May 18, 2023
Dear Friend,
This month, I want to update you on my visits around the South Sound and what I have been doing to serve you in the other Washington. From hosting our annual Service Academy Informational Nights to visiting Fire Station 105 at JBLM, and securing funding to improve parts of South Tacoma Way, I have been busy listening to your concerns and fighting on behalf of the issues you care about.
Keeping It Local
As one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress, I am proud to celebrate my culture during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. These communities continue to break barriers, and I am honored to celebrate our continued success.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) Executive Director, Lua Pritchard (pictured above) is one of many of our region’s talented Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders.
Every year, Congresswoman Strickland has the privilege of nominating area-eligible students and residents to the U.S. Service Academies. This multi-step and multi-month application and interview process ensures that the 10th Congressional District is putting forth quality candidates who are committed to serving our country.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced her May Constituent Spotlight, Celiana Tupua-Denser, a faculty member for the Practical Nursing Program at Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) and an alumnus of the CPTC Practical Nursing Program. Tupa-Denser is recognized for her inspiring classroom instruction for future nurses.
Congresswoman Strickland’s Constituent Spotlight program recognizes exemplary South Sound residents. To nominate a resident of Washington’s 10th Congressional District, fill out this nomination form.
More from the South Sound
- Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland announced federal funding for the City of Lakewood’s South Tacoma Way Project to dramatically improve the accessibility of Lakewood’s International District.
- Visited Fire Station 105 at JBLM. It is in need of critical repairs to continue serving McChord Air Force Base and the 62nd Air Wing. I am committed to working with the Department of Defense and all our federal partners to ensure that JBLM gets the funds it needs for a new fire station.
- Spoke with the American Legion Post 53, Dupont, Pat Tillman Memorial at their monthly meeting.
Updates from the other Washington
Representatives Marilyn Strickland and Derek Kilmer (WA-06), co-chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, hosted and met with Puget Sound recovery advocates for the annual ‘Puget Sound Day on the Hill’.
On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland and Maria Salazar (FL-27) introduced the Ensuring Security for Military Spouses Act, a bipartisan effort to eliminate the 90-day state residency requirement for spouses of servicemembers on active duty who apply for naturalization.
Strickland Leads Bipartisan Push For Feds To Recognize Military Spouse-Owned Small Businesses
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland led her colleagues in calling on U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young to make changes to how the federal government recognizes military spouse-owned businesses. This change would ensure that military spouse entrepreneurs are adequately represented and accounted for.
U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland and Don Bacon (NE-02) today introduced the Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would help ensure life insurance packages for servicemembers and veterans account for changes in the economy.
Strickland Introduces Legislation To Help Small Businesses With COVID Disaster Loans
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland introduced H.R. 2727, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Act to delay interest accumulation on COVID disaster loans. Strickland’s bill would make the interest rate on the federal share of an eligible COVID-19 EIDL loan zero percent for eligible borrowers for 12 months. The delay in interest would provide relief for the small businesses hardest hit as they recover post-pandemic.
Other Legislative Action
- Announced the first meeting of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force with U.S. Rep. Kilmer. As Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, they were instrumental in fighting for legislation creating the task force to be included in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and amending the Clean Water Act to create a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office in Washington State.
- Led a bipartisan letter to President Biden ahead of South Korean President Yoon’s state visit to mark the 70th anniversary of the United States and the Republic of Korea signing the Mutual Defense Treaty.
Serving You
The Congresswoman and her team are here to help you navigate these agencies, cut through the red tape, end delays, and much more. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (360) 459-8514 or contact us HERE.
Grants Corner
Federal grants are typically awarded and available to non-profit organizations, city, county, state, and other local government entities. Opportunities for federal funding are competitive. For more information on federal grants, please visit grants.gov or call the office: 360-459-8514.
Upcoming grant opportunities include:
- FY 2023 – FY 2024 Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice in Communities, Environmental Protection Agency
- FY 23 Fostering Access, Rights and Equity (FARE) Grant Program: Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau
- BJA FY 23 Reimagining Justice: Testing a New Model of Community Safety: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
- FY 2023 – FY 2024 Pollution Prevention Grants: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Product, Environmental Protection Agency
- FY23-SNAP-DATA: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
For more information on these grant opportunities, please click HERE.
As always, I work for you. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at (360) 459-8514 or my D.C. Office at (202) 225-9740. For more updates, please visit strickland.house.gov and follow me on social media at the links below.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Strickland
Member of Congress