{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/column-washingtonians-serving-one-another", "COLUMN: Washingtonians Serving One Another", "2016-12-26", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The great philosopher Bob Hope once said, \u201cmy idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?\u201d He has a point. This time of year, Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the true \u2018reason for the season,\u2019 as we say, and the Christmas season reminds us to serve our neighbors. Part of what makes this season so special, beyond families traveling long distance to gather together, or the music of Bing Crosby in the background while enjoying a roaring fire, is the love that people in Central Washington show one another in their communities. There are so many recent examples in our cities and towns that I wanted to share a few.\nIn Kennewick, a school bus driver and veteran from the U.S. Army noticed a little boy on his route who did not have gloves or a hat in freezing temperatures. The driver contacted a school administrator to find the little boy\u2019s classroom and gave him a new pair of gloves and a hat to keep him warm.\nIn Ritzville and several cities in the Mid-Columbia, local law enforcement participated in a community service effort called \u201cShop with a Cop.\u201d The officers accompanied children to shop for Christmas presents, in the process giving the children the opportunity for a positive interaction that builds trust with law enforcement.\nThis year, the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima has provided 45,000 \u2018bed nights\u2019 this year in addition to more than 155,000 meals.\nIn Moses Lake, local firefighters executed \u201cOperation Warm\u201d to give 120 winter coats to children in need at local elementary schools.\nOkanogan Middle School students collected food, gift certificates, and donations to give meals to fourteen local families as part of a \u201cThanks and Giving\u201d project.\nIn my hometown of Sunnyside, a local church recently prepared turkey dinners to feed 100 hungry and homeless people in the community.\nOne of the best parts of representing the Fourth Congressional District is the opportunity to highlight positive stories about our community that inspire people from Oroville in Okanogan County all the way to Touchet, Walla Walla County.\nIf you have a story about someone you know in our community who deserves recognition, I invite you to send it to my Yakima office at 402 E. Yakima Avenue, Suite #445, Yakima,\u00a0WA\u00a098901.\nWe remember the men and women in the Armed Forces who are stationed around the world and unable to spend the holidays with their families. We are grateful for their service, which allows us to celebrate the blessing of freedoms we enjoy as Americans.\nIn Scripture, Jesus says, \u201ctruly I tell you, whatever you did for one of\u00a0the least of these\u00a0brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.\u201d That is the true Christmas spirit. Our community thrives when we serve each other as these local examples attest, and we do not have to wait for the holidays. I hope you enjoy this blessed season with your loved ones, and that you look forward to a joyous new year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/column-washingtonians-serving-one-another"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4951778575778008, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}