Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced H.R. 4867, the General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act. The bill would bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to General James N. Mattis, “in recognition of his distinguished military career, his steadfast moral character and patriotism, and his unyielding devotion to the protection of this Nation.” The legislation was introduced with the full bipartisan support of the Washington delegation.
“Jim Mattis is a hometown hero and truly one of Washington’s most distinguished native sons,” said Rep. Newhouse. “His honorable military career, his commitment to our community, and his dedication to the United States serve an example for the people of Washington state and the nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure he is the next distinguished leader to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.” Click here to read the text of the bill. Background: General James N. (Jim) Mattis was born in Pullman, Washington, and raised in Richland, Washington, graduating from Columbia High School in 1968. He began his military career the following year by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1971, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Central Washington State College, and he earned a Master of Arts in International Security from National Defense University’s War College in 1994. He was the first United States Marine Corps officer to command a Naval Task Force in Afghanistan following the attacks on September 11, 2001. He bravely commanded forces, including the U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO’s Supreme Allied Command for Transformation, and U.S. Central Command. President Trump nominated General Mattis for United States Secretary of Defense, and he served honorably until December 31, 2018. Since his retirement, he has been honored with several awards and commendations for his military and civilian service, including the Atlantic Council “Distinguished Military Leadership Award,” the Marine Corps University Foundation “Semper Fidelis Award,” the “Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award,” and the Washington Policy Center “Columbia Award.” He wrote about his military and leadership experience in the recently published book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. Congressional Gold Medals have been bestowed upon great generals, leaders, and thinkers in our nation’s history, including but not limited to George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, and Harry S. Truman. In order to be considered, Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be cosponsored by at least two-thirds (290) of the Members of the House.
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The Pasco Public Facilities District Board will hold a public meeting and open house on Tuesday, October 22, to hear from the public on options for an aquatic center in Pasco.
The Board will first hold a Special Meeting starting at 2:30 pm in Council Chambers in Pasco City Hall at 525 N. 3rd Avenue. The Board will hear from consultants as they gather information on an updated feasibility study during the Special Meeting. The Board will then hold an Open House in the Pasco Police Community Services Building Community Room at 215 W. Sylvester Street, from 6 pm – 8 pm. The Board hopes to hear from a wide range of the public on the idea of an aquatic center. "The PFD Board and its consultants are looking for robust input about an aquatic center in Pasco," said Zach Ratkai, Administrative and Community Services Director for the City. "We hope to get a good turnout for the Open House so we can get as much public feedback as possible," he added. The City of Pasco strives to continue improving the quality of community life in Pasco. For more information about City activities, visit www.pasco-wa.gov. Mid-Columbia Libraries will offer free bus travel for Prosser and Benton City area residents to a presentation by international bestselling author Debbie Macomber at Columbia Basin College in Pasco on Nov. 7. Transportation is free and open to the public thanks to support from sponsor Battelle. Bus riders will receive priority seating and priority book signing at the event.
The bus will depart from the Prosser library, located at 902 7th St., at 5:15 pm and return at approximately 8:45 pm. Bus loading begins at 5:10 pm. The bus will stop at the Benton City Park and Ride, located at I-82 and SR 225, at 5:30 pm. Seats are limited; register at midcolumbialibraries.org/mid-columbia-reads-bus, or contact the Prosser library at (509) 786-2533 or the Benton City library at (509) 588-6471. Learn more about the Mid-Columbia Reads literary festival at midcolumbialibraries.org. Prosser Memorial Health Providing Free Veteran's Day Breakfast for Veterans & Their Families10/17/2019 On Veteran’s Day Monday, November 11th from 7:00am to 10:00am at the Walter Clore Center in Prosser, Prosser Memorial Health will provide free breakfast for Veterans and their families. The Veteran’s Day breakfast has become an annual tradition with plans to continue each year as a thank you to those having served our country. Prosser’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade will follow, starting at 11:00am in Historic Downtown Prosser.
Prosser Memorial Health opened its doors as a 19-bed facility in 1947 and was dedicated to the community’s veterans of World War II. Over seventy years later, Prosser Memorial Health has grown into a progressive healthcare organization providing compassionate care, the latest in medical technology, and a mission to improve the health of the community. Two open houses have been scheduled to share information on the exciting Public/Private Partnership Opportunity at the Three Rivers Entertainment District Campus. Each open house will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W Grandridge Boulevard, between 4:30-6:30pm with the first scheduled for Monday, September 30th and the second on Thursday, October 17th.
Staff from the City of Kennewick and Kennewick Public Facilities District will be available to provide information on the project vision, the public and private investment components, economic impacts, the complementary nature of the project to the entertainment district vision and Vista Vision, and the financing needed to accomplish this partnership and spur significant economic development in the heart of our Tri-Cities community. The open houses will provide the public the opportunity to view concept renderings of the project, make comments and asks questions. On September 3, 2019, City Council approved a Purchase and Sales Agreement between for the sale of property adjacent to the Convention Center and Toyota Center, approximately 3.56 acres to A-1 Pearl, LLC for the development of a convention hotel to be connected to the expanded Convention Center and a separate retail component. In addition, the agreement grants the option to purchase the adjacent property for phase two of the project which would create residential, commercial, and public spaces with water features and boardwalk. The City’s portion of the project would be to expand the Three Rivers Convention Center with a performing arts theater. The full Council packet and presentation can be viewed at: www.go2kennewick.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09032019-1181 The Purchase and Sales Agreement was the first step in furthering this public/private partnership opportunity. The next steps will be the due diligence period provided to both parties to ensure viability of the project and will require coordinated effort for the private and public entities to work simultaneously to secure the financing and jointly begin the construction of the expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center, hotel and retail component of the project. The Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Board of Directors held a special meeting to discuss the agency’s proposed 2020 operating and capital budget on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, at the BFT Administration Office in Richland. At the regular monthly meeting held immediately following, the Board voted to release the proposed budget for public comment.
