Columns
2018 has been a productive year. The economic benefits of tax reform are on display throughout the country with businesses expanding and jobs being created all around us. While there is much left to be done, I'd like to discuss a few of our proudest accomplishments from the past year.
As we prepare to join our families for Christmas, I am reminded of so many things we should be thankful for. This year will be our second Christmas with our young son, Zeke. Much of what I do in Washington is motivated by a desire to leave a healthy country for coming generations to inherit.
Our nation's natural resources have no better friend than farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on them. From growing crops to raising livestock, their long term success is dependent upon sustainable practices.
This week, we said goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush after his death at age 94 at his home in Houston. At the time of his wife's death in April of this year, he and former First Lady Barbara Bush had been married for 73 years, which is the longest presidential marriage in history.
On Friday, President Trump, along with Mexican President Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau, signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The USMCA is the culmination of more than a year of negotiations between our three countries in order to update and build upon the success of NAFTA.
Each November, we celebrate National Family Week to reflect on the importance of strong families in our communities. Whether through biological child birth, adoption, or foster care, children need families to provide the care and support necessary to become healthy and productive adults.
Thanksgiving is the time of year we come together with family and give thanks for our many blessings. This year I'm most thankful for our one-year-old son, Zeke, my wife, Andrea, and our endlessly loving family members who support us at every turn.
We've all been there. Our families sit down for a nice, relaxing dinner and just as we begin to eat, the phone rings. But who could it be? It's fairly late in the evening and mostly anyone who would call at such an hour is already gathered together.
As I travel the Third District and visit our schools, I never cease to be amazed at the intelligence and drive of our students.