Senator Coons recognizes Armed Forces Day

Senator Coons is joining Americans across the country in recognizing Saturday as Armed Forces Day.  This national commemoration serves as a thank you to all service members and their families who sacrifice so much for our nation.

“The men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom are true heroes, and Armed Forces Day is one way to show them our gratitude for their service to our country,” Chris said.  “We also recognize the tremendous sacrifices of the families of our service members.  I will to continue to work hard in Washington on behalf of all service members and their families—it’s the least we can do for America’s heroes.”

Created in 1949 by the Department of Defense, Armed Forces Day combines previously separate Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard days. Armed Forces Day is not just dedicated to the men and women who serve in the military, but also to their families.  To show the appreciation of a grateful nation, all 397 national parks will be issuing free passes on Saturday for active troops and their children to enjoy relaxation, rejuvenation, and just plain fun. 

Chris will celebrate Armed Forces Day by attending the Newark Memorial Day Parade at the University of Delaware on Sunday. The event is dedicated to the United States Armed Forces and the Delawareans who have given their lives for freedom. A ceremony will be held on the University of Delaware’s Green at 1:00 pm, followed by a parade on Main Street.

Senator Coons applauds step toward equality for same-sex partners of federal workers

A bill co-sponsored by Senator Coons to ensure same-sex partners of federal workers receive the same benefits as straight couples passed the Senate Homeland Security Committee by voice vote Wednesday.

The legislation, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, allows federal employees in same-sex domestic partnerships to receive the same benefits as heterosexual married couples, including health insurance, long-term disability, retirement and other benefits.

Chris is a strong advocate for civil rights and co-sponsored this legislation because he believes it is a matter of fundamental fairness. In addition, this bill helps the federal government compete with private sector companies for top talent. Nearly 10,000 private companies of all sizes provide benefits to domestic partners – including 60 percent of all Fortune 500 companies. Some 34,000 federal workers lived in committed same-sex partnerships in 2007.

This legislation was sponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee.

Last week, Chris applauded President Obama’s statement of support for same-sex marriage, calling it “an important moment on the journey to equality.”

Video: Senator Coons calls on House to reauthorize VAWA

Senator Coons spoke at a press conference on May 16, 2012 urging the GOP in the House to to take up and pass the Senate’s bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Senator Coons recognizes 150 years of USDA

On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to create the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which he called “The People’s Department.”  At the time, nearly half of all Americans lived on farms, compared with only about 2 percent today.  However, agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of our American heritage and a major driving force in our economy, with more than 2.2 billion acres of farmland across the United States and one in twelve jobs linked to agriculture or forestry.

One hundred and fifty years later, the USDA remains a department of the people.  The department’s work on a broad range of issues – from international trade and economic development, next generation energy development and technological innovation, natural resource conservation and recreation, food safety and nutrition, to research and science – touches nearly every aspect of American life.

Agriculture is a vital force in Delaware’s economy and remains an integral part of our community.  In 2008, agriculture in Delaware contributed nearly $8 billion to the economy and supported roughly 30,000 jobs.  Sussex County, the birthplace of the modern poultry industry, produces more chickens than any other county in the United States.  Delaware also has the highest percentage of preserved, productive farmland of any state in the nation.  In addition, the University of Delaware, which was designated as one of the nation’s historic Land Grant colleges in 1867, is conducting cutting edge research, providing critical services, and participating in vital partnerships with Delaware’s agriculture sector.

Senator Coons congratulates the USDA on a fantastic first 150 years and looks forward to continuing to work together to address our nation’s agricultural challenges.

Senator Coons honors National Police Week at ceremony in Washington

WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to honor colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of their communities. President Obama and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined officers and their families on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday for an event to mark National Police Week and honor those whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, including New Castle County Police Lieutenant Joe Szczerba, who was killed in the line of duty in September.

“The police officers who protect our communities have earned our profound respect and deep gratitude, and National Police Week is an important opportunity to honor their work and remember the sacrifices of those who have fallen in the line of duty,” Chris said. “National Police Week serves as an important reminder to Congress that we must continue to work to ensure that our agencies receive the resources they need to effectively protect our communities.”

The names of the 163 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2011 have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, including Lt. Szczerba’s.

