Carper, Coons, Carney host seasonal job fair at Christiana Mall for more than 1,000 job seekers

NEWARK, Del. – A seasonal job fair hosted by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney connected 1,000 job seekers with more than 25 employers at the Christiana Mall in Newark on Wednesday.  This was the eighth job fair hosted by the Congressional delegation, including two for veterans. 

“I was happy to see so many job opportunities for Delawareans looking for jobs over the holiday season,” said Sen. Carper. “Our goal is to continue to facilitate these connections between employers and Delaware’s first-class work force and I think today’s job fair was successful at doing just that.”

“This job fair connected Delawareans eager to work with employers eager to hire during the busy holiday shopping season,” Senator Coons said.  “The economy is improving, but there is more work to be done. We are hearing success stories from folks up and down the state who have come to our job fairs, made connections and landed good-paying jobs, and that’s motivation enough for me to keep working to connect job seekers with employers ready to hire.”

“This job fair was about helping Delawareans looking for work over the holiday season,” said Congressman Carney.  “Many retailers are searching for talented workers to help them out during the busiest time of the year.  I’m glad that we were able to connect so many Delaware job seekers with these opportunities.”

There are 120 retail and food tenants located in the Christiana Mall.  Mall management estimates there will be 500 to 1,000 new jobs to be added during the holiday season—some of which will become permanent positions. 

Senator Coons celebrates National Wildlife Refuge Week

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, marked the week of October 14^th as National Wildlife Refuge Week to raise awareness about the importance of the refuge system to wildlife conservation and the recreational opportunities available in our wildlife refuges.

Delaware’s two national wildlife refuges — Bombay Hook in Kent County, which is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year, and Prime Hook in Sussex County — draw a combined 200,000 visitors annually. 

“There is an array of pristine wildlife and natural resources located in the state of Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “We are fortunate to be within driving distance of two wonderful refuges that support our economy by providing recreational activities like hunting, fishing and hiking to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. We must continue to preserve these areas so they can be enjoyed by future generations of Delawareans.”

Since 1995, refuges across the country have celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week in early October with festivals, educational programs, guided tours and other events. Many state and local governments proclaim the week every year, and for the past three years Congress has officially recognized it.

Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of a bipartisan resolution celebrating the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Wildlife Refuge Week, which officially runs from October 14^th to the 20^th. This is the second year Senator Coons has sponsored a resolution recognizing National Wildlife Refuge Week. This year’s resolution passed unanimously in September, with 25 bipartisan cosponsors including Senators Sessions, Cardin, Alexander, Murray, Lieberman, Reed, Wyden, Bingaman, Whitehouse, Tom Udall, Scott Brown, Collins, Snowe, Feinstein, Kerry, Boxer, Leahy, Landrieu, Bennet, Blumenthal, Mikulski, Pryor, Mark Udall and Tim Johnson.

Wildlife advocacy groups that support the resolution include: Ducks Unlimited, the National Wildlife Refuge Association and other members of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement.

The text of the resolution designating National Wildlife Refuge Week is included below:

RESOLUTION

Designating the week beginning October 14, 2011, as ‘‘National Wildlife Refuge Week’’

Whereas, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on Florida’s Pelican Island;

Whereas, in 2012, the National Wildlife Refuge System, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, is the premier system of lands and waters to conserve wildlife in the world, and has grown to more than 150,000,000 acres, 558 national wildlife refuges, and 38 wetland management districts in every State and territory of the United States;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are important recreational and tourism destinations in communities across the United States, and these protected lands offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including 6 wildlife-dependent uses that the National Wildlife Refuge System manages: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation;

Whereas more than 360 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System have hunting programs and more than 300 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System have fishing programs, averaging more than 2,500,000 hunting visits and more than 7,000,000 fishing visits each year;

Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System experienced more than 30,000,000 wildlife observation visits during fiscal year 2012;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are important to local businesses and gateway communities;

Whereas, for every $1 appropriated, national wildlife refuges generate $4 in economic activity;

Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System experiences approximately 47,000,000 visits each year, which generated nearly $2,100,000,000 and more than 35,000 jobs in local economies during fiscal year 2012;

Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses every kind of ecosystem in the United States, including temperate, tropical, and boreal forests, wetlands, deserts, grasslands, arctic tundras, and remote islands, and spans 12 time zones from the Virgin Islands to Guam;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are home to more than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 1,000 species of fish;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are the primary Federal lands that foster production, migration, and wintering habitat for waterfowl;

Whereas, since 1934, the sale of the Federal Duck Stamp to outdoor enthusiasts has generated more than $850,000,000 in funds, which has enabled the purchase or lease of more than 5,500,000 acres of waterfowl habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System;

Whereas 59 refuges were established specifically to protect imperiled species, and of the more than 1,300 federally listed threatened and endangered species in the United States, 280 species are found on units of the National Wildlife Refuge System;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are cores of conservation for larger landscapes and resources for other agencies of the Federal Government and State governments, private landowners, and organizations in their efforts to secure the wildlife heritage of the United States;

Whereas more than 42,000 volunteers and approximately 220 national wildlife refuge `Friends’ organizations contribute nearly 1,600,000 hours annually, the equivalent of 766 full-time employees, and provide an important link to local communities;

Whereas national wildlife refuges provide an important opportunity for children to discover and gain a greater appreciation for the natural world;

Whereas, because there are national wildlife refuges located in several urban and suburban areas and 1 refuge located within an hour’s drive of every metropolitan area in the United States, national wildlife refuges employ, educate, and engage young people from all backgrounds in exploring, connecting with, and preserving the natural heritage of the United States;

Whereas, since 1995, refuges across the United States have held festivals, educational programs, guided tours, and other events to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week during the second full week of October;

Whereas the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to seek stakeholder input on the implementation of `Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation’, an update to the strategic plan of the Fish and Wildlife Service for the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System;

Whereas the week beginning on October 14, 2012, has been designated as `National Wildlife Refuge Week’ by the Fish and Wildlife Service; and

Whereas the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week by the Senate would recognize more than a century of conservation in the United States, raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and the National Wildlife Refuge System, and celebrate the myriad recreational opportunities available to enjoy this network of protected lands: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate–

(1) designates the week beginning on October 14, 2012, as `National Wildlife Refuge Week’;

(2) encourages the observance of National Wildlife Refuge Week with appropriate events and activities;

(3) acknowledges the importance of national wildlife refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution to local economies across the United States;

(4) pronounces that national wildlife refuges play a vital role in securing the hunting and fishing heritage of the United States for future generations;

(5) identifies the significance of national wildlife refuges in advancing the traditions of wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation;

(6) recognizes the importance of national wildlife refuges to wildlife conservation and the protection of imperiled species and ecosystems, as well as compatible uses;

(7) acknowledges the role of national wildlife refuges in conserving waterfowl and waterfowl habitat pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (40 Stat. 755, chapter 128);

(8) reaffirms the support of the Senate for wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System; and

(9) expresses the intent of the Senate–

(A) to continue working to conserve wildlife; and

(B) to manage the National Wildlife Refuge System for current and future generations.

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Statement from Senator Coons welcoming United Nations resolution on situation in Mali

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Mali calling for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union (AU) to develop a multilateral plan to address the deteriorating security situation in northern Mali.

“The United Nations Security Council has taken a critical step toward approving an African-led intervention to take back the northern half of Mali from extremists. It is my hope that the passage of this resolution can bring ECOWAS and the Malian government one step closer to resolving thepolitical, humanitarian, and security crises that have plagued Mali in the past year and have threatened to destabilize the Sahel region. I am pleased that the comprehensive resolution also sought to address the political crisis in Mali by supporting a negotiation process between Bamako and the North, which is essential to resolving long-standing grievances and strengthening democratic institutions. I will continue to closely monitor the situation in Mali and encourage ongoing U.S. engagement – in coordination with ECOWAS, the AU, the UN, and other international partners – to support Mali’s unity and territorial integrity, and to confront the threat posed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).” 

