Carper, Coons urge Obama to amend budget to request disaster aid for Superstorm Sandy

Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons joined 11 other Senators from states impacted by Superstorm Sandy in urging President Obama on Tuesday to amend the 2013 budget to request emergency aid for federal disaster assistance programs. The Senators thanked the President and his Administration for acting decisively and providing tremendous support during and after the storm.  The Senators also urged the President to continue such quick action to allow necessary funds to be appropriated to help victims of Sandy rebuild and recover.

“As Senators representing states impacted by Superstorm Sandy, we are writing to request that the Administration submit a budget amendment pursuant to the Budget Control Act to provide the necessary funding to robustly support vital federal programs to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of victims of Sandy and other recent disasters,” the Senators wrote. “It is critical that this budget amendment be submitted as soon as possible so critical resources can reach impacted communities by the end of the calendar year.”

The Senators were joined by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.V.), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.V.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Click here to view the senators’ letter: http://1.usa.gov/SkCNSP

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: Nov. 13 – Nov. 18

Tuesday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. — The Senator will speak at orientation for new senators in a session called “How to Survive the Next Few Weeks,” which will focus on the professional and personal transition into the Senate. Senate Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Tuesday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a classified Senate Foreign Relations Committee briefing on the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.  Senate Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Tuesday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 5:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the opening night of the Washington Ideas Forum. The Atlantic, in partnership with the Aspen Institute and the Newseum, willpresent the fourth annual Washington Ideas Forum. The event will draw together leading voices from government, business, and media for two days of conversation and debate on the challenges facing the President and Congress, and what lies ahead for the country. 2211 20th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, November at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak at World Wildlife Fund’s Fuller Symposium on Conservation Crime. Senator Coons will discuss how poaching and other wildlife crime impacts broader U.S. foreign policy goals; the role of partnerships in creating solutions; and the importance of science and technical innovation in helping protect wildlife. World Wildlife Fund works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States. National Geographic, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at orientation for new senators in a session called “Lessons Learned from the Class of 2011.” The session will highlight questions the senators who were elected two years ago wish they had asked during their own orientation. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Thursday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Council on Competitiveness Dinner honoring Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). The dinner will be hosted by U.S. Department of State Under Secretary Hormats to honor Senator Lugar and Senator Bingaman for their distinguished service to this nation and their work in keeping America competitive and Americans prosperous. State Department, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Friday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Saturday, November 17 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will participate in the “Girls on the Run 5K” at the Wilmington Riverfront. Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.  Senator Coons’ wife, Annie, is a volunteer with Girls on the Run and was the honorary co-chair of the organization’s Halloween Hoopla 5k last month. Wilmington Riverfront, Wilmington, DE.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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Senator Coons thanks our veterans

Senator Chris Coons issued the following statement Sunday to mark Veterans Day.

“We set aside the eleventh day of the eleventh month each year to honor the courage and sacrifice necessary to serve our country in defense of its citizens, its freedoms, and its values. After more than a decade of war, it’s hard to imagine a more important time for Americans to show their appreciation for our service members and their families. We may never be able to fully repay our veterans for their service, but we can offer them our deepest gratitude and our ironclad commitment to ensuring they receive the health care, higher education, and other benefits they have earned, and by helping American employers to better appreciate the enormous value that veterans can bring to the civilian workforce.

“Our veterans have my deep respect, gratitude, and admiration, and this Veterans Day, I hope all Delawareans will make time to reflect on their own appreciation for our veterans and their sacrifice.”

Senator Coons honors Delaware Teacher of the Year

Last week, Senator Coons congratulated John Sell for earning the title of Delaware Teacher of the Year. Mr. Sell teaches English at Sussex Tech High School in Georgetown, where he is known for his innovative teaching techniques, such as singing poetry to his students.

As the son and grandson of classroom teachers, Chris is committed to strengthening education in Delaware and supporting our extraordinary teachers like Mr. Sell.  He joined the Delaware Teacher of the Year Awards Dinner to share his personal appreciation with all of this year’s finalists, selected from 9,000 Delaware public school teachers to represent each of the state’s 19 school districts.

