Thanksgiving is a special time for families across Missouri’s Eighth District. It is a moment to gather around the table, share a meal, bow our heads in prayer, and remember the countless blessings that God has placed in our lives. It is one of the few holidays that asks nothing of us except our reflection and gratitude for the bounty the Lord has given us. Thanksgiving reminds us of what truly matters: Faith, family, and community.

As we reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving, I think back to the pilgrims who gathered for the very first Thanksgiving. They endured hardship beyond what most of us can imagine, but they did not give up. They chose to trust in God. They chose to hope. Their example shaped the character of our great country and still guides us today. The United States was built by people who chose to overcome, who chose to lift each other up, and who believed in God’s promise for a better tomorrow.

I am also thankful that we now have President Trump in the White House and leaders in Congress who embrace that spirit of American grit and determination, and who choose not to surrender our nation’s greatness. For too long, working families were pushed aside while Washington catered to special interests and global agendas. Today, we are securing our borders, rebuilding our economy, and putting Americans first. That commitment is already making a real difference for families across rural Missouri, and we are just getting started.

While prices this year are still too high, many families are breathing a little easier. According to new data from the American Farm Bureau, the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner has come down by 5 percent overall, while the cost of a frozen turkey is down more than 16 percent from last year. The hardworking farmers and ranchers across southern Missouri deserve our thanks for that. America’s farmers are the greatest in the world. They get up before sunrise and work long after dark, so that working families can put food on our tables this holiday season. After four years of runaway inflation under the Biden Administration, their dedication makes it possible for families everywhere to enjoy a good meal at a time when every dollar counts.

On Thanksgiving, we honor our traditions and give thanks for our freedoms that countless brave Americans fought and died to preserve. Those values define us, and they strengthen our communities, because no matter what our challenges are, Americans must face them together. I will say a prayer for the servicemembers who will spend the Thanksgiving holidays overseas, on behalf of our grateful nation.

I am grateful for the privilege of serving the people of southern Missouri. Every day, I meet families, farmers, veterans, and small business owners across southeast and south-central Missouri who inspire me with their hard work, dedication, and patriotic spirit. Our communities are strong because they are grounded in what truly matters: the belief that America is still a place of unlimited promise and enduring hope.

As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I pray that your home is filled with joy, comfort, and peace. May God continue to bless your family, the Great State of Missouri, and the United States of America.