At the Delmarva Power Low Income Energy Assistance Summit on Tuesday, Senator Coons spoke about the importance of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. The event, held in Dover, was designed to help non-profits, social service agencies and government entities better understand the types of services available for low income households.
With winter weather fast approaching, Chris discussed his commitment to protecting funding for LIHEAP, as well as investing in other energy efficiency programs, such as weatherization, that can keep heating costs down for Delaware families.
“In Delaware alone, LIHEAP took a cut of 25 percent – literally leaving thousands of our seniors out in the cold,” Chris said. “Last winter, a number of families who were struggling to heat their homes called my office. We were able to work with Catholic Charities to get them the support they needed, but it just underscores how vital these programs really are.”
Click here to learn more about applying for heating and cooling assistance. If you are in need of assistance to heat your home this winter, please call Chris’ constituent services representatives at 573-6345.
Amtrak announced on Wednesday that it carried more than 31 million passengers in this fiscal year - marking the highest annual ridership total since operations began in 1971. The Northeast Corridor alone, which travels from Washington D.C. to places such as Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, had a nearly a five percent increase in ridership.
Amtrak attributed their ridership growth to passenger services such as Wi-Fi and eTicketing, as well as high gasoline prices and continued growth in business travel on the Northeast Corridor.
Senator Coons is an ardent supporter of Amtrak, which employs more than 1,100 Delawareans and brought $9 million in goods and services to the state last year. Chris is also an Amtrak rider – making the near-daily roundtrip from Wilmington to Washington.
NEWARK – To help Delawareans find work during the holiday season, Senators Chris Coons, Tom Carper and U.S. Representative John Carney will host a job fair at the Christiana Mall in Newark on Wednesday, October 17.
Retail and department stores looking to hire seasonal employees will be on hand to interview talented job seekers. Delawareans are encouraged to come dressed to impress and with resumes in hand.
The holiday job fair will take place at the courts in front of JCPenney and Target located in the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware, on October 17th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“As winter approaches, many retailers in the Christiana Mall will be searching for talented seasonal workers to help during the busy holiday season,” Senator Coons said. “I encourage job-seeking Delawareans to join us at our holiday job fair with their resumes in hand to connect with stores that are ready to hire.”
The Congressional delegation has hosted eight job fairs in Delaware, including two for veterans, in the past two years.
For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345, or email workshop@coons.senate.gov. Pre-registration is not required.
Monday, October 8 at 7:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend St. Anthony’s 16th Annual Columbus Day Mass and Breakfast. St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Ninth and DuPont Streets, Wilmington, DE - Open topress.
Monday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the New Castle County Farm Bureau Annual Fall Dinner. Senator Coons will discuss the many contributions Delaware Farm Bureau members make to agriculture in the state.Townsend Fire Company Hall, 107 Main St., Townsend, DE - Open to press.
Tuesday, October 9 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Low Income Energy Summit sponsored by Delmarva Power and Pepco. The summit is for service providers to network with peers and tolearn about national issues related to the energy industry, including stormrestoration, weatherization, diversity and economic independence. Delmarva Power will discuss what programs and services it provides for groups who provide heating assistance. Attendees include representatives from social service agencies, churches, civic and community organizations. Sheraton Dover, 1570 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 – Open to press.
Tuesday, October 9 at 9:45 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware Police Chiefs Council meeting. Members include every police chief in Delaware, as well as the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. The Council was formed in 1971 for the purpose of improving police services in Delaware and establishing standardization and uniformity in policies and procedures. Senator Coons is a member of theSenate Judiciary Committee and is co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. Dover Police Department, 400 S. QueenSt., Dover, DE – Closed to press.
Tuesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the World Affairs Council of Wilmington about boosting trade opportunities in Africa for Delaware businesses. Founded in 1967, the World Affairs Council of Wilmington provides a forum for thought-leaders and intellectually curious citizens to hear from foreign and domestic leaders about the world affairs issues that will shape the global business, political and cultural world we share. Senator Coons is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. Wilmington Club, 1103 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 - Closed to press.
Wednesday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a check presentation by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to the Challenge Program in Wilmington. The Challenge Program provides vocational training for Delaware’s at-risk youth to empower them with the confidence and skills they need to be productive members of society. 124 E. 7th St. Wilmington, DE 19801 - Open to Press.
Wednesday, October 10 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the Commercial-Industrial Realty Council of New Castle County. Senator Coons will address the current political climate, his expectations for whatCongress will work on during the remainder of the year, and some of the policy ideas that might affect Delaware’s real estate community. This non-profit organization brings together members of the Delaware Valley community who are in a variety of fields relating to commercial and industrial real estate. Clarion Belle Hotel, 1612 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE. Closed to press.
Thursday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will address members of the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (DelARF) about the impact of the Affordable Care Act on persons with disabilities. DelARF is a statewide membership association of agencies supporting people with disabilities. Membership is open to organizations that provide direct services, advocacy and/or educational services to Delawareans with disabilities, their families and advocates. Easter Seals, 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720 – Closed to press.
