Senators Coons, Leahy renew fight to save key federal program for police officers’ safety

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced on Monday that they would renew their fight to reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program, which helps police officers and local governments purchase live-saving body armor. Thousands of vests have been purchased by Delaware law enforcement through the federal program over its 14-year history, but with some in Congress now blocking renewal of the program, its future is in real jeopardy.

“Police officers work to keep us safe every day, and Congress should be doing the same for them,” Senator Coons said. “Although many larger police departments are able to provide their officers with vests, too many officers are forced to buy their own. The federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership program makes those vests — which can cost more than $500 each — more affordable, helping ensure that when officers go out to protect our communities, they can do so safely. The program has saved thousands of lives nationwide, and just last year, it was the difference between life and death for two Capitol Police officers at the New Castle County Courthouse. Congress should be standing with our law enforcement officers, not in their way. Chairman Leahy and I are going to do everything we can to end this obstruction and see that the Bulletproof Vest Partnership is reauthorized.” Senator Coons is co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus.

The two Capitol Police officers shot in the lobby of New Castle County Courthouse in February, Corporal Steve Rinehart and Sergeant Mike Manley, were both wearing vests purchased through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership. The vests saved their lives.

In 2001, Dover Police Sgt. David Spicer was trying to make an arrest when he was shot four times at close range. He lost nearly half of the blood in his body, but was wearing a vest purchased through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership. It saved his life.

“The Delaware State Fraternal Order of Police strongly supports this legislation and calls upon our elected officials to ensure our officers are protected by voting for reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program,” Delaware FOP President Fred Calhoun said. “Without these funds, many officers and agencies will not be able to afford these critical pieces of equipment.  Every day, we rely on our officers to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of our citizens.  A small investment in the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program by the bipartisan leadership of our great nation will yield immeasurable returns in both the safety of Delaware’s Law Enforcement officers and the citizens they diligently serve.   The Delaware State Fraternal Order of Police believes that this vital piece of funding should not fall victim to partisan politics and that the time to fund the Bulletproof Vest Partnerships Grant Program is now.”

“The Delaware Police Chiefs Council supports the initiatives of Chairman Leahy and Senator Coons to reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program,” Lewes Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath said. “Body armor is essential equipment for police officers across the country. It is no less important than the service weapons, uniforms and properly equipped police cars we provide to our officers to do their jobs every day.  With the constant battle of budget cuts facing police chiefs across the country, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership allows us to provide new vests for our new officers and will continue to allow us to replace old body armor on a five-year schedule. It is extremely important that our police officers are able to protect themselves with the best bulletproof technology available and with a vest that properly fits each individual officer sworn to protect and serve. The Delaware Police Chief Council considers the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program to be of critical importance to law enforcement across our nation.” Chief Horvath is chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs Council.

The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act, which Senators Coons and Leahy re-introduced Monday, reauthorizes the competitive grant program from the Bureau of Justice Assistance that provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in their purchasing of ballistic-resistant and stab-resistant body armor that complies with National Institute of Justice body armor standards.  

“Just last month, we witnessed the superb investigative efforts of the federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who helped bring the Boston Marathon bombing suspect to face justice,” Senator Leahy said. “Yet the senseless murder of MIT police officer Sean Collier was a reminder of the danger that our law enforcement professionals routinely face. This week, which has come to be known as National Police Week, provides us with the opportunity not only to remember those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, but also to honor their memories by better equipping those officers who continue to serve our communities.” Senator Leahy is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Over the last 14 years, more than a million vests have been purchased nationwide. Below is data from the U.S. Department of Justice on Delaware’s participation in the program over the last five years:

Senator Coons hosted a Senate Law Enforcement Caucus briefing on the Bulletproof Vest Partnership in May 2012. More on that here: http://1.usa.gov/Kdfcy

Sgt. Spicer joined Senator Coons and Chairman Leahy at an event in the U.S. Capitol in November 2012 to mark the purchase of the 1 millionth vest under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership. More on that here: http://1.usa.gov/YoiL0N

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Senators Carper, Coons introduce bill to help Delaware’s small breweries grow

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) cosponsored legislation introduced Thursday to help Delaware’s small breweries grow and create jobs. The Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act, or Small BREW Act, would reduce the excise tax on each barrel of beer brewed by small brewers.

Under current law, brewers generally pay an $18 excise tax on each barrel brewed.  Small brewers, currently defined as those that brew fewer than 2 million barrels of beer a year, pay a reduced excise tax of $7 per barrel for the first 60,000 barrels of beer they brew each year. The Small BREW Act would reduce the excise tax applicable to brewers producing up to 6 million barrels per year to just $3.50 on the first 60,000 barrels and $16 on additional barrels below 2 million per year.

