4-28-19
Fighting for Accessible and Quality Education
Every child deserves accessible and quality education regardless of race, color, citizenship or socio-economic status. Throughout my first four months in Congress, I’ve made it a priority to fight for equitable education in the Central Valley and for rural communities throughout our nation.
Visiting Fresno State, the Wonderful College Prep Academy, Martinez Elementary, and Akers Elementary this week, I was reminded of the resiliency and strength our teachers, families, and children bring to the classroom. Despite the odds, our Valley youth and teachers are full of hope and anticipation for the future.
It’s clear that in order for our nation’s children to fulfill their potential and succeed in college and in their careers - especially in low-income communities like the Central Valley, we must expand access to affordable, high-quality, early learning opportunities; and protect our DACA students. The President and GOP have proposed a $7.1 billion cut in funding for the Department of Education. My colleagues and I will not let this happen. Now more than ever, our students and teachers need to be heard in Washington, D.C.
That is why I’m proud to support multiple pieces of legislation that invest in rebuilding our nation’s schools; assist states in creating universal preschool programs; and legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for our DACA students. I am so proud of the DACA students I meet. They have the grit to overcome the challenges of life and the resiliency to overcome the loathing of this current Administration.
Sharing some insights on our Congress with Dr. Holyoke’s political science class at Fresno State. These engaged students will be our community and elected leaders in the future – and probably sooner than we expect!
It was a pleasure and honor to be welcomed to Martinez Elementary in Parlier. Principal Caufield and her staff are doing a fantastic job in educating and preparing our children to be happy and successful in all that they do.
The students at Akers Elementary, located at NAS Lemoore, come from all across the nation as their parents serve our country. I’m always impressed about how far our educational system has come along since I was in school. The sixth-grade classe I visited was working on mitochondrial simulations (to learn about how food is made into energy in an individual cell) and the eighth-grade class queried me with insightful and nuanced questions about Congress and our political system.
I was proud to join the City of Fresno and Congressman Costa this week in commemorating the Armenian Genocide. I’m committed to being the community’s voice in the U.S. Congress and will continue pushing for official recognition of the Armenian Genocide in our country. We must learn from this atrocity and continue to advocate for the protection of human rights for the Armenian people, and for all.
Thank you to the Wonderful Company for giving me a tour of their facilities in Delano and Lost Hills. It was a pleasure to learn more about the work the company is doing in the areas of education and community development in the Valley! If you ever have a chance to see what great cafeteria food can be, dine sometime at Wonderful’s employee cafeteria. Healthy and tasty!
Thank you to Preston Prince and the entire Fresno Housing Authority team for taking me on a tour of the agency’s current housing projects in Selma and Fowler. The Housing Authority has created more than 30 housing developments and maintains a housing inventory of more than 4,000 units, and over 13,000 housing vouchers, helping Valley families each and every day.
On Friday, my team and I had a great tour of NAS Lemoore. This station is home to the Navy’s entire west coast fighter/attack capability. The Base has approximately 6,000 active-duty military and over 2,000 civilian employees and contributes over $1 billion to our local economy. My son Thomas who joined us on the tour couldn’t resist the opportunity to get a real military haircut. The Navy was happy to oblige!
Together with Louis Franco, Selma Mayor Pro Tem, Kathy, June Boyce of Valley PBS, Dr. Edythe Steward, and Valley PBS CEO, Jenny Toste
I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley’s annual gala. The Valley has unique challenges when it comes to healthcare and I’m grateful to UHC and every other community health organization that works to improve access and delivery of health care. UHC is in virtually every community in the 21st congressional district and delivers over 450,000 appointments per year (nearly 2,000 appointments per day!) to over 85,000 patients. In a region where access to quality healthcare near your home is a persistent problem, last year UHC provided free transportation to over 15,000 patients. In a community where agriculture is our primary industry, but where we fall short of providing adequate care to the people who till our soil and put food on our tables, 73% of UHC patients are farm workers. And in a region where too many families feel left behind and forgotten, nearly two-thirds of UHC patients can be classified as living in poverty. UHC and our office has the same mission – to improve the health and quality of life for the communities we serve.
One of the best things about the 21st Congressional District is the number of unique, individual communities - each with their own character. On Saturday, Kathy and I were delighted to attend the City of Avenal’s City Appreciation Awards Banquet. Avenal – known as the “Pistachio Capital of the World” is also known as the “Star of the Westside.” I’m looking forward to their annual Pistachio Festival this Oct 24 – 27th!
TJ’s Recommended Reading
Frequently, I read articles or see videos that I think my constituents would benefit from.
Science of the Total Environment, Balancing agricultural production, groundwater management, and biodiversity goals (2019): A multi-benefit optimization model of agriculture in Kern County, California (article attached)
As surface water becomes scarcer and precipitation more variable in a warmer climate, reliance on groundwater reserves for agricultural use is expected to increase. However, the degree to which water conservation and other environmental priorities conflict with agricultural production depends, in part, on the spatial configuration of land-use decisions. Here, the investigators conduct a field-level analysis for all fields in Kern County, California, the largest crop-producing county in California (and the United States). Results demonstrate that fields selected for cost-effective land retirement can achieve groundwater recharge targets and simultaneously contribute to biodiversity goals via endangered species habitat conservation.
Politico (4/18/19 ) - HUD moves to crack down on undocumented immigrants in public housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced it would bar undocumented immigrants from receiving housing aid to trim housing waitlists. The proposal would separate mixed-status family households and hurt our Valley families. The Politico article examines this Administration’s newest rule which attacks immigrant families and highlights responses from housing advocate groups who question the legality of it.
NPR (4/23/19) - Supreme Court Appears to Lean Toward Allowing Census Citizenship Question
The citizenship question clearly is an attempt to intimidate and disenfranchise immigrants and people of color. That is why five former directors of the Census Bureau who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, oppose having the question on the census. The NPR article examines this week’s Supreme Court oral argument on the citizenship question’s legality.
Staying Informed
You can find more press releases, commentary and information on issues I’m working on at cox.house.gov. I also encourage you to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
If you’re ever in D.C., please call ahead so we can arrange tours for you and update you on upcoming events you may be interested in attending. The cherry blossoms this year were spectacular and as the weather warms up, there are many other outdoor events that you may like to attend. If you have a larger group, give us a call and we’ll see if we can arrange a night-time Capitol tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
In your service,
TJ Cox
Member of Congress