Working with Community Leaders Tyson Fire in Holcomb

This week, I joined community officials and business leaders in Garden City for a meeting to discuss the recent fire at the Tyson Foods plant in Holcomb. This fire and the temporary closure of the facility go beyond Southwest Kansas, as this causes disruption to the supply chain of beef across the country, harming our producers.

I’ve been in close contact with USDA, Tyson Foods leadership, Garden City officials, Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association to make certain that we are working collaboratively to minimize these impacts during already hard times for Kansas producers. I’ve been reassured by Tyson’s commitment to rebuilding the plant and getting it up and running as soon as possible, for the benefit of not only the facility, but area employees, producers and those who rely on the supply chain of beef through the country. Thank you to Lona DuVall for organizing this meeting, and for the leadership on behalf of so many as the community works through this. Click here to read more on this meeting and the ongoing work to recover and rebuild in the Garden City Telegram.

 

Touring Hess Services in Hays

Hess Services, Inc. in Hays is a success story for the whole community. Started by owner Dan Hess in 1989, Hess Services, Inc. prides themselves on building the best industrial and oilfield products on the market. They employ over 350 Kansans and sell their products to customers across the country. I was pleased to receive a tour of one of their facilities in Hays at the invite of City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs this week. During the tour, we discussed challenges and opportunities before the company, including infrastructure and the need to complete the Northwest Business Corridor Project to support their growth, which I am actively supporting and working to bolster their efforts to finish. Thanks to Dan and Mark Hess for the informative tour and productive conversation, and to all of the city and county officials and community leaders who joined us.

 

Joining Sedgwick County Law Enforcement to Announce Operation Triple Beam

On Monday, I joined U.S. Marshal Ron Miller and representatives from the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office to discuss Operation Triple Beam – a joint operation between local, state and federal officials in Wichita to apprehend violent criminals. The Operation worked to strategically target areas of the city with high rates of crime, and was done in close collaboration between numerous government agencies including the United States Marshal Service, Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County District Attorney, Kansas Highway Patrol, United States Attorney’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Probation Office and the United States Postal Service.

As the chief appropriator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice, I’ll continue working to make certain the resources we allocate in Congress make their way to communities across Kansas to make a real impact – especially as it pertains to public safety. Read more from KWCH on this operation and its success here.

 

Hosting Brigadier General Rugen at WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research Facilities

On Monday, I hosted Brigadier General Walter Rugen at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NAIR). As the director of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift Cross Function Team, General Rugen is tasked with modernizing our nation’s aging helicopter fleet. NAIR – located squarely in the Air Capital of the World – is an example of the innovative research and development necessary to modernize our fleet, and is uniquely positioned to continue leading our nation in the aerospace industry. I will continue to work with Brigadier General Rugen on these important issues and to advocate for Wichita’s leadership as the Army develops the Future Vertical Lift Program.

 

Delivering Keynote Remarks at Wichita Rotary

Communities across our state are strengthened by Kansans who participate in civic organizations. On Monday, I spoke at the Rotary Club of Wichita – one of the oldest and most active Rotary clubs in the nation. We had an engaging conversation focused on securing Wichita's continued standing as the Air Capital of the World, local law enforcement initiatives, trade, veterans’ healthcare and medical research.

Thank you to Friends University President Dr. Amy Carey for the kind introduction and Club President Doug Stark for the invitation. Thank you also to Wichita State University President Andy Tompkins and Paul Duff of the Wichita Police Department for joining as my guests to Wichita Rotary. The momentum in Wichita is palpable, and it was an honor to spend time with community leaders who are dedicated to growing the region. I’ll continue to work alongside these men and women to expand opportunities for all those who call Wichita home.

Hosting Five Kansas Listening Tour Stops

Edwards County
On Monday, I was in Edwards County to hold a Listening Tour Stop in Kinsley in conjunction with the regular Rotary Club meeting. During this meeting, we discussed several issues including the need to pass USMCA and increase foreign market access for our farmers and ranchers, the importance of rural telecommunications infrastructure, including rural broadband, and issues relating to local access to healthcare and mental health services. Thanks to my friends Bill and Susan Roenbaugh for attending and to Sherry Brenner and the Kinsley Rotary Club for their hospitality and for opening their meeting up to the public.