“From Dogfish Head and Twin Lakes to Iron Hill and Fordham, among many more, small brewers are invigorating communities across Delaware, creating jobs and brewing unique products that are shipped across the country and enjoyed by millions of Americans,” Senator Carper, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said. “The role of government is to create a nurturing environment for job creation, and a big part of that is ensuring that small businesses have a fair tax burden that helps them grow early, hire more workers and thrive for the long haul. This bill aims to do just that.”

“Delaware’s craft breweries are not only an important part of our state’s economy, but its personality,” Senator Coons said. “Craft breweries innately have a high potential for local growth and the Small BREW Act will help more of them fulfill that potential. Helping our small breweries grow and create more jobs in our communities in this targeted way is a smart investment.”

An economic impact study by Dr. John Friedman at Harvard University found that the bill would generate $153 million in economic activity in the first year and almost $865 million over five years and create nearly 4,400 jobs in just the first year.

The small brewer threshold and tax rate were established in 1976 and have never been updated.  Since then, the annual production of America’s largest brewery increased from 45 million barrels to 105 million barrels.  Raising the ceiling that defines small breweries from 2 million barrels to 6 million barrels more accurately reflects the intent of the original differentiation between large and small brewers in the U.S.

The Small BREW Act was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.), cosponsored by — in addition to Senators Carper and Coons — Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Mo Cowan (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Senators Carper and Coons also cosponsored the bill in the last Congress, then known as the Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act.

American Craft Beer Week, May 13-19, is a weeklong celebration of America’s small and independent craft brewers and their contributions to America’s communities and our economy.

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Senators Coons, Rubio reintroduce bill to help expand access to college for at-risk students

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced legislation Thursday to help increase the number of low-income and at-risk students able to access and complete a college education. The American Dream Accounts Act 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.

“If America wants to remain a leader in the global market, we must provide opportunities for our students to access and complete higher education,” Senator Coons said. “College not only keeps our nation competitive, but can also provide a ladder to the middle class by preparing our students for good-quality, high-paying jobs. American Dream Accounts are a way to strengthen the ability of teachers, parents, mentors, and students to work together to make sure that young people — throughout their entire educational experience — prepare for, save for, train for, and then fulfill a vision for their own future.”

“A college education is one of the most important investments someone can make in their future, and it’s important that more young people get that opportunity,” Senator Rubio said. “The American Dream Accounts Act will use existing Department of Education funds to award competitive grants to organizations that provide counseling and financial support for low-income students preparing for college, affording more students the opportunity to receive a higher education and hopefully see a better life. We should be helping more qualified students attend higher education institution, and ensuring they have meaningful counseling about their academic and professional future.”

Endorsed by the Delaware PTA, Delaware State University and the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, the American Dream Accounts Act encourages partnerships among schools, colleges, non-profits and businesses to develop secure, Web-based student accounts that contain information about academic preparedness, financial literacy and high-impact mentoring and would be tied to a college savings account. Instead of approaching these threads independently, this bill connects students, parents and teachers across silos, and takes a small but significant step toward helping more at-risk students of all income levels access, afford and complete a college education.

The American Dream Accounts Act authorizes the Department of Education to award three-year competitive grants to local partnerships that:

• Create personal online accounts for low-income students that monitor higher education readiness and include a college savings account.  These “American Dream Accounts” would stay with students from school to school and through college. Parents would grant vested stakeholders (including counselors, teachers, coaches, mentors, and others) access to the account to update student information, monitor progress, and provide college preparatory support.
• Open college savings accounts for students. Every ADA would include a college savings account for each student. Grantees that can provide these accounts with seed money would be prioritized. 
• Support college readiness by securely monitoring students’ progress online. Academic and behavioral information, including grades and course selections, progress reports, and attendance and disciplinary records would be available for review in an ADA, which would also provide opportunities to gain financial literacy, prepare for college enrollment, and identify skills and career interests.
• Collect data about effective ways to assist high-risk students in planning for college through a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system.
• Cost nothing. Funding would come from existing Department of Education funds.

Early investment is key. Sixty-eight percent of Delaware high school students graduate, and the rate drops dramatically in minority communities, with only 59 percent of Hispanic students and 59 percent of African American students earning a high school diploma. American Dream Accounts can help close that gap by giving students motivation and support early on, including the knowledge that scholarships, Pell and SEED grants will be there to support them after high school.

Senators Coons and Rubio first introduced the American Dream Accounts Act in March 2012. In addition to the Delaware PTA, Delaware State University and the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, the bill has also been endorsed by the National Parent Teacher Association, the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, Opportunity Nation, the Corporation for Enterprise Development, and First Focus Campaign for Children.

U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02) is expected to reintroduce the American Dream Accounts Act in the House of Representatives later this month.

The legislation can be downloaded here as a PDF:

http://www.coons.senate.gov/download/dream-accounts-legislation

A white paper on the American Dream Accounts Act can be downloaded as a PDF here:

http://www.coons.senate.gov/download/dream-accounts-white-paper

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

DOVER, Del. – To help connect Delawareans with employers in the area, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney 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.

“I always say that one of the best things you can do to help someone is help them find a job,” Senator Carper said. “This is why I join Senator Coons and Congressman Carney to host job fairs in each county in Delaware throughout the year. We have employers who are seeking to hire our world-class workforce, and I encourage those in Kent County who are seeking a job to come out and meet them.”

“With Congress still unable to advance legislation that will help businesses create jobs, these job fairs continue to be at least one way we can help our neighbors looking for work,” Senator Coons said. “Our job fairs in New Castle and Sussex counties earlier this year introduced more than 2,100 Delawareans to employers ready to hire, and while I’m hopeful our Kent County fair will be just as successful, I look forward to the day when they are no longer necessary.”

“Connecting employers with qualified workers is critical to strengthening the state’s businesses, families, and economy,” Congressman Carney said.  “At job fairs in New Castle and Sussex Counties, employers found strong applicants with valuable skills that could make a difference for their organization.  Any business looking to hire should take advantage of this opportunity.”

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.

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and an active supporter of Equality Delaware, 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,” Senator Coons 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,” Senator Coons 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.”

Senator Coons 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.

The Senator 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. 

Congressional Delegation notifies state and local law enforcement of federal grant opportunities

WILMINGTON — U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Congressman John Carney today notified Delaware’s state and local law enforcement agencies of two federal grant opportunities available through the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program.  The two grant programs now in an open application period include the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) and the Community Policing Development Program (CPD).  CHP applications must be submitted before 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22.  The deadline for CPD applications is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24. 

“Last month’s tragic events in Boston remind us of just how important state and local law enforcement is for our communities,” said Senator Carper. “The COPS programs can help Delaware’s state and local law enforcement agencies hire more police officers to keep our communities safe and prevent dangerous crimes. I encourage any police department in the First State looking to boost the capacity of their force to apply for these helpful federal grants.”

“As the tragic events in Boston unfolded last month, our country witnessed the critical role police officers have at containing a disaster and apprehending the criminal,” Senator Coons, chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, said. “Every day our officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities from danger. It’s funding like the COPS Hiring Program that ensures our police departments are adequately staffed and have the resources they need to hire and retain officers. I hope police departments across Delaware will apply for this important grant program that will help keep our neighborhoods safe.”

“The tragic events in Boston provided yet another reminder of the critical role first responders play in our daily lives. Keeping our communities safe must be the top priority,” said Congressman Carney.  “The grants made available through the COPS program gives law enforcement the staff, training, and resources they need to protect our neighborhoods and themselves.  I urge any state or local police department looking for such support to apply.”

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive grant that provides funding directly to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire or re-hire additional officers in support of community policing and crime prevention efforts.  Awardees may receive up to 75 percent of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each newly hired and/or rehired full-time officer, up to $125,000 per officer position, over a three-year grant period.  More information can be found at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2367.  

Community Policing Development Program funds are used to advance the practice of community policing in law enforcement agencies through training and technical assistance, the development and documentation of innovative community policing strategies, applied research, guidebooks, and best practices that are national in scope.  The program is open to all government agencies, profit and nonprofit institutions, universities, community groups, and faith-based organizations.  Proposals should be of national relevance, significantly advance the field of community policing, and demonstrate an understanding of community policing as it pertains to the application topic.  For more information, please visit: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2682.

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Carper, Coons, Carney host job fair for 700 job seekers

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – A job fair hosted on Tuesday by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney drew more than 700 job seekers who came to meet with 60 employers at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Combined, the employers were hiring for 1,000 open positions.

