Kansas Common Sense

Expanding the First Infantry Division Monument

Jun 03 2024

Expanding the First Infantry Division Monument
On Sunday, the Society of the First Infantry Division from Fort Riley held a ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the First Infantry Division Monument at the White House. In 2020, I introduced the First Infantry Recognition of Sacrifice in Theater Act which was signed into law, authorizing the modification of the monument to include fallen Big Red One soldiers of the First Infantry Division from Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The First Division Monument was developed by the Society of the First Division to honor the heroic efforts of those who fought in World War I. Names of those killed in each conflict since have been added to the monument, and this week’s dedication ceremony was held to commemorate the addition of 631 soldiers who died in combat since 9/11. I am thankful for the opportunity to help honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving with the First Infantry Division in our nation’s recent wars. I am also grateful to Senator Roger Marshall for speaking at the event and to Ret. LTG Ron Watts and Ret. CW3 Phyllis Fitzgerald of the Society of the First Infantry Division for seeing this worthy endeavor through to completion. Both of them continue to exemplify the Big Red One motto: ‘No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First!’

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Holding VA Executives Accountable
On Wednesday, I joined Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) along with 10 other Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee members in demanding action and accountability from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after VA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that VA improperly awarded nearly $11 million to VA senior executives in Washington, D.C. Congress gave VA the authority to use resources from the PACT Act to strengthen the VA workforce by providing incentives to keep employing highly-skilled employees in VA medical facilities, regional offices and cemeteries. The OIG’s report found that VA grossly misused this important authority to instead provide bonuses to VA senior executives. The OIG referred nine senior VA executives to the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s office for possible violations of the criminal conflict of interest statute that prohibits federal employees from participating in government matters in which they have a financial interest. The U.S. Attorney’s office has declined to investigate so far.

VA’s misuse of these payments is unacceptable. VA Secretary McDonough must make certain that the individuals responsible for misusing taxpayer dollars are held accountable and that every misspent dollar is recovered. I want to thank Chairman Tester for joining me in leading this effort and our committee colleagues for coming together to demand answers for our nation’s veterans to prevent this from occurring in the future.

You can read more about this here.

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Helping Veterans Pursue Careers in Agriculture
Last week, I introduced the Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2024, which seeks to codify the Food and Agriculture Resilience Program for Military Veterans (AgVets Program). The AgVets program was the vision of fellow Kansan and veteran Ret. COL Gary LaGrange of Manhattan who met with me and testified before the Senate in 2016 about his shared goals of helping fellow veterans find a career in agriculture after serving our country. Gary was one of the first AgVets grant recipients, and since then, over 30 states and the District of Columbia have received grants offering thousands of transitioning veterans’ opportunities in agriculture. Thank you, Gary, for your continued service to your country and fellow Kansans.

You can read more about Colonel LaGrange’s story and work in agriculture here.

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Expanding AI Education Opportunities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential but will require a skilled and capable workforce to unlock its capabilities. I introduced the bipartisan NSF AI Education Act of 2024 to expand scholarship and professional development opportunities to study AI with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This legislation takes an all-of-the-above approach, investing in STEM education, fellowships and hands-on-learning for students in rural areas, at community colleges and from low-income homes. If we want to fully understand AI and remain globally competitive, we must invest in the future workforce today. Inspiration to explore and the resources to learn will help make certain the U.S. is an AI leader in the next century.

You can read more about the legislation in the Derby Informer, here.

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Mental Health Awareness Month
May was Mental Health Awareness Month and an opportunity to check in on those around you, educate yourself on mental health issues and support initiatives in your community. It is important that every community across America has access to mental health care, either in person or via telehealth, to support those in need. I will continue to support legislation that prioritizes access to mental health care.

If you are facing a crisis, dial 9-8-8 to receive help from the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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Newman University
Earlier this month, I announced new federal resources for Newman University. These funds will support a variety of new programs; including an agribusiness degree to construct a Mobile Smart Agriculture Lab that gives students hands-on experiences to prepare them for the workforce. This lab will travel between communities in southwest Kansas and allow classrooms in these areas to access newer technology. I look forward to watching this program grow and am thankful for the leadership, innovation and support at Newman University that helps students across Kansas.

You can read more about the new resources for Newman here.

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Resources for Severe Weather in Johnson County
In recent weeks, Johnson County has experienced severe weather, resulting in tornado damage and significant power outages. My office and I are monitoring the clean up and stand ready to help provide federal resources if necessary. To stay up-to-date on severe weather resources and weather safety for Johnson County, click here.


Capitol Tour
Brynlee Adams of Hutchinson

Landri Adams of Wamego

Lyman Adams Jr. of Hillsboro

Marie Adams of Hillsboro

Brandon Bohning of Leawood

Elanor Bohning of Leawood

Lauren Bohning of Leawood

Whitmore Bohning of Leawood

Beverly Burke of LaCygne

Blaire Burke of LaCygne

Colin Burke of Salina

James Burke of LaCygne

Liam Burke of Salina

Wilson Gardner of Kansas City

Kamryn Daniels of Lawrence

Kevin Daniels of Lawrence

Logan Daniels of Lawrence

Lori Daniels of Lawrence

Marth Darter of Overbrook

Jackson Doremus of Wichita

Janet Doremus of Wichita

Jim Doremus of Wichita

Katie Doremus of Wichita

Olivia Dorems of Wichita

Timothy Doremus of Wichita

Dexter Dysinger of McPherson

Ella Dysinger of McPherson

Jay Dexter of McPherson

Jody Dysinger of McPherson

Aubrey Eilers of Udall

Criscenda Eilers of Udall

Erin Eilers of Udall

Scott Eilers of Udall

Debra Fink of Leawood

Luke Gast of Olathe

Michael Gast of Olathe

Michelle Gast of Olathe

Adelynn Glasscock of Manhattan

Carter Gray of Olathe

John Gray of Olathe

Maureen Gray of Olathe

Mary Hessenflow of Salina

Gabriella Hill of Manhattan

Amber Howells of Manhattan

Bowman Howells of Manhattan

Brian Howells of Manhattan

Elena Howells of Manhattan

Gavin Howells of Manhattan

Jared Howells of Manhattan

Riana Howells of Manhattan

Carson Kaser of Overland Park

Joo Won Kaser of Overland Park

Brian Kane of Ottawa

Evan Kane of Ottawa

Jennifer Kane of Ottawa

Sarah Kane of Ottawa

Jim Lentz of Overbrook

Gracen Mealman of Spring Hill

Greg Mealman of Spring Hill

Krista Mealman of Spring Hill

Doug Meyer of Tonganoxie

Grace Meyer of Tonganoxie

Claire Peters of Shawnee

Henry Peters of Shawnee

Kristin Peters of Shawnee

Shawn Peters of Shawnee

Marcia Stines of Gardner

Phil Stines of Gardner

Kayce Stone of Belleville

Lori Stone of Iola

Jennifer Templin of Leawood

David Testorff of Ottawa

Elizabeth Testorff of Ottawa

Julianne Testorff of Ottawa

Landon Testorff of Ottawa

Makayla Testorff of Ottawa

Sharla Testorff of Ottawa

Spencer Testorff of Ottawa

Russell Testorff of Ottawa

Chip Tollie of Olathe

Georgia Tollie of Olathe

Jane Tollie of Olathe

Lewis Tollie of Olathe

Mary Tollie of Olathe

Isabella Vaccaro of Olathe

Nicholas Vaccaro of Olathe

Tatyana Vaccaro of Olathe

Victor Vaccaro of Olathe

Marlene VerBrugge of Manhattan

Gigi Wolf of Shawnee

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