View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of December 16-20, 2013
The final full shopping week before Christmas has been a busy one for citizens of Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District. In addition to Christmas shopping with my family, I have spent some time this week visiting with good citizens in parts of our district.
It was particularly meaningful for me to visit the Truman VA Hospital in Columbia. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals at Truman VA are working hard, this holiday season, to administer to the needs of our veterans who are confined to the hospital during the Christmas holidays.
Truman VA provides a full continuum of excellent care in both patient and outpatient settings. This facility offers comprehensive primary care services, medical and surgical specialties, as well as behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy. It also provides pharmacy services.
Truman VA maintains strong affiliations with the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine, its Sinclair School of Nursing, its School of Health Professions, and other health-related programs. Truman VA provides training opportunities for some 900 students each year.
The health care professionals and trainees at Truman VA are providing a service for which simple thanks are insufficient. May God continue to help these health care providers to improve the lives of our veterans who are in need of medical services during this Christmas season.
This week also took me to Warsaw, where I had the opportunity to host a town hall and to hear from citizens who shared their thoughts and opinions with me. It is a blessing for me to spend time at home in Missouri’s Fourth District where I can hear the common sense that seems to be so lacking in our Nation’s Capital.
There is no doubt many Washington insiders could benefit from the Heartland logic that is found in places like Warsaw, Missouri. There is little doubt our country would be much better off listening to the insights of Mid-America. I look forward to returning after the holidays to share this wisdom with others and working for the solutions America needs and deserves.
Finally, Christmas is approaching and our focus turns to friends and family. But it is important to keep in mind that the true focus of the season must be on the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ.
Luke’s account of how the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in the field is familiar to so many of us:
‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’
My wish is that the light Jesus brought to the world shines upon you this Christmas and shines on our men and women in uniform around the world to keep them safe and bring them home soon.
From my family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases.
Vicky