West Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) took to Facebook recently to thank Valerie Moehle, who Weaver invited to the House floor to lead the members in a prayer before the session opened.

"Last week, I had the opportunity of welcoming Valerie Moehle, from the First United Methodist Church of Pekin, onto the House floor to lead us in prayer before we started session for the day," Weaver said in the April 6 post. "Her words brought us closer to God, and act as a reminder about the importance of forgiveness, community, and faith. Thank you, Valerie!" 

Weaver’s post also contained a link to a video of the prayer posted on his website.

Introducing Moehle on the House floor was just one of several recent activities for Weaver, including a visit to the east campus of Black Hawk College during the school's Ag Day. The event brings high school students to the college campus to learn about classes and decide whether they want to attend the school and participate in the program.

Weaver also provided updates on several pieces of legislation he has sponsored that have moved unanimously through the House, a release on his website said. One of those was House Bill 2274, which broadens pathways for individuals to become speech-language pathology assistants. The bill expands requirements to not only allow those with associate degrees to be assistants, it also allow those with a bachelor’s degree in the field to be licensed.

Another piece of legislation was House Bill 3590, which favors hands-on apprenticeship and job training for high school and community college students. This bill forms the Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee, which would make recommendations to the General Assembly and the governor about providing liability insurance to students and teachers so that they can receive the training they need to be successful.

Weaver is a freshman state representative for Illinois' 93rd House District, his website biography said. He was born and raised in Peoria County and still lives there, in Edwards. After graduating from Dunlap High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Marketing from the University of Alabama, then received his Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. Weaver was employed by Caterpillar in finance and strategy roles and worked to build a small business at the same time.