Greetings patriots,
First, let me offer my sincere and humble condolences to the families and
fellow law enforcement comrades of Miami-Dade County police officers
Roger Castillo and Amanda Haworth. We lost two of South Florida's finest
this past week to a craven murderer and his complicit mother. Officers Castillo
and Haworth represent those who form that "Thin Blue Line." They risk their lives
daily serving and protecting our communities. God has a special place for those
warriors and heroes who guard us. I never met these brave officers but I shall
forever deem them my brother and sister. May God welcome them into His place
and they find a seat at the table in Valhalla. May our Lord bless those they leave
behind and grant them the solace that only His Holy Spirit can provide.
This was another eventful week and it represented our first major vote in keeping
with the promise made to those who deployed me to Capitol Hill.
The week began with the Deerfield Beach Martin Luther King Jr. parade and
celebration service. It was a nice 1.2 mile walk from Pioneer Park to the local
community center gymnasium. Mayor Peggy Noland expressed to me that yours
truly was the first ever Congressional Representative to ever walk in that procession.
Needless to say, it will not be the last time.
Immediately following speaking in Deerfield Beach, I headed to the Ft. Lauderdale
airport to fly to New York City for the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) annual MLK Jr.
commemorative dinner. The plan was to take off at 2pm and land around 5:30pm....as stated,
that was the plan. After a one hour late arrival for the aircraft, we ended up sitting on the plane
for another 90 minutes before takeoff due to debris on the runway. I arrived in NYC at 8:30 p.m.,
took a cab over to the hotel, changed in a conference room, and still made the tail end of the
dinner and spoke.
The following Tuesday morning, I had an early wake up and headed over to the Fox News
studio for a live appearance on Fox and Friends. I had met Brian Kilmeade before but it was
fantastic to finally meet Steve Doocy and Gretchen Carlson. Gretchen did the interview and we
discussed the upcoming healthcare law repeal vote and federal government fiscal responsibility
as it applied to the debt ceiling.
When the interview ended, there stood Stuart Varney and we had a nice quick chat.
Following the Fox interview, I had a breakfast presentation sponsored by Bill Siegel and
Monica Crowley as part of the Hudson Institute. The main topic was
'Understanding the Liberal Progressive Legislative Agenda for America and the
21st Century Battlefield.'
Wednesday, I voted to repeal Obamacare, and of course there were the typical antics from the left.
The liberal activist groups were outside the building handing out their disinformation palm cards.
Inside the left wing, sponsored unions were busy with their "robo-calls" to our office. I find it utterly
hilarious to receive calls from targeted individuals who truly have no lucid comprehension, they just
repeat a talking point script. My advice to these union groups, don't waste your resources on me.
It was very fulfilling to insert my voting card, press "Yes", and watch the green "Y" appear next to
my name on repealing Obamacare. The following day we voted on HR 9 to replace it and our
House committees will get to work to create free market solutions to improve our American
healthcare system.
This past week, I had my first luncheon as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Prior to the meeting commencing, I had a good chat with Chairman Cleaver (D-Missouri).
I look forward to being a contributing member of this body politic and reaching the goals and
objectives as specified in the organization's mission statement. I believe that the conservative
principles and values which I espouse are critical for the success of the black community.
I had many meetings and interviews in the office this week, but most memorable and satisfying
was the one with Juliana Taimoorazy, president of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council.
She is an Iraqi Christian woman who is now advocating for the Christian community she left behind
some years ago. Coming off the horrendous attacks against the Coptic Christian community in Egypt,
this is an issue to which we need to commit our attention and vigilance. I gave Ms. Taimoorazy my
pledge to be a spokesperson for this cause. I shall not be tolerant of the intolerant because when
tolerance becomes a one way street it leads to cultural suicide.
That is why I found it comical that the head of the South Florida Council for American Islamic Relations
(CAIR), contacted me requesting a meeting. My response to him is as the Commander of the 101st
Airborne Division, BG McAuliffe, at Bastogne when asked to surrender by the Germans......."Nuts".
On Friday, I had a super meeting with the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce leadership.
We are going to resurrect the Ft. Lauderdale "fly-in" to Washington DC for the local business
and community leaders. We have tentatively set aside May 2011, so be on the lookout for details.
It will be my honor to revive this honored tradition first started by Congressman E Clay Shaw.
Saturday, I was up and out for my morning ten mile run along Ft. Lauderdale beach, over the
17th Street causeway, and back to our starting point at George English park. It is always a thrill
to run at sunrise with my fellow running enthusiasts, and constituents. I am an honorary member
of the Friends in Training (FIT) group and they have decided to allow me to host them in October
as we shall run the Army Ten Miler race.
Later, I had the distinct pleasure of being the guest speaker at the Broward Navy League
new officer installation luncheon. It was held aboard one of the luxurious Port Everglades cruise ships.
Needless to say, before and after speaking, I had to endure abuse from the former Naval service
officers referencing the inability of the Army football team to defeat Navy.
I made a simple pledge, if ever I become Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Services........
I shall suspend the entire Navy football team prior to the traditional Army-Navy game.......
Go Army Beat Navy......PLEASE!
Sunday again, up early with my running mates, Juan and Mike and we did our 8 mile canal run,
and since I am the oldest, these guys keep sandbagging and sprinting at the end, jerks.
Angela and I spent our Sunday morning with the Jewish community in Jupiter Florida at the
ground breaking ceremony of the Chabad Lubavitch of Jupiter. Special hat tip to Rabbi and
Rabbetzin Barash for their visionary leadership, resolve, and perseverance in this quest.
I look forward to returning for the dedication of the center. The wrap up to the week came as
we had a nice quiet Sunday brunch with friends and supporters, Howard and Marilyn Parmet,
at Frenchmen's Reserve in Palm Beach Gardens.
If you are ever at the brunch there, try the waffles.
This evening, Angela and I will attend the White House reception for the new members of the
112th Congress. I have not been in the White House since I was a little boy with Mom.
If anyone wants to know what the American Dream looks like, I am living it.
On Tuesday, I shall sit in the House chamber for my first State of the Union address.
I believe in tradition and therefore shall sit in the appropriate section designated for those
calling themselves Republican. I shall not take part in the kindergarten style tactics of having
a recess buddy. Could it be that the President is concerned about his first foray into the House
of Representatives not having a majority throng cheering his every word?
President Bush delivered his two final State of the Union addresses while his own party was in
the minority, not asking for special accommodations, so should President Obama.
There is something to be said about tradition. It is respectful, but principled.
Steadfast and Loyal,
Allen
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