Thursday, October 11 at 10:15 a.m. – The Senator will host David Kappos, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for a discussion with doctoral candidates at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University about commercializing technology developed at universities. Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was a cosponsor of the America Invents Act, the 2011 legislation that radically modernized the patent system. Under Secretary Kappos advises the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property matters. University of Delaware, 201 Lammot duPont Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716 – Open to press.
Thursday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware State Housing Authority’s 2012 Governor’s Conference on Housing. This year’s keynote speaker is Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban and Development Shaun Donovan. Sheraton Dover, 1570 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 – Open to press.
Friday, October 12 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will join members of the University of Delaware community as they launch the Horn Initiative for Entrepreneurship. The Horn Initiative is anticipated to have a transformative impact on innovation andentrepreneurship through the expansion of curricular, co-curricular and outreach programing. At the event, aspiring entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to try to win funding as part of the launch celebration. 1975 University of Delaware alumnus Charles Horn and his wife Patricia Horn committed $3 million for the initiative, which will be housed in the AlfredLerner College of Business and Economics. University of Delaware, Roselle Center for the Arts (On the Lawn), Newark, DE 19716 – Open to press.
Friday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the public investiture ceremony for Magistrate Judge Sherry Fallon. Judge Fallon serves on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Fallon earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and is a 1986 Graduate of the Delaware Law School of Widener University. She is a member of the Delaware, New Jersey and American Bar Associations.J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 – Open to press.
Friday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Latin American Community Center’s (LACC) Annual Grand Ball. Since 1969, this fundraising event has been part of Delaware’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The gala is held to recognize community leaders and companies that have made significant contributions to the LACC and the Latino community in Delaware. Waterfall Banquet Center, 3416 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 – Open to press.
Saturday, October 13 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senatorwill attend the inaugural Lt. Joseph Szczerba 5KRun/Walk at Salesianum School in Wilmington. Lt. Szczerba was a 1985 graduate of Salesianum and a New Castle County Police Officer who died in the line of duty last year. Proceeds from the run will benefit a scholarship fund in his name, and assist sons of police officers and first responders who wish to attend Salesianum. Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19802 – Open to press.
The American Society of Civil Engineers recently published a new report making clear the economic necessity of investing in our nation’s infrastructure. The report, entitled Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Airports, Inland Waterways, and Marine Ports Infrastructure, highlights the broad economic repercussions of failing to invest in our nation’s trading centers.
The report’s economic findings demonstrate the urgent need for significant investment in our aging infrastructure—for our continued productivity, our economic competitiveness and the affordability of the millions of household goods that traverse our ports. An investment of $15.8 billion is needed by 2020, the report finds, to close the funding gap and accommodate trade growth in our marine ports and inland waterways. The stakes are high. If we fail to close the gap, the report estimates cumulative losses of $697 billion in GDP, $1.3 trillion in business sales, $872 billion in disposable personal income, and $270 billion in exports By 2040, these losses reach into the trillions of dollars.
Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for infrastructure investment, co-sponsoring legislation such as the Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-Term Development Act,the Rebuild America Jobs Act and the Harbor Maintenance Act that invest in America’s future while providing high wage, high skill jobs for American workers.
The Port of Wilmington plays a critical role in Delaware’s economy, transporting more than five million tons of goods and generating nearly $30 million in state tax revenue each year. The port’s operations provide jobs for 5,000 Delawareans and planned expansions could create up to 75,000 jobs in the region. The Delaware River Deepening Project, slated for completion in 2017, would dredge the Delaware River from a depth of 40 feet to 45 feet, which will attract larger, more efficient cargo ships and increase Wilmington’s competiveness on the Eastern Seaboard. Chris is committed to ensuring its completion and will keep fighting to make sure the Port of Wilmington has the resources it needs to thrive.
The News Journal published an editorial on Monday discussing the importance of shining the light on domestic abuse. The editorial details how educational measures, appropriate safe guards, and resources must be available to ensure the safety for a person who wants to come forward to report abuse and to make reporting abuse a real and viable option for victims. October is designated as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
The silence that robs victims of relief from domestic violence makes October one of those significant “Did you know that?” kind of months. It provides 31 days of dedicated awareness about the crippling danger that defines too many partner and family relationships.
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However public advocacy – taking steps to educate the public about the signs and indicators of domestic abuse – among family, co-workers and friends – and providing resources and information to help victims to escape and rebuild their lives – robs abusers of their most potent weapon: A lack of fear of being caught and prosecuted.
Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Public awareness and victims’ services programs supported by VAWA have led to a 51 percent increase in reporting by women and a 37 percent increase in reporting by men. VAWA programs provide critical aid and support to victims and their families, as well as resources and training for the law enforcement and advocate communities
Chris encourages Delawareans who feel threatened or know someone who is in a dangerous environment to call the Department of Correction’s Victim Services Unit at (302) 857-5440, or, if in immediate danger, call 911.
