District Work Week Recap: February 18–21
District Work Week Recap: February 18–21
Here’s a look behind the scenes of our district work period this week. I first ran for Congress on the promise of co-governance to ensure every single decision is rooted in community. I’m here to amplify the voices of those on the ground and to ensure our policies and investments align with our communities’ real needs and priorities. I’m proud to champion this approach each and every day.
Tuesday
Donald Trump shut off funding for dozens of Head Start programs across the country.
I visited PICA Head Start Training Center in Minneapolis to hear firsthand from educators on ways the federal funding cuts would impact students across our state.
Afterwards, I met with Sharon Smith, the founder of the People of Color Career Fair, in Minneapolis to discuss how we can continue to prioritize building diverse and inclusive workspaces, especially as we face the Trump Administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
During Black History Month, and every month, I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership and support from Black community leaders across our state.
I held an event in Minneapolis to connect with Black community leaders and local officials from across Minnesota’s Fifth District.
Lastly, I joined the Crystal City Council meeting to provide an update on my work in DC and hear from local leaders about how I can best support the city at the federal level.
I’m grateful to have such strong local partnerships & look forward to continuing our work to strengthen our communities.
Wednesday
I started my day with Robbinsdale Mayor Brad Sutton at Bean There Coffee Shoppe. We talked about the important ways that we can work together to support our shared constituents through federal funding, advocacy, and casework.
Afterwards, I had the honor of presenting John Croman with a Congressional Record to recognize his career as a political reporter for over 20 years with KARE 11, bringing Minnesotans reliable, informative, and timely news.
That afternoon, I stopped by the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery to visit their new exhibit for Black History Month, “The Black Vote.”
This incredible exhibit explores Black Americans’ fight for their hard-earned right to vote in Minnesota.
In the evening, I hosted a Black Women’s Heart Health Panel with Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley and other experts to highlight their amazing work in our district on cardiovascular health awareness and equity.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US, especially for Black women.
Black women’s health matters. It was a joy to share this powerful conversation with my constituents.
Thursday
I started my day with a tour of Tubman’s Chrysalis Center in Minneapolis and met with their leadership to learn how I can support their mission of safety, hope, and healing at the federal level.
Tubman is an amazing organization that provides services like shelter, legal services, and counseling to those in our community who need help most.
Afterwards, I sat down with Joyce Uptown Food Shelf Director Matthew Ayres to discuss how I can best support them at the federal level as they anticipate increased demands for food distribution in 2025.
Joyce Uptown Food Shelf, Minneapolis’s oldest food shelf, provides crucial nutrition assistance to our communities — serving a record number of over 63,000 Minnesotans in 2024.
Then, I stopped by Former Fridley Mayor Scott Lund’s Retirement Open House to present him with a Congressional Record in honor of his nearly 50 years of service to Fridley’s community!
I ended the day by hosting my February Town Hall meeting in St. Louis Park where I provided an update on my recent work in DC and heard directly from community members about the issues that are most important to them.
Friday
I met with Air Traffic Controllers at MSP to hear how I can best support their work to keep our skies safe, especially in light of the Trump Administration’s reckless lay-offs of hundreds of FAA employees who develop flight paths and ensure airlines follow protocol.
That’s a wrap!
In Service,
Ilhan Omar