“In Sussex County, we’re seeing an uptick in manufacturing, housing and of course, seasonal positions as the summer approaches,” Senator Carper said. “That’s encouraging, but still too many Delawareans are unemployed or underemployed. We need to continue our efforts to get our friends and neighbors back to work. I’ve long believed that one of the best things you can do for someone is to help them find a good job. For me that means working to create a nurturing environment for job creation, and along with Senator Coons and Congressman Carney, I try to do that every day. Today’s job fair is just one example of how we can connect our world-class workforce with much-needed jobs.”

“Unemployment affects all regions of our state, including our coastal communities,” Senator Coons said. “It’s important that we continue to host these job fairs across the state to connect job-seeking Delawareans with employers in the area. I thank the employers who attended today’s fair and look forward to hosting the next job fair in Kent County in June.”  

“Today’s job fair connected hundreds of job seekers with more than 60 employers ready to hire,” Congressman Carney said.  “Many different industries were represented with employers looking for workers with a variety of skills and backgrounds.  In today’s very competitive job market, I urge everyone who attended to take advantage of this opportunity by following up with the prospective employers you met.  I’m looking forward to hosting another successful job fair in Kent County this June.”

In March, the Congressional delegation hosted a job fair in Newark that was attended by 1,400 job seekers. In 2012, the Congressional delegation hosted four jobs fairs across Delaware — one in each county and one seasonal fair at the Christiana Mall — with a combined total of more than 5,000 job seekers attending.  Job fairs in 2011 — also held in each county — attracted more than 4,900 people looking for work.

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

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Tomorrow: 60 employers will be at Sussex County job fair

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced on Monday  that more than  60 employers from around the region have signed up for their Sussex County job fair on Tuesday, April 30th. Combined, the employers are hiring for more than 1,000 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: Allen Harim Foods, American Registry of Pathology, APM Inc., AFLAC, AVON, Atlantic Refrigeration, BAYADA Home Care, Beasley Broadcast Group, Beebe Medical Center, Berecah Homes Inc., Bloodbank of Delmarva, Bloom Energy, County Bank, CCLTAFNJDE (construction jobs), Dry Zone, Edward Jones, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Food Lion, Food Bank of Delaware, Genesis Infotech Inc., Goodwill Delaware, Griswold Home Care, Habitat for Humanity, Hollister, Homestead Funding Corporation,  Harbor Healthcare & Rehab,  IG Burton & Co., Interim Healthcare, Johnny Janosik, Joshua Freeman Foundation, Kent-Sussex Industries, Lewes & Rehoboth Association of Churches, Manpower, Mountaire Farms, Midway Speedway Park, Nanticoke Health System, Metro Merchant Services, MedTix, LLC, New Behavioral Network, New York Life, People’s Place, Quality Staffing Services, ResortQuest, Seawatch International, SecureNetMD LLC, Starbucks Coffee Company, State Farm Insurance, Telamon Corporation, UPS, Viridian Energy, Ind. Rep., and Wawa

Government Agencies: Delaware Department of Transportation, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State Police, Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnerships (DT3P), Delaware Technical Community College, 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.

Senator Coons stresses importance of rural economy at summit in Washington

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), 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,” Senator Coons 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.

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Senator Coons, UD professor participate in roundtable discussion on impact of our changing climates and oceans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Oceans Caucus, participated in a roundtable discussion on Wednesday on ideas for managing our changing oceans, specifically ocean acidification, rising sea levels, and extreme weather. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured eight leaders from the private sector, government, and educational institutions including, Dr. Chris Sommerfield, Associate Professor of Oceanography, University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment.

The roundtable highlighted the economic impacts facing local industries and communities and discussed infrastructure and other measures needed to monitor, mitigate, and adapt to these changing conditions. Issues discussed during today’s meeting include the impacts of Superstorm Sandy and the likelihood of similar extreme storms damaging coastal communities, as well as the importance of protecting coral reefs from increasing ocean temperatures and acidification.

“Changes to our world’s climate are having adverse effects on our oceans and coastal communities,” Senator Coons said. “Water is rising across our seaboard. In Delaware, the state with the lowest mean elevation of any state in the United States, makes it susceptible to sea level rise and erosion of land. We must come together across all sectors to reverse this damage and prevent further destruction to our planet. I thank Dr. Sommerfield for joining us today and sharing his research on sedimentary processes of our estuaries, coasts, and oceans.”

Dr. Sommerfield discussed the importance of protecting our marshes, because of the critical role they play in protecting communities against storms, filtering pollutants from waterways, providing recreational benefits and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in Delaware and coastal states.

The discussion comes on the heels of a floor speech Senator Coons gave on Monday calling for action to address the adverse effects of climate change in Delaware and around the country. 

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.

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