10th News: Thanking our Veterans
First and foremost, I wish everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you can make time to spend with family and friends and find abundant reasons to give thanks. I am grateful for so many things, including my health and my family, and in particular, I am thankful for the privilege of representing Illinois’ 10th Congressional District.
Serving Thanksgiving Meals at USO - Great Lakes - 2022
Another reason to be grateful is that Congress avoided a costly government shutdown this week. I don’t want to call it progress; Speaker Johnson only provided a temporary spending agreement to early next year. But it’s better than the alternative of furloughing millions of workers just before the holidays, which is why the measure passed with good bipartisan majorities.
Though we avoided a shutdown this year, we still have a lot of priorities that need attention when Congress returns after Thanksgiving. We need to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to keep American skies safe for travelers. We need to pass the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to keep our citizens and country safe in an increasingly dangerous world. We also need to pass President Biden’s supplemental request to provide desperately needed security and humanitarian aid to our allies (Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan) and improve security at our southern border. Yesterday, I led a letter signed by 76 members of the moderate New Democrat Coalition calling on Congress to bring President Biden’s request to a vote.
Please keep reading to learn more about happenings in Washington and here at home.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Speaking of national security, last weekend, communities across the country recognized the selfless service of our nation’s veterans. I was honored to join Veterans Day events throughout the district. At Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa (above), I had breakfast with the veterans and honored guests and then had the chance to address the entire student body. I was truly moved by the extraordinary welcome and respect these students showed for our veterans.
In Grayslake, my team and I again hosted our annual Veterans Day Breakfast at the College of Lake County. More than 100 Veterans and their guests heard several speakers share their stories and had the chance to bond over their shared experiences serving our country.
Another annual Veterans Day tradition is joining the Fort Sheridan Historical Society, Boy Scout Troop 48, and the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to lay a wreath at the flag pole. This year, we were joined by Senator Mark Kirk. In recent years, we’ve gathered in freezing rain or blowing snow, so we all relished the beautiful weather this year.
After Fort Sheridan, we traveled to McHenry County to speak at a ceremony in Richmond with Village President Toni Wardanian, Trustee Frank Peiler, and American Legion Post 253 members. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I particularly enjoyed gathering with the community and our veterans for coffee and donuts at the Richmond Café. It’s amazing the lessons you learn when sitting down with a veteran and listening to their life stories.
Next, we went to the annual Buffalo Grove Park District luncheon. During the ceremony, the son of Sergeant Albert Kosiek shared the heroic tale of how his father and his men liberated the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Hearing his story was increasingly inspiring and one of the highlights of my day.
Finally, I joined New Trier VFW Post #4831 and Scout Troops 18 and 20 at the Winnetka Community House for a beautiful ceremony. It was a perfect capstone for a truly incredible day.
We honor our veterans on November 11, but we must work to serve them every day, just as they served us when in uniform. I’m proud to share that last Congress; we passed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act, which provides better access to benefits and healthcare for veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals while on duty, like those exposed to burn pits. This Congress, we’re working on two big bills: the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act will improve outreach and assistance to veterans to make sure veterans and their families know about benefits and programs, and the GUARD Act which goes after “claim sharks” that take advantage of disabled veterans and charge them unauthorized fees for helping them access their benefits.
Corn Harvest in Antioch
I didn't hesitate to accept an offer from the Lake County Farm Bureau to join Andy Yarc as he worked to harvest his corn on his farm in Antioch. I'm grateful to the farm bureau and the Yarc family for their warm hospitality and for sharing their knowledge about their work. I will take his story back to Washington as we work on the Farm Bill in the next year.
Standing Strong with Israel
Sunday, I joined an estimated 1,000 people in Northbrook who came together to peacefully show their support for Israel as it works to rescue the more than 240 people taken hostage in the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. We reiterated that Israel must be able to secure its borders and protect its people while also recognizing the terrible human suffering created by the war. It’s imperative that humanitarian aid is delivered to the innocent civilians trapped in the middle of the fighting, and we all call on the U.S. to continue to lead in helping ensure civilians are safe and cared for.
I also spoke to Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield (pictured in the top row) and Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook (shown in the bottom row) to answer questions and provide the members of each congregation an update on Israel’s efforts to rescue the hostages and defeat Hamas.
Thanksgiving Week Office Hours & Newsletter
I want to remind constituents that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, my office in Lincolnshire will be closing early at 3 pm on Wednesday, November 22, and will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 24. If you'd like to visit the office, appointments are required. Please call (847) 383-4870 to schedule an appointment.
I also want to inform newsletter readers that there will be no newsletter next week. However, after the holiday, I will update you on everything happening in Washington and the district. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
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.
LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK
If you plan to travel internationally, remember to check the expiration date on your passport before you book your trip. It is taking much longer than normal to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.
If you need help expediting a passport, please call my district office at 847-383-4870.
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 congratulate Arden Shore Child and Family Services in Waukegan, which Wintrust Community Bank is recognizing this month for 125 years of service helping 10th district families, and children thrive. To celebrate, they've placed a beautiful mural on the Wintrust mural building in Chicago. The mural, which is right along the highway, will be seen by thousands of people. You can read more about the mural here.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress