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WISHING YOU
AND YOUR FAMILIES
A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2016
Aby Congressman Curt Clawson and others. Whenever we’re making decisions on
s we begin a New Year, I want to thank the people of Southwest Florida environmental issues, I seek the counsel of our friends
for giving me the honor of serving Florida’s 19th Congressional District. with the South Florida Water Management District,
Christmas Day marked 18 months since I took the oath in the “People’s FEMA, the Everglades Foundation, the Conservancy
House.” I’d like to mark this milestone by offering a brief recap of what has been of Southwest Florida, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
accomplished in that brief stretch of time – with a “shout-out” to my team, without (including the folks at Ding Darling), the Audubon
whom none of this would have happened. Society, the U.S. Coast Guard, our harbor masters, our
airport officials, the wildlife groups, and others. We
Since coming to Congress, I’ve cast over 740 votes, signed or cosigned 82 greatly value all of the expertise, advice, cooperation,
Congressional letters, and sponsored or cosponsored 148 pieces of important and support that we receive every day – on these and
legislation, amendments, and resolutions. I’m especially proud that my office all other issues.
has responded to over 26,000 pieces of correspondence and resolved over 600
constituent cases in the district. I’m also proud to report that we manage our offices To manage all of these interfaces, we’ve got an
under-budget. We returned taxpayer funds at the end of 2015, as we did in 2014. excellent, hard-working team in our Cape Coral,
Naples, and Capitol Hill offices. These professionals
CONSTITUENT SERVICE: OUR MOST IMPORTANT DUTY respond responsibly and in a timely manner with
constituents who need support. They work on their
We meet regularly with many dozens of our constituents; and respect the behalf of our citizens with the Veterans Administration,
wealth of talent and expertise they bring. We are blessed with great relationships Internal Revenue Service, Medicare, Social Security,
throughout our district – and value the important recommendations and feedback U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, and other
they offer in all areas of governance. We are never influenced by special interests or federal agencies.
political pressures – but instead always endeavor to “vote our district”, to the very
best of our abilities. My team in-district regularly attends public
hearings/events and meets frequently with local,
When we are considering legislation dealing with taxes, regulations, trade, and state, and federal government officials. Together, we
economic growth – we consult with our district’s business leaders, small business are working diligently to facilitate needed dredging
owners, and the local Chambers of Commerce. When dealing with issues related to operations in Punta Rassa (South Fort Myers), Gordon
the security and well-being of our citizens, we reach out for advice to our dedicated Pass in Naples, and the Marco Island Pass, and for
and highly capable law enforcement officials, and to our County Commissioners corrections to flood map errors to help constituents.
and local government leaders. In making decisions relative to national defense, we
speak with local and state military personnel, our veterans, and the organizations While we are proud of what we’ve achieved over the
supporting them. If it’s about education, we speak with our district’s school board past year and a half, we are all eager to do more.
officials, parents, teachers, and activists in this area. When we’re involved with
healthcare issues, I seek the counsel of leadership at Lee Memorial Hospital, NCH,
22 Life in Naples | January 2016
