Between 1950 and 1976, a group of approximately 1,000 U.S. citizens worked for Air America, which was portrayed as a privately-owned company carrying out flight operations during the Cold War. Now-declassified documents have revealed that Air America was wholly owned and controlled by the U.S. government – meaning these brave Americans were federal employees under the law at the time they worked. 

Due to the secretive nature of their work and a technicality within the government bureaucracy, however, these individuals are not officially recognized as former federal employees are not afforded federal retirement benefits.

On Wednesday, I introduced the Air America Act, which currently has 60 bipartisan cosponsors. My bill will correct this inequity suffered by the brave Americans who are former employees of Air America by ensuring they receive the federal retirement benefits and recognition they have earned. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a companion version of this bill in the U.S. Senate, which is currently cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 27 Senators.

Congress has twice passed corrective legislation for other covert CIA-affiliated groups and it is not right to continue to ignore Air Americans. These patriots risked their lives, many of them giving their life, fighting communism in the same way members of the Air Force did. I am honored that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are joining me to support these heroes. Now is the time to properly recognize Air Americans for their service to our country.

Let me briefly tell you the story of Fond du Lac native James "Maggie" Megellas.

On January 28, 1945, First Lieutenant Megellas led his platoon in a successful attack on an enemy battalion near Herresbach, Belgium, despite being outnumbered ten-to-one. After the attack, he advanced his platoon towards the town when a German Mark V Panther tank pinned them down. Megellas weathered enemy fire to attack and destroy the tank himself with just two grenades and his submachine gun. He then led his platoon to secure Herresbach for advancing Allied forces. Under Megellas’ command, his platoon did not suffer a single casualty that day. Megellas would go on to become the most-decorated soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Sadly, Maggie passed away last year at his home in Colleyville, TX at the age of 103.

I am proud to, once again, introduce a legislation that would authorize the President to award Lt. Col. Megellas the Medal of Honor, America's highest military honor, for his heroic efforts to go above and beyond the normal call of duty. My bipartisan bill is cosponsored by every member of Wisconsin's House delegation, Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI-03), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08), Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI-01), Congressman Tom Tiffany (R-WI-07), Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-05), as well as Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), who represents Colleyville, TX. Senator Ron Johnson introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate that has bipartisan support from Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

Maggie deserves to be recognized with the Medal of Honor. His story is amazing and an example of the unbreakable American spirit. I have been sharing Maggie's story with my other Congressional colleagues and hope that one day soon, we will pass this bill and give Lt. Col. James "Maggie" Megellas the Medal of Honor he so deserves.

People residing in assisted living communities and employees have had to be particularly careful during COVID-19. I spoke with the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association about how we can continue to keep these folks safe and what it will take to safely return to normal.

On Monday, February 22, we observed George Washington’s birthday. We must remember that the Constitution exists to protect the rights of American citizens from government overreach.

I visited Attwill Medical Solutions in Lodi and learned about how they are using their pharmaceutical technology to make crucial components of COVID-19 testing kits.

I spoke with the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and its members about what to expect from Congress in the near future as well as my work to protect the jobs of individuals with disabilities.

COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin are falling, which is great news. This week, I spoke with the Wisconsin Medical Society about how we can continue the downward trend and get back to normal.

I met with the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans to discuss how I am working to ensure Congress is protecting seniors by preserving programs like Social Security and Medicare.

As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District. 

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