Today, Sunday, November 11th, marks the day our country observes Veterans Day. We honor all veterans by recognizing their service to our country. On Firday morning, I attended the Matt Ross Community Center Veterans Day Celebration breakfast where I had the opportunity to speak with numerous veterans from all across the District about the sacrifice they and their families made on behalf of their country. There are several events planned in the Kansas City area to recognize Veterans Day today.

 

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory…”

I'm heading back to Washington to help solve the most important and immediate issue facing our country right now - the looming 'Fiscal Cliff.' Without Congressional action, millions of Americans will be hit with harmful tax increases and programs will face tremendous across-the-board budget cuts, including the Department of Defense.

 

We need action by Congress to get solutions passed for the American people, and it will take take both Democrats and Republicans working together. My priority and my efforts in Washington will be to make sure that Kansans in the 3rd District do not get hit with tax hikes and that program budgets are not irresponsibly cut.

 

To read more about the looming fiscal cliff, click here. 

I visited the University of Kansas Medical Center last week. I toured the KU Hospital Center for Advanced Brain and Neurological Care and the KUMC Institute for Neurological Discoveries. I’m excited about the expansion taking place in Neuroscience research that is providing new hope for the treatment of spinal cord injuries, gene therapy and promotion of overall brain health.

 

Thank you to Cary Savage, PhD, Peter Smith, PhD, Randolph Nudo, PhD and Bill Brooks, PhD, for taking the time to share the latest neuroscience advancements with me. 

 

I also recently visited the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an important partner in these research efforts here in Kansas City. NIH and the KU Hospitals are working together to help develop new technologies to improve patient care and provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation.

Close to 70 seniors attended our Medicare Open Enrollment session at the Lenexa Community Center on Thursday. We were fortunate to have staff from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) office give a presentation on Medicare changes and updates to Medicare that may alter the choices seniors make with their programs. I’d like to especially thank the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) office who brought counselors to meet with seniors face-to-face to answer questions, enroll seniors in Medicare, or to assist seniors with making changes to their current plans.

 

Remember – the Medicare Open Enrollment period is going on now through December 7th. You may visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for information about the Open Enrollment Period.

On Monday, I joined the Surprise Squad of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation to award grants at several Blue Valley School District schools. Since 1992, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.4 million for grants, scholarships and special programs.

 

I enjoyed visiting with the students and teachers at Cedar Hills Elementary in Overland Park after the surprise. Congratulations!