Senator Coons honors National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week

WASHINGTON – After meeting with pulmonary fibrosis patients and their families on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) saluted National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week and challenged Congress to help combat the relentlessly progressive and ultimately fatal respiratory disease that claims the lives of 40,000 Americans each year. Senator Coons is the lead sponsor of the Senate’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA).

“As the number of Americans who are infected with pulmonary fibrosis continues to rise, it’s more important than ever to focus our attention on finding a cure to this debilitating disease,” Senator Coons said. “The National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week does just that, encouraging Americans to contact their leaders in Congress and ask them to support the bipartisan, bicameral Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act. We still have a long road ahead of us in curing this horrific disease, but I’m encouraged that with committed activists in Delaware and across the country, shining a spotlight, we will increase the awareness, understanding, and research being done to find the root cause and a cure for pulmonary fibrosis.”

Pulmonary fibrosis affects the lungs and limits a person’s ability to breathe. There is no known cause, it has no cure, and there are currently no FDA-approved treatments.  Most patients with pulmonary fibrosis live only three to five years after being diagnosed.  In the United States alone:

• More than 200,000 people are living with pulmonary fibrosis;
• 48,000 individuals are diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis each year;
• As many as 40,000 die each year.

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis is responsible for organizing the National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, which runs from September 18 to 24.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act, which was introduced in July, is designed to enhance research, prevention, and awareness activities around the disease, creating a national registry, encouraging federal research at the National Institutes of Health, and creating a national action plan. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), introduced the bill in the Senate. U.S. Representatives Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the bill in the House.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act is a crucial first step in combatting this debilitating disease.  You can find more information about the Senate bill here: http://bit.ly/oZU7b1

The Senate version of the bill can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/otAh9m. The House version of the bill can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/ovSqDa

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On Senate floor, Senator Coons celebrates final enactment of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a cosponsor of the Senate legislation that repealed the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, spoke on the floor today to note the final enactment of the repeal.

– As Delivered on September 20, 2011 –

I rise today to mark a momentous day, and to stand with the millions of Americans for whom the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell means the beginning of a new era of real equality for our nation.

It’s been 60 days since Secretary Panetta, Chairman Mullen, and President Obama have certified that the United States Armed Forces are ready for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

And after 18 long years, today that policy finally comes to an end.

This is an important day, Madame President, a good day.

Today is a good day because our nation – in my view – is taking a major step forward — not just in the pursuit of equal rights, but in the pursuit of equal responsibility.

Today is a good day, because we always talk about equal rights, but with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, we’re talking about Americans who sought equal responsibility. Americans who wanted to serve their nation.

Nearly 14,000 LGBT Americans wanted to serve their nation in their military, but were deemed unfit to serve not because of what they did, but because of whom they loved.

As if loving another man made a soldier unable to aim a rifle — or unwilling to die for his country.

But for as many service members who were drummed out — both literally and figuratively — under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I can’t help but wonder how many more served in silence, proud of their uniform but made to feel ashamed of the person underneath.

Lt. Col. Charles George served his country for more than 30 years, including 28 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. His uniform is decorated with a wide range of medals and ribbons for his dedicated service.

When he graduated from ROTC back in 1980, Charlie’s boyfriend, Dennis, was there.

And he wrote me recently about his experience.

He said, “I sat next to Charlie’s mother, keeping quiet so I wouldn’t draw attention in any way to our relationship. During his actual pinning, my eyes never left his. I was so proud of him. At one moment his eyes found me in the audience and we smiled. I still remember that moment.”

That was the last of those moments they’d have.

In 30 years, in 30 years, of dedicated Army service that ROTC ceremony was the only military activity of Charlie’s that Dennis would be able to be a part of. Charlie was determined to serve our nation, so they had to keep their relationship a secret.

Charlie steadily rose through the ranks, to 1st Lieutenant, then to Captain. He was promoted to Major, and ultimately to Lieutenant Colonel. These were all proud moments, but Dennis couldn’t be in the room for any of them.

