From the office of Sen. Jerry Moran

Sen. Jerry Moran opened his Sept. 8, 2025 newsletter by honoring fallen Kansas City Police Officer Hunter Simoncic, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 26 when an armed suspect fatally shot him and intentionally struck him with a car while attempting to evade law enforcement. Moran joined colleagues in introducing a resolution to honor Simoncic's life and service. The Galesburg, Kansas native served with integrity and courage, devoting himself to public service and his community safety. He also served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas and volunteered to read to local children each week.

The senator participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for the KBI Regional Crime Center & Laboratory at Pittsburg State University, joining PSU and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to break ground on a state-of-the-art facility. This center will bolster law enforcement capabilities across Kansas by housing the PSU Police Department and serving as collaborative workspaces for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The facility will feature advanced technology including a full-service evidence control center, drug chemistry lab and a child victims' unit, modeled after the successful KBI collaboration with Washburn University.

Moran participated in a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing focused on the space race against China. As Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, he emphasized the importance of maintaining America's leadership in space. During the hearing, he heard testimony from experts including Allen Cutler of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration and former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, discussing the critical value of a unified space strategy to defeat China and other adversaries in space.

The senator met with leaders from Wichita State University and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials to discuss WSU's Midwest Criminal Justice Institute. WSU's partnership with the ATF is helping establish Kansas as a leader in criminal justice education, with applied learning opportunities available through high-level training provided by ATF support. He praised the collaboration for equipping current and future criminal justice professionals in both the state and around the nation.

Moran engaged in several healthcare-related activities, meeting with Fisher House Foundation leadership to discuss support for veterans, servicemembers and their families. The foundation has built a network of homes where military families can stay at no cost while receiving healthcare or treatment. He also attended the grand opening of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, a new emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital in Bourbon County, and participated in the ribbon cutting for the new Labette Healthcare Center in Montgomery County, which received $5 million in federal investment.

The senator conducted various tours and meetings across Kansas, including visits to Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha and the Flesh Company in Parsons, a local business specializing in trade-only printing for over 100 years. He spoke with Kansas Farm Bureau Agricultural Representatives at their breakfast about improvements to the farm safety net made through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Moran also attended the Kansas State University vs. Army football game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, visiting with KSU students, alumni and administrators.

Moran highlighted several service opportunities and programs, including announcing that applications for Spring 2026 Congressional internships and Senate Page Program are now open. He noted that working parents can now contribute more to their Dependent Care FSA under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and promoted the newly opened University of Kansas Veterans Legal Support Clinic. The senator concluded by commemorating Victory Over Japan Day on Sept. 2, 1945, honoring the service of the Greatest Generation and all veterans, while emphasizing his commitment to serving constituents through his Washington, D.C. and Kansas offices.