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Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. I was able to enjoy quality time with my wife, parents, sons, daughter-in-law, future daughter-in-law and beautiful new granddaughter. Our family also celebrated my parents' 65th wedding anniversary last week.
As 2024 draws to a close, I'd like to wish each of you a safe celebration this week and a very happy New Year!
Please know that I will continue advocating for you and your family! Continue reading for a brief recap of my work during this shortened holiday week.
Honoring a Local Hero: My bill to honor a Hernando Hometown Hero, which passed the House in June, also passed the Senate and is now headed to the President to become law. This bill will rename the United States Post Office located at 207 E. Fort Dade Avenue in Brooksville as the “Specialist Justin Dean Coleman Memorial Post Office.”
On July 24, 2009, during his first tour of duty with the 10th Mountain, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, SPC Justin Dean Coleman of Hernando County, Florida was killed in action while patrolling a residential area of Nuristan Province in Afghanistan. He was only 21 years old. Just like his father, grandfather, great grandfather and eight uncles, Coleman was called to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. What was originally planned as a 96-hour mission to retake Barge Matal from the Taliban, SPC Coleman’s mission in Nuristan Province had turned into a 60-day mission. His platoon conducted patrols of a local village, going from house to house checking for Taliban combatants. During the patrol, SPC Coleman provided security outside one of the houses and received direct fire from an enemy combatant, fatally wounding him in a matter of seconds. By drawing enemy fire away from his platoon, SPC Coleman’s actions allowed his comrades time to take cover, locate the enemy, and successfully counterattack. Because of SPC Coleman’s sacrifice, no other soldiers died that day. May his service and sacrifice never be forgotten!
Leading the Way: I am grateful to have been appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee for the 119th Congress. Our Committee will work to develop a national privacy standard to safeguard all Americans’ sensitive data. Additionally, we will continue to push legislation that will protect Americans from predatory scams, enhance online safety protections for children, investigate potential social media monopolies, encourage and spur innovation of emerging technologies, and defend against security breaches. This position also provides a unique opportunity to help the travel and tourism industry - which is vital to Florida's economy and job market. Together, my colleagues and I will work to restore an America First agenda, strengthen our economy and renew the American Dream.
Providing Helpful Tips: With the 2025 filing season quickly approaching, the IRS encourages taxpayers to take key steps now to prepare for filing their 2024 federal income tax returns next year. Click here to learn more.
I’ve also received many calls from seniors in Pasco County asking questions about how to apply for the county’s new homestead exemption for low-income seniors. Property Appraiser Mike Wells has provided guidance for those who would like to learn more. Click here view more details.
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team hosted a virtual workshop for local government leaders to learn more about state and federal funding opportunities for critical mitigation projects. I want to be sure our community gets its fair share of these allocated resources.
My team also attended the Tunnels to Towers home dedication ceremony for SWAT Officer Jonathan Rodriguez in the Do Good Village located in Land O' Lakes. Officer Rodriguez was severely injured in the line of duty and his mortgage-free, new home has been adapted to help him live a more independent life.
Additionally, my team participated in the Warrior 321 meeting to help combat human trafficking throughout our community.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this note after helping a constituent with a VA problem.
I just want to thank you for helping me finally get a chiropractor appointment at the VA. After weeks of getting the run around and leaving tons of voicemails I called your office. Your gal was able to get someone to call me back the same day and I was finally able to get an appointment. Thanks so much!
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |
