans in the Office
Capitol Tour
Ronald Ellison of Overland Park
Laurel Ellison of Overland Park
Elaina Smith of Olathe
Tim Rhodes of Shawnee
Kristin Rhodes of Shawnee
Justin Bell of Wichita
Danielle Swartsfager of Wichita
Joshua McBain of Lawrence
Kara McBain of Lawrence
Lily Jo McBain of Lawrence
Ava Mae McBain of Lawrence
Jeffrey Oprisu of Olathe
Lori Oprisu of Olathe
Nancy Duker of Olathe
Alison Duke of Olathe
Chris Winn of Shawnee
Linda Kay Winn of Shawnee
Crystal Mincks of Pittsburg
Tracy Allman of Olathe
Diana Mendoza of Dodge City
Melissa Holmes of Topeka
Dianne Lux of Olathe
Sloan Bestgen of Olathe
Lona DuVall of Garden City
Tim Hanigan of Garden City
Prison Fellowship
Jermaine Wilson of Leavenworth
4-H Club Conference Delegates
Channing Dillinger of Hugoton
Kaylen Langhofer of Plains
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