Carper, Coons, Carney congratulate Wilmington VA Medical Center for being named top performer

Wilmington, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) congratulated Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday on its second straight year of being recognized by The Joint Commission as a top performer on key health care quality measures for 2011/2012. The Medical Center was one of 19 VA medical facilities listed as a top performer based on The Joint Commission’s review of evidence-based care processes that are closely linked to positive patient outcomes.

“Once again, the VA Medical Center in Wilmington has been honored as a top performer in delivering health care,” Senator Carper, a veteran of the Navy, said. “I am proud of the doctors, nurses and staff that work hard each and every day to make our Medical Center stand out among the best in the nation.”

“Our veterans selflessly served our country and they have earned high-quality medical care,” Senator Coons said. “This announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs reminds us what many Delawareans already knew: the medical staff at the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center care deeply about their patients and are top professionals in their field.  I congratulate our state’s VA Medical Center on this achievement and look forward to continuing to stand with our veterans.”

“I’m very proud that for the second time Wilmington’s Medical Center has been named one of the top performing VA healthcare facilities in the nation,” Congressman Carney said.  “The brave men and women who serve in the armed forces deserve the best medical care possible.  The doctors, nurses, and staff at the Wilmington center are dedicated and work toward achieving this goal every day.  Congratulations to the entire staff for this much deserved recognition.”

“We at VA are very pleased with The Joint Commission recognition,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “We are proud of the medical facilities that made this list, proving VA’s commitment to providing the high-quality care our Veterans have earned through their service. This achievement demonstrates the hard work that each and every VA medical staff member undertakes to serve Veterans.”

While all 152 VA medical facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission, the list recognizes facilities that are the top performers based on The Joint Commission’s review of evidence-based care processes that are closely linked to positive patient outcomes. Eight VA facilities, including the one in Delaware, have received the Top Performer status for two consecutive years – a noteworthy distinction. Three new accountability measure sets are included in the calculation for this year’s Top Performers program: stroke, venous thromboembolism, and inpatient psychiatric services.  This year’s program recognizes Joint Commission-accredited hospitals for a significant achievement in accountability measure performance. 

In addition to being named in this report, Top Performers are highlighted at www.jointcommission.org and The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website: www.qualitycheck.org.

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Carper, Coons, Carney to host holiday job fair at Christiana Mall on October 17

NEWARK, Del. – To help Delawareans find work during the holiday season, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney will host a job fair at the Christiana Mall in Newark on Wednesday, October 17. 

Retail and department stores looking to hire seasonal employees will be on hand to interview talented job seekers. Delawareans are encouraged to come dressed to impress and with resumes in hand. 

The holiday job fair will take place at the courts in front of JCPenney and Target located in the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware, on October 17th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

“Our goal is to create as many opportunities to connect out-of-work Delawareans with employers as we can,” Senator Carper said. “Delaware has a skilled, dedicated work force and I encourage everyone to come out to the Christiana Mall to see what positions are available.”

“As winter approaches, many retailers in the Christiana Mall will be searching for talented seasonal workers to help during the busy holiday season,” Senator Coons said. “I encourage job-seeking Delawareans to join us at our holiday job fair with their resumes in hand to connect with stores that are ready to hire.” 

“During the holiday season, many retailers look for talented, dedicated workers to help them through their busiest time of the year,” Congressman Carney said.  “This job fair is a chance to help Delawareans find work over the holidays, while also responding to the needs of local employers.  I urge anyone looking for work to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Congressional delegation has hosted eight job fairs in Delaware, including two for veterans, in the past two years.

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. Pre-registration is not required.

Statement from Senator Coons on decision on Pennsylvania’s controversial voter ID law

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, released the following statement after a Pennsylvania court found that that state’s controversial voter ID law would disenfranchise eligible voters and blocked its implementation for the upcoming general election:

“In the sprint to enforce Pennsylvania’s tough new voter ID law, far too many qualified, long-time voters were being denied their right to vote. This law was inspired by partisan politics, drafted by lawmakers seeking to disenfranchise a segment of the voting population overwhelmingly comprised of seniors, minorities, the poor, and the young. The law is a transparent attempt to keep these voters out of the voting booth, and I am relieved that it will not be enforced in next month’s election.

“The right to vote is sacred in this country, and voter fraud must be monitored and directly addressed whenever it occurs. But the type of voter fraud that this legislation would address is extraordinarily rare and does not justify excluding hundreds of thousands of qualified voters from the polls, as this legislation would have done.  Such collateral damage is simply not acceptable. If a state chooses to require that voters show identification in order to vote, it also has the obligation to make sure that each eligible voter has ready access to an ID. 

“Despite my relief that enforcement of the law will be blocked, I am concerned that the order does not prevent poll workers from asking for ID anyway. This portion of the ruling could lead to unneeded confusion and create the appearance that ID is required. In the coming weeks, it is imperative that supporters of universal suffrage get the word out in Pennsylvania: If you are eligible to vote, you don’t need an ID to do so in November. You are entitled to cast a regular ballot and do not need to cast a provisional ballot.

“Pennsylvania’s voter ID law is a step backward on our nation’s road toward equality, but because of this decision, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians will not be denied their right to vote next month.”

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New report says DREAM Act would add $520 million to Delaware economy by 2030

WILMINGTON, Del. – According to a study from the Center for American Progress released Monday, legislation to provide a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented youth currently living in the United States would add an estimated $520 million to the Delaware economy and add more than 2,000 jobs here by 2030. U.S. Senator Chris Coons is a cosponsor of the bill — the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act — and voted in support of it in the Senate in December 2010.

“Our nation is home to many upstanding and law-abiding young immigrants, many of whom who had no choice in being brought to the United States and now want nothing more than the chance to contribute to this country as members of our military or civilian workforce,” Senator Coons said. “This report shows that their contribution to our economy would be enormous. The DREAM Act embraces those who have lived in our country for a number of years and wish to continue contributing to our nation’s economy and security by providing a path to legal status through education, financial responsibility, and military service. It is my hope the Senate reconsiders the DREAM Act soon, and that this report helps build support for its passage.”

According to the Center for American Progress’ report, which can be found here: http://ampr.gs/VPU8pV, passage of the DREAM Act would add $329 billion the nation’s economy by 2030, would support the creation of 1.4 million new jobs, and would generate more than $10 billion in revenue for the federal government.

In order to be eligible for the DREAM Act, a minor must have entered the U.S. before the age of 16 and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. Eligible minors would gain legal status by either receiving a college education or serving in the U.S. military. Although the House passed the DREAM Act in 2010, the bill failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Although reintroduced in 2011, the current Congress has not taken a vote on the DREAM Act.

The Center for American Progress report estimated 4,000 young Delawareans would qualify under the DREAM Act. The report estimates 2.1 million undocumented youth currently live in the United States.

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Statement from Senator Coons on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, issued the following statement on Monday marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault are evils that transcend race, class, gender and sexual orientation, and are present in every community in America. When we shine a light on these evils by educating the public, empowering the victims, and punishing the offenders, we can help break the cycle of abuse. 

“We’ve made great inroads against abuse since Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed 25 years ago in large part because of the Violence Against Women Act. Public awareness and victims’ services programs supported by VAWA have led to a 51 percent increase in reporting by women and a 37 percent increase in reporting by men. VAWA programs provide critical aid and support to victims and their families, as well as resources and training for the law enforcement and advocate communities. The continuation of these critical programs is in jeopardy, however, because the U.S. House of Representatives refuses to take up the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which the Senate passed with strong bipartisan support in April. This obstruction by House Republicans is putting lives at risk and communities in jeopardy.

