The August District Work Period is well underway, and I have been making my rounds in the Third District meeting with many of you. This is Congress’ longest district work period of the year and allows us to have the opportunity to visit all areas of our districts to meet with several constituents. Here are a few highlights from the week.

One of my meetings was with Missouri Head Start who is doing wonderful work for our state’s children. For those not familiar with Head Start, this organization is a nonprofit with a mission to bolster development for children from birth to age five. It was established in 1965 to help provide nutrition, health and social services for low-income families, and along with that their focus is now on academic, social, and emotional development in communities across America. The Missouri chapter of Head Start is doing great work and investing in our youngest Missourians so they are set up for success as they grow. For more information on Head Start and links to the resources they can help with, please visit moheadstart.org.

I have also been meeting with different groups around the district and providing an update on what Congress had been working on in Washington, D.C. before we headed back to our respective states for August. It was great to visit with the Lake Area Chambers of Commerce for ‘Eggs & Issues’ to hear from local leaders. We’re right in the middle of high season at the lake, so these chambers and their member businesses are staying busy. As usual people from different parts of Missouri and all over the country are flocking to the Lake of the Ozarks for its many attractions this summer, and I’m always pleased to hear from and see that these businesses are busy serving customers and spurring our economy.

The Jefferson City Memorial Airport was also another productive visit. This airport’s tower has been in desperate need of repair as it was built 50 years ago and was only meant to be a temporary solution. The Jefferson City Memorial Airport provides an additional layer of accessibility for our area, and modernizing this airport so it is both functional and safe is very important for the Third District. From flight lessons to a Black Hawk helicopter being flown by the Missouri National Guard, this airport sees a good amount of traffic and needs to be updated to ensure it continues to operate safely. Fortunately, the legislation the House passed last month to improve American aviation will help fund FAA infrastructure projects like updates this tower, and I am working with the appropriate committees to help as well.

And of course, the State Fair started yesterday in Sedalia which is always a lot of fun and something I look forward to every summer. Missourians wait all year to show their prized livestock or put their famous barbeque recipes to the test in competition. There’s really something for everyone from the classic carnival to pig races, live music, the rodeo, and the Governor’s annual ham breakfast. I hope you’ll try and make the trip to Sedalia for a day or two of quintessential Missouri fun. And for farmers and ranchers, I will be sitting on a panel with the Governor and some other elected officials about the upcoming Farm Bill next week.

My travels will continue for the rest of the month, and I hope to meet with as many of you as possible. Hearing from you directly is the most valuable source of information I have and allows me to take your needs to Capitol Hill. I look forward to seeing many more faces around the district this month.