Senator Coons recognizes World Malaria Day

Today, Senator Coons marked World Malaria Day by highlighting Delaware’s unique, important role in eradicating the disease worldwide.  

This afternoon, Chris spoke at an event hosted by Malaria No More featuring the latest U.S. research and development from public and private institutions working to combat malaria. One of the institutions included was Delaware’s own Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biology, which is utilizing a nearly $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a transmission-blocking vaccine that would render bites from malarial mosquito harmless.

“While we have come a long way in lowering the number of malaria-related deaths, we still have much work to do to stem the spread of this preventable, treatable disease,” Senator Coons said. “Through public and private research, we are developing promising new advancements in eradicating malaria globally, and the Delaware-based Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biology is leading the charge.”

Malaria is a parasitic blood disease spread by mosquitoes, and while it was eradicated from the United States in 1951, the debilitating disease still kills 655,000 people each year around the world. It is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of related deaths occurring in Africa.  The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old.    

In partnership with Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Senator Coons has sponsored two resolutions supporting the goals of World Malaria Day, which aims to end malaria deaths by 2015. He also supports U.S. leadership to combat malaria as a critical component of the President’s Global Health Initiative.

New site connects veterans with employment

Nearly a year ago, Senator Coons stood outside the U.S. Capitol with Senators Patty Murray, Jon Tester, and Mark Begich to announce the introduction of the Hiring Heroes Act. The prospects for their legislation promoting employment for veterans seemed dark, since only ten bills had been signed by the President at the time, and only one of those was not naming a courthouse or a temporary extension to keep federal agencies running.

But the challenges facing veterans were worth fighting against, including high unemployment and a daunting transition to civilian life. Chris and his colleagues were committed to making progress, and with the help of veterans themselves, their bill garnered 40 bipartisan cosponsors. Eventually, the bill became the centerpiece of President Obama’s VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which was signed into law on November 21, 2011.

Last week, a tangible result of those efforts went live for service members and veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new website to guide veterans through job-related benefits available under the law. For service veterans, it includes an easy-to-read guide to the additional Vocational and Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits now available for service-connected disabled veterans, as well as the additional benefits under the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program to help veterans find work in high-demand jobs. For transitioning service members, it has a section on a number of newly or more widely available benefits for seamless transition from duty to civilian life. And for employers, it provides resources on how to access the tax credits and other incentives provided if they hire veterans.

There’s still a long way to go in fulfilling the commitment we made to our veterans, particularly in the area of processing their benefits claims. But we’ve already made progress from last May, and Chris is committed to making more in the year ahead.

Senator Coons chairs hearing on Joseph Kony

This morning, Senator Coons, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, held a hearing examining U.S. policy to counter the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its leader, Joseph Kony.

In his opening statement, Chris declared “Joseph Kony epitomizes the worst of mankind and evil in the modern day.”   He showed this chart, demonstrating that in the past four months alone, the LRA has committed 132 attacks despite increased U.S. and regional efforts to kill or capture Kony and his top lieutenants.

Witnesses at today’s hearing included Principal Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto, Assistant Administrator for Africa at USAID Earl Gast and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Amanda Dory.

On a second panel of witnesses, two former LRA abductees, Jolly Okot and Jacob Acaye, shared their stories. Chris personally thanked them for attending, noting they both “endured horrific experiences in Uganda, and survived to courageously tell their story.”

The hearing stressed the broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate for stopping Kony, and for the recent deployment of 100 U.S. military advisors, which just yesterday, President Obama announced would continue to train regional militaries. 

Chris also took time to show a video he made to respond to the millions of Americans – especially young people – who recently became involved in this issue due to the effective advocacy of NGOs such as Resolve, Invisible Children, and the Enough Project. He is also sponsoring a resolution, with 40 other bipartisan members of the Senate, condemning the LRA and supporting continued U.S. efforts to strengthen the capabilities of regional militaries, increase civilian protection, and provide assistance to populations affected by the LRA. Join Chris as a citizen cosponsor of his resolution here.

Celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day is a day for us to take a step back and recognize the importance of our natural resources to our health, economy, and way of life.

The environmental challenges facing our nation, and our planet, can seem daunting at times. From climate change, to water scarcity, to species extinctions, these issues are all incredibly complicated and will require long term, comprehensive, and international solutions. However, Chris believes that it is important for us to remember that there are simple things we can do in our everyday lives that can help. You can save resources by reusing and recycling containers and materials; save energy by turning off lights, appliances, and computers; save water by turning off faucets; and you can help wildlife by building bat boxes, keeping a bird feeder, and planting native plants in your yard. These things may seem small, but if everyone did a little, together, we can do a lot. These efforts lead to real, positive impacts for the environment, and can help change the way we look at environmental problems.

