Dear Friend,
The month of March is always a busy one, and last month was no different. The end of March proved particularly powerful. I had the joy of spending the day with a young hero. We received an email thanking a group of students for their generosity and help. Additionally, the Capitol is gearing up to receive the next round of outstanding student art.
Connecting all of these events is the sharing of your gifts with others - sharing your bravery, sharing your time, sharing your talents.
And what better time to recognize this - from my family to yours, have a blessed and happy Easter! HE is risen.
Sincerely,
Randy K. Weber
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| Citizen Hero |
On March 23, I had the honor of spending the day with Virgil Smith and his mother, Lisa.
Virgil is a boy of 13 with the heart of a hero. On August 26, during the darkest hours of Harvey, he and his family swam to safety at a neighbor's second story apartment. Shortly after hoisting himself out of the water, his friend called. Keshaun and his family needed help - they couldn't swim. Virgil knew his family had an air mattress back at their place, so he went back into the water, swam back to the apartment he had just escaped, grabbed the air mattress, and went on his mission to save his friend. While saving Keshaun and his family, Virgil heard another voice cry for help - an elderly women in a wheelchair - Virgil saved her, too. Those were just the first of his many rescues.
From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., Virgil worked tirelessly to save friends and neighbors. In 4 hours, Virgil saved 17 people. On that fateful morning, Virgil acted with a type of selflessness few people possess. For his heroism, Virgil was nominated for and awarded the Young Hero award by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Citizen Honors. Each year, 5 people are awarded a Citizen's Honor in recognition for their act of valor.
Thank YOU, Virgil.
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| Hartford Helps |
We all know there is still a lot of work to be done in our communities. Walls might be back up, but they still need to be painted. Floors still need to be redone; cabinets and countertops need placing; appliances need installing; and yards need fixing. This is the case for homes, businesses, schools, and more.
There have been countless volunteers who have helped over the course of these last 7 months. To everyone who has volunteered their time to help someone in need - thank YOU. You have contributed so much to our communities, and we are eternally grateful.
For their Spring Break, 35 students from the University of Hartford made the trek from Connecticut to Texas because they saw people were still in need. Thank YOU for helping Jefferson County! The Rawls truly appreciated your help. You are always welcome in Texas.
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| Annual art competition |
It's that time of year! I encourage all high school students to submit a piece of art for our annual competition. The winning piece of art from TX14 will hang in the Capitol for a year. Jeffrey Lim's piece, "Lone Star" is currently proudly hanging with the rest of the Texas Delegation art.
Texas 14 has some incredible artists. Be sure to turn in your work. I'm looking forward to seeing your art! Second, third, and fourth place winners will have their art hanging throughout our district offices. Last year, Friendswood High School students Caroline Velek and Brooke Langston received second and third place honors, and fourth place honors went to Mackenzie Patureau of Brazoswood High School. Y'alls art has made all the difference in our district offices. Thank YOU and thanks to all artists who shared your work with us. It's never easy narrowing it down, and it's even more difficult to pick the winner.
For additional information about the Congressional Art Competition or to receive a 14th District participation form, please visit the my website, www.weber.house.gov under “Services” → “Art Competition” or contact the Beaumont district office at 409-853-4193.
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