“The only thing harder than being a soldier is loving one,” they would later recall hearing. I would offer that perhaps the only thing harder than loving a soldier might be having to keep that love a secret from the world for decades.

After 9/11, then-Major Charlie George was activated from reserve duty, and like so many military families, they discussed their now uncertain future.

If Charlie had died in the service of his country, there would be no call on Dennis’ phone from the Army. No knock on his door. Dennis would receive no crisply folded flag presented by a military honor guard. Dennis would never be able to be buried next to Charlie at Arlington National Ceremony.

For 31 years they kept their relationship and their love a secret. Colonel George retired this year — a milestone he will celebrate next month at home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. For the first time since that ROTC ceremony more than three decades earlier, Dennis will be there, proudly looking on.

No more secrets.

No more hiding.

Just the respect and dignity they both deserve, not just because of Charlie’s long and dedicated service to the Unites States Army or because of Dennis’ silent sacrifice, but because they are both Americans.

I was proud to cosponsor the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell last fall. I was even prouder to vote for it.

Three months ago, I was one of 13 U.S. senators to record a video telling the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth of this country that “It Gets Better.” As Americans, we tell our kids that “equality for all” is a founding principle of our nation.

But our actions in so many ways have in the past failed to live up to these brave words.

Our video was a promise to this generation of Americans, to the generation of my children — a promise that we are working to build an America free of legal discrimination — free of discrimination in our society.  That LGBT youth have a future in this country where they will be entitled to the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as every other American.

Bit by bit, we’re going to tear down these walls of discrimination.

Madame President, this is how we make it better.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was discrimination, plain and simple, but today it is no more.

Today is a good day.

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Coons, Carper, Carney announce $500,000 for a University Center Economic Development Program at Delaware State University

WILMINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper, and Representative John Carney today announced a total of $500,000 in U.S. Department of Commerce funding through the Economic Development Administration for the creation of a University Center Economic Development Program at Delaware State University.

The University Center will serve as a hub for enhancing regional economic development through conducting applied research and by providing technical assistance to public and private sector organizations.

“This is really terrific news for Delaware State University and the surrounding business community,” Senator Coons said. “The positive impact from the school’s University Center will have a ripple effect on economic development throughout the state.  When I learned that Delaware was one of only a few states without a University Center, I introduced an amendment that would set a goal for creating these centers in every state.  I’m proud that, thanks to this grant, Delaware will now be part of a partnership where economic development takes center stage.”

“This grant is the first step toward strengthening economic development and entrepreneurship at Delaware State University and in Kent and Sussex Counties,” said Senator Carper. “Investments in higher education like these help forge productive relationships between the university and local businesses and government. By sharing valuable resources and information these public-private partnerships will enable our local community to better understand and forecast the economic climate.” 

“Creating jobs to grow the economy has to be our highest priority,” said Congressman Carney.  “The jobs of the future depend on the development of new ideas.  University Centers are a tremendous tool that brings businesses, government, and universities together to support innovation in a way that leads to economic development.  The students, faculty, and staff at Delaware State University have a lot to offer in this area, and I’m glad they are getting this opportunity to create job growth and strengthen the state’s economy.”

The EDA grant will be distributed at $100,000 per year for five years.

Senator Coons, Senator Carper, and Congressman Carney actively supported Delaware State University’s grant application. A letter of support is attached and copied below.

June 28, 2011

Mr. John Fernandez

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for

Economic Development

U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 7800
Washington, DC 20230

Dear Mr. Fernandez:

We are writing to express our support for the grant application submitted by the Delaware State University College of Business for the University Center Economic Development Program grant offered through the Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce (CFDA# 11.303).

