Wicker Connects Mississippians with D.C.

At 8:30 on a recent Tuesday morning, I was fortunate to meet with a room full of Mississippians who were visiting Washington, D.C. For the next half hour, I talked with families, veterans, community leaders, educators, and other constituents. This was Mississippi Morning, a gathering my office hosts on Tuesdays when the U.S. Senate is in session. Anyone visiting from the state is welcome to join my staff and me for sausages, biscuits, and coffee. The breakfast is just one of the many ways I work to connect my fellow Mississippians to their nation's capital.

Welcoming Mississippians to Washington

Some of the families I spoke with were taking advantage of spring break from school. They had traveled many hours from Mississippi and were ready to explore the museums and monuments scattered throughout the National Mall. After Mississippi Morning ended, members of my staff led these families on tours of the U.S. Capitol, where they shared the history of that grand building.

My office helps constituents sign up for other tours in Washington, including the White House, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the beautiful Library of Congress. For security reasons, and because these destinations are in high demand, some tours must be scheduled many weeks in advance. Visit wicker.senate.gov/dc-tour-requests to sign up for Mississippi Morning or to read about tour options.

It is my hope that when young people visit Washington, they will become inspired to pursue public service. If they do, I provide several ways for them to get involved. I sponsor high school students to serve as pages in the U.S. Senate, and I host college-age interns in my state and D.C. offices. I also have the privilege of nominating Mississippi students to join our nation's service academies. Those interested can find information on all of these opportunities at my website.

Bringing Federal Resources to Mississippi

Among the variety of visitors at Mississippi Morning, I spoke with business leaders, local officials, medical practitioners, and other interest groups from all over the state. They come to Washington to speak with lawmakers about the initiatives they are pursuing to improve Mississippi's infrastructure, schools, commercial prospects, and health care systems. My staff and I gather information from these leaders. We discuss the details of their proposals, and we explore ways that federal resources could help with these projects.

Making Government Work for Mississippians

Of course, Mississippians certainly do not need to travel all the way to Washington to be heard by their government. I have offices in Gulfport, Jackson, Tupelo, and Hernando, allowing my staff and me to speak with residents from every corner of the state. This helps me understand Mississippians' challenges and hear their ideas for solutions.

One of the most common ways I assist these individuals is by helping them navigate federal agencies. Last year, my staff and I handled thousands of cases. Some folks were looking for help with a passport or with Internal Revenue Service paperwork. Others needed guidance accessing Social Security or veterans' benefits. All Mississippians deserve a government that works for them, and I am committed to making sure it does.