Akron Reporter

Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, a current member of the U.S. Congress representing Ohio's 13th district, shared insights on various legislative initiatives through her social media posts on May 14, 2025. Her tweets focused on mental health legislation, advancements in quantum technology, and encouraging youth participation in technological innovation.

On May 14, 2025, Rep. Sykes highlighted the prevalence of mental illness in the United States by stating that "an estimated 1/5 adults in the United States live with a mental illness." She emphasized her bipartisan Mental Health Improvement Act designed to allocate tens of millions of dollars annually to expand the behavioral health workforce.

Later that day, she turned her attention to technological advancements by noting that "our country can lead the way in quantum technologies." Rep. Sykes mentioned her introduction of the National Quantum Initiative Act during the last Congress as a measure to support a robust supply chain and ensure the United States maintains its leadership in science and technology.

In another post from May 14, Rep. Sykes encouraged youth engagement with technology by urging middle and high school students from Ohio's 13th district to participate in the Congressional App Challenge: "Be more than a tech user. Be a tech creator!" She sees this as an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and technical skills.

Emilia Sykes has been serving in Congress since replacing Tim Ryan in 2023. Before joining Congress, she served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 to 2022. Born in Akron, Ohio, where she currently resides, Sykes holds degrees from Kent State University and the University of Florida.