September is Recovery Month, a celebration of the power and hope of recovery. Millions of Americans battle addiction each year. Yet many don’t realize, addiction is a family disease. It affects everyone close to it, not just the individual with the substance use disorder. Sustained recovery from a substance use disorder requires everyone who has been impacted- family, friends, loved ones- to be part of the healing process and ongoing management of recovery.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a public health campaign during October every year to increase awareness and to raise funds for researching the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of the disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women; unfortunately, almost 1 in 8 women in the US will get breast cancer, but most women can survive if it is found and treated early.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for advocates, survivors and supporters to raise awareness and education about the prevalence of domestic violence in the United States and how everyone can help address the issue. It’s likely everyone knows someone who has been impacted by domestic violence, making it important for everyone to know how to help those in need and reduce stigma about the issue.

April 22nd is Earth Day, a global celebration of our planet. Our planet is the foundation of life as we know it- we should all do our part to care for the earth and the tremendous natural resources it provides. Let’s all take steps to make this planet a better place and invest in a healthy future. Whether that’s investing money, time, or encouraging others to get involved, there’s many ways to take action and ensure a sustainable future for the environment and all living things that rely on it.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The #MeToo Movement has shown us that sexual harassment in the workplace is far more expansive and complex than many of us realized. We are working with the Governor and the House to craft a comprehensive package that studies sexual harassment, prevents it in the future, and protects its victims in the meantime.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an issue that can touch anyone’s life. Whether you yourself have struggled with mental health, or know a friend, family member or loved one who has needed support, it’s clear that mental health services are an integral part of overall health and wellness. 

The veterans of the United States are a representation of the best of our country. To show our thanks for all that they give, we celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month every year during the month of November. During this time, we recognize veterans, military families, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service.

Redistricting is the process by which the boundaries of elective districts are periodically redrawn to maintain equal representation on the basis of population. Article 1, Section 2, of the United States Constitution requires that a Census be taken every 10 years for the purpose of apportioning the United States House of Representatives. 

On June 19, 1865, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. The holiday is also called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”