Cline Highlights Memorial Day Ceremony, Lyme Disease Awareness, Cybersecurity, and Local Manufacturing Visits

Congressman Ben Cline shared updates from Virginia’s Sixth District this week, highlighting Memorial Day observances, health and cybersecurity legislation, and visits to two Salem-based manufacturers.

Cline attended the sixth annual Healing Field of Honor Closing Ceremony in Winchester on Memorial Day, where he joined local residents in honoring fallen service members and their families.

“I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices our service members have made throughout American history,” Cline said. “On Memorial Day, our Nation comes together to honor the fallen and to remember that the freedoms we enjoy were secured by those who gave everything to protect them.”

Cline also announced that he cosponsored legislation declaring May as National Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Month. He said tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, have become a growing national concern, with cases rising sharply over the past 15 years.

The issue is especially important in Virginia, Cline said, noting that the state ranks among the top 10 in the country for Lyme disease. He also pointed to the Shenandoah Valley as one of the Commonwealth’s hardest-hit areas.

“For the families in Virginia’s Sixth District, this is not a distant concern,” Cline said. “The Shenandoah Valley has long been one of the Commonwealth’s hardest-hit areas.”

In another update, Cline said he signed a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel urging the agency to continue working with the healthcare industry to address cybersecurity threats. According to Cline, healthcare was the top target for ransomware and other cyberattacks last year.

Cyberattacks on hospitals and healthcare systems can put patients at risk and cost the industry millions of dollars, Cline said. The letter recognized the FBI’s work on the issue and encouraged continued cooperation with healthcare systems to protect critical infrastructure.

Cline also visited two businesses in Salem as part of his district outreach.

At New Millennium, a division of Steel Dynamics, Cline toured the company’s steel plant and met with employees who manufacture steel joists and decking used in buildings across the country. The company is celebrating 26 years in business.

“It was a privilege to see the skilled men and women building steel joists and decking that support buildings across the country,” Cline said.

Cline also toured QualiChem, a Salem-based company that manufactures advanced metalworking fluids and specialty chemicals. The company serves customers in more than 30 countries and employs residents in the Sixth District.

“These highly specialized products help keep manufacturing machines running, contributing to the success of metalworking companies across the Nation,” Cline said.

Cline also recognized Rick Brown on his retirement after 35 years with Roanoke Valley Christian Schools.

Residents seeking assistance from Cline’s office may contact his Washington office at (202) 225-5431. For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow my Facebook and Twitter pages.