U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus:
“Our community has felt the social and economic consequences of environmental disaster firsthand. The water issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee exemplify why it’s absolutely critical that we work together to strengthen conservation programs, promote public health, defend our environment, keep our air clean and protect our waterways. I’m dedicated to supporting bipartisan initiatives and ensuring a continued dialogue in Congress on ways to protect our air, water and other natural resources. Together, we can find a path forward to protect our planet for future generations.”
The mission of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which is composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, is to educate Members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and to explore bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes and challenges of our changing climate. The caucus has 20 members and is co-chaired by Congressmen Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Ted Deutch (FL-22).
Rep. Mast received a minor in Environmental Studies from the Harvard Extension School.
U.S. Congressman
Mast Calls on White House to Recognize National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Letter to President Requests White House be Lit Blue in Recognition of Law Enforcement
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), on Jan. 6, 2017, sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that the White House be lit blue today in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
“Shining a blue light on the White House for a day is a powerful symbol of unified support behind police officers and national leadership toward mending public trust,” Rep. Mast wrote in the letter.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day takes place each year on Jan. 9 to show law enforcement officers that citizens recognize the difficult career of public service that law enforcement officers have chosen to undertake.
“An expression of support by the President would serve as a powerful symbol of encouragement to the thousands of law enforcement professionals who daily risk their lives for their fellow citizens,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
The full text of the letter is below:
January 6, 2017
President of the United States of America
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
It is with great respect for police officers across our country, and in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I request that you light the White House blue on January 9, 2017. Our nation has experienced four tumultuous years of tragic and divisive incidents that left a chasm in the minds of many Americans between peace officers and the citizenry they protect. The complexity and gravity of these incidents ought not be taken lightly, but must not be allowed to cast a disproportionate shadow over the selflessness of officers who risk their lives every day to assure the safety of their neighbors. As you wrote in an open letter to the law enforcement community last year, “as we bind up our wounds, we must come together to ensure that those who try to divide us do not succeed.” Shining blue light on the White House for a day is a powerful symbol of unified support behind police officers and national leadership toward mending public trust.
Last year marked the highest number of law enforcement casualties in the past five years. The law enforcement community lost 140 of their brothers and sisters in the line of duty. My State of Florida endured the untimely deaths of five officers who began a shift to protect and serve their neighbors, but never returned safely home. We mourn for their families and celebrate the lives of the officers, but it would be a monumental statement of national unity to collectively honor their profession at the White House on Monday.
Thank you for your consideration of this request to paint the White House in blue light for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is a modest but potent symbol of our country’s enduring will to reconcile that which would seek to wrongfully divide us and a national expression of our gratitude to each law enforcement officer.
Sincerely,
Brian Mast
Member of Congress
Mast Votes to Disapprove of Anti-Israel UN Resolution
Mast Served Alongside Israeli Defense Forces Following 12 Years in U.S. Army
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today voted to object to the anti-Israel UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which the Administration refused to veto. H. Res. 11 passed the House of Representatives 342 to 80. Rep. Mast was a co-sponsor of the resolution.
Following his 12 years of service in the United States Army, Rep. Mast volunteered to serve alongside the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to show support for their struggle for freedom, democracy and peace in the Middle East. He is the only Member of Congress to have served with the IDF.
“While I was serving alongside the IDF, I learned at the Shabbat tables of my hosts how much each family in Israel truly desires peace. Sadly, the current Administration has seriously undermined peace efforts in the region with this shameful stunt at the United Nations,” Rep. Mast said. “The overwhelmingly bipartisan condemnation of the actions of the United Nations and the Administration today proves that supporting Israel will never be an issue of right versus left. Standing with Israel – for democracy and human rights – will always be an issue of right versus wrong.”
Following the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, Rep. Mast wrote an op-ed for the Times of Israel about his experience serving in Israel and the importance of supporting Israel’s quest for peace. Earlier today, he spoke on the House Floor in support of H. Res. 11.