At the awards dinner, Chris said “Tonight, we honor and appreciate all of our teachers, and we also recognize 19 in particular who have gone above and beyond. As nominees for Delaware’s Teacher of the Year, you have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to your students, as well as the ability to inspire the kind of love learning that lasts a lifetime.”

To read more about Chris’ work on education, click here.

Senator Coons honored for work against domestic violence

Last night, Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, received the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (DCADV) 2012 Vision of Peace Award.

The award was presented at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts in Wilmington during DCADV’s Purple Ribbon Event, hosted annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“When we shine light on these horrific acts by educating the public, empowering the victims, and punishing the offenders, we can help break the cycle of abuse,” Chris said in accepting the Vision of Peace Award.

The Vision of Peace Award is presented by the DCADV to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and sustained commitment in their efforts to end domestic violence. Chris is fighting to advance the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) and has worked for many years to help prevent domestic violence in Delaware while empowering victims to come forward.

To learn more about Chris’ work on the Judiciary Committee, click here.

To learn more about DCADV’s work click here.

Senator Coons joins summit for healthy lungs

Senator Coons attended a Regional Patient Advocacy Leaders Summit hosted by the American Lung Association last week.  This summit gave staff, volunteers and leaders in patient advocacy the opportunity to learn about issues on the horizon. The summit also included networking and discussions of new avenues for advocacy.

Senator Coons addressed about 70 regional patient advocates. He talked about the bipartisan Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2011, a bill he introduced to increase the awareness, understanding and research being done to find the root cause – and a cure – for Pulmonary Fibrosis. He also discussed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which has already helped 6,000 young Delawareans get insurance.

For more on Chris’ work on health care, click here.

Senator Coons marks grants to support healthy community

On Thursday, Senator Coons joined Senator Carper and Congressman Carney at the Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington to announce two federal grants awarded to Nemours for a combined total of nearly $6 million to help build healthier communities. 

 “These grants will serve tens of thousands of Delawareans, helping them live happier, healthier lives,” Chris said. In his remarks, he reiterated the significant impact that these grants will have on preventative care and early intervention, touching upon how it could enact change in areas such as the struggle with obesity and chronic diseases in young children.

For more on Chris’ work on health care, click here.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: October 23 – October 28

Tuesday, October 23 at 5:45 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Department of Education’s 2013 Teacher of the Year Ceremony at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center.  Each year the program honors a Delaware teacher who exemplifies fine teaching in the state. The Delaware Teacher of the Year is chosen from the District Teachers of the Year, and automatically becomes the state’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program. Dover Downs, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Alison Kepner, Delaware Department of Education, at 302-735-4000 or at akepner@doe.k12.de.us.

Wednesday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m. – The Senator will participate in Make a Difference Day with students from Prestige Academy at Barclays in Wilmington.  The Senator will join employees as they meet with students to teach them money and savings skills and offer a glimpse into the world of working for large professional organizations like Barclays.  Since 2000, Barclays has led Make a Difference Day events in Delaware to enable employees to get involved in their community. Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Barclays, 125 S. West St., Wilmington, DE.  Contact: Nicole Dye-Anders, Barclaycard US, at 302-255-4910 or at ndyeanderson@barclaycardus.com.

Thursday, October 25 at 8:30 a.m. — The Senator will tour the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care with the center’s medical director, Nicholas Petrelli, M.D.  The Senator and Dr. Petrelli will discuss the topics of long term and palliative care of patients with cancer.  Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE – Closed to press

Thursday, October 25 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will receive an award from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence at the Purple Ribbon Event, hosted annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The Senator will receive the organization’s 2012 Vision of Peace Award for his leadership on behalf of victims of domestic violence, continuing a legacy established during his tenure as New Castle County Executive.  Sen. Coons has fought for the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act and has worked to empower women worldwide.  Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, 200 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to Press. Contact: Stephanie Ferrell at 302-658-2958 or at sferrell@dcadv.org.

Thursday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America Kent County Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner at Dover Downs.  This year, the Del-Mar-Va Council is honoring Bill and Mary Jane Willis of Smyrna, DE.  The award was established to recognize a local Kent County leader that through their dedication, hard work and passion has made the community stronger. Dover Downs, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press. Contact: Kevin Les Callette, Boy Scouts of America Kent County, at 443-523-7639.