Delaware State University is proposing the development of a University Center for Economic Development, specifically targeting the economies of Kent and Sussex County in Delaware.  The Center will take a long-term, strategic view of economic forces and will focus on providing timely information and reliable analyses. The Center will direct the expertise available at Delaware State University, state agencies and entities, and the private sector, and will have six main areas of responsibility:

1. To compile data required to monitor and forecast economic developments in Delaware, specifically Kent and Sussex Counties
2. To maintain models of the State’s economy with specific attention to Kent and Sussex Counties, which the Center would use to conduct empirical analyses for State, municipal, and private groups.
3. To promote Kent and Sussex County economies, through the Center’s First State Updates.
4. To serve state agencies, municipal governments, non-profit and private organizations and Delaware citizens through the data bank, research, publications, and outreach of the University Center’s Data Center.
5. To develop and enhance marketable job skills through workforce development and coordination efforts with public and private providers
6. To support entrepreneurial efforts through the provision of incubator type services such as marketing research, accounting, project management and IT services.

We believe that the plan for the University Center for Economic Development put forward by Delaware State University will serve the people of Delaware by building partnerships with organizations inside and outside the University, providing an array of resources and interviews for state print and electronic media, offering appropriate legislative testimony and professional development workshops, and collaborating on research projects for the benefit of the people of Delaware.

We appreciate your consideration of this proposal and ask that you contact us when a decision is rendered. Should you have any questions, we can be reached through our respective staff members: Senator Carper through Mr. Josh Magarik at (302) 573-6291, Senator Coons through Ms. Latisha Bracy at (302) 573-6345 and Congressman Carney through Ms. Molly Magarik at (302) 428-1902.  

Sincerely,                                                                                          

Thomas R. Carper                                            Christopher A. Coons                       John C. Carney, Jr.

United States Senator                                   United States Senator                      Member of Congress

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Delaware Congressional Delegation congratulates Dover Air Force Base on excellence award win

WILMINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) congratulated Dover Air Force Base for being named the Air Mobility Command’s 2011 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence winner. The base topped Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas to secure this honor.

The Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. Excellent installations enable better mission performance and enhance the quality of life for military men and women and their families. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions.

Dover Air Force Base will next compete at the Air Force level, with a winner to be chosen in January 2012.

“I am thrilled that the men and women of Team Dover have won this honor for a second time for their hard work and dedication to maintaining an excellent base,” said Sen. Carper. “These patriots of our great nation work hard to develop a unique partnership with the local Dover community as well as communities throughout Delaware, and improve the functions of the base. Now the nation will recognize what we have known all along – that Dover Air Force Base is a superior military installation.”

“Congratulations to everyone at Dover Air Force Base on this well-deserved honor,” Senator Coons said.  “Whether on base witnessing a dignified transfer or simply passing by as a C-5 crosses over Route 1, I am frequently reminded that we are extremely fortunate to have such a professional operation right here in Delaware.  I am impressed but not surprised that the people of Dover Air Force Base were recognized for their outstanding and innovative efforts to support those who serve and protect us.”

“Congratulations to everyone serving at Dover Air Force Base for once again earning the Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award,” said Congressman Carney.  “The men and women stationed in Dover are not only serving our country with pride, professionalism and dignity, they have become an important part of our local community.  It’s a privilege and an honor to have Dover Air Force in our state, and I think this award is very well deserved.  They are truly the best. “

This is the second time Dover Air Force Base has won this award. It was previously honored in 2008 for performance in FY2007.

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Statement from Senator Coons on final enactment of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a cosponsor of the Senate legislation that repealed the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, released the following statement Tuesday to note the final enactment of the repeal.

“Today is a momentous day, and I am proud to stand with the millions of Americans for whom the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell means the beginning of a new era of equality for our nation. Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell wasn’t just about our pursuit of equal rights, but the pursuit of equal responsibility. The nearly 14,000 service members discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell simply wanted to serve their country, but were deemed unfit to serve not because of what they did, but because of whom they loved. Thousands more were forced to serve in silence, proud of their uniform but made to feel ashamed of the person underneath. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was discrimination, plain and simple… but I’m proud to say it is no more.”

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In speech on Senate floor, Senator Coons honors memory of NCCPD Sgt. Joseph Szczerba

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the floor today to remember New Castle County Police Sergeant Joe Szczerba, who was murdered in the line of duty late Thursday night.

