10th News: Supporting Our Veterans
I am glad to be back home after a few hectic weeks in the nation’s capital. Before I talk about the week that was, I want to extend holiday wishes to everyone celebrating Ramadan, Passover, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. May this be a meaningful time spent with friends and family.
Last week was another chock-full week in Washington with multiple hearings and markups, lots of meetings, and even a bit of time focused on building bridges across party lines. Of note, on Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra appeared before the Ways and Means committee to discuss President Biden’s funding request for Fiscal Year 2024. On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee had an oversight hearing exploring transparency and accountability for the aid the US is providing Ukraine for security, economic and humanitarian needs as they defend their country against Russia’s illegal invasion. We also had two meetings of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.
As always, I enjoyed visiting with friends from home, including North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham and Alderman Kenneth Smith.
I was pleased to return from D.C. on Friday in time to join the Midwest Veterans Closet, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and volunteers from Naval Station Great Lakes to help feed Illinois’ veterans community. It was a great opportunity to make new friends while doing good by our many local veterans in advance of the holidays.
Please keep reading for more information about happenings here at home and in Washington.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Honoring Drs. Wadell & Daisy Brooks
The late Dr. Wadell Brooks and his wife, Dr. Daisy Brooks, have been pillars in our community, touching countless lives in immeasurable ways. It was a privilege to join Daisy and the Brooks family at a standing-room-only celebration as the corner of Argonne and Sherman roads in North Chicago was named in their honor. Here, the power couple built Daisy's Resource Developmental Center to educate and nurture the community's children.
Dr. Wadell Brooks was a friend, educator, civil servant, and activist who passed away this summer at 89. His wife of 65+ years, Dr. Daisy Brooks, shared her husband's passion for education and community service. Together, they opened daycare and residential facilities for children and were involved in various organizations. Friday's street naming was a well-deserved honor for the incredible contribution of Drs. Brooks and a chance to celebrate two amazing friends and leaders.
Kiwanis Zion-Benton Pancake Breakfast
On Saturday, I joined families—young and old alike—for the Zion-Benton Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast. Not only was the food delicious, but the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was wonderful to see community members come together to support a great cause.
Congressional Art Competition
Art Competition Winner Meghan Nambiar, and 2022 Finalists
Calling all creative students (and their teachers and parents). The 2023 Congressional Art Competition is underway, and I would welcome your participation. The deadline for submissions is next Friday, April 14th. The annual Art Competition was literally established as an act of Congress, and the winners from each district have their art displayed for the entire nation in the Capitol! I encourage all our young artists to participate in this competition and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to pursue their passion.
As always, if you have any questions, please call my office at (847) 383-4870.
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
Every American should have quality, affordable health care, no matter where in the country they live. Access to care, particularly maintaining and expanding access to telemedicine, was the focus of my conversation with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra when he testified before the Ways and Means Committee last week. He noted that if we are going to continue to remove barriers to care and support telehealth opportunities, we need to make good broadband accessible in all communities, which is what I hear from residents throughout the Tenth District, especially in our more rural communities. You can watch the Ways and Means Committee hearing here.
Illinois State Society at the Capitol
It was good to see so many people from across Illinois during their fly into Washington to share with lawmakers the priorities for Illinois communities as Congress makes funding decisions for 2024. I had the chance to address many of the folks in town at a reception in the Capitol celebrating our great state.
Addressing Housing Challenges in Illinois and Nationally
I appreciated the chance to talk with representatives of the Chicagoland Apartment Association about what they are doing to make housing more available and affordable and how Congress can best assist.
Principals Came to My Office This Time!
I never wanted to be sent to the principal’s office when I was a student, but it was a pleasure having members of the Illinois Principals Association visit me. We discussed the importance of education and the many challenges confronting our schools and teachers.
Congressional Task Force Meetings
Gun violence, mental health, substance use disorders, and losing loved ones to overdose are growing problems in America, with tragic consequences for all our communities. That is why I am active in the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. We meet regularly to hear from experts and people directly affected and to brainstorm, craft, and pass legislation to address the challenges. (Above is a picture from our MHSUD meeting last week.)
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Please visit my website to find resources available for everything from saving money on your internet bill to locating your local food bank, various help lines, and even help Ukrainians refugees fleeing the war.
CONSTITUENT SUCCESS STORIES
I want to share with you another constituent casework success story. Navigating the federal agency bureaucracy can be challenging, but my excellent casework team in Lincolnshire is ready to help you. If you need help with a federal agency, fill out a Privacy Release Form or call my Lincolnshire office at (847) 383-4870 so my casework team can assist you.
In Closing—
I want to, again, wish everyone who is celebrating a holiday this week Happy Holidays. Ramadan, Passover, and Easter are cornerstone holidays for billions of people worldwide. Families gather, and communities unite to celebrate and reflect. As I do every year, I pray that the holiday season brings you comfort and helps move our nation toward peace.
In Peace,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress