Local Issues
NEWTOWN: People from across our state and around the country have expressed in emails, letters and phone calls, their grief and outrage at what happened on the morning of December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School when the lives of twenty children and six women were stolen.
Our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to the students, parents, teachers and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary, to the brave first responders, to the whole Newtown community, and to all those who loved and knew the victims. As a mother who has been a room parent in a first grade classroom, I join the millions around the world who have been devastated by the loss of these treasured young lives and their dedicated teachers.
In the time that’s past since that unspeakable horror, I have attempted to be present and to serve, in whatever way I can, the people of Newtown, Connecticut during the darkest of days. I witnessed, first-hand, the unparalleled resilience, courage, and generosity of our police, state troopers, firefighters, teachers, families, Red Cross volunteers, local officials, state officials, and everyone who has pulled together to see Newtown through this time of tragedy.
It is with clear eyes that I see the long road ahead of us. First and foremost in my thoughts and in my actions will be to continue to serve the people of Newtown and the 5th District. I will work to ensure that in the days, weeks, and months ahead that this community has the support it needs to grieve, to heal, and to begin rebuilding lives. This is the immediate task before me as their public servant.
As we move forward, there is much that can, and must, be done by us as a nation. Make no mistake -- I stand ready to act. Let us honor those who lost their lives, in this tragedy and those similar tragedies around this country, by ensuring that such unconscionable horror is not visited upon another child, another family, or another community.
In meeting with law enforcement, our first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders in Newtown and across our state, it is clear to me that we must take comprehensive action. That means commonsense gun policies - reinstatement of the federal assault weapons ban, closing the gun show loophole and placing a ban on high-capacity magazine clips - as well as making a firm and lasting commitment to mental health services and a national conversation about the culture of violence in our society.
I am committed to the long road ahead, working with the President, members of Congress, law enforcement, and our community leaders, mental health professionals and clergy, to ensure that such a horrific tragedy never again devastates another community.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
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Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) will host her first official town hall meeting at the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury next Wednesday, February 20. Esty will discuss the policy principles announced last week by the Congressional Gun Violence Task Force with constituents, answer questions, and listen to their concerns, insights, and ideas on the specific proposals and more generally on gun violence prevention.
No RSVP is reqiured. Please note, large bags and backpacks will not be allowed in the auditorium.
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech tonight:
HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Connecticut Delegation issued a statement in response to the White House’s recent announcement that the Presidential Citizens Medal will be awarded posthumously to the six educators who were killed in the Newtown massacre. In December, the delegation sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he recognize some of the heroes “whose efforts saved lives on that dark day.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, on which Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) serves as one of 12 vice-chairs, announced a comprehensive set of 15 policy principles intended to reduce gun violence while respecting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. The principles include reauthorizing and strengthening the Assault Weapons Ban, banning assault magazines, requiring background checks for every gun sale, and improving access to mental health care.
WASHINGTON, DC – The Connecticut House delegation today applauded the appointment of Judith Stein, founder and executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy in Willimantic, to the Bipartisan Long-Term Care Commission. Created earlier this year as part of the American Tax Relief Act, the commission is responsible for developing a plan to establish, implement, and finance a comprehensive set of long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities. Last month, Reps.
WASHINGTON, DC—Connecticut’s congressional delegation released the following statement today applauding the announcement Connecticut will be receiving $71.8 million that may be used to repair homes and businesses damaged by Hurricane Sandy, and to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure. The funding, provided by the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) program, is part of the $16 billion included in the Sandy Disaster Relief bill Congress passed last month. In the weeks ahead, the State of Connecticut will submit a plan for spending the funding.
Courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
WINDSOR, Conn. — Homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses of all sizes have until Tuesday, Feb. 12 to register for FEMA disaster assistance or apply for disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today.
Residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, as well as the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations within New London County, are eligible to apply for assistance with Hurricane Sandy-related losses.
NEW BRITAIN – U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, visited New Britain Friday.
In the afternoon she met with Clarence Silvia, Hospital of Central Connecticut’s president and CEO; Steve Hanks, executive vice president and CMO and other hospital officials. Friday evening, she talked privately with Police Chief James Wardwell, brainstorming ideas about post-Newtown security measures.
On a tour of the hospital’s emergency room, she chatted with doctors and hospital workers, asking about their jobs and how she could help as a member of Congress.
MERIDEN — The city was a hotbed for discussion of how to prevent gun violence and keep schools safe Wednesday with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty and state Sen. Dante Bartolomeo holding separate meetings with local leaders and representatives of various groups. The meetings came in the wake of the Newtown school killings and included the possibility of stationing retired police officers at all city schools.