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Klobuchar, Smith, Finstad Resolution to Recognize Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Woman and Men’s Basketball Team Passes Senate
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced their resolution celebrating the Minnesota State University, Mankato Women’s and Men’s basketball teams’ winning the 2024 NCAA Division II Basketball National Championships passed the Senate. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “One school, two national championships, and a chapter in the Minnesota sports history books,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution recognizes the hard work and incredible accomplishments of the Mankato Maverick Basketball teams during the 2024 season. Congratulations to the players, coaches, staff, administrators and fans on a great season!” “I am so proud to see both of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s basketball programs bring home the Division II trophies,” said Smith. “These student-athletes dedicate countless hours to become the best at what they do, and it is wonderful to see their hard work paying off on the national stage.” “Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who have embodied southern Minnesota through their perseverance, dedication, and teamwork,” said Finstad. “To celebrate this achievement, I am honored to introduce this resolution congratulating both teams on behalf of our community in Minnesota’s First District.” Full text of the resolution is available HERE and below: Whereas, on March 29, 2024, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the “women’s basketball team”) won the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NCAA”) Division II women’s basketball national championship game against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers by a
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Rep. Michelle Fischbach Announce Grant for Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced a grant from the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) for the expansion of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. The cemetery serves more than 59,000 Veterans and their eligible family members and the $1,368,100 grant will fund 1,080 columbarium vaults, update landscaping, and improve irrigation. “It’s on all of us to remember fallen service members and to honor their memories,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will go towards upgrading the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls so families can continue to have a peaceful and dignified place to pay their respects.” “The servicemembers who make such enormous sacrifices for our country deserve our utmost respect,” said Senator Smith. “This grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs will make much-needed improvements to the final resting place for thousands of veterans from our state so they can rest with the honor they deserve.” “This grant is going to mean so much to the thousands of veterans and their families who are laid to rest or paying respects to loved ones in Little Falls,” said Rep. Fischbach. “We can never thank our veterans enough, but this is one small way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices so many have made for this nation.” Part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VCGP has provided more than $1 billion to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 122 state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries since its inception in 1978. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Roger Wicker Propose Bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Fix for Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced their bipartisan PPP Access for Rural Hospitals Act, which would waive the Small Business Administration (SBA) affiliation rules for non-profit critical access hospitals and hospitals that serve rural areas so that they may qualify for PPP loans. Granting smaller non-profit and rural hospitals access to the PPP program would allow facilities to retain critical staff and focus their resources on providing quality care to patients for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. “Rural hospitals are vital to public health – they’re economic engines for communities in Minnesota and
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce $22M Federal Investment in Minnesota to Support Vaccine Distribution, Cover Cost of Ventilators
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/16/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded two grants that total more than $22 million to the Minnesota Department of Health. A $15 million grant will support efforts to distribute and administer the COVID-19 vaccine at 10 vaccination centers across Minnesota. A $7,397,990.26 grant will help cover the cost of ventilators and ventilator accessories purchased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. “This federal funding to support vaccine distribution and help cover the cost of ventilators is vital as we work to fight this pandemic and lessen the financial burden on our state budget,” said Sen.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Voting to Convict Former President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/13/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement: “The facts and the evidence were overwhelming—former President Donald Trump lied for months to his supporters, summoned them to Washington, and incited a violent insurrection against our government and our democracy,” said Sen. Smith. “I voted to convict because no reasonable person could believe this would have happened without his betrayal.”
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Roger Wicker Propose Bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Fix for Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced their bipartisan PPP Access for Rural Hospitals Act, which would waive the Small Business Administration (SBA) affiliation rules for non-profit critical access hospitals and hospitals that serve rural areas so that they may qualify for PPP loans. Granting smaller non-profit and rural hospitals access to the PPP program would allow facilities to retain critical staff and focus their resources on providing quality care to patients for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. “Rural hospitals are vital to public health – they’re economic engines for communities in Minnesota and states
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