Representative Ron Estes

.Dear Friend,

Nearly a century ago in 1928, Wichita became known as the Air Capital of the World, thanks to aviation pioneers Clyde Cessna, Olive Ann Beech, Lloyd Stearman and many others who chose our region for its wide open skies. The same spirit of aerospace innovation from then is still alive today.

This week I was honored to attend the groundbreaking for WSU Tech’s expansion of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT). Industry leaders, educators, local government leaders, federal officials and others from our community gathered together to celebrate the exciting milestone for Kansas aviation. NCAT will provide new opportunities for students here in Kansas, and I’m looking forward to the innovation and jobs that will come from this expansion.

On Aug. 19, our nation celebrated National Aviation Day. Hardworking Kansans who manufacture and design airplanes contribute to America’s place on the world stage in aviation. It’s my honor to represent the Air Capital of the World in the U.S. House of Representatives and serve as the Co-Chair of the House Aerospace Caucus.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

Rep. Estes at WSU Tech NCAT Groundbreaking

.This week I traveled with the Congressional Western Caucus – the voice for rural America in the House of Representatives – to Montana. My colleagues and I went on field tours and attended briefings throughout the region.

While there, I had the opportunity to speak to Aaron Flint with Montana Talks. I spoke about my reason for joining the Western Caucus, the lesser prairie-chicken, the One Big, Beautiful Bill and more. You can listen to my interview here.

Headline: Requesting a Major Disaster Declaration

.I recently joined my colleagues in the Kansas delegation in sending a letter to the president about the severe storms that occurred from June 3 through June 7, 2025, in our state. We wrote in support of Governor Kelly’s request for a major disaster declaration.

The severe storms caused electrical outages and flash flooding, impacting much of Kansas’ 4th District, including the counties of Barber, Butler, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman and Sumner. Federal support will help our local and state governments recover from the damage.

.Did you know that Kansas has been referred to as “First in Freedom, First in Wheat?” Kansas author Eugene F. Ware described Kansas with this phrase in his 1885 poem “Quivera–Kansas,” and a 1939 guide to the Sunflower State referenced the same phrase. The reference to freedom is representative of Kansas entering the Union as a free state after an intense battle between anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces. The second part of the phrase, “first in wheat,” refers to Kansas’ significant role in wheat production.