“As we pause to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I encourage Delawareans who feel threatened or know someone who is in a dangerous environment to call the Department of Correction’s Victim Services Unit at (302) 857-5440, or, if in immediate danger, call 911. Speaking out and asking for help is how we shine a light on the evils of domestic violence and help to end abuse in our communities.”

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Congressional delegation, University of Delaware announce $416,000 federal grant for Cybersecurity Education Initiative

NEWARK, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Rep. John Carney joined the University of Delaware to announce a federal grant from the National Science Foundation in the amount of $416,102 to help create a Regional Cybersecurity Education Initiative.  The goal of the initiative, formed by the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical Community College and Harford Community College along with government and industrial partners, is to establish a pipeline of graduates skilled in the theories and practices required to address pressing cybersecurity threats facing our state, region and nation. The Congressional delegation toured a computer lab at the University of Delaware to learn about tools and techniques designed to ready students for this emerging field.

“As a senior member on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I have had the opportunity to talk with many national security officials, as well as CEOs of major security companies, about the threats our country faces online. Time and time again, these government officials and CEOs tell me the same thing – we need more cybersecurity and IT professionals,” Senator Carper said. “The Regional Cybersecurity Education Initiative that will be supported by this grant is designed to do just that – prepare students to tackle the next major cybersecurity challenge on day one. With new educational programs and more opportunities for hands on training, our students will be able to face the rapidly evolving cyber threats we face today, as well as down the road.”

“A cyber attack is perhaps the greatest looming threat to the United States, and the Cybersecurity Education Initiative’s efforts will play an important role not just for Delaware but in investing in the next generation of technology and cyber experts that will improve our nation’s cybersecurity,” Senator Coons said. “This initiative is a significant collaborative step in understanding and confronting the challenges in the ever-changing realm of cyberspace.  I believe in the Cybersecurity Education Initiative, and I am committed to its success because our nation can’t afford to risk the safety and security of our critical infrastructure.” Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“We need cybersecurity to be a priority for some of America’s best and brightest,” Congressman Carney said.  “The Internet is a tremendous resource that individuals and businesses depend on every day.  But, it also creates openings for attacks on American companies, our defense systems, and infrastructure.  As we find new, creative ways of using technology to grow the economy, we also need to make sure these investments are protected.  The Cybersecurity Education Initiative helps develop the talents of those who can protect the U.S. from a cyber attack, and provides them with opportunities that can lead to a very successful career.  I look forward to seeing this program develop.”

The Cybersecurity Education Initiative will:

• Expand Cybersecurity courses at the University of Delaware
• Create a minor at the University of Delaware producing students able to design state of the art secure software systems
• Create a 2+2 Program to allow second year Delaware Technical Community College and Harford Community College students to transfer into four year University of Delaware Computer and Information Sciences, and Computer Engineering BS degree programs
• Establish cybersecurity internship program
• Create middle and high school student and teacher summer camps focused on cybersecurity

Kenneth Barner, principal investigator on the grant and chair of UD’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said the project will be particularly important for Delaware and northern Maryland, “where there is a significant need for trained cybersecurity graduates critical to large regional employers in, for example, the financial services industry and the military.”

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…” NSF is the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

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Statement from Senator Coons on agreement between Sudan and South Sudan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement after the announcement that Sudan and South Sudan have signed an agreement on several issues between the two countries.

“The agreement signed today between Sudan and South Sudan to resolve critically important security, oil, financial, nationality, border, and trade issues is welcome news to all of us committed to stability in the region. This agreement represents a historic step away from conflict and toward a more peaceful and prosperous future for both of these countries. I applaud the African Union for its role in facilitating an agreement through its High-Level Implementation Panel, and President Mbeki should be recognized for his persistent leadership on this issue. I am pleased that both countries also committed to continue negotiating, and the United States stands ready to help resolve the challenges that remain, including those related to borders, the status of Abyei, and humanitarian access in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. It is my hope that the progress made in these negotiations will be implemented and sustained, and that it will result in a lasting peace that will mutually benefit the Sudanese and South Sudanese people.”

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