Kansas Common Sense

Celebrating 100 Years of the Hays Lions Club

Jun 24 2024

Celebrating 100 Years of the Hays Lions Club
On Saturday, I spoke at the Hays Lions Club 100th anniversary celebration. The Hays Lion Club was founded in 1924, just a few years after the first Lions Club began in Illinois in 1917.

I have been a member of the Lions Club in Kansas since 1976 and served as the President of the Hays Lions Club in 1990. It has been a privilege to serve alongside many of the men and women in Kansas dedicated to serving their community, and I have witnessed the hard work these members do to serve others.

At its core, the Lions Club’s mission is to empower communities through acts of service, and it has touched countless lives. When organizations like Hays Lions Club form, there are hopes and aspirations that the club will persist and reap great rewards. The celebration on Saturday night was a reminder of the persistence of the Hays Lion Club and testament to the 100 years of service carried about by its member during the last century.

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During the celebration, I was able to present service recognition certificates to 103-year-old Hays resident Warren Hall, pictured below, for 31 years of service, Roger Pruitt for 49 years of service and Les Herrman for 56 years of service. I also presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship to Donna Maskus for her service to the community and Lions Club.

Thank you to Hays Lions Club President Jim Huenergarde, Past Council Chair Diana Baumann, members of Lions Club state leadership, Kansas Representative Barb Wasinger and all those in attendance for the work you do to make Kansas a better place to live and raise a family.

You can read more about the event here.

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Addressing VA’s Policies on Community Care
On Tuesday, I spoke on the Senate floor about decisions being made at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that are limiting veterans access to care. For veterans, particularly those in rural states like Kansas, the ability to get care closer to home can be life-saving. Unfortunately, VA leaders have been taking alarming actions to limit the choices that veterans have when deciding where they receive care.

I am hearing from many Kansas veterans about issues at the VA, including one veteran from Manhattan who was receiving chemo treatments at a community care provider which was canceled by the VA with two treatments left. Instead, he was required to go to the VA hospital an hour away. This veteran contacted my office for help, and we were able to get the VA to reverse this decision so he could continue to get care in Manhattan. Our veterans should be able to receive care in the community. If you or someone you know needs help with the VA, you can find resources here.

You can watch my full remarks here.

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Discussing the National Guard and Reserves Budget
On Tuesday, leaders from the National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and the Marine Corps Reserve testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense. I questioned General Hokanson on the KC-46A mission and the procurement and placement of the MQ-1C Gray Eagles within the National Guard. The National Guard and Reserves are expected to seamlessly mirror the active component of the military in operational capacities. As the war in Ukraine continues, the value and necessity of unmanned aircraft is consistently highlighted.

I asked Lieutenant General Healy about using legacy aircraft and modernizing the Air Force Reserve. While each branch of the military experiences recruiting struggles, we must also work to retain those already in the service. The National Guard and Reserve Components play a crucial role in our military, and I look forward to working with our Guard and Reserve officials to ensure these military components are adequately equipped. 

You can watch my questions here.

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New Passport Office Coming to Kansas City
This week, the Department of State announced it has selected Kansas City as one of six locations for a new U.S. passport agency. Over the past decade, my office has received various complaints and inquiries from constituents facing considerable difficulties in obtaining and renewing passports. In 2023 and 2024, I supported legislation which required the Bureau of Consular Affairs to establish new physical passport agencies in areas experiencing significant population growth or increased demand for passport services. The opening of this new facility means that families in and around the Kansas City area no longer have to drive five or more hours to receive in-person passport services.

Meetings with Kansans
Rural Electric Cooperative Youth
On Tuesday, I met with the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, which has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this program. Electric cooperatives select local students, sending over 2000 young people and their chaperones from nearly every state in the country.

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I’m encouraged by their commitment to learn about how our government works and what issues are most impactful to Kansas, like energy production and utilities. Kansas’ electric co-ops play a crucial role keeping the lights on for families and businesses in small towns across the state.

Thanks to all the students for meeting with me.

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4H Citizenship Washington Focus Group
On Monday, I spent part of my afternoon with students from the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Program. These students came from several communities across rural Kansas, and for some of the students, it was their first time in Washington, D.C. I enjoyed listening to these young men and women discuss the positive affect the 4-H program has had on their upbringing and discussing our shared appreciation for rural America.

Thank you to the students and chaperones for visiting with me.

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Frankfort High School
I also met with students and staff from Frankfort High School on their trip to Washington, D.C. The group was spending a day at the Capitol to learn about the legislative process and history of Congress. We talked about Senate procedures, how bills are passed and what a day looks like in the Senate.

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It was also great to congratulate several of the students on winning the girls’ state basketball championship earlier this year. Thanks to the Frankfort students and staff for taking the time to meet with me.

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Harwood Family
On Tuesday, I also visited with the Harwood family from Chanute. We talked about their travel plans in Washington, D.C. and upcoming events in Kansas. Thank you for visiting with me and the discussion.

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Announcing Resources for Kids TLC
This week, I announced $3 million in new federal resources for Kids TLC in Olathe to renovate and expand their outpatient facility to help improve and expand mental health services. Kids TLC provides life-saving mental health services for kids in Kansas, and I am grateful for the work they do to support both kids and their families across the state.

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Thank you to Dr. Erin Dugan for allowing me to join her and her staff in announcing this federal investment and thank you to all the local and state elected officials who joined me in celebrating and supporting the work of Kids TLC.

