Carper, Coons, Carney to host job fair on June 24th in Kent County

DOVER - To help connect Delawareans with employers in the area, the Delaware Congressional delegation, in collaboration with Brandywine Counseling, will host their third of three job fairs this spring on June 24th in Kent County. Business leaders will get to meet with and interview talented Delawareans ready with resumes in-hand. The delegation urges businesses throughout the state to reserve their tables now.

The job fair will be held Monday, June 24th at the Sheraton Hotel in Dover from 10 am to 2 pm.

In addition to networking with companies looking to hire, job-seekers will also be able to participate in job-search skills workshops, receive career counseling, and have their resumes reviewed by experts.

The delegation hosted a job fair in New Castle County on March 6th and one in Sussex County on April 30th.

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.

Video: Senator Coons reintroduces the American Dream Accounts Act

Senator Coons spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday to reintroduce legislation that would help increase the number of low-income students able to access and complete a college education. The bipartisan American Dream Accounts Act of 2013 would authorize the Department of Education to award three-year competitive grants to support innovative and comprehensive partnerships that support low-income students in preparation for a college education.

Senator Coons on Delaware Senate’s passage of marriage equality bill

Senator Chris Coons issued the following statement Tuesday after the Delaware Senate voted to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. HB 75, the Civil Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom Act of 2013, ensures that same-sex married couples have the same protections and obligations as opposite-sex married couples.

“This is a truly historic day for our state,” Chris said. “Today’s vote was about dignity, respect, and basic human fairness for our neighbors. Every Delawarean deserves access to the full rights and responsibilities of marriage, no matter their sexual orientation. The passage of HB 75 ushers in a new era of equality in our state and marks an important moment in our state’s history. I am incredibly proud.

“Lisa Goodman, Mark Purpura, Erik Raser-Schramm, and everyone who worked and volunteered at Equality Delaware have my heart-filled congratulations,” Chris continued. “The lawmakers who stood up for the freedom to marry for the first time today — some breaking with their party; others breaking with their previous politics — have my sincere thanks. It is because of that bold leadership that when Governor Markell signs this legislation tonight, Delaware will become the 11th state to offer marriage equality to all of its citizens, and it will do so without infringing on the religious liberties of a single Delawarean.”

Chris is a strong supporter of civil rights and LGBT equality. He is a cosponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Uniting American Families Act, Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act, Tax Parity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act, and the legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Chris has been an active supporter of Equality Delaware. In addition to rallying supporters using his email list, publishing op-eds, and recording video messages in support of the campaign, Senator Coons reached out directly to state lawmakers to urge their support.

Senator Coons honors Public Service Recognition Week

In honor of our public servants, Senator Coons was proud to cosponsor a Senate Resolution designating this week as Public Service Recognition Week, and he commends all of our public servants for their hard work all year to improve our country. The resolution, which was introduced by Senator Jon Tester of Montana and was passed by the Senate, had five additional cosponsors.

“Public servants are the backbone of the United States government, as well as our state and local governments,” Chris said. “The work they do every day is what makes our national spirit of service great.  I would like to thank all public servants and especially those from Delaware for their contributions to society.”

Public Service Recognition Week is an annual event to honor the men and women who serve at all levels of government.  Millions of Americans are public servants and work hard every day to ensure that we continue to provide services and meet the needs of our citizens all across America and abroad.  During this week, which runs from May 5 to 11, officials from Cabinet secretaries to local officials are encouraged to proclaim appreciation and hold events for all public servants.

A number of events will be held this week, including the Public Employees Roundtable’s first annual Public Service 5K run/walk in Washington, D.C.  Other events include a public service town hall meeting with Cabinet secretaries, and a Congressional breakfast to announce the finalists of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, which honor members of the federal workforce.  This year’s theme is “Why I Serve,” which is aimed at highlighting the stories behind why agency leaders and elected officials answered the call to serve and what accomplishments they are most proud.

Senator Coons stresses importance of rural economy at summit in Washington

Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, participated in a half-day summit on Thursday on issues of importance to rural communities across our nation. The event was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured two moderated panels focused on rural economics, infrastructure, and access to critical services.

The panel highlighted the economic conditions facing rural communities and the agriculture industry, and what role the federal government can play in ensuring long-term support for the communities. Issues discussed during the summit include the importance of investing in the health of farmland, natural resources, and infrastructure. Another topic of discussion was connecting our farmers and ranchers with consumers, including individuals, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

“Our rural communities are central to our identity, our economy, and our values,” Chris said. “Between our agriculture sector, environmental conservation, and tourism, it’s no surprise that Delaware’s rural communities are thriving. It’s important that we continue to facilitate an open dialogue between our rural communities and our elected officials to ensure we aren’t hindering their growth and development. I thank the members of the University of Delaware for attending today’s event and sharing their views on how we can strengthen our state’s rural areas.”

More than 200 rural development advocates attended the summit, including Mark Reiger, Dean of the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Delaware; Michelle Rodgers, Cooperative Extension Director, University of Delaware; and Melanie Allen, student, University of Delaware.

The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee is dedicated to fostering dialogue between Senate Democrats and community leaders from across the nation. The Steering Committee hosts regular meetings each year with advocates, policy experts, and elected officials to discuss key priorities and enlist their help in the development of the Democratic agenda in the Senate.

Video: Senator Coons discusses impact of climate change on Delaware

Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, on Monday afternoon spoke on the Senate floor calling for action to address the adverse effects of climate change in Delaware. The speech was given on Earth Day.

45 employers will be at Sussex County job fair on April 30th

Senators Coons, Carper, and Rep. Carney announced on Wednesday  that nearly 45 employers from around the region have already signed up for their Sussex County job fair on Tuesday, April 30th, but that there is still room for 15 more businesses who are looking for talented new employees. Combined, the employers are hiring for approximately 700 open positions across an array of skill sets.

The job fair will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center from 10 am to 3 pm. Employers already registered for the fair include:

Private Companies: American Registry of Pathology, APM Inc., AVON, Atlantic Refrigeration, BAYADA Home Care, Beasley Broadcast Group, Beebe Medical Center, Bloodbank of Delmarva, Bloom Energy, County Bank, CCLTAFNJDE (construction jobs), Dry Zone, Edward Jones, Food Lion, Goodwill Delaware, Griswold Home Care, Hollister, Johnny Janosik, Joshua Freeman Foundation, Kent-Sussex Industries, Massage & Reflexology of Delaware, Nanticoke Health System, Metro Merchant Services, MedTix, LLC, New Behavioral Network, New York Life, People’s Place, ResortQuest, Seawatch International, Starbucks Coffee Company, Telamon Corporation, UPS, Viridian Energy, Ind. Rep., and Wawa

Government Agencies: Delaware Department of Transportation, Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, New Castle County Government, New Castle County Police, State of Delaware, Small Business Administration, and Wilmington University

Additionally, the following organizations will have tables at the fair on their offerings for job seekers:

University of Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnership, Department of Labor/Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Department of Labor/Employment Training, Hero to Hired, and Job Center at Delaware Libraries

Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Congressman Carney will host an additional job fair in Kent County in June.

For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call 302-573-6345 or email workshop@coons.senate.gov.

Senator Coons reiterates commitment to protecting federal funding for hunger programs

NEWARK, Del. – Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, told more than 250 anti-hunger advocates gathered for a conference Monday that he would continue to stand up for Delawareans who are struggling to make ends meet as Congress looks for ways to reduce the federal government’s dangerous deficits.

“Even in times of tight budgets and program cuts, we have a moral obligation to put a circle of protection around the most vulnerable of our neighbors,” Chris said. “In 2013, in the richest country in the world, in a state that grows some of the healthiest produce and poultry in the country, it is unacceptable that thousands of Delawareans go to sleep at night not sure where their next meal will come from. Out of America’s abundance, we can find the time and the effort and the energy to come together and to meet the needs of the hungry.”

Chris has supported a balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not rely exclusively on cuts to discretionary programs — including anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs — to find savings. Last month he voted on a budget that responsibly reduced our nation’s deficit while making investments in America’s long-term competitiveness and protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

In contrast, the budget passed by the House of Representatives cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 34 percent over the next five years. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that, “SNAP cuts of the magnitude that the Ryan budget proposes would almost certainly lead to increases in hunger and poverty.” The non-profit Bread for the World described the proposed cuts as “devastating,” despite “unprecedented levels of need.”

Monday’s all-day conference, Ending Hunger! (Through Citizen Service), was organized by the Delaware Anti-Hunger Coalition and sponsored by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Held at the Christiana Hilton in Newark, it focused on ways to increase access to and participation in children’s nutrition programs, innovative strategies for providing more nutritious foods and recruiting and applying volunteer talent.

The Delaware Anti-Hunger Coalition is comprised of representatives from the nonprofit, business, government, education, faith-based and agricultural sectors. The Coalition works to identify goals, objectives and measurements and make significant contributions towards alleviating, and in many cases eliminating, hunger in the state of Delaware.

ICYMI: Senator Coons writes op-ed on creating jobs in US by increasing trade with Africa

Senator Chris Coons, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs,  published an op-ed in the News Journal on Thursday highlighting the opportunity to improve Delaware’s economy by expanding trade with Africa.

When American businesses sell their products in Africa, they grow and create jobs in their offices, headquarters and factories here at home. Nearly 10 million American jobs are supported by exports – including well over 11,000 in Delaware – and every billion dollars of U.S. exports could create as many as 5,000 new jobs. So it is in our economic interest to dramatically scale up our economic engagement with Africa. If we don’t, our international competitors will – and in some cases, they already have. At a meeting about U.S. export opportunities, an African head of state told me that while they “would prefer to work with the United States, the Chinese are already here.”

We cannot allow our competitors in the global economy to lock American companies out of fast-growing African markets, which have as many as 900 million potential consumers. Large and small businesses in Delaware, from DuPont-Pioneer to Baltimore Air Coil, based in Milford, are already selling their goods and services to African customers, but we have to do more to provide the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Click here to read the op-ed on the News Journal’s website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on Africa.

Senator Coons praises Delaware marriage equality bill

Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and an original cosponsor of the federal legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, on Thursday congratulated lawmakers in Dover on the introduction of HB 75, the Civil Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom Act of 2013. The bill extends the freedom to marry to same-sex couples and ensures that same-sex married couples have the same protections and obligations as opposite-sex married couples.

“Every Delawarean deserves access to the full rights and responsibilities of marriage, no matter their sexual orientation,” Chris said. “This is a truly exciting day for our state. While the nation holds its breath as the Supreme Court considers overturning the federal ban on same-sex marriage, I’m proud that Delaware is moving forward. The freedom to marry the one you love is an idea whose time has come. It’s time for marriage equality in Delaware. Speaker Schwartzkopf, Rep. Smith, and Senator Blevins should be congratulated on their commitment to ensuring this bill will be considered by the General Assembly, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure it becomes law.”

Yesterday, Chris and the president of Equality Delaware, Lisa Goodman, briefed Democratic senators in the Capitol on Wednesday on Delaware’s campaign to offer full marriage equality to its citizens. The briefing was part of a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with national leaders from the LGBT community.

“We’ve reached this point in no small part because of the work of Equality Delaware and its supporters around the state,” Chris said. “They have my full support and will have my continued partnership as the bill makes its way through the Assembly.”

Chris is a strong supporter of civil rights and LGBT equality. He is a cosponsor of the legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, as well as the Student Non-Discrimination Act, Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Uniting American Families Act, Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act, Tax Parity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act.

Last week, he published an op-ed on HuffingtonPost.com making the case for Delaware’s marriage equality campaign. Read it here: http://huff.to/12ok3Mn