USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for AZ-06.

For months, I have fought to strengthen Arizona’s defenses against the New World Screwworm threat. These efforts paid off as I joined Secretary Brooke Rollins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Douglas last week to announce a $25 million investment to reestablish a sterile fly dispersal facility and the reopening of the Southern Cattle Port at the Douglas Port of Entry.

In addition to these announcements, the USDA awarded the University of Arizona with a $3.74 million grant in early July to expand research, education and outreach for the purpose of strengthen statewide preparedness against the threat of New World Screwworm.

I am grateful to Secretary Rollins and the USDA for responding quickly to Arizona’s need to prepare for and combat this threat, and I look forward to seeing firsthand how these critical investments will protect our local farmers and ranchers.

Read more about last week’s USDA announcements HERE and the work that resulted in these wins for Arizona HERE.

Fighting to Protect Our Water.

There is no question that water is our most valuable resource here in Arizona. For that reason, I have fought to protect our water since my first day in office. Recently, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which leaves our state facing possible reductions in our water supply. 

Read a statement from me in response to the FEIS below:

"Arizona is second to none in managing our most precious resource - water. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) released this week by Interior leaves Arizona facing potential reductions of up to 3 million acre-feet a year in priority, with no comparable ask of the Upper Basin. That's not the shared sacrifice Arizona has been asking for, and I raised the same concern when the draft version came out.

Arizona, California, and Nevada put a serious joint proposal on the table. Getting a final outcome that reflects that effort takes sustained, constructive pressure on Interior, not grandstanding and counterproductive fights with the current administration that leave Arizona with less leverage at the table when it matters most. Unfortunately, that's too often what we've gotten from our state's own U.S. Senators and our Governor, who've spent more energy on political theater than on delivering for Arizona.

Nothing here is final. The Record of Decision and operating guidelines are still to come, and that's where the details that matter most will be decided. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Colorado River Caucus, I'll keep urging Interior toward the Lower Basin's May framework and keep working with ADWR, CAP, our tribes, and our agriculture and municipal water users to protect Arizona's interests, and I'd urge the rest of Arizona's leadership to bring the same seriousness to the table in the weeks ahead. Everyone must put political differences aside for the sake of our water future. That’s what Arizona leaders have done for generations, and what I am committed to do."

Read more about my efforts to protect Arizona's water supply HERE.

Recognizing the Final A-10 Flight at Davis-Monthan AFB. 

Last Wednesday marked the end of a 50-year chapter of A-10 operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB).

The last A-10 flight was flown by the 357th Fighter Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan "Clutch" Rutter, and the 355th Operations Group Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Dwyer.

Hundreds gathered at Davis-Monthan AFB to watch Lt. Cols. Rutter and Dwyer land this milestone flight, as the completion of A-10 operations reflects historical significance and a longstanding relationship between the A-10, Davis-Monthan AFB, and the Tucson community.

Prior to the final A-10 flight, I was honored to deliver a speech on the House floor in recognition of this significant moment in the history of our local community.

Congratulations to everyone at Davis-Monthan AFB on a half century of A-10 operations!

Read more about the final A-10 flight HERE and WATCH my full floor speech below.

Honoring the Life of Linda Barber.

Linda Barber, a dear friend of mine and Laura’s sadly passed away in June. She was surrounded by her family and was definitely welcomed home by her husband Jim, whom she missed dearly and spoke about often.

Linda was a pillar of the local community. From serving as a precinct committeeman since 1972, being a legislative district chairman, president of several entities, chairman of the Pima County party, a vice chair of the state party and an office manager for the Arizona Governor, she dedicated her life to making a difference in Tucson and throughout Arizona.

She showed such care for our community and those around her. Linda was a great friend to our family and a big support for me and Laura. I am beyond grateful for Linda’s wonderful friendship, leadership, and the incredible example she set for others.

Recently, I had the privilege of delivering a speech on the House floor to honor Linda’s life.

You can WATCH the full floor speech below.

Upcoming Veteran Servant Leader Awards. 

Since day one of being in office, I have been a champion of veterans. In the 119th Congress alone, I have introduced and led four veterans-focused bills that have passed the House. AZ-06 is home to nearly 80,000 veterans and supporting each and every one is a high priority for me.

As part of my effort to give back to our veterans here in southeastern Arizona, I have hosted three Veteran Servant Leader Award events. These events honor veterans who have continued to serve their communities after their time spent serving our nation. My office and I have been able to award dozens of veterans through these three events, and we are looking forward to our fifth which will be held in Sierra Vista later this month.

If you know a veteran residing in Cochise, Graham, or Greenlee County who is dedicated to giving back to their community and embodies the values of duty, service, and commitment that are at the core of our military, we invite you to nominate them for our fifth Veteran Servant Leader Awards! Nominations will be accepted through Saturday, August 15.