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Hosting Teams During the World Cup
Kansas will serve as a base camp for several participating teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This will be an opportunity for Overland Park, Lenexa, Lawrence and Kansas City to showcase the Sunflower State to the world. Hosting teams during the World Cup will bring new business to our communities and an increase of tourists from all over the world. Kansas is a wonderful place to grow up, live and raise a family, and I know that this opportunity will serve as a great reflection of the place we call home.

Touring Passageways Outreach Center
Since its founding in 2014, Passageways Outreach Center has improved the quality of life for thousands of south central Kansas veterans. On Monday, before heading back to Washington, D.C., I visited the organization’s Outreach Center at Towne West Square, which accepts and distributes donated furniture, household and personal items to veterans in need.  I also learned more about the Passageways Living Center which provides holistic assistance to homeless veterans, as well as Passageways newest initiative--Falanne House—which will focus on the unique needs of female veterans.

Thanks to Passageways co-founders Jennifer Garrison, Susan Moellinger and their team for an informative conversation and for all they do to ensure our veteran heroes are not forgotten. Thank you also to Wichita City Councilman J.V. Johnston, Sedgwick County Commissioner David Dennis, Wichita Chamber of Commerce Military and Veterans Affairs Director Mike Heldstab and Home Base Wichita Director Tamara Ray for meeting with me.

You can learn more about Passageways here and read about my visit here.

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Celebrating Juneteenth
On June 19th, 1865, in Galveston Bay, Texas, the last enslaved African Americans in the U.S. learned that the Civil War had ended and they were free. Kansas has a rich history of working to end slavery and fighting for civil rights for all Americans. May we continue to strive for a more perfect union this Juneteenth and every day.

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Capitol Tour
Charles Antholz of Manhattan

Clint Antholz of Manhattan

Henry Antholz of Manhattan

Jack Antholz of Manhattan

Jennifer Antholz of Manhattan

Jonathan Antholz of Manhattan

Katherine Antholz of Manhattan

Parker Antholz of Manhattan

Bianca Beck of Olathe

Eber Beck Jr. of Olathe

Cady Bush of Lawrence

Scott Bush of Lawrence

Mayara Figueiredo Beck of Olathe

Carolyn Fimmen of Leawood

Lucy Fimmen of Leawood

Matthew Fimmen of Leawood

Meghan Fimmen of Leawood

Thomas Fimmen II of Leawood

Thomas Fimmen III of Leawood

Brody Hoffman of De Soto

Camron Hoffman of De Soto

Justin Hoffman of De Soto

Kristen Hoffman of De Soto

Mark Kricsfeld of Overland Park

Adam Lawrence of Eudora

Dawn Lawrence of Eudora

Todd Maddox of Emporia

Elizabeth Miller of Shawnee

Joseph Miller of Shawnee

Mason Miller of Shawnee

William Miller of Shawnee

Debra Oehmke of Derby

Gary Oehmke of Derby

Eleanor Purin of Olathe

Ezra Purin of Olathe

Henry Purin of Olathe

Julie Purin of Olathe

Peter Purin of Olathe

Ethan Terry of Olathe

Jovee Terry of Olathe

Lauren Terry of Olathe

Leah Terry of Olathe

Ross Terry of Olathe

Isaac Wingert of Ottawa

Kathie Wingert of Ottawa

Laura Wingert of Ottawa

Harold Wingert of Ottawa

Qiyang Zhang of Emporia

4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Group
Castyn Andres of Alta Vista

Cooper Andres of Alta Vista

Shandi Andres of Alta Vista

Mary Effland of White City

Nolan Effland of White City

Macey Hensley of Council Grove

Nichole Hensley of Council Grove

Logan Hickey of Council Grove

Jerit Inlow of Cedar Point

Jessica Inlow of Cedar Point

Josepha Inlow of Cedar Point

Amy Nielsen of Council Grove

Haylee Nielsen of Council Grove

Alexis Todd of Alta Vista

Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange
Eden Brockman of Overland Park

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 70
Brian Alexander of Wichita

Jerome Crawford of Wichita

Kyle Franks of Goddard

Susan Hiebert of Augusta

Shaun Junkins of Wichita

Troy Nicks of Rose Hill

Teressa Peart of Wichita

Roger Stamback of Wichita
 
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 839
Jordan Westbury of Wichita

Prison Fellowship
Jermaine Wilson of Leavenworth

Rural Electric Cooperative Youth
Bennett Minnick of Lecompton

Mackenzie Bradberry of  Manhattan

Laura Metzger of Sabetha

Layla Harbin of Buffalo

Dergan True of Neosho Falls

Brody Anderson of New Strawn

Olivia Carlson of Lincolnville

Jolie Girard of Clyde

Gavin Hughes of Smith Center

Grant Fisher of Argonia

Mya Deviney of Attica

Peyton Lamb of Augusta

Ellie McGuire of Cunningham

Noah Dietz of Mount Hope

Tana McDonald of Mullinvill

Izabella Nash of Chetopa

Ally Howard of Great Bend

Mariah Werth of LaCrosse

Brooke Henning of Ransom

Isabelle Jones of Hays

Bryan Garvert of Plainville

Isaac Stamper of Plainville

Blair Niblock of Colby

Josie Robinson of Dodge City

Branna Berndt of Dighton

Adeline Woods of Plains

Joshua Fulton of Scott City

Sandra Spooner of Ulysses

Oliva Salmans of Hugoton

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