– As Delivered on September 19, 2011 –

 Mr. President, I rise today to honor a hero.

I rise to remember the sacrifice of a man whom I am proud to have known.

I rise to remember Sergeant Joe Szczerba of the New Castle County Police, who was killed in the line of duty just this past Thursday night.

Sergeant Szczerba and several other officers responded to a disorderly conduct call in New Castle, Delaware just before midnight. The officers arrived on the scene, set up a perimeter. Sergeant Szczerba spotted the suspect and gave chase. A seasoned officer, Sergeant Szczerba attempted to subdue the man and a very tough fight that ensued he was stabbed.

The suspect continued to resist arrest. Although seriously wounded, Sergeant Szczerba worked with three other officers to take the suspect into custody. Only then did he acknowledge his injury. Officers on the scene performed CPR until County paramedics arrived, but it wasn’t enough.

Sgt. Szczerba didn’t make it.

When I was County Executive for New Castle County for six years after a particularly long or difficult day, as I was heading home, I would flip on the police scanner in my car and I’d listen to the chatter — to the calls from dispatch and the officers responding. I was always mindful in those hours, that here I was heading home to my family and to safety and here were our officers heading out on patrol into a dark and uncertain night.

My phone rang at 5:00 am this past Friday morning. It was my friend, Chief Mike McGowan the county’s police chief — his voice weighted down with grief.

It was the worst news I’d ever received in public life.

New Castle County had only lost one previous officer in a line of duty death: Corporal Paul Sweeney was killed in a traffic accident nearly 40 years ago in 1972, but never had an officer been murdered in the line of duty before.

Each year as County Executive, when I attended our annual police memorial, we quietly prayed that we would never know this day.

Just roughly two weeks earlier, Delaware had marked the second anniversary of the killing in the line of duty of another brave a decorated local police officer, Patrolman Chad Spicer of Georgetown.

It was just too soon for this to have happened again. We all know that there is risk, grave risk in policing, but this couldn’t have happened again. Delaware is a state of neighbors and we are still as a state mourning Chad’s death — we could not have possibly lost another brave police officer.

But we did. And this Friday he will be laid to rest.

My state, Mr. President, is grieving.

In the days that have passed, I have grappled with two questions. I’ve asked myself, over and over, how is it that people continue to do these terrible and dangerous things? How is it that senseless violence continues to claim the lives of the innocent?

And as I spoke at the graduation ceremony this past Friday for the Delaware State Police and the Municipal Police Academy and looked at the young men and women right in front of me about to the their oath and put on their badge, and take on, willingly, this most dangerous and honored profession another question emerged to me. Why is it that we continue to have men and women who volunteer, who step forward, and who take on this most important and difficult task of preserving the peace, of protecting our communities? And what more can we do to support them, to protect them, and to honor them?

These questions are ones I challenge all of us to consider, Mr. President.

Sergeant Joe Szczerba was on the New Castle County force for 18 years. He was greatly respected by his colleagues on the force and the community he served. His wife, Kathy, his brothers, Ed, Gerald and Stephen, and his sisters, Nancy and Karen, and a host of nieces and nephews survive him.

Heaven today, Mr. President, is a safer place today because Joe Szczerba is on patrol. He was a good man and a great cop, and he died a hero. He died doing what he was called to do and he died doing what he loved to do.

For that, all of Delaware is grateful.

We will treasure his memory and honor his sacrifice.

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Senators Coons, Isakson urge African leaders to vote against unilateral recognition of Palestinian state at the United Nations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, have sent joint letters to 23 African leaders asking them to oppose recognition of a Palestinian state in the United Nations General Assembly, which begins a new session on Tuesday.

The two will discuss their effort at a press conference in the Capitol (S-120) on Tuesday at 2:30 pm. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will also attend and discuss similar outreach to leaders in the western hemisphere.

In the letter, the senators expressed their concern over efforts by Palestinian leadership to seek unilateral recognition of statehood during the upcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. In their view, “any effort to bypass negotiations and engage in a political exercise at the U.N. would run counter to the cause of peace. Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state at the U.N. is not in the best interest of the Palestinian people or conducive to the ultimate objective of two democratic states living side-by-side in security and peace.”

