4/21/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I was happy to hear that you had three women at the table yesterday as you conferred with the top brass. While I am not a fan of the military, I find it comforting to know we have folks like, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders, Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost of the Air Force as commander of United States Transportation Command & Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson of the Army as commander of United States Southern Command, involved in the decision making. Did they get a chance to speak? Did anyone talk about the situation in Myanmar?

            When you go to Portland, OR today, I hope you ask about what kind of surface they will be using to rebuild their runways. If they give you a vague answer, please call folks at the UC-Davis Pavement Research Center where they study “sustainable asphalt solutions” which includes recycling old pavement. They have been researching the effect of electric trucks on our roads to see if their heavier axle loads will lead to more damage. So far, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. Fixing our infrastructure in a sustainable manner is complicated business! We’ll need lots of savvy engineers to think things through, so please keep investing in STEM education!!!

            Finally, please give TX Gov. Greg Abbott (GWA) a call & urge him to declare a stay of execution for Melissa Lucio. She was found guilty of killing her 2-year-old in a flimsy court case. 103 members of the TX legislature, including 32 from the GOP have called for a stay. Please add you voice! GWA has been making some strange decisions, you might be able to help straighten him out.

BYBS,