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Rep. Donalds Tours Ian Destruction with Gov. DeSantis
From the Desk of
Representative Byron Donalds

Southwest Florida Fight
by Congressman Byron Donalds

ust five months ago, our region We recently called upon Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to
experienced the wrath of Mother reopen the Sanibel Post Office, and I am pleased that our message
JNature. With a sweeping storm surge was heard loud and clear. Only days later, the United States Postal
reaching over 16 feet, walloping wind Service (USPS) delivered a mobile post office to the grounds of the
gusts sustaining 155 mph, and widespread old Sanibel Post Office, and normal operations are now underway.
destruction, completely leveling mile after Most importantly, given the ever-growing prevalence of mail-in
mile in our beloved community. Southwest voting, the post office is now operational ahead of the March 7,
Florida has been through a lot over 2023, Sanibel municipal elections to ensure election security.
these past few months. We all lived and America may view our community as an underdog, but
experienced this together. Whether it was your home, business, being the underdog is something I have grown accustomed to
beach, or even post office, the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian throughout my life. Growing up in inner-city Brooklyn with a
was truly historic. In many parts of our region, nothing remained single mother, I knew the odds were not in my favor from the start.
aside from the frames of our buildings and landmarks. With hard work, a commitment to education and strong support
But with historic devastation came extraordinary resilience. I from my mother, I made it to college. I grew my career step by step,
am incredibly proud that our community has come together to from Florida A&M to Florida State University, from the financial
rebuild our lives. While Ian ravaged many parts of our region to sector into politics, and from the Florida State House to the halls
nothing, our quiet confidence and can-do attitude in restoring of Congress. As only one of five black Republicans on Capitol
Southwest Florida spoke to the heart and soul of who we are as a Hill, I may again be an underdog in the eyes of some, but the fight
community. What started as initial post-storm debris collection to grow our movement and deliver for the people of Southwest
has culminated in reconstruction, and my office has stood with you Florida drives me forward.
along the way. I am honored that my neighbors have repeatedly trusted me to
My office took action. We hosted various town halls with represent them in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. The strength,
representatives of the Small Business Administration (SBA), resilience, and can-do attitude that Southwest Florida has shown
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the since Hurricane Ian is what this country is all about. I am proud of
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP.) We also worked with the fight in our community and strive to embody that same fight
Governor DeSantis to help get critical infrastructure rebuilt and on the national stage as your representative in Congress.
pushed the Lee County Electric Cooperative to expedite power
restoration.
CONTACT MY OFFICE

Collier County Office Washington, DC Office
3299 Tamiami Trail East • Suite 105 523 Cannon House Office Building
Naples, FL 34112 Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 239.252.6225 Phone: 202.225.2536

14 Life in Naples | March 2023