Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend,

All Floridians can take pride in the fact that we are closer to the arrival of the historic Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune statue in the U.S. Capitol. It was an honor to join many friends and champions last week in Daytona Beach as we unveiled the statue for the first time in the U.S. since arriving from Italy.

The long-awaited arrival of Florida’s statue in the Capitol is on track for early 2022 after her visit to Daytona Beach where she founded Bethune-Cookman University and embarked on her impactful career on equal rights, education, the advancement of veterans and so much more. Dr. Bethune embodies the very best of the Sunshine State – Floridians can take great pride in being represented by the great educator and civil rights icon.

This exhibit in Daytona Beach provides a special opportunity to learn about Dr. Bethune’s life, and I am glad that she is being rightfully recognized here in Florida before she travels to her place of honor in the Capitol. The free Daytona exhibit is open through early December to learn about Dr. Bethune’s life and legacy - seven days a week from 10am – 4pm at Daytona State College’s News-Journal Center, located at 221 N. Beach St. Reserve a time slot by clicking here.

LATEST COVID19 RESOURCES

It’s easier than ever to find a convenient location for a Covid19 vaccine. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find the site closest to you.

Due to an increased demand for Covid19 testing, free sites have now reopened to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Cordelia B Hunt Center at Al Lopez Park (4602 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614)
- Pre-register: https://mdc.nomihealth.com/signup/fl/COT
Al Barnes Park (3101 E 21^st Ave Parking Lot)
- Pre-register: https://www.impacthealth.com/cityoftampa/
Palm River Park Community Center (725 S. 58^th St., Tampa, FL 33619)
Code Enforcement Complex (1101 E. 139^th Ave., Tampa, FL 33613)

MY COMMITTEES

My Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled, "Enhancing Public Health: Legislation to Protect Children and Families." This important legislative hearing considered legislation to improve health outcomes for all, including my SHINE for Autumn Act to help lower the stillborn rate in the U.S.

My Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing entitled, “Good For Business: Private Sector Perspectives on Climate Action.” Lower cost clean energy and solving the climate crisis are good for our economy and for American workers. Business leaders explained the benefits to their bottom lines for reducing pollution and building more resilient communities.

My Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing entitled, "Offshore Wind, Onshore Benefits: Growing the Domestic Wind Energy Industry." This hearing follows President Biden’s March 2021 announcement of a goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030, which is enough generation to power more than 10 million homes and avoid 78 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The CEO of Orstead North America, the leading offshore wind operator, confirmed to me during the hearing that the company intends to build vessels at Port Tampa Bay to help deploy offshore wind turbines in the years ahead.

VOTES THIS WEEK

H.R. 3110 – PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act: This bill would strengthen the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law (2010) by expanding workplace protections for lactating workers, clarifying employers' obligations under the law, and ensuring breastfeeding mothers have access to appropriate remedies.

H.Res. 730 – Finding Stephen K. Bannon in Contempt of Congress for Failure to Comply with a Congressional Subpoena: America deserves the truth about the deadly January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol and our democracy – including who was involved and who funded it. Mr. Bannon reportedly had multiple roles relevant to the January 6th attack on the Capitol and our democracy, and he is now failing to comply with a congressional subpoena. The Supreme Court has emphasized that the subpoena power is a “public duty, which every person within the jurisdiction of the Government is bound to perform when properly summoned.”

The resolution passed with only 9 Republican votes, thankfully, because no one is above the law, and it’s critical that we have accountability for those involved in one of America’s darkest chapters.

SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS

Thank you to all of our young neighbors and parents who joined my annual academy day! This event is always a wonderful opportunity to learn more about public service and how to receive a service academy nomination from my office.

You can find details on how to receive a nomination to a service academy on my website. Applications are due Friday, November 5.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance, 813-871-2817. Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
Member of Congress