McCarthy: While the Taft shooting was tragic, the heroic actions of Ryan Heber and Kim Fields show the strength of our community

 Our weekly update from House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy:

 "This week, Judy and I were deeply troubled and saddened by the news of the shooting at Taft High School.  The heroic actions of Taft High School teacher Ryan Heber and the campus supervisor Kim Fields led to countless lives being saved. I also commend those from the Taft Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response.  Additionally, Taft High School students bravely remained calm and acted on the training they received that same morning to prepare for such an event.  Judy and I offer our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and the entire Taft community during this time.

 "Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to get to know students at Mira Monte High School and Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore. I'm always impressed with these students who are already serving as leaders in our communities and who remind us of the work we need to do so that they may have a future of endless opportunities. I stressed to the students in the audience that they have the power to achieve anything in life, so long as they maintain their drive to do it.  One of the students asked me about the direction of America.  I compared America to an Olympic swimmer.  That America was - and still is - in first place, but over the years our nation has added weights to its back in the form of burdensome government regulations that have slowed down its performance.  America has accumulated excess weight that can and should be shed.  These types of questions tell me our students are interested in issues facing our nation and have a passion to succeed.

  "I also attended the grand opening this week of the Caterpillar California Parts Distribution Center in Kern County.  This is a great addition to our community but as we move forward we must constantly work to improve our business climate by reducing the burdens caused by taxes, regulation, and litigation.

 "This week, I am reminded of how extraordinary our community is and how much we care for each other. As I work with leaders in both local government and the business community and see the future leaders of our nation hard at work in our local schools, I know that we have the ability to overcome our nation's biggest obstacles.  I look forward to working with all of them to solve the challenges we face every day.