{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/10/kansas-common-sense-continuing-to-advocate-to-move-usda-agencies-to-kansas", "Kansas Common Sense - Advocating to Move USDA Agencies to Kansas", "2018-10-29", "2018", "2018-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hello,  \r\nWelcome to Kansas Common Sense. Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.\r\nContinuing to Advocate to Move USDA Agencies to KansasIn August, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Purdue announced that the USDA's Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture would relocate away from the Washington, D.C. metro area by the end of 2019  a move that will benefit the USDA, rural America and federal taxpayers for many reasons.\r\nI penned an op-ed in The Topeka Capital-Journal highlighting why Kansas is the right place to move these entities. With the animal health corridor stretching through our state, robust critical infrastructure, outstanding academic and research institutions and an excellent workforce, a move to Kansas simply makes sense. As Secretary Purdue and USDA leadership review the over 130 expressions of interest  five of which came from Kansas communities  I'll continue to advocate that the ERS and NIFA will call Kansas home. Click here to read my op-ed.\r\nArranging the Donation of Senate Computers to Kansas High SchoolsThis week, I secured the donation of five computers each to five Kansas high schools as part of the United States Senate's Computers for Schools program. This program, administered by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, channels surplus computers into classrooms across the country to help encourage and enable technology use in the classroom in this digital age.\r\nComputers are a central and invaluable part of classroom learning, and I am grateful to play a part in providing students the tools they need by securing the donation of these computers. We chose these schools based on a demonstrated need for new technological resources to help make certain these students do not get left behind in the digital age as digital fluency is becoming increasingly more important to employers in all fields. I will continue working with local educators, parents, students and businesses to make certain our students are prepared for the workforce.\r\nFive computers were delivered to each of the following schools:\r\n \r\nAshland Jr/Sr High School\r\nElkhart High School\r\nKinsley Jr/Sr High School\r\nHill City Jr/Sr High School\r\nLincoln Jr/Sr High School\r\n \r\nTo read more on this program and the schools that received these computers, click here.\r\nLandmark, Bipartisan Opioids Relief Package Signed into LawI am pleased the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a targeted opioid package that will enable us to better prevent opioid-related deaths and treat opioid addiction, is now law. This bipartisan legislation supportsresearch and innovation for non-addictive opioid alternatives, reauthorizesgrants to states most impacted by opioids, and bolstersour customs and border protection to halt the flow of foreign, synthetic opioids  like fentanyl toour communities.\r\nThe provisions included in this legislation will better help reduce the number of dangerous drugs in our country and expand treatments for those suffering from opioid addiction. We will be able to lessen the burden of opioids on our country additionally through increased efforts at NIH for research on non-addictive pain management, and additional investments in mental health will help reduce the burden of opioids on our country. This is only the next step, not the final one, in our fight against these addictive and dangerous drugs. I will continue to work with my colleagues to end the scourge of addiction.\r\nMeeting with U.S. Diplomats and Foreign Officials in Eastern EuropeLast week, I traveled with Senate colleagues to Europe to consult with elected officials, U.S. State Department personnel and foreign leaders about a number of important strategic interests to the United States, such as national security, continued Russian aggression and ongoing counterterrorism and intelligence efforts. On each of our stops, I had the privilege to visit with and learn from our country's men and women working to promote U.S. diplomacy abroad. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and as Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies subcommittee overseeing law enforcement funding, this trip was important to better understand how taxpayer funding is being utilized to accomplish strategic objectives abroad.\r\nOn one of our stops in Chisinau, Moldova, I met with elected officials, including the Moldovan Speaker and members of Parliament, and received vital input on a range of topics. During our stop in Moldova, I also met fellow Kansan and McPherson native Charles Vetter, a commissioned Foreign Service Officer within the U.S. State Department. Charles works tirelessly to support American ideals and foreign policy overseas, and his distinguished service to our country and the State Department should make McPherson and all of Kansas proud.