Chris also believes that it is important for us all to get out and enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible. Doing so will help us enjoy our open spaces, stay healthy, and connect with our neighbors and broader community. Chris is proud of Delaware’s efforts to create a more livable state, with its Walkable, Bikeable, Delaware plan, which will create a coherent vision for biking and walking infrastructure in Delaware and invest in new recreation opportunities and alternate means for transportation. One of the projects Chris has been helping to lead is the development of a recreational trail along the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal. The trail will connect Delaware City with Chesapeake City, create jobs, link communities, and serve as a regional destination for the hikers, bicyclists, joggers, horseback riders, and anglers. Construction of the trail is expected to begin this May. Chris is also very supportive of programs that conserve habitat, farmland, and our hunting heritage, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and the suite of farm bill conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP), and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

While Chris understands that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role in the near term, he firmly believes that we need to be making alternative choices for the future. Developing innovative forms of renewable and low carbon energy are critical not only to protecting our environment but also to our long-term economic competitiveness. There is state-of-the-art research and development will depend on both public and private investments across the country in the areas of solar, wind, thermal, and biomass energy as well as with energy capture and storage technology that could transform our economy. It is important for the federal government to ensure that this critical research continues to receive the resources it needs. In particular, Chris is focused on promoting the next generation of advanced biofuels, deploying more renewables and energy efficiency into the electricity system, and helping Delaware to become the first state to deploy large-scale wind energy technology off its coast. Imagine the immense benefits to our economy, environment, and our way of life from manufacturing more clean energy products in Delaware and powering our homes with home-grown wind energy.

Happy Earth Day!

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: April 23 to April 29

Monday, April 23 at 9:45 a.m. — The Senator will speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new La Red Health Center facility in Georgetown. La Red Health Center’s mission is to provide bilingual, culturally appropriate, high-quality, cost-effective, primary and preventive medical care to residents of Sussex County, Delaware, with emphasis towards serving those who are underinsured, uninsured or who face other barriers to medical care. Senator Coons, along with Senator Carper and Congressman Carney, will speak at the ribbon cutting of LRHC’s new facility, which will expand services to meet the medically underserved in Sussex County. 21444 Carmen Way, Georgetown, DE– Open to press.

 Monday, April 23 at 12:15 p.m. — The Senator will join Senator Carper and Congressman Carney to host a job fair in Kent County. This is the first of three job fairs the Delaware Congressional delegation will host this spring. In addition to networking with companies looking to hire, job seekers can also take advantage of workshops, career counseling and resume review opportunities. Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Monday, April 23 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.

Tuesday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will chair a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. The hearing will focus on U.S. policy and regional efforts to counter the Lord’s Resistance Army and capture Joseph Kony. The hearing will include testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable Donald Yamamoto, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State; The Honorable Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development; Ms. Amanda Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense; Jacob Acaye, former abductee of the Lord’s Resistance Army; and Jolly Okot, Uganda Country Director for Invisible Children. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.  

 Tuesday, April 24 at 2:15 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting.  The meeting will include review of several pieces of legislation and ambassador nominations. S-116 U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Tuesday, April 24 at 5:00 p.m. — The Senator will receive a public service award and speak at the American Chemical Society.  Each year, the American Chemical Society (ACS) recognizes outstanding contributions to public service or to the development of public policy that benefits the chemical sciences. This year, Senator Coons is one of the recipients for the ACS public service award, in part for his introduction of the Job Creation through Innovation Act. B-388 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. — Open to press.

Thursday, April 26 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, April 26 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:15 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:00 p.m. (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, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend the 10th annual Delaware Numbers Bee. This online tournament is a showcase of technology and a teaching tool that helps foster students’ interest in mathematics. As an advocate of STEM education programs, Senator Coons will give remarks at the Numbers Bee Awards Assembly. A.I. DuPont High School, Greenville, DE – Open to press. Contact: Dr. Sakthi A. Vel at 302-239-4661.

Saturday, April 28 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the second annual Delaware State Housing Authority’s Homebuyer Fair. Hilton Wilmington/Christiana, Christiana Ballroom, 100 Continental Drive, Newark, DE

Sunday, April 29 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend Science Day at the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  Presented by DOW, fans will be treated to science-related events during the Wilmington Blue Rocks vs. Winston-Salem Dash game at Frawley Stadium.  Additionally, this game will host the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate day to empower the Komen Promise to end breast cancer. Frawley Stadium, 801 South Madison Street, Wilmington, DE — Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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Senator Coons’ bill on bankruptcy courts passes

On Thursday, the Senate passed legislation authored by Senator Coons to avert a crisis in America’s bankruptcy courts system. Chris introduced the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Extension Act to extend 29 temporary bankruptcy judgeships in 14 states and Puerto Rico — including five judgeships in Delaware — at risk of expiration and dramatically overburdening these key federal courts.

Without Congressional action, when a judge in one of these temporary appointments retired, resigned or died in office, they could not be replaced – leaving other judges to take on their caseloads and slowing down the system for everyone. Bankruptcy courts help individuals get a fresh start and corporations restructure without having to lay off workers, making them extremely important to Delaware’s economy.

“Having a full bench of bankruptcy court judges will allow for a renewed economic stability for many who have fallen into financial hardships,” Senator Coons said. “Talented bankruptcy judges can help turn a likely economic loss into a successful reorganization that protects jobs and creditors. This legislation will ensure that these judgeships remain in place and continue to fairly and expeditiously resolve bankruptcy claims — a key component of our economy as companies and individuals get back on their feet.”

