Representative Lizzie Fletcher

Dear Neighbor,

As I wrap up an eventful district work period, I am glad to share a few highlights before I head back to Washington. It has been terrific to visit with people across our community, and I want to thank everyone who shared their stories and views.

As vaccination efforts across our community continue to increase, I was glad to visit the vaccination site at BakerRipley in Gulfton in partnership with Houston Methodist. These kind of innovative partnerships reflect the very best of our community—and I was grateful to see it first hand with the leaders of these efforts from both organizations.

In other great news this week, FEMA announced that it would extend the Community Vaccination Center at NRG Park for an additional month for an additional month and an additional 120,000 doses at the request of Judge Hidalgo and Mayor Turner. I was glad to support this effort to extend the Community Vaccination Center at NRG Park, with my colleagues Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, and Sylvia Garcia. Continued support from FEMA is critical to our region’s recovery efforts, and a key part of our commitment to working at all levels of government to combat the virus by working together.

I encourage who still need to get their vaccination to do so. As I learned on Friday, you can sign up through Houston Methodist at the following link: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/texas-vaccine-hub/.

Thank you to everyone who joined me and State Representative Ann Johnson for our virtual town hall on expanding health care in our state! Making sure that everyone in our community has access to quality, affordable health care is a priority at both the federal and state levels, and everyone who participated this week provided insightful questions. I am grateful for Representative Johnson’s work in our state and glad to have her as my representative!

Screenshot: Virtual Town Hall on Expanding Health Care

Virtual Town Hall with Rep. Ann Johnson

I also had the opportunity this week to speak with several student groups, including students at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University on the challenges and opportunities of creating and implementing thoughtful science and technology policy, students at the University of Houston during a Congressional Forum with my colleague Congressman Randy Weber, and high school and college members of Texas State of the Students to discuss our work in Congress.

Speaking with Texas A&M Students

Speaking at University of Houston’s Congressional Forum

I also visited with lots of constituents over the phone or on Zoom on a wide range of issues, from entrepreneurship to epidemiology to the environment. I am glad to bring the diverse voices of our district with me to Washington as I work on the important issues facing our community.

I enjoyed speaking with our TX-07 Congressional App Challenge winner, Ethan Saadia, for our virtual House of Code event. His app, Wayt, meets the needs of our community for this moment, allowing customers and businesses to interact safely. You can listen to our conversation by clicking below!

Across the district, the pace has picked up. I could feel it over the last few weeks, as I bet you can, too. There are more people on the roads, in the shops, and at the restaurants. As with this incredible weather we’ve had, it feels good to be outdoors! But, several public health experts reminded us again just this week that it is vital we remain vigilant about the spread of the virus. They described at to me as a kind race between the vaccine and the variants we know are present in our community. So, I encourage you to get vaccinated, to keep wearing your mask (even if vaccinated), and to follow CDC guidance on how you can help stop the spread.

The current COVID-19 positivity rate in Harris County is at 8.5 percent. The 14-day average of daily new COVID-19 cases in our county is at 533 and the 14-day average of virus patient occupancy of ICU beds is 15.76 percent. With these metrics, Harris County remains at its highest COVID-19 threat level, which will only be reduced when the positivity rate is reduced down to five percent, the 14-day average of daily new COVID-19 cases lowers to at least 400, and the 14-day average of virus patient occupancy of ICU beds is at 15 percent or lower. We can do this if we work together.

A reminder of some important dates for Texas’ Seventh Congressional District:

Tuesday, April 20: FEMA’s deadline for applications to register for individual disaster assistance following February’s Winter Storm. If you sustained damage to your residence from the winter storms and you have insurance, contact your insurance company and then FEMA. For more information on winter storm disaster aid, click here.
Friday, April 23: Texas’ Seventh Congressional Art Competition submissions are also due. Each year, talented young artists have produced beautiful art that reflects the diverse experiences and beauty across our district, and I am looking forward to seeing their submissions this year. You can learn more and submit artwork here.
Monday, April 26: Texas’ Seventh Congressional District Internship Program applications for the Summer are due. University students and recent graduates who are interested in gaining valuable insight about congressional work are welcome to apply Our interns receive the opportunity to work closely with our team. If you or someone you know is interested in interning in our office this Summer, you can begin the application process here.

I’m headed back to DC next week, and I look forward to providing an update on my legislative work. Until then, if you need anything at all, please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571, or email here. My team and I are proud to serve you and here to help you!

Best wishes,