Moran Minute: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in East Texas

Friends,

This week, I was lucky enough to be back in East Texas. Despite the constant chaos in Washington, D.C., I can always count on East Texans for their sense of community and hospitality that defines the First Congressional District.

On Tuesday, I was honored to moderate a roundtable discussion hosted by UT Tyler and the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) that focused on protecting the intellectual property rights of investors. During the roundtable, local entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and intellectual property experts discussed how they can elevate East Texas’ position to become an innovation hub and what we can do to ensure success for American entrepreneurship and innovation. By promoting awareness of intellectual property and supporting policies that incentivize innovation, we can create a more conducive environment for inventors to thrive and bring their ideas to fruition right here in the First District.

Our founding fathers laid the framework for protecting and promoting intellectual property as early as Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, knowing that innovators and creators are critical to economic development and a free market economy. As a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, safeguarding these rights and fostering a culture of innovation that drives progress and prosperity is incredibly important to me.

It was an honor to join these local leaders and learn how we can advocate for policies that ensure the safety of intellectual property and protect inventors’ rights to their intellectual property. We must guarantee that inventors have the necessary support and protections to continue driving progress and shaping the future. It is critical to East Texas and our country’s businesses that intellectual property rights remain strong and protected.

On Thursday, I joined Terri Smith, the Executive Director at the Children Advocacy Center of Smith County (CACSC), Senator John Cornyn (TX), local educators, law enforcement, and child abuse prevention advocates at CACSC to discuss the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024.

Earlier this month, I introduced the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024, along with Senator Cornyn (TX), Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07). Named after Jenna Quinn—a Texan, a survivor of child sexual abuse, and a fierce advocate for the protection of children—my legislation authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to allow existing federal grants to be used for increasing evidence-based or informed training on sexual abuse prevention education and reporting to teachers, school employees, students, caregivers, and other adults who work with children. The bill also ensures grant recipients coordinate with local educational agencies to train students, professionals, and volunteers who work with students on sexual abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting. The bipartisan Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 not only extends training initiatives but also raises the likelihood of sexual assaults being reported, and ultimately stopped.

During the roundtable, we heard from Jenna Quinn about how her experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse has spurred the passage of child protection legislation across the country, and we heard from State Senator Tan Parker (SD-12) about how he championed the passage of Jenna’s Law in the Texas State Legislature—the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the country that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff. Local school districts were also on hand to share their feedback on the recognition and reporting training they have conducted. The roundtable emphasized the necessity of this legislation and highlighted the impact it will have in preventing sexual abuse in East Texas and across the nation.

To read more about the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024, click HERE.

On Tuesday, I visited the East Texas Crisis Center and met with Executive Director Nicole Henry to discuss the vital services the center provides to survivors of abuse. I witnessed firsthand how the East Texas Crisis Center has become a safe haven for those impacted by violence in our community. The staff’s dedication is truly remarkable, and we are lucky to have such an important resource in East Texas.

On Tuesday, I held a townhall in Lindale, Texas with the local American Legion to hear directly from my constituents and learn about their concerns. The American Legion plays a vital role in advocating for veterans’ rights, and I am grateful for their partnership in our shared mission to serve those who have served our nation. Thank you for hosting me and letting me answer your questions about what’s happening on Capitol Hill and how Congress can better assist our East Texas communities.

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with the senior class at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Texas. We enjoyed a candid conversation about finding and pursuing their callings in this life. As the only Texan serving on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, it is so important that I engage with students as they are the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and passion of the students as they embark on the next chapters of their lives.  

On Wednesday, I met with County Judges from across the First and Fourth Districts of Texas to discuss their efforts to serve our community and keep Texas at the forefront of economic and community development. Thank you, Judge Ransom, for inviting me to attend. What an incredible opportunity to discuss the issues facing our communities and ways that we can work together to address them.

Washington Watch with Tony Perkins

East Texas Leaders Discuss Economic Development Through Intellectual Property Patents (KETK)

PHOTOS: Congressman Nathaniel Moran visits Carthage High School (The Panola Watchman)

Republicans Raise the Alarm about ‘Concerns’ Russia Wants to Provide Ballistic and Cruise Missiles to North Korea (The Daily Mail)

On February 22nd, 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed the Enabling Act, which admitted North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Montana to the Union. Both the House and the Senate passed the act on February 20th, 1889, and President Cleveland signed it two days later. Originally, the bill was to only admit North and South Dakota as states, however, Montana and Washington were added soon after the bill was introduced. Those four states would become the first states admitted to the Union since Colorado in 1876.

Dealing with federal agencies can be complicated, and my office is here to help.

If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, passport renewals, the VA, or other federal agencies – please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (903) 561-6349 or visiting my website by clicking HERE.

It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.

With gratitude,

P.S.

When not in the White House, where did the first lady, nicknamed “Lady Bird,” call home?

Karnack, Texas

This ranch is located in King County, Texas, and surrounds the small town of Guthrie; what is its name? (Hint: Legend has it that this ranch was won in a poker game.)

Check next week’s newsletter for the answer to this week’s Texas Trivia question.