Visiting Kansans During Easter Break

Visiting Kansans During Easter Break
While the Senate was adjourned for Easter, I was able to spend the entire week in Kansas and met with Kansans, business leaders, state and local officials from all across the state. I was also able to meet with veterans, students, farmers and ranchers. Today, I returned to Washington, D.C. as the Senate convenes for a busy week ahead.

Welcoming the FBI Director to Kansas
I joined University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod on Thursday at the KU Cybersecurity Conference in Lawrence to introduce FBI Director Christopher Wray and to announce federal resources. I helped secure $22 million for the KU Innovation Park to build a new lab and office space for national security research. Director Wray held a fireside chat with hundreds of Kansans and law enforcement and military officers to emphasize the growing importance of cybersecurity as a part of our nation’s defense.

Afterwards, Chancellor Girod, other KU leaders, and myself joined Director Wray to discuss further ways the FBI and KU can work together to help keep folks safe. I appreciate the chancellor and his team for hosting this conference and meeting with me.

Major Investments for Kansas
Garden City Community College STEM Success Center
I was pleased to join Garden City Community College this week to cut the ribbon on their new STEM Success Center. The expansion included a new classroom and lab space for courses in robotics, cyber-security, physics and precision agriculture among many others. Through an articulation agreement, this facility and the state-of-the-art tools within will also be used by students attending Fort Hays State University. Access to career and technical education is vital for the future of our state, and I am grateful for the leadership displayed at Kansas’ community colleges to make certain students have access to quality learning options.

Thank you to Garden City Community College President Dr. Ryan Ruda, Fort Hays State University President Dr. Tisa Mason, as well as the College Board of Trustees, and the faculty and students that made this addition possible.

John Deere Agriculture Technology Training Program
While on campus, I was able to join in celebrating the expansion of the John Deere program at Garden City Community College (GCCC). This program, in partnership with John Deere and their regional dealers, allows students the opportunity to work hands-on with John Deere equipment and allow them to obtain industry and manufacturer certifications which is critical to the Kansas economy. Farm implementations are ever changing, which puts a specific importance on integrating new technology into this industry. I am appreciative of the leadership at John Deere for making certain that service technicians are able to receive the education they need close to home. I applaud GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda and Dean of Technical Education, Gabe Winger for their hard work on this expansion.

Fort Hays State University
On Tuesday, I joined Fort Hays State University (FHSU) to celebrate the upcoming renovations of Forsyth Library. I helped secure federal funds through my role as a senior appropriator to help support the library renovations. Access to quality education helps make certain everyone has an opportunity to follow their dreams, and for years to come, Forsyth Library will continue to be an important component in making sure those dreams are achieved. I applaud FHSU President Tisa Mason and Library Dean Ginger Williams for their leadership and commitment to seeing this project to completion. I also want to thank the entire Hays community for their unwavering support of FHSU and its students.

Meeting with the Kansas Department of Agriculture
I had a briefing this week with the Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Beam on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has infected livestock in western Kansas. I am continuing to monitor the situation and am receiving regular updates from animal health, public health and livestock producers and will continue to meet with animal health professionals. As the situation develops, it is important we monitor cattle as well as implement biosecurity precautions for both animals and humans.

Visits Across Kansas
Flint Hills Christian School
On Monday, I had the opportunity to visit with students from the Flint Hills Christian School in Manhattan and even received a special performance by the choir. I appreciate the work that the educators at Flint Hills are doing for their students, and I would like to thank Development Director Jordan Candido, Principal Matt Zimmerman and the students for guiding me around the campus.

Technical Education and Innovation Center at Cloud County Community College
I joined Cloud County Community College President Amber Knoettgen and members of the community for a tour of the new Technical Education and Innovation Center that is currently under construction. Technical Education is key to building a better future for Kansans. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mayor Charles Lambertz, City Commissioner Ashley Hutchinson, County Commissioner Mike Cleveland, Cloud Community College Board of Trustees member and Hospital CEO Dave Garnas. Thank you to Amber and her staff for inviting me.

Geary County Commissioners
On Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with Geary County Commissioners in Junction City. I appreciated hearing their insight regarding how they can best serve the people of Geary County and how the work I do in Washington can be supportive of that effort. Thank you to Commissioners Trish Giordano, Alex Tyson and Keith Ascher for their time and their dedication to the residents of Geary County.

