Thank you for reading my newsletter! My team and I continue to work for you and our community. It was a very eventful week and I'm excited to tell you about what we accomplished. Here are some highlights:

• I was the Grand Marshall for the Ninth Annual Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade
• I toured the Indian River Lagoon to see living shorelines and learn more about preserving our environment
• I attended the signing of the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act by President Trump at the White House
• I spoke on the House floor in recognition of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and her contributions to our community and country

CELEBRATING OUR RACING HISTORY: This weekend I had the honor of serving as the Grand Marshall of this year’s Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade! Since the 1920s, Daytona Beach has been the home of NASCAR, with drivers setting records racing down our beach to the famous North Turn and A1A. This race is an important part of our community’s history and it’s always one of my favorite events every year!

Serving as Grand Marshall at the 9th annual Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade

CONSERVING OUR SHORELINE: Our beautiful and natural shorelines can co-exist with development when done correctly. Living shorelines and mangroves are important for our communities because they are the best natural barriers against storm surges. Estuaries and mangroves are also important to commercial fisherman. Around 80 percent of them rely on estuaries and mangroves for spawning. I enjoyed touring our local living shorelines to learn more about how conservancies bring free market, volunteering and community based solutions to our community. It's important we maintain our living shorelines to help keep Florida resilient. 

Views of our Indian River Lagoon living shoreline

SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS: This week, I went to the White House to see President Trump sign another bill supporting our veterans into law — and this time, it was a bill I co-sponsored! The Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act supports our veterans, helping them find opportunities for jobs in STEM fields when they return to civilian life. I was glad to work on this bill with two fellow Florida congressmen, Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Neal Dunn, and I was proud to be there as the President signed it into law!

President Trump signing the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act into law

RECOGNIZING SERVANT LEADERSHIP: I can't think of anyone better to highlight great servant leadership in our community and our country this Black History Month than our district's very own Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Bethune founded and was President of the all African-American girls school in Daytona Beach, which later became Bethune–Cookman University. Bethune selflessly dedicated herself to fighting for the equality and civil rights of all Americans through education and because of her, Florida and America are a better place.

Click below to watch me honor Dr. Bethune on the House floor:

Please follow my daily work on social media by liking my Facebook page and following me on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. As always, feel free to reach out to my offices in Florida or Washington, D.C. if my team or I can ever be of service.

In Service,

Michael Waltz