This week is #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek — did you know that across the U.S., there are more than 350,000 veteran-owned businesses? We have so many veteran-owned businesses right here in Southwest Washington, which add tremendous value to our communities and economy. Thread 👇🏻
For our veteran small business owners, here are a few resources from the Small Business Administration that you might find helpful ⬇️
Veterans Business Outreach Centers, which provide business counseling and entrepreneurial training programs for transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses: sba.gov/local-assistan…
Free counseling from Small Business Development Center, Women's Business Center, or Veterans Business Outreach Center advisers: sba.gov/local-assistan…
Boots to Business program - a two-day entrepreneurship program initiated & offered as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP): sba.gov/sba-learning-p…
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20 years ago, I remember how the world changed after the Twin Towers were hit. I remember listening to President George W. Bush read Psalm 23 and encourage our nation. Thread ⬇️
I remember praying at that moment – for the families directly involved, the heroic first responders, and for our country and future. That was an inflection point for me – I knew I wanted to serve this country and our region.
Today we still face a great many threats. But we are still a nation of hope, opportunity, and freedom. Thank you to the men and women of our armed forces who have safeguarded these principles. I will continue to fight for these values and this amazing country.
To the service members who were deployed to Afghanistan, the Gold Star families who've lost a loved one while stationed there & those who supported a member of our military while they fought in that country – nothing can shake the gratitude I feel for your service & sacrifice.
I hope we never forget your dedication to our nation, and I'll do whatever I can to make sure we don't.
I recognize that so many of our veterans from a multitude of conflicts and deployments are enduring deep feelings about what's happening in Afghanistan right now.
If you're in need of support, please know there are resources out there to help. I’m including some resources in the tweet(s) below. Thank you for doing your job with honor.
I’ve met with Washington state troops and Afghani women leaders while in Afghanistan, and now I worry that their service and sacrifice has been set back or even erased. The truth is, we'd already pulled the vast majority of our forces out of the country years ago.
Thread ⬇️
Most of the roughly 2,500 troops still in Afghanistan were support personnel: intelligence specialists and special operations troops.
Pulling them out in this sloppy, haphazard public spectacle complete w/helicopter evacuations from the Kabul embassy has handed the Taliban a very public victory & created a dangerous vacuum being filled by terrorists who hate women, freedom, diversity, democracy & America.
The #FourthofJuly is my favorite holiday. I almost always cry at some point on this day when I stop to think about the responsibility of being born into citizenship of the most amazing country of all time.
And I always ask God, 'what is your plan for the future of this country and can I be a part of it?' This year, more than ever, I have asked the Lord this question 😊
Take a moment & ask that question yourself! We are only ever one generation away from shrinking into the shadows of history – or from continuing to be a beacon of hope, freedom & truth. Thank you to the men & women who have given everything for this country. We are in your debt.
Last week I urged President Biden to avoid backtracking on his goal to open schools. On Friday, the CDC put out more guidance based on the best available data reinforcing that schools can reopen safely. (1/5)
It emphasizes mitigation strategies like proper distancing & mask wearing and others – but states that schools should be the first to open and last to close.
Yet the president’s spokesperson said last week that reopening schools means “one day a week” for 51% of schools. (2/5)
That’s not the “bold and ambitious” reopening plan President Biden promised. I’ve helped secure over $70 billion in Congress to give schools the tools they need. (3/5)
During his campaign for the White House, President Biden called school closures a “national emergency,” and pledged to “listen to the scientists and heed their advice – not silence them” in reopening schools. (1/5)
The president’s own CDC director last week said “schools can safely reopen,” and a team of CDC scientists published a review citing numerous studies showing little evidence schools have contributed to increased COVID transmission. Read more ⬇️ (2/5) bit.ly/3pdxXwP
Yet yesterday Biden’s White House appeared to backtrack on his promise, only pledging to open “more than 50%” of schools” “at least one day a week.” (3/5)