NEWARK – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Rep. John Carney joined the University of Delaware to announce a federal grant from the National Science Foundation in the amount of $416,102 to help create a Regional Cybersecurity Education Initiative. The goal of the initiative, formed by the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical Community College and Harford Community College along with government and industrial partners, is to establish a pipeline of graduates skilled in the theories and practices required to address pressing cybersecurity threats facing our state, region and nation. The Congressional delegation toured a computer lab at the University of Delaware to learn about tools and techniques designed to ready students for this emerging field.
“A cyber attack is perhaps the greatest looming threat to the United States, and the Cybersecurity Education Initiative’s efforts will play an important role not just for Delaware but in investing in the next generation of technology and cyber experts that will improve our nation’s cybersecurity,” Senator Coons said. “This initiative is a significant collaborative step in understanding and confronting the challenges in the ever-changing realm of cyberspace. I believe in the Cybersecurity Education Initiative, and I am committed to its success because our nation can’t afford to risk the safety and security of our critical infrastructure.” Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Cybersecurity Education Initiative will:
Expand Cybersecurity courses at the University of Delaware
Create a minor at the University of Delaware producing students able to design state of the art secure software systems
Create a 2+2 Program to allow second year Delaware Technical Community College and Harford Community College students to transfer into four year University of Delaware Computer and Information Sciences, and Computer Engineering BS degree programs
Establish cybersecurity internship program
Create middle and high school student and teacher summer camps focused on cybersecurity
Kenneth Barner, principal investigator on the grant and chair of UD’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said the project will be particularly important for Delaware and northern Maryland, “where there is a significant need for trained cybersecurity graduates critical to large regional employers in, for example, the financial services industry and the military.”
Senator Coons was at Nemours Pediatrics in Milford on Thursday to read with Delaware kids. His visit was part of the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes literacy by giving free books to children at each wellness appointment.
Reach Out and Read currently works with more than 12,000 children in Delaware across 11 different locations, including Christiana Care, Dover Air Force Base and Westside Family Healthcare. The Milford practice is one of seven Nemours sites that participate in Reach Out and Read, providing more than 12,000 books per year to Delaware children from six months to five years old.
“Programs such as this one provide effective intervention and offer significant impact on student success,” Chris said at the event.
During the visit, Chris read three books: “Lola Goes to the Library” by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw, “Book, Book, Book” by Deborah Bruss and Tiphanie Beeke and “Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed” by Eileen Christelow.
During the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting on Tuesday, President Obama outlined new steps the administration is taking to end human trafficking at home and abroad, including an executive order strengthening prohibitions against human trafficking in government contracting. Human trafficking, which the President referred to as “modern slavery,” is destroying the lives of more than 20 million victims globally.
The executive order signed by President Obama on Tuesday strengthens protections against human trafficking in all federal contracts and subcontracts, including activities like misleading recruitment practices, charging employment recruitment fees or confiscating employees' identification documents. It also provides training and guidance to help those who might encounter human trafficking victims such as immigration judges, transportation personnel, and federal prosecutors be better equipped to detect trafficking wherever it exists, and to help ensure that victims are always treated as victims and not criminals.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, which Senator Chris Coons is a member, held a hearing in September 2011 to discuss reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing in July to discuss a long-term strategy to end human trafficking. In his role as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Chris also led the Senate in taking a stand against African warlord and the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Joseph Kony, who has been terrorizing central Africa, destroying villages, and forcing children into trafficking. The Senate adopted a resolution in August introduced by Chris to condemn the crimes against humanity committed by Joseph Kony and the LRA, supporting ongoing international efforts to remove Kony from the battlefield, and calling for the U.S. to continue to enhance its mobility, intelligence and logistical support of regional forces protecting civilians and pursuing the LRA.
Senator Coons and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced on Friday the expansion of the Senate Malaria Working Group, which they co-chair, to become a Congressional caucus that will focus on efforts to stem the global tide of 17 neglected tropical diseases including malaria.
Chris formally announced the Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at a reception hosted by the United States Agency for International Development on Wednesday evening.
“Malaria and other neglected tropical diseases continue to wreak havoc on the lives and economies of numerous countries around the world,” Chris said. “Malaria and the seven most common neglected tropical diseases cause nearly two million deaths globally each year. I am proud to join Senator Wicker in underscoring our commitment for this issue and continuing to support U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of all tropical diseases.”
Malaria, an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of deaths occurring in Africa. The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old. The 17 neglected tropical diseases impact more than one billion people, including 500 million children in the world’s poorest countries.
Senator Coons was at Nemours Pediatrics in Milford on Thursday to read with Delaware kids. His visit was part of the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes literacy by giving free books to children at each wellness appointment.