This weekend on In Focus, we spend the day with U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko for a full slate of meetings and events across New York’s 20^th Congressional District.

Sitting down in his Saratoga Springs office, Rep. Tonko spoke with JoDee Kenney about his background and call to serve. Growing up in Amsterdam, it was his maternal grandmother who instilled in him an interest in politics at an early age. At age 26, Tonko successfully ran for the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, and later the New York State Assembly before his 2008 election to the House of Representatives. The congressman talked about his commitment to restoring trust in government, build solid relationships, and give back to his home community.

Among the issues Rep. Tonko is most passionate about are mental health and addiction. He held a morning roundtable with advocates and those in recovery, as he works to advance several bills he sponsors, including the Reentry Act, the Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act, and the Medicaid Bump Act. Tonko was also on hand at an evening candlelight vigil in Saratoga Springs to remember lives lost to overdoses. He told families, friends, and those in recovery, he will remain committed in Washington to securing funding for addiction treatment and support.

Rep. Tonko also toured the START Children’s Center to find out about the important work the organization does to help child victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse begin their journey on the road to healing and help bring their attackers to justice. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said when investigators and prosecutors work with START’s multi-disciplinary team of counselors, children experiencing trauma only need to sit through one interview. Congressman Tonko met with each member of the staff at START and said he would work to ensure funding for the center remains intact.

Rep. Tonko took some time out to visit the Schaghticoke Fair. He’s no stranger to connecting with the community, stopping to talk with constituents as he made a stop at the 4-H Snack Bar. The fair’s budget is solely dependent on admissions and vendors, and as she walked Tonko around the grounds, Fair Manager Carly Ostrander pointed out some unique aspects of the annual event, including the Hoosic Valley Booster Club’s fried dough and milkshakes.

You can watch the full interview with Rep. Tonko above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.