Dear Fellow Delawarean,

As summer sets in, I continue to focus on helping Delawareans get back to work and on being a voice for fiscal responsibility for our nation. Here's some more information on many of the things I've been working on recently.

Supporting Delaware's Poultry Growers

For every Delawarean, there are 300 chickens in the state. On Delmarva, the poultry industry is a multi-billion dollar business, supporting more than 100,000 jobs. And our chickens are eaten not only here at home, but all over the world as well. That's why I remain dedicated to supporting our poultry growers. In Delaware, I had the great pleasure to participate in the 62nd Annual Delmarva Chicken Festival -- one of my favorite events of the year. This year, it was back in Georgetown and gave everyone a chance to celebrate and publicize the importance of the poultry industry here in the Delmarva region.

Read the remarks I made at the Delmarva Chicken Festival here.

View more photos from the Delmarva Chicken Festival here.

Delaware poultry farmers can now apply for federal assistance from the Sussex Conservation District to implement best management practices that are fundamental to improving air quality, soil conditions, soil erosion and water quality.

Learn how to apply for federal assistance here.

In Washington, I led an important vote to help chicken growers, farmers and families up and down the First State. The Senate overwhelmingly voted to end unnecessary subsidies for corn-based ethanol -- also known as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) -- and to repeal the tariff on imported ethanol. Unfortunately, there was not enough support in the Senate to pass the bill to which this amendment was attached. Nevertheless, I'm hoping that with this strong vote in favor of repealing the tax credit, we will be able to end the credit later this year -- or at the very least, not renew it when it expires at the end of the year.

Read my full statement on the vote here.

Protecting the Delaware River Basin

Earlier this month, I joined state environmental leaders at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to discuss a waterway vital to our region -- the Delaware River. Last week, I introduced legislation to protect and enhance the Delaware River watershed. The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2011 would strengthen the environment and enhance the watershed's economic impact on the area.

Read more about the Delaware River Basin event here.

Addressing Federal Asset Management

When it comes to federal property management, it's clear to me and many others that we can get better results for less money. Since January 2003, federal property management has been on the Government Accountability Office's high-risk list -- which highlights government programs and offices that are at high risk for waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement or in need of broad reform -- in part due to the overwhelming number of unneeded, underutilized and even vacant facilities held by federal agencies. Given our concerns over the implications of our deficit and national debt mounting, eliminating waste and achieving cost savings in this area must remain a priority. I recently chaired a hearing for the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management to examine the challenges the federal government faces in managing its property.

Watch a video recording of my hearing statement below:

Delaware's 2011 U.S. Service Academy Attendees

Every year, I have the privilege to nominate Delaware's finest students to our prestigious U.S. Service Academies. These young men and women selected to attend are about to embark on a journey that will give them an excellent education, valuable leadership skills, and the opportunity to serve their country. The Delaware Congressional Delegation, as well as former Congressman Mike Castle, recently held a reception for the Delaware students chosen by congressional nomination to attend a U.S. Service Academy in 2011 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

View the list of Delawareans chosen by congressional nomination to attend a U.S. Service Academy in 2011 here.

View more photos of the reception here.

Staying in Touch

Please continue to stay in touch with me when you have questions, concerns or comments about issues that are important to you. And as always, you can find the most up-to-date information on issues and ways in which my office can be of service to you on my website. I would also like to encourage you to stay connected with me through social media on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. To sign up friends and family for my e-newsletter, click here.

With warm personal regards,

I am,

U.S. Senator Tom Carper