Senator Coons applauds students in business competition

On Monday, Senator Coons spoke with members of the Junior Achievement Titan Challenge.  JA’s Titan Challenge is a global online simulation program involving 24 high school students and recent graduates who compete in a virtual economy. The teams of students, coming from China, Russia, Poland, Canada, and the U.S., act as chief executive officers of a virtual manufacturing company as they make business and ethical decisions in an attempt to outperform their competitors.

“JA’s Titan Challenge is about empowering students, allowing them to learn outside the classroom and helping them experience the business world while preparing for their future,” Chris said. “This is a great opportunity for like-minded students and community volunteers from all over the world to compete and learn from one another.”

Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization and the world’s largest organization that has impacted over 4 million U.S. students with the help of over 178,000 volunteers. JA of Delaware recently received two prestigious awards at the JA National Leadership Conference.

NASA lands Curiosity rover on Mars

Like so many Americans, Chris watched with pride last night as NASA successfully landed its Curiosity rover on Mars. Here’s how it unfolded for him on Twitter.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: August 6 to August 12

Monday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. — The Senator will speak at the Junior Achievement Global Titan Challenge Business Ethics Symposium. The symposium will host 30 high school students and recent graduates from around the world to compete in a computer simulation curriculum where students compete in a virtual economy for highest retained earnings. Clayton Hall Conference Center, 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Tuesday, August 7 at 12:45 p.m. — The Senator will tour Dentsply Caulk.  A division of Dentsply International, the world’s largest professional dental products manufacturer, is located in Milford, Delaware. Senator Coons will meet with plant representatives and tour the site. 38 West Clarke Avenue, Milford, DE– Closed to press.

Tuesday, August 7 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will visit Baltimore Aircoil Company. For more than seven decades, Baltimore Aircoil Company in Milford, Delaware, has been dedicated to the development of innovative, cost-effective heat transfer solutions for its customers, establishing the company as a global leader of factory assembled evaporative heat rejection and thermal storage equipment. 1162 Holly Hill Road, Milford, DE– Open to press.

Tuesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Delaware Electric Co-Op Annual Member Dinner. Delaware Electric Cooperative will hold its annual community fair and business meeting at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. During the meeting, members will have a chance to visit with various community organizations and hear an update on the state of the Cooperative from President and CEO Bill Andrew. 18500 South DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE

Wednesday, August 8 at 11:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend an event to celebrate the completion of the South Market Street Safety Improvement Project. The project began on September 8, 2010 to elevate the roadway out of the 10-year flood plan, put underground existing overhead utilities, and to construct sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and landscaping. Senator Tom Carper and Congressman John Carney will also attend. ShopRite Parking Lot, Christiana Crossing, 501 South Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

###

Senator Coons’ resolution condemning crimes of Joseph Kony passed by Senate

On Thursday, the full Senate unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by Senator Coons, the chair of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, condemning the crimes against humanity committed by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

“Joseph Kony and the LRA have terrorized Uganda and its neighbors in central Africa for more than two decades,” Chris said. “I applaud my colleagues for unanimously passing this bipartisan resolution condemning the crimes committed by the LRA and supporting ongoing regional efforts to bring Kony and top LRA commanders to justice once and for all.”

Chris’ resolution, Senate Resolution 402, supports the ongoing international efforts to remove Kony from the battlefield and calls for the U.S. to continue to enhance its mobility, intelligence and logistical support of regional forces protecting civilians and pursuing the LRA.

This bipartisan resolution, which Chris sponsored with Sen.  Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), was co-sponsored by 45 members of the Senate – nearly half the body. Following introduction, hundreds of Americans signed on as “citizen cosponsors” to show their support for efforts to stop Joseph Kony.

In April of this year, Chris chaired an African Affairs Subcommittee hearing on U.S. policy to counter the LRA. In June, he personally visited Uganda, where he thanked President Museveni for the efforts of the Ugandan military to root out the LRA and for the strong partnership between the U.S. and the Ugandan people. He also visited the northern Uganda community of Gulu, where the United States is supporting efforts to rebuild communities affected by the LRA. 

Senate passes Senator Coons’ resolution honoring Dr. Sally Ride

Senator Coons sponsored a resolution honoring the life and career of the first woman from the United States to fly in space, Dr. Sally Ride, who passed away in late July. Chris’ resolution was approved unanimously by the Senate on Thursday night.

“Sally Ride was inspirational, not only to young women, but to every American who has looked up with wonder and curiosity only the stars can inspire,” Chris said after the resolution passed. “Dr. Ride’s life’s work, like that of the shuttle program, was to inspire Americans to never stop searching for knowledge of our world, our universe, and ourselves. It’s a mission we all must carry out, and one that I am committed to helping fulfill. I’m glad my Senate colleagues came together last night to honor Dr. Ride with this resolution, and hope her memory will continue to persuade young Americans to search for answers in the sciences.”

The bipartisan resolution “expresses [the Senate’s] deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Sally Ride on her death; mourns the loss of Dr. Ride, a trailblazing pioneer who inspired millions of individuals, especially women and girls, to reach for the stars; and appreciates all of the contributions of Dr. Ride to science, physics, education, and human spaceflight.” 

Born, raised, and educated in California, Dr. Ride became a role model and hero when she launched her first mission in 1983, becoming the first American woman to enter low Earth orbit. After flying two shuttle missions and serving as a member of the Presidential Commission investigating the Challenger accident, she became a professor, and eventually started “Sally Ride Science” in 2001, a company dedicated to promoting new and exciting ways to engage elementary and middle school students with science at an early age.