Scott County
In Scott City, I spent time with local residents, business leaders and community members to discuss issues important to folks the County, including the Senate’s work to roll back regulations for small businesses and community banks, the importance of rural education and our work to support the ag economy. We also discussed the recent fire at the Tyson Foods plant in Holcomb, and my work to minimize the far-reaching impact this will have on the cattle industry. Thanks to all those who took time out of their day on Tuesday to share their thoughts with me.

 

Norton County
On Wednesday, I joined Norton County residents at the Norton American Legion for a stop on my Kansas Listening Tour. During this meeting, we discussed veterans’ healthcare and my work in the Senate on the VA MISSION Act, bipartisan VA reform legislation currently being implemented across the country. We also discussed my goal to bolster rural America and make certain that young families can return home to Kansas towns. Additionally, we discussed gun control legislation and community mental health resources, rural healthcare and the ongoing concern about a lack of civility in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many folks who were able to join me in Norton and for their productive conversation that helps shape my work in the Senate.

 

Lane County
In Lane County, I spent time in Dighton to hear from Kansans about issues most important to them. During my numerous conversations with local residents, we discussed the ongoing trade conflict and the need to open up more markets for Kansas farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, as well as protecting rural access to healthcare and the importance of local physicians. Thanks to community officials and business owners for taking time out of their day to share their thoughts with me.

 

Sherman County
On Thursday, I was at our state’s western border to meet with folks from Sherman County in Goodland. During this townhall meeting, we discussed trade, the damaging effects of tariffs and the Senate’s work to increase trade for ag producers across Kansas and the country. We also discussed education, our work to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs, proposed gun reform legislation and community mental health resources. Thank you to State Senator Rick Billinger for attending my townhall meeting.

 

Touring the National Weather Service’s Goodland Facility

Following my Sherman County townhall meeting, I joined National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office staff in Goodland for a tour of their facility. The NWS Goodland staff offer a critical service to the Northwest portion of our state and the entire tri-state region by working to forecast weather, gathering extensive information and providing reports and recommendations following severe weather. As the chief appropriator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes the NWS, it is valuable to see first-hand the work these men and women conduct. Thanks to the many NWS employees for taking time to meet with me and discuss their resource needs in Goodland.

Meeting with New Valley Hope CEO

On Wednesday in Norton, I met with the new Valley Hope CEO Daniel McCormick. Valley Hope is a drug and addiction rehabilitation and treatment organization that operates 17 treatment centers in seven states across the Midwest. Over the years, they’ve helped thousands of people find recovery from drug and alcohol related addictions and therefore have improved outcomes for countless families, communities and individuals. During our meeting, we discussed ways we can work together to better equip communities to fight addiction, as well as public health resources to make progress on a healthier, drug-free Kansas. A special thank you to Valley Hope and their employees across Kansas for the work they do every day, and to CEO Daniel McCormick for the productive conversation.

Now Accepting Service Academy Nomination Applications

Each year, I have the honor of appointing Kansans to the following academies: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. With the school year fast approaching, we are now accepting applications from qualified high school seniors.

Eligible applicants must be:

• a resident of Kansas
• unmarried citizens of the United States with no dependents
• at least 17 years old, but not past their 23rd birthday on July 1st of the year they wish to be admitted

You can apply for the class of 2024 by going to my website here to download an application. In order to be considered for an interview by Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Screening Board, the application must be received in Sen. Moran's Olathe office by September 6, 2019. Please contact Lisa Dethloff by phone at 913-393-0711 or by email at lisa_dethloff@moran.senate.gov with any questions.

Kansans in the Office

Mike King of Hesston
Peggy King of Hesston

Capitol Tour

Jeff Bronleewe of Wichita
Tonya Bronleewe of Wichita
Nate Faflick of Wichita
Brian Hiltunen of Basehor
Jennifer Hiltunen of Basehor
Bernice Koharchik of Manhattan
David Mindrup of Olathe
Mary Mindrup of Olathe
Joseph Mindrup of Olathe
Rachel Mindrup of Olathe
Violet Mindrup of Olathe

Honored to Serve You in Washington

It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a letter, a Facebook comment, or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,
Jerry