“Joe Szczerba was a good person and great police officer whose spirit has been carried on by his family and his colleagues on the New Castle County police force,” Chris continued. “As our nation pauses today to honor his memory, we are reminded that Delaware is truly blessed to have such great men and women risking their lives to protect our communities.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Between 25,000 and 40,000 people from departments throughout the United States and agencies around the world come to Washington to mark the day.

Senator Coons says trade secrets are a vital part of U.S. intellectual property

Senator Coons attended an oversight hearing last week that demonstrated how U.S. intellectual property is a key driver of our economy and made clear the importance of IP enforcement efforts.

At the hearing, Victoria Espinel, the President’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, referred to a March 2012 report by the Department of Commerce that estimated IP-intensive industries contribute $5 trillion dollars annually to the U.S. economy.  Chris thanked Victoria for her work to coordinate IP enforcement, which last year saw a 33% increase in enforcement activity stemming from just a 5% increase in funding.

Chris also pointed out that the Department of Commerce report looked only at patents, copyright and trademark, but did not examine the role of trade secrets.  Like patents, trade secrets are advancements which enable a business to make something more quickly, more cheaply, or better performing.  The weaving technology that allows DuPont to turn strands of fiber into Kevlar body armor is a trade secret, as is the formula behind Coca-Cola.  Trade secrets, unlike patents, can last far into the future, so long as the owner keeps them secret and a competitor is not able to reverse-engineer the advance.

At the hearing, Chris also warned that trade secret theft is a growing problem and, in many cases, is done at the direction of foreign governments.  “I can tell you,” Coordinator Espinel responded, “trade secret theft is an enormous priority for us, and I think it’s clear that . . . the negative implications for our ability to compete globally when we lose trade secrets . . . are very significant.”

Although the FBI increased the number of criminal trade secret cases by 29 percent last year, more work remains to be done.  Chris is an original cosponsor of the Economic Espionage Penalty Enforcement Act, which aims to address the problem of low sentences for these crimes.  Chris has also spoken about his desire to create a federal civil private right of action for trade secret theft, which would provide businesses with a uniform, reliable, and predictable way to protect their valuable trade secrets anywhere in the nation.

Senator Coons to host a briefing on police safety gear in Washington

WASHINGTON – To mark National Police Week, Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a founder of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, will host a briefing on Tuesday for members of Congress and their staff to experience wearing bullet-resistant and stab-resistant body armor and attend a panel presentation on the function and science behind this critical safety equipment. The event will be held in SVC-200 of the Capitol Visitors Center and is open to the public.

The “Protection through Innovation: Bullet– and Stab-Resistant Body Armor and Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers” briefing is sponsored by the Senate and House Law Enforcement Caucuses and features speakers from local and national law enforcement agencies and the technology industry. Issues that will be addressed during the briefing include body armor wear rates and special fit issues concerning body armor worn by females, the scientific testing process for body armor, and efforts to minimize the risks of backface signature injuries.

The briefing will highlight the importance for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Act of 2012, which is scheduled to be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Senator Coons is an original cosponsor of this legislation that provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in their purchasing of ballistic-resistant and stab-resistant body armor through competitive grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

In addition to Senator Coons, the briefing will be co-hosted by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Representative Dan Reichert (R-Wash.-8), and Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-8). Senator Coons will deliver keynote remarks followed by a panel presentation by: Chief Jeffrey Horvath, Lewes, Delaware, Police Department and Chairman of the Delaware Police Chefs Council; Retired Chief Ron McBride, IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club; Stephanie Garlock, National Sheriffs’ Association; and Jeff Fackler, DuPont Protection Technology.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: May 14 to May 20