Bonanza BioEnergy
On Wednesday, I toured Conestoga Energy Partner’s Bonanza Ethanol Plant in Garden City. Altogether, Conestoga’s ethanol facilities produce hundreds of millions of gallons of ethanol per year. Ethanol production in Kansas helps diversify the market place for Kansas crops.

I recently introduced the Farm to Fly Act which would accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel through existing programs at the United States Department of Agriculture. This will create new opportunities for Kansas farmers to market their crops and will allow for further growth of our crop-based energy producers in Kansas. I appreciate the opportunity to tour the plant and discuss with the employees the challenges facing the industry. Thank you to Conestoga CEO Tom Willis and Plant Manager Trevor Alexander for your hospitality.

You can learn more about the Farm to Fly Act here.

MJE Livestock Equipment
Later on Wednesday, I toured MJE Livestock Equipment’s manufacturing facility in Montezuma. At this facility, MJE manufactures pens, corrals and other equipment for use in feed yards, dairies and cow-calf operations. Celebrating 50 years in business this year, MJE began as an excavation company. Through hard work, innovation and strong values, Max Jantz built a large company that constructed turn-key facilities for livestock production. Now in its second generation of family ownership, Heather and her brother Aaron have continued building the business with those same traits. In 2018, they saw the opportunity to expand their business with MJE Livestock Equipment. Today, these products manufactured in Montezuma can be found in operations all over the United States. Thank you to Owner Heather Jantz and Marketing Director Megan Ensly for your hospitality and giving me a tour of your facility.

Tour of Dodge City Regional Airport
I joined community leaders at the airport in Dodge City to learn more about upcoming airport improvements and projects in the area. Dodge City will soon begin the renovation of their terminal and make important improvements to their airfield. I enjoyed seeing the renderings for the future terminal and learning how its completion will aid in attracting new travelers and increasing comfort of the existing travelers through Dodge City. Commercial airline service is an important resource for our rural communities and allows them greater accessibility for business and leisure opportunities. I am a strong supporter of the Essential Air Service program, which makes commercial airline service possible in Hays, Manhattan, Salina, Liberal, Garden City and Dodge City.

I appreciate City Manager Nick Hernandez and Public Works Director Cory Keller, for taking the time to visit with me about the key challenges faced by rural airports, and for sharing with me the recent achievements in Dodge City.

Lawrence Regional Airport
I was also able to visit the Lawrence Regional Airport (LCW) where I toured the facilities and met with local officials. Airports like LWC are critical conduits of general aviation and air travel.

Thank you to Airport Manager Scott Wagner for his time and for showing me around the facilities.

National Weather Service Office
After visiting the airport, I toured the nearby National Weather Service’s regional office. Last month an EF-1 tornado struck Garden City and was a sobering reminder that the brunt of severe storm season in Kansas is rapidly approaching. It is important that Kansans have emergency plans and safe places to gather when severe weather strikes.

I enjoyed learning from the meteorologists about how they prepare for real-time weather and traffic data, as well as the improved satellite capabilities that allow staff to aid local emergency first responders in spotting and tracking wildfires. As the ranking member of the Senate sub-committee that appropriates funds for the National Weather Service, I was pleased to see that the tools in place are successful and continue to enable meteorologists to make accurate forecasts and provide warnings during severe storms. Thank you to acting Meteorologist in Charge Aaron Johnson and Warning Coordination Meteorologist Samantha Brown for your hospitality, and thank you to all of the meteorologists in Dodge City that work every day to keep Kansans informed.

Fort Larned National Historic Site
This week, I was able to visit the Fort Larned National Historic Site. Since my last visit, the site was able to expand and improve its parking lot to accommodate more visitors coming in off of Highway 156, and the exhibits inside the visitor center have been refurbished. I was pleased to see that there are new exhibits that honor the Plains Indians by sharing their stories.

We have an important piece of American history in central Kansas, and I encourage all to take the time to visit Fort Larned National Historic Site when you have an opportunity. I want to thank Superintendent Kevin Eads and Chief of Maintenance William “Chappy” Chapman for giving me the tour.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
After visiting Fort Larned, I drove into town to meet with the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. In 2010, Larned banded together to save its community hospital, and I assisted by advocating to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to designate it as a Critical Access Hospital. Two years later, Larned was able to cut the ribbon on their current facility for Pawnee Valley Hospital, and I was pleased to attend that day.