What We’re Reading: New York Times on Senate cybersecurity bill

The New York Times published an editorial on Tuesday on the importance of increasing our nation’s cybersecurity. The article endorses the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, which would strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity to prevent cyber-crime and cyber-attacks.  Senator Coons has been a fierce advocate of this bill. He spoke three times in the last two weeks on the floor urging his colleagues to pass this critical legislation.   

Relentless assaults on America’s computer networks by China and other foreign governments, hackers and criminals have created an urgent need for safeguards to protect these vital systems. The question now is whether the Senate will provide them. Senator John McCain, a Republican of Arizona, and the Chamber of Commerce have already exacted compromises from sponsors of a reasonably strong bill, and are asking for more. Their demands should be resisted and the original bill approved by the Senate.

Click here to read the full article on The New York Times’ website.

Click here to watch Senator Coons’ most recent floor speech on cybersecurity.

Senators Coons, Carper highlight conservation accomplishments in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

SEAFORD, Del. – On Monday, Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper were joined by state officials and Seaford cattle farm owners Carlton and Jody Jones to highlight conservation accomplishments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, working with farmers and other local stakeholders, has achieved historic levels of conservation implementation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed during the past two years, leading to water quality improvements, wildlife habitat enhancement and support of rural economies. 

NRCS helped Chesapeake Bay farmers and forest landowners voluntarily install conservation practices or actions on a total of 650,000 acres of working lands. Since 2004, NRCS has provided more than $500 million to help farmers install or apply conservation practices. Through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI), and other Farm Bill programs, NRCS staff helped landowners to voluntarily implement over 60,000 new conservation practices in the watershed in 2011. 

“Voluntary conservation practices make a tremendous difference as we work to support our local farmers while protecting and sustaining our precious natural resources for generations to come,” Senator Coons said. “Delaware farmers continue to raise the bar when it comes to committing themselves to best management practices that protect and preserve the land they farm, as well as the natural resources that surround them. What has been accomplished in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed should not only be celebrated, but should also serve as a model for other areas in the state, region and the nation.”

NRCS staff has helped landowners voluntarily apply or construct nearly 300 waste storage facilities, over 150,000 acres of nutrient management to regulate nutrient application, and nearly 70,000 feet of terraces to prevent soil erosion.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: July 30 to August 5

Monday, July 30 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will attend a news conference with Senator Carper, Governor Markell and DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara to mark the completion and naming of the Cedar Creek boat ramp facility in Milford.  This state-of-the-art facility includes eight 16-foot wide concrete launch lanes, five floating boarding docks and one floating courtesy dock.  Funding for the project was made up of 75% federal Sport Fish Restoration funds allocated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and 25% state matching funds from fishing and boating license fees. Cedar Creek Boat Ramp, Lighthouse Road, Slaughter Beach near Milford, DE. Open to press. 

Monday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will join Senator Carper, state officials and Seaford cattle farm owners Carlton and Jody Jones to highlight USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service accomplishments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. NRCS has achieved historic levels of conservation implementation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed during the past two fiscal years, leading to water quality improvements, wildlife habitat enhancement and support of rural economies.  3174 Woodland Ferry Road, Seaford, DE. Open to press.

Monday, July 30 at 1:15 p.m. – The Senator will visit the Davis Farm in Georgetown with Senator Carper and USDA Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse to view the effects of the current drought and high temperatures on farmers.  Farmer Mark Davis will show the devastation to both irrigated and “dry land” corn. On the Georgetown farm of Mark Davis. Turn north on Piglet Lane from Route 404 for approximately 0.7 mile. You will see a mowed area in the cornfield on your left. (Piglet Lane is about 1.5 miles west of Route 113 and Del Tech.) Open to press.

Tuesday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Thursday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press.

Thursday, August 2 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.

Friday, August 3 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate if the Senate is in session. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Saturday, August 4 at 8:45 a.m. — The Senator will attend the 2012 Wyoming Peach Festival. The 27th annual Peach Festival will be kicked off by a parade that will begin at Fifer Middle School, traveling west Camden/Wyoming Avenue, crossing the tracks, making a right on Railroad Avenue, and breaking up at Railroad Avenue and Third Street.  After the parade, downtown Wyoming will be lined with craft and food vendors. Wyoming, DE. Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

###

Senator Coons introduces amendment to sunset key provisions of Cybersecurity Act

Two hours after the Senate voted 84-11 on Thursday to proceed to the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 — a bill Senator Coons worked aggressively to shape — the Senator introduced an amendment to add a “sunset” to the legislation that would cause provisions that allow expanded systems monitoring and information sharing to expire five years after the legislation is enacted.

Sunsets are written into often written into new legislation to ensure that Congress revisits the issue and deliberately reauthorizes the law. This gives Congress an explicit opportunity to update the law to take into account lessons learned and best practices, ultimately making the law better. While House-passed cybersecurity legislation includes a five-year sunset of the expanded systems-monitoring and information-sharing provisions of the legislation, the Senate’s Cybersecurity Act does not.

Senator Coons’ amendment was cosponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.). The full text is below.

Video: Senator Coons talks about cybersecurity

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) participated in his second colloquy in two weeks on the importance of increasing America’s strength on cybersecurity on Thursday, July 26.