More than one-third of the nation’s largest bankruptcies are handled by Delaware’s bankruptcy judges, which are hailed for their experience, speed and predictability. Five of Delaware’s six judgeships have temporary authorizations that have expired. One additional Wilmington-based bankruptcy court is on loan from the eastern district of Pennsylvania, and also has a temporary authorization that has expired. 

Faced with increasing demand on the federal court system, Congress has created dozens of temporary bankruptcy judgeships over the last 20 years to help the courts keep pace. The Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2011 heeds the recommendations made last year by the non-partisan Judicial Conference of the United States, whose biennial review urged Congress to prevent the expiration of the 30 temporary bankruptcy judgeships covered by this bill by extending each by five years. The statutory authorization to fill these judgeships, should they be vacated — as happened when Judge Arthur Gonzalez of the Southern District of New York retired this winter — has already lapsed, preventing Congress and the President from appointing a replacement.

The Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Extension Act of 2011 was introduced in the Senate in November and passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in December. The House of Representatives passed the legislation on December 8. Amended in the Senate Thursday night, the House will have to vote on the legislation again. It is expected to pass.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for coming together in bipartisan way to move this legislation forward,” Senator Coons said. “No one wants to see companies file for bankruptcy, but when they do, it’s important their cases are handled professionally and by a court that isn’t so overloaded with cases that it can’t give them the attention they need. These courts protect American jobs every day. This legislation will help ensure they can continue to do so as our economic recovery grows.”

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.).

Video: Senators respond to Kony 2012 movement

The day before the Kony 2012 movement’s global day of action, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released a video on the Senate’s efforts to support the removal of Joseph Kony and his top lieutenants in the Lord’s Resistance Army from the battlefield in central Africa. Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), is also featured in the video, which is aimed at the millions of young Americans who have become part of the Kony 2012 movement in the last month.

Senator Coons leads hearing on entrenched African leaders

As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Coons today convened a hearing to examine U.S. policy in response to entrenched African leaders.

In his opening statement, Chris said that African leaders who stay in power for decades, some by manipulating their country’s constitution or governing institutions “challenge U.S. values and objectives, including the promotion of democracy, transparency, and rule of law.  It contributes to corruption, economic stagnation, a lack of accountability, and an inability of the government to effectively represent and respond to the needs of the people.  It threatens to hamper the vast potential of sub-Saharan Africa, and must therefore be addressed and ultimately, reversed.”      

The hearing featured testimony from Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa Earl Gast and the National Democratic Institute’s Regional Director for Central and West Africa Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh.

In addition, the committee heard testimony from Dr. Mo Ibrahim, an advocate for responsible governance in Africa whose foundation awards an annual cash prize of $5 million to democratically elected African leaders who demonstrate excellence in office and peacefully step down from power. Chris had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Ibrahim prior to the hearing.

Senator Coons Celebrates National Robotics Week with FAME

Senator Coons marked the third annual National Robotics Week and Delaware’s inaugural National Robotics Day at Barclays on the Wilmington Riverfront.  Chris joined members of the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) as they recognized robotics technology as a pillar of 21st century American innovation.  FAME, Inc. Executive Director Donald Baker talked with Chris about the growing importance of robotics and the role it plays in encouraging students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In Delaware, FAME is a year-round program that works with students in grades 6 through 12. 

“I was impressed to learn that FAME is working to increase the number of women and minority students who decide to go into robotics and the sciences,” said Chris.  “Events like Robotics Day are fun to attend, and they also help ensure STEM education is getting the attention it deserves in today’s curriculum.”

The event provided a great opportunity for networking and interaction between students, industry leaders and other experts. As a former student of the sciences himself, Chris was thrilled to participate in National Robotics Day. He encouraged the students in the audience to continue pursuing science and pointed out to the female students that they don’t need to look far for inspiration – the heads of two of Delaware’s largest science-based companies, DuPont and W.L. Gore, are both women.

Senator Coons recognizes Equal Pay Day

Senator Chris Coons, a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, issued the following statement on Tuesday to recognize Equal Pay Day — the day that marks how far into the calendar year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Equal Pay Day was created in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between men’s and women’s wages.

“It’s astonishing and saddening to think that in 2012, women still get paid less than men for doing the same work. As we pause today to reflect on the need for an ‘Equal Pay Day,’ we should also honor the progress women have made in our nation’s workforce. American women make up half our labor force and are the primary or co-breadwinners in six out of ten households, but still face wage discrimination.

“In Delaware, on average, women are paid 81 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to a yearly gap of $9,505 between full-time working men and women. Women of color experience even greater disparity, with African-American women working full-time in Delaware being paid just 71 cents for every dollar paid to men. Latinas in Delaware are paid just 53 cents on the dollar.

“Equal pay for equal work is more than just basic fairness, it will also reduce the financial strain many families are currently facing. I applaud the efforts of so many to close the wage gap, including my colleague, Senator Barbara Mikulski, who introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, of which I’m a proud cosponsor. Today, I re-pledge myself to fighting to end pay discrimination for Delawareans and all Americans. ”

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on civil rights.