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CONTACT MARK

mark@marksamsel.org
785-418-4962
404 S. Elm St.
Wellsville, KS 66092

Dear Neighbor,

Today is the first day of a new direction for Kansas. I hope you’re just as excited about the future of our great State as I am. Having been in all corners of our House District 5 (#HD5), reasons abound for optimism. Our #HD5 intern, Richmond native, Wellsville grad, and KSU agricultural student, Caleb Powelson, when asked what he likes most about our District, said it best: “The people. The good, hard-working people.”

Along with the energy and enthusiasm that a new year and new leadership brings, the sense of duty weighs equally heavy on our shoulders. You know it, I know it: We have serious challenges ahead. Mental health, education, and infrastructure, to name a few. This isn’t politics; it’s the very real tears and sweat encountered along our travels in #HD5, from the young and old alike. A chain, like a leader, is only as good as its weakest link. We’re all in this together. My use of the words “we,” “us,” and “our” is intentional. Especially when we’re inclined to start pointing fingers or placing blame; what could WE do better?

Rep. Kevin Jones said it quite well: servant leadership. If we’re going to deliver the world our best, it requires you and your expertise, your experience, and your passion. Public service necessarily entails a two-way street, in which we all make sacrifices #ForThePeople and #DoMoreThanVote. Linn County resident Renee Slinkard also drove the message home: Government cannot solve all our problems. But WE, the PEOPLE, can. And we will, indeed! 98 and ¾ percent guaranteed. (Thank you, Dr. Seuss.)

While we set the public policy and direction for our future, I consider my job to bring our best and brightest to the table to help deliver the society that we all envision. In doing so, our strength lies in getting all the best people to the table with the strongest of all viewpoints, wherein we focus on the very real problems facing our people. Once we gain consensus on the problems, we continue the difficult—but rewarding—work of finding real-world solutions. After all, anything worth doing is never easy. Indeed, look at the founding of these United States of America and our Constitution. Out of vigorous disagreement arose the leader of our free world. A more recent example, the new KCI airport. It will spur growth and pride here in the KC metro, including here in #HD5, for generations to come.

In short, I hope you know that you’ll get my best effort each and every day. My decisions and votes, much like my calls on the basketball court, are never reached lightly. Nor are they always correct. But they are the result of careful thought and preparation, years of experience, your constant input and ideas, and ultimately, my best judgment. While I hope you pay attention, respectfully and intelligently question my decisions, and hold me accountable, I equally hope that you never question my motive or intent, which is simply to make our world the best it can be for the good, hard-working people of #HD5 and beyond. Additionally, if you think I’ve screwed something up, you may be right. All I ask is that you contact me directly and give me the opportunity to respond.

I have one more ask. A wise person once told me that everything we needed to know in life we learn in Elementary School. In a lot of ways, she was right. What happens to our first-graders who resort to name-calling or making excuses when they disagree or get upset? Or don’t tell the truth, or make promises they can’t and don’t keep? And what happens when the opponent of our fifth-grade basketball team makes a good play, or gets injured? Don’t we applaud them, and help them, respectively?

My request: Please, please, please help us set good examples #ForTheKids and our peers. The world needs more Midwestern values, and it starts with each and every one of us demanding better of ourselves. Perhaps more important than any ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote that gets made in the Legislature, I consider it my highest obligation to lead by example with dignity, integrity, honesty, and by inspiration, advocating our principles in a friendly, but serious, conviction, rather than “leading” by fear, intimidation, or putting others down. This holds true as we travel throughout #HD5, Kansas, the USA, and the world.

In closing, I’m reminded that with every person we encounter throughout the day, we have the opportunity to make their day just a little bit brighter, worse, or have no impact at all. No matter how hard, I hope we’ll all rise to the challenge, whether it be a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger. Because on our bad days, remember what brings a smile to our own face. Imagine the difference WE can make if we all make the world #OneLouder and #OneBrighter with hope, love, empathy, and positivity. Here in #HD5, WE can do it. WE can lead the world. #BeTheLight

#OneBrighter 🔥
As part of our service to #HD5, we hope to bring you the good, hard-working folks who make our world #OneBrighter. Please send your nominations, short stories, and photos to Caleb Powelson and me, at RoyceCaleb.Powelson@house.ks.gov and Mark.Samsel@house.ks.gov, respectively. If possible, be sure to include their name and mailing address so we can send them a proper #HDhigh5! Please also include your own name and mailing address.

Osawatomie Student Max Perry
Our first #HDhigh5 Award goes to one of our best, Max Perry. Mr. Perry is an eighth grader at Osawatomie Middle School. I first met him in Mr. Chisam’s social studies class while learning about the Ogallala Aquifer that runs through Kansas and several other States in the Heart of America. Using technology to create PowerPoint presentations—much like business professionals in the real world—Max distinguished himself as a hard worker while preparing slides about the water and environmental challenges that Kansas will face in the years ahead. Mr. Perry had an impressive grasp of when it was okay to have fun, but realizing when it was time to get down to business, and helped lead his peers in this regard. He is a shining example of the #WorkHardPlayHardmentality—in that order—that will make him one of #HD5’s leaders for years to come.

During the Osawatomie High School football game against #HD5 rival Anderson County, Max could be found shagging the footballs after field goals and extra points. His respectful, friendly, and positive demeanor did not go unnoticed.

When the Trojans hosted the Pioneer League Middle School wrestling meet, Max could be found not only winning matches, but doing so with character and class that make all of us proud. Perhaps #HD5 should be most proud of Max, however, when his basketball squad hit the road to another #HD5 school to rumble with the Wellsville Eagles. Despite a scoreboard wherein many of us might think about giving up, Max led his fellow Trojans to the very end, demonstrating a relentless toughness and positive outlook that will serve all of us well when we encounter the challenges that life invariably throws our way.
The next time you see Max or his buddies, please be sure to give them a BIG #HDhigh5!

Anderson County Teacher & Coach Logan Pegram
Another BIG #HDhigh5 is in order for the Bulldogs’ Mr. Pegram. Anyone who has seen Mr. Pegram interacting with our kids in the classroom, on the football field or basketball court, or anywhere in our communities, is already well aware that Mr. Pegram is one of our very best. He does things the right way and inspires our student-athletes to be #OneBrighter. Mr. Pegram has been named a 2019 Horizon Award Winnerfor being an outstanding young teacher who makes a difference in the classroom. Congrats, Mr. Pegram! #BulldogPride #ForTheKids

Follow #HD5 Updates!
Like what you see? Please follow along and share your own inspirational stories or suggestions on:
Facebook: @MarkSamsel4Kansas
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#OneBrighter
Mark