Standing strong against hatred – Congressman Bob Goodlatte

What Happened in Charlottesville on Saturday

I am deeply saddened and revolted by the hate and violence that took place in Charlottesville over the weekend, and I am praying for the family and friends of Heather Heyer who was killed as well as the others injured. The racist and anti-Semitic views embraced by white supremacists have no place in our nation and do not reflect core American values of equality and religious freedom. We are all created in the image of God, and I strongly condemn such detestable views against fellow human beings.

I thank the many brave law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. In addition to the violence on Saturday, it was difficult to hear the news that Virginia State Police’s Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates were also killed in a helicopter crash in the Charlottesville area. My prayers are with their families and the law enforcement community as they mourn this loss. We are all praying for our Commonwealth to come together and heal at this difficult time.

Just Announced – Sixth District Vietnam Veterans Commemoration in Lexington

What: In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, I have the great honor of hosting a special commemoration in Lexington honoring veterans who served their country during the Vietnam Era from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

When: Thursday, August 31, at 4:30pm. Registration will open at 4pm.

Where: Lexington National Guard Armory at 95 Hines Lane in Lexington (behind Rockbridge County High School).

Register Now: Vietnam veterans are asked to register in advance by visiting Goodlatte.House.Gov/VietnamVeterans. If you have questions about this event, please contact my office at 540-885-3861 or 540-857-2672. Please note that participants must be residents of the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia.

More Info: Constituent service staff will also be on hand to assist veterans with issues they may have with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies. This is a free, public event. Family members and friends of Vietnam veterans are invited to attend; however, please understand that space may be limited for guests of Vietnam veterans.

Opioid Crisis Declared a National Emergency

The opioid epidemic currently plaguing the United States is destroying lives, families, and communities, and it shows no signs of stopping. We’ve all heard the grim statistics: 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. That is more than 33,000 a year. These people are our neighbors, friends, and loved ones.

While Congress has taken action to combat the opioid epidemic through the historic Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, it’s clear that we need more tools to combat this ever-growing problem. I commend President Trump for declaring the opioid crisis as a national emergency. This will bring much needed public awareness to the epidemic. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee will continue to review our nation’s laws to determine if more resources are needed to combat the opioid crisis.

Snapshots from the Sixth

Renovations at a piece of local history, The Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg, are in progress. I enjoyed getting a look at the transformation underway.

The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton is bringing the past to life! I stopped by to check out some of the farms and exhibits that are part of this special place.

Thanks to the folks at Toray Plastics in Front Royal for welcoming me to the facility to see it in action and hear more about how federal policies impact them.

Should you have further questions, please visit the “Contact Bob” section of my website or call (202) 225-5431.