Dear Friend,

I hope you had a relaxing weekend and celebrated all of the Moms and important women who have made a difference in your lives. I think all seven of our kids would agree with me: my wife and their mom, Jacquie, is a saint.

Left: Jacquie and I with our seven children, and daughter-in-law. Right: My mother-in-law Betty, my daughter Katie, and my mom Patsy.

Every day should be a celebration of those who play a special role in our lives. Mother’s Day is particularly important, and I’m glad we had an opportunity to spend time together as a family this weekend.

After a weekend back in Minnesota with my family, I’m kicking off another week in Washington for votes. Read on to learn more about what we’ve been working on…

Recognizing National Police Week

Last week, our state was once again placed in the national spotlight when a man held five employees of a Wells Fargo bank hostage in St. Cloud. Fortunately, thanks to the actions of the St. Cloud Police Department and the FBI, the suspect was detained, and no one was injured in the incident.

Incidents like this underscore the important role law enforcement plays in our communities. This week is National Police Week, which is an important time to recognize the men and women in uniform who step in when situations like this arise. The individuals who carry out their oath to serve and protect should be thanked for everything they do to keep us safe.

However, law enforcement is only as effective as their community relations are strong. Communities throughout the Sixth District are shining examples for their efforts to ensure the community has positive and regular contact with the local police and sheriff’s departments. One community in particular that has built a strong relationship with their law enforcement is St. Cloud.

Meeting with the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police.

St. Cloud invested in a Community OutPost (COP) to help law enforcement engage and communicate with residents in their surrounding communities. The “COP House” provides improved community-focused engagement efforts. A COP House is a residential home where nearby residents can receive critical services and build relationships with local law enforcement in that community. With improved police-citizen communication, officers can more effectively establish trust and build rapport with the citizens that they are sworn to protect. 

Watch this video to learn more.

I introduced the Community OutPost (COP) Outreach and Engagement Act which would make this effort a national federal pilot program. The bill showcases my support for community policing initiatives and bringing Minnesota solutions to Washington.

Meeting with St. Cloud Chief of Police, Blair Anderson, and other leadership from the St. Cloud Police Department.

I continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to prioritize legislation that will assist our law enforcement professionals and their work to build deeper relationships in the communities they serve. National Police Week serves as an important reminder of the work, service, and sacrifice our men and women in uniform make on the local and national level.
 
Thank you to all of you who serve and support our law enforcement; we are grateful for everything you do.

Supporting Mental Health and Criminal Justice Initiatives

Last week, I joined the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center's Congressional Briefing on "How Three Communities Are Supporting Mental Health and Decreasing Justice System Involvement Through Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP)."

During the event, I discussed my support for continued funding of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. The program provides states and local governments with the necessary resources to plan and implement initiatives for people with mental illnesses involved with the criminal justice system. These initiatives increase public safety, reduce state and local spending, and improve the lives of people with mental illnesses and their families.

Watch my remarks to the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center here.

Individuals struggling with mental health challenges will oftentimes interact solely with law enforcement when in crisis. These individuals frequently do not have access to mental health care, even when they deserve treatment. This program offers solutions to offer treatment instead of incarceration to those in need.

Funding for Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act directs resources to train law enforcement on ways to identify and improve their response to individuals in crisis. It also funds mental health and substance abuse treatment for those who are incarcerated or attempting to re-enter our communities. This program has already produced amazing results and improved the way our justice system and law enforcement interface with individuals in a mental health crisis. It was great to join the Council of State Governments for this important event and I’ll continue to support initiatives that improve access to mental health care and that train law enforcement to better engage with their communities.

Next Tuesday: Telephone Town Hall

Next Tuesday, May 18th, I hope you will join me for another telephone town hall. We will begin at 7PM CT. This month, our focus will be on resources for Minnesotans struggling with mental health issues. Learn more by visiting my website here!

Until next week, if you are in need of assistance or would like to share your thoughts with me, please write me an e-mail here.

To keep up with what we’re doing in Washington, follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!

Sincerely,