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Source: U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), 11/16/12
Nothing inspires me more as your U.S. Senator than the face-to-face meetings I'm privileged to hold with my fellow North Carolinians. When I took office in January of 2009, I was determined to get around the state and meet with North Carolinians as regularly as possible. Since then I have crisscrossed the state meeting with teachers, veterans, mayors, county officials, police and firefighters, small business owners, workers, college presidents, professors and students. I've had the privilege of sitting down with farmers, high tech and biotech leaders, religious leaders, military officers and our enlisted service members. I have listened to some great ideas that I've taken back to Washington, and heard concerns I've been able to help resolve.
Just this week I hosted my 100th "Conversation with Kay." These "conversations" have allowed me to sit down face-to-face with you - real North Carolinians - in each of our great state's 100 counties. I've listened and learned and become even more motivated to fight for your interests in Washington.
I've worked hard to ensure that constituent service is a hallmark of my office, and so far we've settled more than 20,000 cases concerning issues with federal agencies, ranging from the Veterans Administration, to the IRS and the Social Security Administration. Most often, I hear peoples' concerns about jobs, military and veterans' issues and housing problems.
For example, a married couple at one meeting in Eastern North Carolina was incredibly frustrated as they explained that they were paying a 17.5 percent interest rate on their adjustable-rate mortgage. They didn't know how it could have gotten so high. I went to work right away on this case and in a short time, after consulting with the couple and their lender, their rate was lowered to about 4.5 percent.
With Congress back in session, I'm now looking forward to working with my Senate colleagues in a bipartisan manner to tackle some very difficult issues. I am ready to work with anyone - Democrat or Republican - to enact a balanced deficit reduction plan that promotes our national security, keeps taxes low for middle-class families, and gives businesses the confidence and stability needed to grow and help get people back to work. This is what you sent me to Washington to do.
I consider it a true honor to represent you as a United States Senator. I plan to continue traveling throughout North Carolina and look forward to meeting you when I'm next in your community.
In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact me if you need assistance. I have five offices around our state to ensure that folks can access my staff and me. I look forward to seeing you in your community soon.
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