Catching Up With Quigley: Week of October 7
Dear Friend,
I hope you had a nice week. I wanted to share a summary of the events I attended this week and offer my thoughts on a recent anniversary.
1. Commemorated One-Year Since the Attack on Israel
On Monday, we recognized the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. This attack was the greatest assault on the Jewish people in Israel’s history. Hamas carried out the brutal murder of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 innocent people. For the hostages still being held by Hamas and their families, the nightmare is not over. Today, over 60 hostages and the remains of over 30 more are still being held in Gaza. To the victims, the hostages, and their families, we will not give up until all hostages are returned.
I continue to support Israel's right to self-defense as well as its goal of dismantling Hamas and bringing the hostages home. A clear path exists to achieve these aims. The ceasefire deal President Biden proposed earlier this year is our best course of action. It outlines a clear path to peace for Israelis and Palestinians after a year of war. A ceasefire agreement is in Israel's best interest, as it will ensure their long-term security and stabilize threats from outside actors.
To read my full statement, click HERE.
2. Hosted a PACT Act Clinic
Our veterans risked their lives for our freedoms—they deserve care long after their service ends. Earlier this week, I was proud to host a PACT Act Clinic to connect veterans with critical assistance and information. We provided healthcare enrollment, toxic exposure screening, claim filing, and more to over 100 veterans in the Chicago area.
Claims from toxic exposures wouldn't be possible without the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act. The PACT Act is the largest expansion of benefits in a generation and cuts red tape and wait times for veterans who were exposed to toxins and develop certain illnesses. Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law, VA has delivered more than $1.4 billion dollars in PACT Act benefits to veterans. Additionally, more than 1.1 million veterans and survivors have been granted PACT Act-related benefits. I was proud to support this bill and even prouder to see it working in real-time for veterans in our district.
3. Stopped by the Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest
On Sunday, I stopped by Autumn Harvest Fest in the Village of Arlington Heights. The event featured a petting zoo, live music, dancing, and more. The Arlington Heights Memorial Library also brought in a bookmobile to provide access to a wide range of books and resources for the community.
In addition to having a great time, I engaged in meaningful conversations with local leaders about my efforts to help them replace hazardous lead water service lines. In 2021, Illinois became the third state in the nation to mandate removing lead drinking water pipes. However, the total cost of such a project far exceeds the village's budget. In March, I requested $2 million in federal funding to assist the village in managing costs and to ensure the project is completed effectively and efficiently. I am hopeful that this funding, along with my 14 other requests, will be approved by Congress and eventually signed into law.
BONUS: Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Don't forget, our office is always here to help.
You can call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926. You can also email me through my website at Quigley.house.gov/contact.
Sincerely,
Mike Quigley