The Duckworth Diary - December 6, 2013

Dear Neighbors,

This week, I returned to Washington after celebrating a nice Thanksgiving holiday with my family.

On Tuesday, I met with leaders from Alexian Brothers Hospital, in both Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove Village. We talked about the work they are doing in our community to provide quality healthcare, especially in the areas of mental health clinics, Veterans’ Post Traumatic Stress counseling and primary care access for low income populations.

On Wednesday, I attended a meeting with advocates partaking in the Fast4Families call for comprehensive immigration reform. These leaders each fasted for 21 days, abstaining from all food except water, to bring attention to the issue.  I support them in their effort to move the House Leadership to pass the bipartisan, comprehensive Senate-passed immigration reform bill. I am inspired by their dedication to this important cause.

I also met with Neighborhood Housing Services Chicago to talk about their community outreach in the 8th district to support housing for low and moderate income families.  They showed me the cases of foreclosure avoidance as well as down payment grants to help people stay or get into a home.  We agreed that we should partner to conduct community-based outreach events similar to the ones they’ve already conducted in Elgin.

This weekend, the advisory board I put together for Service Academy Nominations will be meeting to discuss the impressive High School Students who are candidates for a Congressional nomination to West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marines Academy.  I look forward to reviewing the applications and making my very first nominations for these young men and women who are willing to dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our nation..

I hope you had a great week.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Duckworth