Visiting Utterback Middle School

I had the pleasure of visiting my old middle school, TUSD’s Utterback Middle School in Tucson. The school recently achieved an incredible milestone by improving two letter grades to be rated as a B school by the Arizona State Board of Education. Improving by two whole letter grades in just one year is a massive achievement. This remarkable turnaround is largely due to the efforts of Principal Ms. Taranika Sanders, who collaborated with staff and community partners to transform the school. She even received the Stellar Principal Award for her outstanding work! Utterback offers nine different electives and two intervention classes, including drama, dance, Lego technology, and computer literacy, to keep students engaged in several ways. They also offer a class called AVID, a unique college and career readiness program that prepares students for life beyond the classroom. 

Fighting for Our Border Patrol Agents. 

It’s an understatement to say our Border Patrol Agents deserve fair compensation for their hard work. They risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe.  Recently, I discovered that overtime wages for our agents were delayed. Discovering this, I acted to inquire on behalf of our frontline men and women and demanded answers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Thanks to our efforts, I am pleased to have learned that Agents have started receiving backpay. I remain committed to fighting for those who protect our borders. 

Read more here. 

Attending the Funeral of a Local Hero. 

Last week, I attended the funeral of my dear friend, former Pima County Supervisor, and Army Veteran Paul Marsh. Paul was a staple of our community for decades who consistently went out of his way to improve the lives of those around him. From his hours volunteering at Tucson schools to his work as chair of the Housing Advisory and Appeals board, Paul’s dedication to helping those around him was truly inspiring. He even developed a curriculum for training soldiers who wanted to become dental assistants and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his work on this. Paul was involved in commissioning the USS Tucson, a founding member of the Arizona Korean War Veterans Association and was a leader in the establishment of the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana.  

Paul’s legacy and impact on the Southern Arizona community will always be remembered. 

Reconstructing Buffalo Soldier Trail in Sierra Vista. 

A project that I have been extremely proud of our work on is the reconstruction of Buffalo Soldier Trail in Sierra Vista. This road had not been repaved in over 20 years and Sierra Vista residents were beginning to report pavement stress and cracking. This was especially concerning, given it sees 20,000 cars on an average day. Last year, I was able to secure federal funds for Phase I of this project, which would repave around 3,000 feet of the trail from 7th St up to Hatfield St. I am extremely proud to have now provisionally secured an additional $7 million in funds to complete Phase II of this project and repave the remaining area of the main infrastructure artery. It is an honor to be able to directly help with these community projects, and I remain committed to finding new ways to improve the lives of constituents in Arizona’s 6th congressional district. 

Replacing Tombstone’s 50-year-old Water Reclamation Facility. 

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting another Community Project Funding (CPF) site which I have advocated and provisionally obtained funding for. I provisionally secured $989,786 in CPF funding for the City of Tombstone’s Water Reclamation Facility Upgrades Project in the FY25 Interior and Environment bill. This bill has passed the full committee and the House! The funds will replace outdated equipment at the 50-year-old facility, increasing its capacity and reliability. This investment benefits residents and supports Tombstone’s status as a key tourist destination. I am excited to see the positive impact this project will have on the community. 

Are You Traveling This Fall or Winter? 

We may be able to help you expedite your passport application in an emergency, report lost passports, and monitor overseas travel restrictions. My office can also help with flag requests, tours, internships, and much more. Check out the Services tab on my website for more information here!  

In the news. 

Editorial: Caring for our nation’s heroes 
Green Valley News Sun 
When duty called, America’s veterans answered, risking life and limb in service to their fellow citizens. Their selfless sacrifice and dedication to our nation’s values is the reason why we can enjoy the freedoms we so deeply cherish. 
 
Delivering for our communities as the government should 
Eastern Arizona Courier
As your Representative in Washington, D.C., it is my duty — and my honor — to be a voice for southern Arizonans in our nation’s Capital. I strive to advocate and fight for Arizona’s Sixth District in everything Congress does, from the bills we vote on to the funding we allocate. 
 
Ciscomani: Tackling Arizona's affordable housing crisis 
Tucson Sentinel
I still remember when my parents bought their first house – the same one they live in today. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties and the summer after graduating from the University of Arizona. Up until then, our family of five had lived in a two-bedroom apartment. It was a lifelong goal that my parents worked towards day in and day out. And as immigrants, for my parents, it was a pillar in achieving their American Dream. 
 
City of Sierra Vista to receive $7 million for Buffalo Soldier Trail reconstruction project 
KGUN9
“This is our money coming back home,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. 
 
Ciscomani visits Tombstone's aging wastewater treatment plant, one of 15 projects slated to receive federal funding for upgrades 
Herald/Review
But it was important to U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani — a member of the House Appropriations Committee who represents the state’s 6th Congressional District — to visit the aging facility. 

Profiles of the American Dream. 

Chances are you don’t know her name but if you’ve driven around Oro Valley lately you’ve probably seen her work. 

Nineteen of Pia Zaverukha’s cheerful “Welcome to Oro Valley” signs add splashes of vivid color to the town’s busy roads while also recognizing its recently celebrated 50th anniversary. 

Pia was born in the Philippines and, as she told the Explorer newspaper recently, her father came to the U.S. with $20 and the desire to make enough money for her and her mom to join him to “make a life in the States.” 

That she has certainly done. And with those signs, she’s also making an indelible mark. 
Mayor Joe Winfield says Pia’s work is incredible. Jeffery Hidalgo, the town’s public information officer, calls her an MVP. 

Pia graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School before studying visual communications at the University of Arizona. She’s been Oro Valley’s marketing and communications specialist for the past 11 years. 

“We wanted something very different for the sign,” she says. “Bright, like I want it, but palatable.” 

She achieved it. 

Share Your Story. 

Our district encompasses so many incredible people and stories that I want to share both with my colleagues in Washington and through the platforms I have as a Member of Congress, such as speaking on the House floor. Please visit my website and share your story with me and my team. I look forward to hearing from you!    

As always, my office and I are here to assist you. If you would like to share a comment or tell us your story, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you!

Unsubscribe