Weekly Columns and Op-Eds
On February 16 of this year, our country celebrates ‘Presidents' Day' almost 240 years after the beginning of the American Revolution and 154 years since the start of the Civil War. The name of the holiday seems generic, suggesting that we celebrate all elected federal executives, when we really should honor two pivotal figures in our history: the first and the sixteenth presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Their titles of ‘Father of Our Country' and the ‘Savior of the Union' aptly describe the roles they played in our national story.
As a third-generation Yakima Valley farmer, I am proud to call Central Washington my home; it's where my wife, Carol, and I raised our children and where our family runs its business. I was humbled to be sworn in as your new Congressman last week. To be entrusted with the responsibility of representing the 4th District is a distinct honor. My day-to-day experience as a state legislator and at the helm of the state Agriculture Department has been to listen to the needs of taxpayers, streamline government and find solutions to the challenges we face.