Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were peaceful and blessed, filled with family and friends.

I want to take this opportunity, as we begin a new year, to remind you that my office is here to help. Whether it’s missed benefits from the Veterans Administration or a lost passport or absent Social Security checks, our office is diligent and devoted in trying to ensure my constituents get what they are owed. If you have an issue or a problem with a federal agency, such as the kinds listed above, my office is happy to help. Just go to my website, mceachin.house.gov, to get started. This is an important service I am happy to provide to constituents.

Last month we ran a photo contest where I asked constituents to take pictures of our beautiful fourth congressional district. We received many entries, with a range of subjects, from beautiful scenes to stunning animal shots. I am thrilled to announce Ann Jacobson from Chesapeake was our grand prize winner with an amazing water scene. I certainly wanted to get out on the water after seeing it!

Second Place was Steven White of Suffolk, Third Place was Roan Tierney from Richmond and the People’s Choice Award went to Caleb Thompson, also of Richmond. I want to thank all the wonderful constituents who entered. I was so impressed with the quality and range of photographs.

On a more serious note, next month is Black History Month, and we need to make sure all our children are learning about diverse people and cultures that contribute to our community, our Commonwealth and our country. With that in mind, I am hosting a Black History Month essay contest. The contest is open to middle and high school students (grades 6-12) residing in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District. Students should submit their completed essays to VA04.Projects@mail.house.gov. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 6. Middle school students should submit an essay 350 to 500 words in length. High school students should submit an essay 500 to 750 words in length. Essays should answer the question, “What Black History Month Means to Me.” Winners will be notified individually and announced on social media in February, and I will enter the winning essays into the Congressional Record.

I look forward to reading each of these essays. I am sure I will be inspired and will learn new things.

 

Congressman Donald McEachin represents Virginia’s 4^th Congressional District.