Monday, May 14 at 8:15 a.m. – The Senator will join Senator Carper and Congressman Carney in hosting the annual Delaware Youth Conference at Wesley College. Students will have the opportunity to interact with members of the Congressional delegation during an open forum, and attend breakout sessions on cyber security, leadership through service, and the impact of digital channels on news. Congressional staff will also be on hand to answer students’ questions about the application process for earning a nomination to a United States service academy. Participants will also present the Food Bank of Delaware with canned good donations.  Wesley College, H.B. DuPont College Center, 120 North State Street, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Monday, May 14 at 4:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 6:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Monday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Delaware Small Business Week Awards Gala. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Stand Up for Small Businesses, will honor the Delaware Small Business Person of the Year, Delaware Business Champions and SBA’s Top Lenders. Executive Banquet and Conference Center, 205 Executive Drive, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Tuesday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will host a Law Enforcement Caucus event on bulletproof vests. The briefing will provide an opportunity for Members and staff to experience wearing bullet-resistant and stab-resistant body armor, and will feature a panel presentation on function and science behind this critical safety equipment. Panelists will discuss topics including: body armor wear rates, the scientific testing process for body armor, and efforts to minimize the risks of backface signature injuries. – SVC-200, Capitol Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Wednesday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Judiciary Hearing on Oversight of the FBI. The Honorable Robert S. Mueller will testify as the Director of the FederalBureau of Investigation of the United States Department of Justice. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will deliver opening remarks at a Media Matters event on the future of clean energy. The Senator will speak about the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 and a bill he will introduce next week to encourage investments in clean energy sources. The panel will feature experts from business and policy to discuss the current and future state of the clean energy marketplace, offer fresh perspectives on the industry, and give reporters the chance to hear the real facts about clean energy. National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will attend an Energy and Natural Resource Committee hearing on the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012. Collin O’Mara, Secretary of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will testify at the hearing. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. During National Police Week, the Committee is schedule to take up two bills that Senator Coons supports and will help protect law enforcementofficers: the Officer Safety Act and the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.  226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will chair a Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing. The nominees being considered during the hearing include: Mr. Edward M. Alford, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Gambia; Mr. Mark L. Asquino, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; Mr. Douglas M. Griffiths, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique; Mr. David J. Lane, to serve as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, with the rank of Ambassador. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Saturday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will deliver the commencement address at Widener Law graduation ceremony. 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE – Open to press

Saturday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the 20th Anniversary of the Biggs Museum. This event will highlight the Dover museum’s history and plans for future growth. 406 Federal Street, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend and deliver brief remarks at the Delaware State University Commencement Ceremony. Alumni Stadium, 1200 North Dupont Highway, Delaware State University, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Newark Memorial Day Parade. The event is dedicated to the United States armed forces and those Delawareans who have given their lives for our freedom. A ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. on University of Delaware’s green, followed by a parade on Main Street. Main Street, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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ICYMI: Senator Coons’ op-ed on global Internet freedom

The Huffington Post: Senator Chris Coons, a co-chair of the Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus, penned an op-ed on Thursday supporting the right of citizens around the world to use the Internet to exchange thoughts, opinions, and expressions. The op-ed argues it is America’s duty to ensure foreign governments and the private sector are working to preserve the basic right of Internet freedom.

Popular movements and entrenched governments both clearly see how the unique power of the Internet can spread democratic ideas and demands for human rights and basic freedoms.

These fundamental values, which should be granted to citizens around the world as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are central to who we are as Americans.

We must continue to pursue an American foreign policy that protects the “right to connect” as a U.S. foreign policy priority. The Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus advocates for the promotion of policies that promotes rights of all people to use the Internet and other forms of technology to exercise basic freedoms globally. In order to achieve this goal, we must engage with governments, individuals, and the private sector to preserve the Internet as an open platform for commerce and communication.

Click here to read the full op-ed on The Huffington Post’s website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign relations.

Senator Coons calls for equality for LGBT couples facing deportation

One day after President Obama announced in a historic interview that he supports same-sex marriage, Senator Chris Coons joined 16 of his Senate colleagues in urging the Administration to protect married LGBT couples facing deportation.

Chris and his colleagues called on the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to provide relief to same-sex couples in which one spouse is not a U.S. citizen. Chris believes that while the Defense of Marriage Act is being challenged in court, the denial of green card applications in these cases is unfairly forcing couples to choose between breaking the law or being separated from their families. He strongly opposes the Defense of Marriage Act and believes Congress should repeal this discriminatory law.

Led by Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the letter reads in part “We write to you to reiterate our request that the Administration provide relief for lesbian and gay families in which one spouse is not a U.S. citizen during this time of legal uncertainty…With marriage equality rights being extended to more and more citizens of this country, and with the Department of Justice’s repudiation of DOMA, we are concerned with the toll the continued denial of I-130 applications for same-sex immigrant spouses is exacting on families in this country.”

Along with Senator Coons and Senator Kerry, the letter was signed by Senators Patrick Leahy, Ron Wyden, Bernard Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Daniel Akaka, Al Franken, Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Mikulski, Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Barbara Boxer, Patty Murray and Kirsten Gillibrand.