Friday, October 26 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the annual Meet the Allies event sponsored by Public Allies Delaware.  Public Allies Delaware is a program of the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service.  Since 1994, Public Allies Delaware has developed over 335 young leaders, who have completed nearly 600,000 hours of service to Delaware.  For 10 months, Allies are placed in paid professional apprenticeships at local nonprofits where they create, improve, and expand services that address economic opportunity, education, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.  DoubleTree Hotel, 700 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact: Christina Garrett-Morrow, Public Allies Delaware, at 302-573-4438.

Friday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Neighborhood House of Delaware’s 85th Anniversary Celebration.  Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, that has served the Wilmington community since 1927, addressing the needs of low-income families to improve their quality of life and stabilize the neighborhoods in which they live.  Deerfield Golf Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Christy Pennington, Neighborhood House 85th Anniversary, at 302-598-8696.

Saturday, October 27 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute’s “From Purses to Portfolios” event at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.  Purses to Portfolios is a free financial education certificate program where women and men gain the tools and knowledge necessary to take charge of their finances. This year’s theme is entitled “just FAB! – For Women, About Women, By Women…and the men in their lives!” Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Lisa Wolfe, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, at 302-494-5769.

Saturday, October 27 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak about the importance of parent engagement at the Annual Delaware PTA Convention.  Representatives from National PTA will also be in attendance, and Betsy Landers, National PTA President, will conduct a session on grant writing.  There will also be workshop sessions on Applying to and Paying for College, Advocacy Tactics, Hispanic Outreach, Bullying Prevention and Reading Strategies for Elementary Students.  This event draws hundreds of parents and leaders across the state to discuss the most important issues facing children and schools. Conrad Schools of Science, 201 Jackson Ave., Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact: Yvonne Johnson, Delaware PTA, at 302-753-7107 or at yvonne_johnson@verizon.net.

Saturday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Kind to Kids Halloween Hoopla 5K Run-Walk in Wilmington.  Annie Coons is honorary chair of this year’s event which benefits Kind to Kids, a non-profit organization that provides services to children and families in need through other non-profits and state agencies.  Its mission is to enrich the lives of foster children and children in poverty.  Since its inception in 2008, Kind to Kids has given 5,000 children access to events they normally wouldn’t have the resources to attend, at over $80,000 in ticket costs.  In addition, the organization provides LifeSkills, an educational course that teaches teens at-risk the skills they need to become independent and successful adults.  Wilmington Riverfront, Dravo Plaza, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact:  Caroline Jones, Executive Director, at 302-654-5440.

Sunday, October 28 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will march in the 65^th Annual Newark Halloween Parade.  This costume parade is complete with marching bands, floats and antique automobiles. Tyre Avenue and Main Street, Newark, DE. – Open to press.  Contact: Sharon Bruen, City of Newark, at 302-366-7060.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons stands with startup businesses

Senator Coons spoke Wednesday at the first annual New Castle County Economic Development Luncheon.  The lunch discussion focused on ways to foster and develop a strong economic and entrepreneurial system in New Castle County and across Delaware.  

Chris reiterated his commitment to Delaware startups, noting that new businesses are powerful drivers of job creation and economic recovery. Over a 25 year period between 1980 and 2005, most of the net new jobs in America – about 40 million jobs – were created by firms that were five years old or less.  

Since he arrived in the Senate, Chris has used his private sector experience to shape a number of job creating pieces of legislation that support innovative startups and entrepreneurs. He has especially focused on making the Research and Development Tax Credit available to newer businesses, in addition to more established companies.

To read more about Chris’ work supporting job creation and economic competitiveness, click here.

Senator Coons helps kick off entrepreneurship program

Last week, Senator Coons took part in a launch celebration unveiling the new Horn Program in Entrepreneurship at UD.

Made possible by a generous gift from Charles and Patricia Horn, this program will encourage students to pursue the kind of entrepreneurial ideas that will power Delaware’s economy for years to come.

The Horn program will enhance and expand entrepreneurial studies at UD and be made up of a variety of initiatives like the Venture Development Center, a student business incubator, Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition and an annual President’s Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It will also support new curricular offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Chris believes that supporting our innovators and entrepreneurs is critical to our economic recovery. 

To read more about his work to create jobs and promote American economic competitiveness, click here.