Columns

By Glen Smith
Bedford

    The mayhem and deadly violence in schools continues.
    An ABC News report recently pointed out that since 2009, school shootings in the U.S. have averaged sixteen per year, up from five per year in the few years previous. This alarming trend underscores the need for a trained law officer in each school, the single most effective protection available.

I hope you’re enjoying your new year; just got mine started a few days ago.
    Oh, I was around on Jan. 1, but not where I thought I’d be.
    Once you’re past 50, I suppose, a health crisis of any kind should not be much of a surprise. Still, one prefers not to think about them until presented – rather directly, I’d say – with the evidence.

Each year my office hears from thousands of constituents from the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. As your representative, an important part of my job is finding various ways to reach out to you, respond to your questions, seek suggestions on legislative activities, and hear your opinions. In 2013, I sent over 59,000 responses to constituents who contacted my office by phone, e-mail, fax, or postal mail. My office also helped constituents with thousands more individual cases.

By Congressman Robert Hurt

Since coming to Congress, my top priority has been promoting job growth.  As we look back at 2013 and we begin the New Year and the second session of the 113th Congress, I am encouraged by the progress my colleagues in the House and I have made in this effort.  We have approved numerous pieces of legislation aimed at rejuvenating our economy, and it is my hope that many of these will continue to move through the legislative process as we return in January.