You can read more about the upcoming Veteran Servant Leader Awards HERE and nominate a veteran HERE.

In the News.

Ciscomani seeks nominations for veteran service awards 
Sierra Vista Herald 
"U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani is accepting nominations for the fifth installment of his Veteran Servant Leader Awards, which recognize military veterans who continue serving their communities after leaving active duty. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Sierra Vista in August. Ciscomani's office is seeking nominations of veterans from Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties who have demonstrated continued service through volunteer work, public service or other community involvement. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 15. According to Ciscomani's office, the awards program has recognized more than 100 veterans since it began, with the most recent ceremony held in May. 'It is such an honor to recognize the work of local veterans during each of our Veteran Servant Leader Awards,' Ciscomani said in a statement. 'These incredible men and women first served our nation and now continue to serve their communities.'"

Arizona Lands $25 Million USDA Investment To Fight New World Screwworm 
AZ Free News 
"U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a $25 million federal investment to build a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. She made the announcement during a visit to the Douglas Port of Entry with Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), and Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) ahead of the planned resumption of livestock imports from Mexico. Rollins toured the port’s livestock inspection facilities Wednesday with Ciscomani, Biggs, Crane, and Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley. The Department of Agriculture plans to reopen the Douglas crossing to cattle imports on Aug. 24 as the first stage of a phased reopening of southern livestock ports. During the visit, Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would invest $25 million toward establishing a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona as part of the federal response to New World screwworm. 'Protecting American agriculture begins with protecting our borders and ensuring we have the strongest animal health safeguards anywhere in the world,' Rollins said. 'The Douglas Port of Entry will reopen only because USDA has implemented one of the most rigorous livestock inspection protocols in history, giving us confidence we can safely resume this critical trade while ensuring cattle crossing the border are free from New World screwworm.'"

Ciscomani, USDA announce $25M Arizona investment to combat screwworm 
The Ripon Advance 
"U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) on July 29 joined U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in Douglas, Ariz., as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $25 million investment to restore a sterile fly dispersal facility and reopen the Douglas Port of Entry for cattle imports from Sonora, Mexico. The announcements mark a major step in efforts to protect Arizona’s livestock industry from the threat of the New World screwworm while allowing cattle imports to safely resume under enhanced biosecurity measures, according to the congressman. Rep. Ciscomani, who has spent months urging federal officials to strengthen Arizona’s defenses against the livestock pest, said the investment reflects the work of local agricultural leaders and federal officials. 'I was proud to join Secretary Rollins for today’s announcement of the reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry alongside this critical investment in Arizona,' Rep. Ciscomani said on Thursday. 'Local agriculture leaders and I have been fighting to deliver this sterile fly dispersal facility because Arizona’s livestock industry cannot afford to wait on the New World screwworm threat. This $25 million investment is the direct result of that work, and I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for listening to Arizona’s producers and delivering on it.'"

Profiles of the American Dream.

Fourteen years ago next month, the auditorium at Sierra Vista’s Buena High School was packed with more than 1,300 mourners from across Arizona for a memorial service honoring Cochise County Sherrif Larry Dever. The beloved lawman died the week before while on a hunting trip after his pickup crashed on a rural road outside of the northern Arizona town of Williams.

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and Gov. Jan Brewer were among the political leaders who insisted on paying their respects to the late sheriff, who was 60 years old and in his 16th year in office when he died. Kyl called Dever a man of few words "but when he spoke, everyone listened."

The two-hour service ended with a personal tribute by one of Dever’s six sons, who told the crowd how much his father loved to go hiking and camping in the Chiricahua Mountains. 
"Dad," said Army Major Bendon Dever, "if you’re still listening, you’ve made it to camp, you’ve done your best and it’s enough. We’ll take it from here, but if you don’t mind, throw another log on the fire. We’ll be home shortly."

Brendon retired last month as a colonel after 27 years in uniform, most recently serving as chief of staff for the U.S. Army Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca and as commander of the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade. He wasted no time to begin his next chapter, which involves putting on another uniform – the one worn by his father.

Brendon was sworn in recently as chief of staff for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, an executive leadership position that gives him the opportunity to help oversee operations of the law enforcement organization his father once led.

"I've grown up with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office in my blood," Dever told the Sierra Vista Herald.

Sheriff Mark Dannels has been at the helm of that office since November 2012 and has forged a national reputation as a champion of public safety, border security, regional collaboration and proactive community outreach. Brendon’s deep connection to the Sheriff’s Office and his commitment to public service will certainly be an asset.

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 your Member of Congress, such as speaking on the House floor. You can 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!

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