The budget is available for review online at www.bft.org/financial-information, or in hard copy at BFT’s Administration Office: 1000 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, or Three Rivers Transit Center: 7109 W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick. Comments may be submitted by mail (postage-free comment cards available at BFT ticket outlets), by phone at 509.735.5100 or Language Line service, in person, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The comment period will remain open until Nov. 10, 2019. More information about Ben Franklin Transit and its services can be found at bft.org. Over the past few years we have met many milestones in our progress toward building a performing arts center in the Tri-Cities.
One such milestone was our ability to hire Renée Adams as our first Executive Director. Renée brought passion and enthusiasm to the organization, but she has also been commuting to the Tri-Cities from Yakima. To achieve a better life-work balance, she has decided to take a job in Yakima. Now we ask for your help in sharing the news about this open position. Position details and application directions are included in the job description posted on our website. It’s not all sad news, as Renée has also agreed to continue working with the ACTF Board to share her considerable knowledge and expertise as we move forward. We are grateful for the work she has done as our first Executive Director and wish her all the best in her future endeavors! What: Connect Tri-Cities includes an opportunity fair, STEM competition, veterans outreach, resume and interview assistance, science demonstrations, networking, and more. More than $5,000 in giveaways, including books, Chromebooks, wireless headphones and Hydro Flasks will be given away during “Geek Speak” and “University Hall” presentations (must be present to win). All events are free and open to the public (except for the luncheon and the STEM competition.)
Who: Connect Tri-Cities brings together job seekers, employers, educators, labor, Tribes, veterans and industry to build the local workforce of the future. Connect Tri-Cities is a unique community event championed by TRIDEC and sponsored by Hanford contractor Mission Support Alliance and their corporate partners Leidos and Centerra Group. Why: Connect Tri-Cities is designed to enable career paths and job connections and is a unique opportunity to engage with the Tri-Cities community, small businesses and the young minds of our future. Where: Three Rivers Convention Center; 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick When: Monday, Oct. 21 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – High School STEM Scholarship Competition Finals The top five teams from our preliminary competition will participate in a final competition for more than $20,000 in scholarships. Winners will be announced at the Networking Reception on Tuesday, October 22. Media outlets interested in covering this should work with our media contact for arrangements. Tuesday, Oct. 22 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Opportunity Fair and Resume/Interview Support Join more than 70 organizations, including organized labor, educators, local businesses and Hanford contractors to learn about employment opportunities. Over 1,200 high school students will be bussed in for the event. Human Resources experts will be available to provide resume and interview support. 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – University Hall Meet representatives from northwest colleges and universities. Hear from presenters on topics such as building your social capital and career engagement.
Engage with science and technology experts through a variety of live and virtual presentations throughout the day.
STEM Competition results will be announced, with award of $20,000 to the top three teams. Enjoy appetizers, a no-host bar and a live band. Senior customers are invited to Benton PUD’s annual Senior Day on Wednesday, October 23 at the Benton PUD Auditoriums in Kennewick and Prosser (Locations: 2721 W. 10th Ave, Kennewick, WA or 250 N. Gap Road, Prosser, WA).
Benton PUD Customer Service Representatives and the Community Action Connections will provide information and assistance on Benton PUD’s low-income senior and low-income disabled discounts. Customers can receive one-on-one enrollment help and income verification from the Community Action Connections. The low-income monthly discounts are 10%, 15% or 25% based on their household total annual income. The low-income senior discount qualifications are based on annual household income and age (62+). The low income disabled discount qualifications are based on annual household income and a qualifying disability of the customer or member of the household. Income verification is required and is completed by the Community Action Connections. There will also be presentations at the Benton PUD Kennewick Auditorium on Weatherization & Home Automation at 9:30 a.m. and the Columbia Basin Veterans Stand Down at 10:50 a.m. Blood pressure checks, Community Center information and Conservation tips will be available at the Benton PUD Prosser Auditorium. Senior customers will receive a packet with information on electrical safety, energy saving tips and other items. Coffee, juice and cookies will be served. “Last Stop on Market Street” and More Book Giveaways Start October 15 at Mid-Columbia Libraries10/14/2019 Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) celebrates the culmination of National Hispanic Heritage Month with a special book giveaway at all 12 MCL branches starting Oct. 15. The community is invited to stop by their local library to pick up a book by Newbery Medal-winning children’s and young adult author Matt de la Peña, while supplies last. Books are available in both English and Spanish.
De la Peña is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of five picture books, including “Love” and the award-winning “Last Stop on Market Street,” and seven young adult novels. His most recent novel is “Superman: Dawnbreaker,” which explores the DC icon’s coming-of-age story in the Mexican-American community in Smallville. Books are provided courtesy of Mid-Columbia Reads sponsor, Battelle. De la Peña’s books are also available for checkout at midcolumbialibraries.org/matt-de-la-pena. MCL and Kennewick School District will host a bilingual presentation and student-led interview with the author Dec. 6 at Southridge High School. Learn more at midcolumbialibraries.org/event/author-visit-matt-de-la-pena. |
Have News?Email your press release and a photo to Austin Regimbal, Marketing & Communications Director. Press releases are posted in their entirety. This is a free benefit for members of the Tri-City Regional Chamber at the Connect level and above. Archives
July 2024
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