I appreciated the roundtable discussion from administrators and staff to discuss the ongoing challenges of operating a rural hospital. Some of the topics discussed were the impacts of sequestration, the 340B Drug Program, Medicare Advantage, site neutral payments and prior authorization. I am grateful to Melanie Urban, administrator for the hospital, for hosting me and providing a tour of the facility. I also want to thank Commissioner Mike Burdett for joining the conversation.

Kinsley High School
I had the chance to spend some time in south-central Kansas on Thursday, where I had the opportunity to take a tour of Kinsley High School and meet with some of their students and staff. Thank you to students Mackenzie Herrmann, Caden Arensman, Efrain Holguin, Trenton Anderson, Savanna Kuhn. Superintendent Lori Amaro and government teacher Robert Burcherfor leading me on my tour.

K-State School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Engineering Open House
I attended Kansas State University’s 55th Annual All-University Open House on Saturday, where I had an opportunity to visit the schools of Veterinary Medicine and Engineering. Each year, K-State hosts this event for prospective students as a way to highlight some of the different opportunities and resources that the university offers. Functions such as this recruit some of the nation’s youngest and brightest minds to our state, and are crucial to the continued success and growth of Kansas’ workforce.

Boy Scout Troop 74 Pancake Feed
On Saturday morning, I was in Manhattan to visit with Boy Scout Troop 74 at their Pancake Feed. It was great to meet with the future leaders of Kansas. Thank you to the young men and their families for putting on this event.

NJCAA Kansas Basketball Champions
For the first time in both schools’ histories, the Barton County Community College Men’s Basketball team and the Hutchinson Community College Women’s Basketball team took home the NJCAA Division I National Title. On Saturday, March 30, the Barton County Cougars beat the Triton Trojans 88-73, and on Monday, April 1, the Hutchinson County Blue Dragons beat Northwest Florida State 88-80 in overtime. I want to congratulate the head coaches Jeremy Coombs and John Ontjes, all of their staff, and every player for a fantastic season and job well done.

Lee Borck Retirement Reception
On Thursday, I attended a retirement celebration for Lee Borck in Great Bend. Lee has been a staple of Kansas agriculture, livestock and banking for more than 50 years. As a K-State alum, Lee helped found American State Bank of Great Bend and served as chairman. He has also served as President of Cattle-Fax and of the Kansas Livestock Association and as a board member for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Lee’s Wildcat roots brought him back to his alma mater, where he served as Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Investment Committee at K-State. Lee has served as Chairman and President of Innovative Livestock Services since 1978, and he has also served as Chairman of the Board for the Beef Marketing Group.

His contributions to the livestock production industry have had an inestimable impact on the livestock industry in Kansas and the country. For these contributions, Lee was inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame in 2011. Folks like Lee are the reason that Kansas is consistently among the leading states in livestock production. Congratulations to Lee on his well-deserved retirement, and thank you to Lee and the countless stakeholders in Kansas’ robust livestock industry who have put Kansas livestock on the map.

Capitol Tours
Laurie Allen of Garden City

Eddie Anderson of Tonganoxie

Marti Anderson of Tonganoxie

Charles Beavers of Cheney

Martha Beavers of Cheney

Lauren Blassingame of Topeka

Matt Blassingame of Topeka

Kim Bontrager of Seneca

Riley Bontrager of Seneca

Grant Buchele of Overland Park

Mark Buchele of Overland Park

Mark Conradi of Wichita

Carlye Fast of Hutchinson

Greg Fast of Hutchinson

Candice Gamino of Garden City

Janice Holthaus of Seneca

Peter Howell of Lawrence

Stephanie Howell of Lawrence

Brenna Kaufman of Wichita

Christian Kaufman of Wichita

Kiranjit Kaur of Ottawa

Chris Meikel of Basehor

Star Meikel of Basehor

Jo Osbourn of Milford

Preet Punia of Lawrence

Kaylee Romine of Manhattan

Harneet Sanghera of Lawrence

Charles “Tuck” Spaulding of Mission Hills

Susan Spaulding of Mission Hills

Gay Tedder of Leawood

McKenna Walbeck of Wichita

Carol Whitehair of Abilene

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Jordan Cheng of Mission

Steph Wagner of Mission

Kansas Common Sense

Visiting Kansans During Easter Break

Apr 08 2024

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