Instead, they urged that, “a resolution between the long-standing conflict can be achieved through direct, bilateral negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. government indicated it would oppose such a measure in the General Assembly and veto such a resolution in the Security Council. Congress has also supported this position and passed a resolution in June that reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct negotiations; reaffirmed opposition to the inclusion of Hamas in a unity government unless it is willing to accept peace with Israel and renounce violence; and declared that Palestinian efforts to gain recognition of a state outside direct negotiations demonstrated absence of a good faith commitment to peace negotiations.

Letters were sent to the leaders of: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Republic of Zambia.

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Statement from Senator Coons on President Obama’s signing of patent reform into law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today released the following statement after President Obama signed into law the America Invents Act, a comprehensive bill designed to update and streamline the patent system in the United States in order to stimulate investment, promote job creation, and increase global competitiveness:

“This is a good day for American innovators. President Obama today signed into law a bill that I worked hard to pass since arriving in the Senate: the America Invents Act. The bill will help maintain American global competitiveness and leadership in innovation by modernizing the patent office and reforming patent litigation, thereby once again allowing American inventors to become American entrepreneurs. Given our country’s urgent need for new jobs, it was important that this bill become law.”

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Statement from Senator Coons on New Castle County police officer killed in the line of duty

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, the former County Executive of New Castle County, released the following statement on the death of New Castle County Police Officer Joe Szczerba while apprehending a suspect late last night:

“Joe Szczerba was a good person and a great police officer, and I was shocked and deeply saddened to get the call that he had been murdered in the line of duty late last night. Annie and I are heartbroken by the loss. His wife and extended family, as well as the entire New Castle County Police Department, will be in our thoughts, in our prayers, and in our hearts as they cope with this tragic loss.

“It is my hope that we pause today as a community to honor and remember all of those who risk their lives to keep us safe. We are truly blessed to have brave men and women willing to take on the risks that come with putting on the uniform each and every day. Sgt. Szczerba’s sacrifice will not be forgotten.” 

Senator Coons was County Executive of New Castle County from 2005 to 2010. He was County Council President from 2000 to 2004.

Senator Coons among bipartisan coalition of 36 senators to urge the super committee to ‘go big’ on deficit reduction

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today was among a bipartisan group of 36 senators — more than one-third the members of the Senate — who have agreed to support and encourage the efforts of the congressional “super committee” to aggressively pursue responsible deficit reduction.

“The super committee has real and difficult work ahead, and we felt it was important that they knew — and the American people knew — that we have their backs,” Senator Coons said. “It is going to take members of both parties working together long after the super committee completes its work to stabilize our nation’s debt. The principles to which more than one-third of the members of the Senate agreed today should be considered the basis for a broad deficit reduction package. I will continue to aggressively support responsible deficit reduction efforts that require both parties to share in the sacrifice without shifting the burden to those most in need of the federal government’s help.”

The group, which is comprised of 17 Democrats, 18 Republicans and one Independent, first came together in support of the “gang of six” framework in July and this week agreed to the following statement of principles:

As a bipartisan group of Senators, we will encourage and support the Super Committee in fulfilling its mission.  We are here to support a deficit reduction package consistent with the following principles that should:

• Include enough deficit reduction to stabilize the debt as a share of the economy, and put the debt on a downward path, and provide fiscal certainty.  We believe a reasonable target is at least $4 trillion, including previously enacted deficit measures.  This will send the right message to the financial markets.   
• Use the established, bipartisan debt and deficit reduction frameworks as a starting point for discussions.
• Focus on the major parts of the budget and include long-term entitlement reforms and pro-growth tax reform. 
• Be structured to grow the economy in the short, medium and long-term. 
• Work to include the American public and the business community in a broader discussion about the breadth of the issues, challenges and opportunities facing us. 

The 36 participants include the following members of the U.S. Senate:

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO)

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

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