\r\nIn Vienna, the delegation met with U.S. State Department embassy staff. I also met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Legal Attach and their team on issues such as ongoing counterterrorism efforts, the growing prevalence of cybercrime and other law enforcement related matters. Our last stop in Europe was Tallinn, Estonia, where U.S. Embassy staff discussed various issues such as Russian aggression, the U.S. and Estonia's military cooperation, collaboration and continued commitment, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's recent efforts to stop the proliferation of certain dangerous products while also promoting U.S. exports abroad, the FBI's role promoting U.S. security abroad, and many more.\r\n\r\nMeeting with Kansas Cadets at the United States Air Force AcademyOver the weekend I joined several Kansas cadets at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for a church service and lunch. One of the most meaningful responsibilities I have as a United States Senator is nominating young Kansans for our service academies as they work to serve our nation.At the Academy, these young men and women experience a world class education, go through rigorous training, develop core values and strengthen their leadership skills.The cadets I met with are some of Kansas' best and brightest and I am proud to see how well they represent our state.\r\nThanks to all of the cadets who spent their lunch hour with me, including Luke Socolofsky, Jacob Taylor, Cole Dudley, Nicholas Clark, Vance Thompson, Cole Resnik, Leah Wiegers, Charlie Bermel and Joe Harms.\r\n\r\nTouring Colby Community College's Vet Tech ProgramOn Monday I toured Colby Community College (CCC) on Monday. I met with CCC President Seth Carter about the school's latest initiatives. Dr. Jennifer Martin, Director of the Vet Tech Program, discussed how students receive training through advanced technologies in veterinary medicine and have access to a lab equipment. Students shared with me their experiences at the school, as well as their perspective on the current state of higher education. I appreciate the efforts of all the educators and staff at these colleges for working to help Kansas students have bright futures. Thanks to CCC President Seth Carter, Dr. Jennifer Martin and the Board of Trustees for hosting me.\r\n\r\nVisiting Wheatland High School in GrainfieldFollowing my visit to Colby Community College, I was in Grainfield to tour and visit with students and staff of Wheatland High School. During the tour, I was able to visit with the math, science and art classes, and was happy to hear from many students on their fall semester, future plans and more. As we work to make careers in STEM a real possibility for students across Kansas, Wheatland High School should be commended for the special focus they place on STEM education and career-focused classes for all students. Thank you to Senior Class President Angel Mong, Student Body Vice President Ethan Beckman and Student Body President Morgan Zimmerman for leading my tour of the school. Thanks also to Principal Todd Flinn and Superintendent Gary Kraus for arranging my visit.\r\n\r\nKansans in the office\r\nCBW BankSuchitra Padmanabhan of Weir\r\nKansas Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsBreta Alstrom of Halstead  Carol Gilmore of Lawrence  Jennifer Morris of Hiawatha  Caitlyn Neuendorf of Goddard  Johannah Schrader of Hiawatha\r\nLMI AerospaceJohn McMahon of Lenexa\r\nCapitol TourTimothy Alsin of Shawnee  Kristine Alsin of Shawnee  Deborah Brehm of Wichita  Gordon Buss of Wichita  Shane Cordes of Overland Park  Jennifer Cordes of Overland Park  Shane Cordes of Overland Park  James Cordes of Overland Park  Liam Cordes of Overland Park  Jackie Demott of Ft. Scott  Joyce Earp of Ft. Scott  Pat Graham of Gillette  Jolene Graham of Gillette  Col. Christopher Haar of Silver Lake  Shelly Haar of Silver Lake  Andrew Haar of Silver Lake  Carolyn Haar of Silver Lake  Alexandria Haar of Lawrence  Judy Holt of Ft. Scott  David Johannes of Overland Park  Lauren Johannes of Overland Park  Lisa Johannes of Overland Park  Alexander Johannes of Overland Park  Johna Lederhouse of Ft. Scott  Elizabeth Maddox of Covington  Janet Schill of Falling Water  Lynda Sims of Topeka  Keith Vogts of Manhattan  Shirley Vogts of Manhattan  Neil Wieland of Atchison  Sylvia Zimmerman of Liberal\r\nHonored to Serve You in WashingtonIt is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a letter, a Facebook comment, or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.\r\nPlease let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email byclicking here. You can alsoclick hereto contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.\r\nVery truly yours,  Jerry", 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://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/10/kansas-common-sense-continuing-to-advocate-to-move-usda-agencies-to-kansas"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2052501551806927, "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"}