May 21, 2025
The Honorable Tony Wied
424 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Wied,
I am writing to respectfully request a meeting with you that includes the leadership of Green Bay’s Head Start programs, the families who rely on their services, and the dedicated staff who make their daily impact possible.
You have consistently expressed your commitment to serving people over party, and as both a resident of your district and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Green Bay, I appreciate that sentiment deeply. While you may be familiar with my current role, you may not know my personal story. I was raised by a single teenage mother, and for much of my early life, we faced the harsh reality of homelessness.
Despite my mother’s relentless determination and work ethic, we would not have found stable housing or achieved the dream of homeownership without the support of vital government supported programs. It was the availability of transformative federal resources—such as SNAP benefits, organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and early childhood programs like Head Start—that gave us the lifeline we needed to survive and thrive. These initiatives laid the foundation for my educational success and eventual public service.
I have the honor of representing a district that is home to two Head Start programs—one on the east side and one on the west side of Green Bay. These programs are not just essential services; they are engines of hope. They break generational cycles of poverty, empower families, and uplift entire communities. We are facing an immediate crisis in Green Bay: previously allocated funds are being withdrawn or reduced without warning, threatening the continuation of these life-changing programs. These abrupt funding changes jeopardize services that countless families depend on.
I respectfully request the opportunity to meet with you—alongside Head Start families and staff—to share firsthand how critical these programs are to our community. For over sixty years, Head Start has changed lives in Green Bay. With your leadership and understanding, I believe we can ensure it continues to do so for generations to come.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response and the opportunity to discuss this urgent matter in person.
Respectfully,
Amaad Rivera-Wagner
State Representative
90th Assembly District
