Reason for the Season
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving—a time filled with delicious food, family, and a sense of peace.
As we’ve officially embarked on the holiday season, now more than ever, I hope it brings us all a time to pause and be mindful of our blessings.
You don’t have to look far and wide to notice there’s a lot of angst and pent-up anger festering throughout the country. Life remains unaffordable for many, as inflation continues to soar, and our economy continues to struggle. War rages overseas, causing disruptions on our own soil. Polarizing politics dominate the news cycle and feed the minds of viewers. Divisive rhetoric is often brought back to kitchen tables across America.
Rooted in democracy, America has always been home to diverse thoughts and beliefs. But America hasn’t always been so averse to these differences, with an intolerant, “my way or the highway” mentality.
However, the collective gratitude we all share is that we get to wake up in the land of freedom and opportunity each day. We are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world. That’s something that can unite us all.
I’m reminded of the origin of Thanksgiving when Pilgrims organized a feast celebrating the new land and successful harvest, while breaking bread with Native Americans. As a young nation in 1789, President George Washington declared "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.” In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to reunite our country during this incredible hardship.
Just as we have in the past, America prevails when we stick together through hard times.
As we count our blessings, let us also be mindful of those who may be alone or struggling this holiday season. We thank our military members and first responders who can’t be home, and we pray for those who are missing a loved one or are struggling to put food on the table for their family.
Thanksgiving is one of our most unifying American traditions. It’s a beautiful time that leads us into celebrating the birth of the Christ child and into the new year, where we reflect on the old and welcome the new.
I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices generations of Americans made before us to create, protect, and advance our precious country. I am also incredibly grateful to serve you in Congress—something I cherish and never take for granted.
I wish you a great Thanksgiving weekend and a happy holiday season ahead!
Appropriators in Antarctica
I spent my week in Antarctica on a Congressional Delegation, or a CODEL, trip to get an overview of operations in the Antarctic region as it relates to the House Appropriations Committee jurisdictions. Part of our job is to fund the kind of research that goes on there. It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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My friends and colleagues Rep. Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania, Rep. Cuellar of Texas, Rep. Gonzales of Texas, and I met with senior leadership from the National Science Foundation to understand current projects within the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) focused on the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).
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We made a stop in New Zealand first, then took a seven-hour flight to Antarctica to have boots on the ground to witness firsthand ongoing USAP efforts and conduct oversight of field operations across the region!
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Even though there aren’t many people in Antarctica, I managed to find some fellow Arkansans! These folks here with me are serving with the USAP. Travis Ribordy, a Fleet Operator from Fort Smith, and Aaron Rye, a firefighter from Bentonville, are both Third District Arkansans! Other Arkansans working in Antarctica include Cody Spillane, Matthew Eisele, Jason Jarmon, and Brice Jackson. I’m proud of these guys!
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We made it to the South Pole! It was a bone-chilling negative 30 degrees!
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Of course, I couldn't forget my Razorbacks flag... Go Hogs!
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It was truly such an amazing experience—from the sites we saw to the people we met. We gave up our Thanksgiving to show our appreciation to the men and women who conduct the science that's so vital to our country. They represent the greatest country in the world while working in some of the most extreme conditions. I'm so grateful for these people and this insightful trip!
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Although I was across the world from our nation’s capital, I released three special editions of my Comment from the Capitol where I discuss the remarkable, interesting work happening in Antarctica with special guest researchers! Listen here, here, and here.
I also wished a happy Thanksgiving to Third District Arkansans, which you can watch here.
I will be back in Washington next week for legislative business. Have a great weekend ahead, and be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime!
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