Cleared for Takeoff: Launching the Sustainable Aviation Caucus
This week, I launched the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus to help spur the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF has a three-fold benefit: it provides a cleaner energy supply for the aviation industry, it diversifies and bolsters our American energy industry, and it provides farmers with new markets to sell their crops or the byproducts of their crops. SAF is a biofuel made from products like corn, sorghum and soybeans that can be used in aircraft and produces fewer greenhouse gases emissions than traditional fuels.

The purpose of this caucus is simple: advance our nation's biofuels, energy and aviation industries in an effort to increase domestic competitiveness, promote national security and bolster passenger safety. Earlier this year, I introduced the Farm to Fly Act, legislation designed to accelerate the domestic production and development of SAF through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers.

You can read more about the caucus in AIN here.

Announcing Resources Across Kansas
Vibrant Health
On Monday, I announced federal funding for Vibrant Health – a thriving health care provider in Kansas City, Kansas. I secured federal resources to assist Vibrant Health in their expansion plans that will allow them to offer increased healthcare services to the community. The new services will include behavioral healthcare, chronic disease management, acute care, preventative care and 340B pharmacy services. A new state-of-the art facility, which the funds will also help build, will house the new services, and Vibrant Health also plans to lease office space to community partners whose goals align with the community-driven services at Vibrant Health.

Thank you to CEO Patrick Sallee for his vision and leadership of the Vibrant Health expansion project and the dedication of his entire team to improve the healthcare services in Wyandotte County.



Republic County Courthouse
On Friday, I met with city leaders and community members of Belleville to announce funding for the Republic County Courthouse step renovation project. The courthouse was built in 1938 and has since served as a space for community gatherings and a place where public servants work. With the funding provided from a Rural Community Facilities grant, the Courthouse will remain an icon in the community. I would like to thank Republic County Commissioner and Chairman Melvin Jeardoe for hosting me and thank you to the students from Belleville High School for talking with me after the event.



Meetings with Kansans
Associated General Contractors of Kansas
It was great to have Mark Gibson with the Associated General Contractors of Kansas (AGCKS) and several Kansas business owners in town to discuss their ‘Build Up Kansas’ efforts. Mike and his colleagues provided me with an update on ‘Build Up Kansas,’ which is working to develop a pipeline of workers to fill construction jobs in our state. By offering training to young Kansans in high school or those who attend community college or trade schools, the ‘Build Up Kansas’ pathway is ensuring Kansas employers have workers available to fill their much-needed construction jobs.

I am impressed with the work of AGCKS and ‘Build Up Kansas’ and am grateful to Mike and his colleagues for their invaluable efforts to improve our state’s workforce.



Greater Topeka Chamber
I met with the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday for an update on the group’s efforts to provide for better economic opportunities in our state capital. They updated me on their meetings with the Army Corps, Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration while in Washington, D.C., and local efforts to improve highway efficiency and downtown development. We also discussed ways in which overregulation at the federal level has been causing headaches for business owners in the city. I look forward to continuing to work with the chamber to advocate for federal policies which promote economic growth and support businesses in Topeka.

Thanks to City of Topeka Attorney Amanda Stanley, Shawnee County Counselor Rich Eckert, Shawnee County Commissioner Aaron Mays, Kansas Gas Service Government Affairs Representative Patrick Vogelsberg, Vice President of CFS Engineers Kevin Holland, President of Schwartz Design Group Greg Schwerdt, Bartlett & West CEO Joe Caldwell, RMS Maintenance Development Director Zac Surritt, Greater Topeka Partnership Senior Vice President of Marketing Bob Ross, Chavez Restoration General Manager Amanda Chavez, Intrust Community Bank President Beth Easter, Go Topeka President Molly Howey, Greater Topeka Partnership CEO Matt Pivarnik and Greater Topeka Chamber President Juliet Abdel for meeting with me.



Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation
On Tuesday afternoon, I met with Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Calvin Reed to receive an update on various projects the Department is undergoing, as well as discuss future transportation infrastructure projects across Kansas. KDOT is undertaking dozens of projects from major, multi-year initiatives, such as reconstructing U.S. 50 in Finney and Gray Counties into a four-lane expressway, to targeted bridge upgrades and maintenance. I remain committed to supporting KDOT’s strategic efforts to improve safety on our roadways and bridges.

Thank you to Secretary Reed and his colleagues for taking the time to meet with me and provide updates on KDOT’s important work throughout the state of Kansas. I look forward to their continued partnership and our joint efforts to keep Kansas roadways operating safely and efficiently.



Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
On Tuesday, I sat down with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss efforts to make Manhattan a better place to live, learn and work. We talked about the importance of making sure Fort Riley receives the attention it deserves from the Army so that it can fulfill critical defense missions and take care of the soldiers and families living on and off the base. We also discussed ways in which Kansas State University is continuing to find innovative ways to attract new students and provide them with a world-class education, including through a grant I secured to provide updated technology to the school of veterinary medicine. I appreciate the chamber’s efforts to foster a robust community welcoming of business development of all sizes.

Thanks to Chair Pepsi Cola of Manhattan Chair Jake Wassenberg, Florence Manufacturing Chair Elect Stacy Kohlmeier, BBN Architects Treasurer Nancy Burton, ESB Financial Vice Chair Gavin Schmidt, Business Advisory Chair Tom Phillips and Chamber President & CEO Jason Smith for joining me.



TAPS Families
I met with members of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) during Gold Star Remembrance Week to discuss policy changes they wish to see. Marcie Robertson and her daughter Alia, from Wamego, KS, who have been supporters of my legislation the Love Lives on Act participated in the meeting to highlight how survivor benefits assist them. In 2013, Marcie’s husband was killed in action in Afghanistan. Marcie was 34 years old when Forrest died, leaving her a single mother to their three young daughters. Nine years after Forrest’s death, Marcie fell in love again. However, if Marcie remarries before her 55th birthday, she will lose her survivor benefits. Last year’s National Defense Authorization Act included a section of my Love Lives on Act that fixed commissary and exchange access for survivors, but it is crucial that the rest of the legislation passes to fix the current law that penalizes surviving spouses who receive VA and DOD benefits.

Military service is family service, and our country owes a great debt to the surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers. There is more work to be done to get the rest of Love Lives on Act passed in its entirety, and with the exceptional advocacy of survivors like Marcie, we will make certain it happens.



Remembering Luther Fry
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Luther Fry. Luther was a philanthropist, veteran, business owner and friend. He was born in Dodge City in 1941, graduated from Dodge City High School as a National Merit Scholar and earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kansas. After completing his degree, he served in the Army as the Battalion Surgeon for the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Upon returning to Kansas, he founded Fry Eye Associates in Garden City to grow his own eye and surgical practice to serve rural communities. I was glad to call Luther a friend and Robba and I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Ardis, his sons Eric and David and their families.

Recognizing National Student Parent Month
This week, the Senate passed my resolution with Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) to recognize September 2024 as National Student Parent Month. This resolution highlights the contributions and achievements of the nearly 4 million American students with children, including military-connected student parents who make up almost 50% of the student parent population. Student parents work hard to pursue their educations at colleges and universities across the country while also working hard at home to care for their families. It is important that we celebrate these individuals in Kansas and nationwide who are balancing life at home and in the classroom, and I am thankful Sen. Carper and my other colleagues supported this resolution.