Friends,
I hope your summer is off to a great start!
In this edition of the Capitol Update, you can read about an event I attended where Pulte Homes delivered two mortgage-free homes to veterans, a visit to the Houston Food Bank, and the Texas Legislature’s response to the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary.
- Pulte Homes Delivers Two Homes to Veterans
- Houston Food Bank Visit
- Legislative Response to Robb Elementary Shooting
As always, feel free to call my office by phone at (512) 463-0661 or email District130.Oliverson@House.
Pulte Homes “Delivers” Two Mortgage Free Homes to Veterans
A couple of weeks ago, my District Director and I were honored to attend an event where Pulte Homes awarded two mortgage-free homes to veterans Kisha Dorsey and James Ford. These homes are a part of the Pulte Group’s Built to Honor Program. Many companies say they support veterans, but Pulte Group puts these words into action. Not only does the company love to hire veterans, but they created this program to give deserving veterans the incredible gift of a new home.
It was an honor to be a part of this special day!
The Ford and Dorsey families’ new homes!
Mr. Ford speaking at the Built to Honor event.
Mrs. Dorsey accepting her new home!
Representative Oliverson speaking at the event.
Visit to the Houston Food Bank
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Houston Food Bank – a wonderful organization doing great work in our community. I was there to tour the Food RX Program. This is an extremely important program where clients receive a “food prescription” when referred by a designated healthcare partner or when they commit to a community health program that improves their health and well-being.
Food Rx clients redeem their Food Rx twice a month at Food for Change Markets, where they can select 30 pounds of free fruits and vegetables plus 4 additional healthy items. Nutrition education material is also made available for clients to get new ideas for how to prepare their food.
By having increased access to nutritious food, individuals can better manage their health while lowering the financial stress of household grocery costs, which can result in improved health outcomes and decreased food insecurity.
I am proud to be a supporter of the Houston Food Bank. As a physician, I understand the importance of nutrition on our health, and I am hopeful we can bring similar programs to Texans across our state.
Legislative Response to Robb Elementary Shooting
The Texas Legislature is working to investigate the Robb Elementary shooting. The Texas House, at the direction of Speaker Phelan, will be conducting a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Representatives Dustin Burrows and Joe Moody, along with the Honorable Eva Guzman, will be leading the investigation. Together, they possess decades of experience in civil and criminal litigation matters.
The committee, which possesses the power of subpoena and is authorized to conduct depositions and initiate discovery, has been tasked with collecting and analyzing evidence from law enforcement, making comprehensive findings, and reporting its conclusions as soon as possible to help inform the work of the House.
In addition, Speaker Phelan issued joint charges to the Select Committee on Youth Health & Safety and Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. He appointed seven additional House members to the Select Committee on Youth Health & Safety–six of whom represent cities that have experienced a mass shooting in recent years.
The House is committed to gaining an accurate account of what happened at Robb Elementary. I hope you will all join me in praying for the lost lives, their grieving families, and the community of Uvalde.
