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Visiting Hays and Russell High School During FFA Week Proclamation While in Kansas, I visited Hays and Russell High Schools during National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week.
During my visit, I was able to greet their FFA chapters and present each of them with a signed copy of the National FFA Proclamation, dedicating this week to National FFA Week.
As a fifth-generation farm kid, I know how hard these students work and I'm proud to present them with a signed copy of the FFA Week Proclamation. I am always so impressed by their professionalism and passion. FFA is a wonderful organization that teaches students the importance of where their food comes from and the leadership skills they will hold with them for the rest of their lives.
 
Joining Hays Youth Leadership Mock Elections I visited Thomas More Prep Jr/Sr High School to join the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board Mock Elections. The Hays Youth Advisory Board promotes and encourages community development, involvement, and other participation with young leaders within Hays.
I am honored to have been invited to speak at the mock election and talk to students about the importance of getting involved and understanding the missions of local and federal governments. We discussed American history, and our work in Washington to protect Kansans' constitutional rights and freedoms.
A big thank you to the Hays Youth Leadership Advisory Board for organizing the event and hats off to the young men and women who are no doubt going to be great leaders in our community someday.
 
BioNexus KC and Children's Mercy Visit BioNexus Kansas City is advancing our knowledge and technology in digital health, cancer research, and aiming for our community to be a global leader in both human and animal health. I had the opportunity to learn more about their new tech hub proposal which will bring increased innovation and biomanufacturing to the region.
After this visit, BioNexus joined us at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City where we learned and toured the hospital's impressive new research institute that opened in 2021. The Children's Mercy Research Institute integrates research into health care by fostering a partnership among health care professionals, researchers, patients, and families.
Thank you to BioNexus and Children's Mercy for having me! 
Joining KU ROTC Program I had the pleasure of meeting with University of Kansas' ROTC students to join their Fitness Awards Ceremony and help in distributing awards to students. Additionally, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with ROTC Students about my experience in the Army Reserves, time in Congress, and give them an update on things we're working on in Washington.
KU is one of only about 50 Universities with a full offering of Army, Air Force/Space Force, and Naval ROTC programs. The ROTC programs offer scholarships that pay tuition, furnish books and uniforms, and provide a monthly living allowance.
Upon completion of the requirements and graduation from KU, ROTC cadets are commissioned as Army or Air Force Second Lieutenants, and Naval ROTC Midshipmen are commissioned either as Ensigns in the Navy or as Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps.
Thank you for having me, and keep up the great work!
 
Visit to Heartland Community Health Clinic Community Health Centers are critical to serving communities. I had the opporunity to visit Heartland Community Health Clinic's new Dental Clinic in Lawrence that serves the Douglas County community. The Heartland Community Health Clinic participates in the Center for Disease Control (CDC)'s Oral Health Program, as well as multiple other clinics across Kansas. I'm proud to be a co-lead in the Promoting Dental Health Act, legislation that reauthorizes the CDC Oral Health program for five years to ensure this important community program continues to be funded. Thanks for visiting with me and taking the time to tell me about your new facility! 
FAFSA Community Roundtables Discussing Application Glitches Nationwide I hosted two roundtables, one in Overland Park and one in Wichita, with educational leaders from universities and colleges across Kansas to discuss the issues and impact they are facing due to the FAFSA application glitches 17 million students are experiencing nationwide. The application glitch has caused extreme stress and limbo for students and families who are unable to get a clear picture of where they can afford to attend college.
In January, I joined 28 colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) demanding answers on implemented changes that were intended to make the FAFSA application process easier but instead have caused chaos and a great deal of stress for millions of students nationwide. 
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