I loved starting the day with Mayor Turner and people from across the community as we kick off the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo this weekend!

It’s been a full week.  Over President’s Day weekend, I was glad to spend some time in Sugar Land, where on Saturday I joined the Society of Justice & Equality for the People of Sugar Land’s Black History Month program commemorating the 5th anniversary of the discovery of the Sugar Land 95.  I was glad to share a few thoughts as a part of their informative and moving program and to support the group’s important mission: to educate, honor, and heal.

The work week was full of meetings in and out of the office!  I was glad to meet with representatives from Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District 7 in New Territory about their FEMA grant application, and to share the good news that their grant application has been approved!

I also met with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Jewish Family Service (JFS) this Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion month to discuss disability and mental health issues.

I was also grateful for the opportunity to meet with a new TX-07 resident who our team helped emigrate from Afghanistan to hear about his experience and the experiences of his friends and neighbors who have immigrated to Houston from Afghanistan.  It was a privilege to be able to assist him.

And I loved the chance to visit with Houston Police Chief Troy Finner about many issues important to our community, from local initiatives to national legislation.  I was grateful for his visit, and always for the service of the men and women in HPD who work to keep us safe. 

It was also great to be out of the office and about in the district. 

On Wednesday morning, I joined leaders from Houston METRO, the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, and the Westchase District to announce that I secured $5 million in Congressional appropriations for the Westheimer BOOST Project on the 82 Westheimer line—the bus line with the highest ridership not only in Houston but in the entire state of Texas, and which runs right through the heart of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District! 

The funding will be used from Midtown to West Oaks to improve the 82 Westheimer line, including bus stop enhancements, new bus shelters, improved passenger information, and easier boarding platforms and safe all-door access.  I was glad to partner with METRO to support this important work of making sure that transit and transportation across our community are accessible, affordable, and efficient.  To learn more, check out our press coverage here and here. 

Later that day, I attended the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon, where I had the privilege of swearing in the new Board President Pearl Chu and the incoming Board of Directors, and where I was honored to accept the organization’s Distinguished U.S. Legislator of the Year Award!

Speaking of chambers, I also enjoyed the chance to have an extended visit with Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce President Tammi Wallace this week to discuss issues important to the chamber’s members and the community.  Team TX-07’s Cameron and Spencer also joined the chamber’s seventh anniversary celebration this week. 

Another highlight: participating in the Houston Public Library’s Black History Month Read-In at the fabulous new Alief Neighborhood Center, where I read an excerpt from Anne Moody’s 1968 autobiography, Coming of Age in Mississippi.  It is important to share these stories from our recent past, especially now.

Finally, it was an amazing turnout Thursday at my “Across the Aisles” event at the Kroger in Montrose!  I enjoyed visiting with TX-07 neighbors about all kinds of things, and I appreciated hearing their perspectives and having an opportunity to respond.  I am always so grateful to hear from members of our community about the issues they care about and to let them know all the ways we can help.  I am also grateful to Kroger for once again giving us a place to meet and visit with people where they are—and looking forward to the next one!

Next week, the House will reconvene in Washington, and I’ll be there for votes on the House floor and in the Energy and Commerce Committee. 

Save the Date!  Our first our quarterly District Town Hall of 2023 will take place on March 21 in Sugar Land,  I hope that you will join to hear my report on Congress so far this year, ask questions, and share your thoughts.  Details to come! 

As always, I am proud to represent you and I am here to help you. Please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email here at any time to ask for assistance or share your thoughts.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

Best wishes,