Rep. Kaptur Recaps Busy August Recess in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District
Events highlight job growth, economic development, veterans services, harmful algal blooms, mental health legislation
Toledo, OH – The August Congressional recess was a busy month for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) with events celebrating the first F-750 rolling off the assembly line in Avon Lake joined by officials from Ford and UAW Local 2000, community conversations and town hall meetings across Northern Ohio, meetings with scientists and environmental activists on the health of Lake Erie, discussions on veterans issues with residents in Lorain, and Rep. Kaptur’s push for legislation to improve treatment for the mentally ill.
Kaptur started the month of August by accompanying Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as he visited community gardens maintained by refugees at Ohio City Farms. The Refugee Empowerment Agricultural Program (REAP), an initiative of the Refugee Response, operates the Ohio City Farm, the largest contiguous urban farm in the country.
The following week, Congresswoman Kaptur joined UAW and Ford officials to celebrate the return of the Ford F-650 and F-750 to Avon Lake. The production of these two vehicles will maintain more than 1,500 jobs to the Lorain County community, a needed boost to the local economy.
On August 24th, Congresswoman Kaptur continued a series of community conversations, this time in the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood of Cleveland. Local residents were able to ask questions in person regarding current events and upcoming legislation, learn about services available through Congresswoman Kaptur’s district offices, and also get updates on their requests for help with federal agencies.
Earlier that day, Congresswoman Kaptur met with a group of veterans in Lorain to discuss the local VA clinic.
Congresswoman Kaptur attended funeral services for her dear friend and former colleague retired Congressman Louis Stokes of Cleveland. Congressman Stokes was the first African-American member of Congress from Ohio and a mentor to Congresswoman Kaptur as she began her career in Congress. Later in the day, Kaptur joined political and business leaders in Toledo to celebrate the halfway point to the completion of Hensville. Hensville is an exciting project in the Warehouse District in Downtown Toledo that features new green space and two buildings that have been empty for years transformed into event spaces, a restaurant, and a rooftop baseball viewing area.
On August 26th, Congresswoman Kaptur led a meeting between scientists, environmental activists, tourism professionals, and charter boat fishing operators to discuss the health of Lake Erie and the effect of harmful algal blooms on tourism and economic prosperity along the shore of Lake Erie. Later that week, Congresswoman Kaptur attended ceremonies in Toledo commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Rosary Cathedral in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo. The next day Congresswoman Kaptur was in Vermilion to conduct another community conversation, this one with residents of Erie and Lorain counties.
Congresswoman Kaptur welcomed September by hosting representatives from Argonne National Laboratory to talk with municipal officials about improving energy infrastructure to better supply local businesses and institutions. Among those representing the community were Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Wozniak, and Oregon City Manager Mike Beazley.
Congresswoman Kaptur and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) joined together in a roundtable discussion with providers, hospitals, clinicians and advocates to discuss pending mental health legislation at the federal level. Kaptur described this as one of the most important events she participated in this year. Participants reviewed the legislation, discussed what is needed to help both people with mental illness and those who care for them, and offered ideas to improve the bill. She wrapped up the recess period with a walk in the Toledo Labor Day parade saluting the working men and women of Toledo and Northwest Ohio.
The August recess was eventful and productive for Congresswoman Kaptur and the citizens of the 9th Congressional District. Thanks to all those who participated or hosted us for these important events.
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