Senator Coons Announces Key Staff Hires

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) today announced the hiring of staff for several senior positions, including chief of staff, state director, senior policy advisor, and communications director.

“From day one, I’ve been committed to bringing together a team of extraordinarily capable individuals to help me serve the people of Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “It’s important to me to be surrounded by smart, creative, and innovative professionals whose talent is matched only by their commitment to service. They have my full trust, confidence, and support, and I am honored to work with them.”

Todd Webster, Chief of Staff: Todd is a veteran of Capitol Hill, presidential politics and national media. He served as communications director and chief spokesman for then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and in the same role for U.S. Senator Patty Murray.  A frequent commentator on MSNBC, Webster consulted on the campaigns of Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Robert Byrd and the DSCC, and was deputy communications director on the Gore-Lieberman campaign in 2000.  He received his M.A. from The George Washington University and his B.A. from Bowdoin College. Todd will work primarily in Senator Coons’ Washington office.

Rick Gregory, State Director: Rick served as the chief administrative officer and acting public safety director for New Castle County since September 2009, after three years as the county’s chief of police, managing more than 360 sworn officers. He had previously served for 22 years with the Florida Highway Patrol, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and being responsible for field operations in the southern and eastern parts of the state, as well as emergency management and homeland security. Rick received a B.S. from Barry University and is a graduate of the FBI Academy. Rick will work primarily in Senator Coons’ Wilmington office.

Christy Gleason, Senior Policy Advisor: Before running the successful Coons for Delaware senate campaign, Christy served as the deputy chief administrative officer for New Castle County. She was previously the communications director to the New Castle County Executive, chief of staff to three New Jersey state legislators, and executive director of the Camden County (NJ) Democratic Committee. A member of the Truman National Security Project, Christy received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. from American University. Christy will work in Senator Coons’ Wilmington and Washington offices.

Ian Koski, Communications Director: Ian comes to the office after six years as a new media strategist working with candidates and organizations, including Senator Coons’ 2010 senate campaign, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, Governor Martin O’Malley, Mayor Vincent Gray, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the League of Women Voters, and the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee. Ian received his M.A. from The George Washington University and his B.A. from Villanova University. Ian will work primarily in Senator Coons’ Washington office.

Sen. Coons Congratulates Barbara Mikulski on becoming the longest-serving female United States Senator

Washington, DC – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today congratulated Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) on her achievement as the longest-serving female Senator in United States history.

“I congratulate Senator Mikulski on becoming the longest-serving woman Senator in our nation’s history. Her devoted service to Maryland and to the United States has made her a role model for all those who step up to serve. I look forward to working with Senator Mikulski in the 112th Congress and congratulate her on being sworn-in for a fifth term today.”

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Sen. Coons Congratulates U.S. Representative John Carney

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) congratulated John Carney on being sworn-in as the U.S. Representative for Delaware’s at-large congressional district.

“I’ve been proud to call John Carney a trusted friend for more than 20 years. He is a person of character, faith and integrity, and I know he will serve Delaware well in the House of Representatives. I congratulate Rep. Carney on being sworn-in today and look forward to working in partnership with him and Senator Carper to represent our great state in Washington.”

Sen. Coons Congratulates Chip Flowers on being sworn-in as State Treasurer for Delaware

Wilmington, Del. – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today congratulated Chip Flowers on being sworn-in as the state treasurer for Delaware.

“These are tough times for our country. Too many American families — too many families right here in Delaware — are struggling to make ends meet. People expect more of their government than ever before, and for good reason. In these difficult economic times, it’s important that our state government manages every tax dollar responsibly. I know Chip will do just that and will be a terrific public servant for Delaware.”

Statement by Senator Coons on the Passage of New START

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Coons today issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of New START:

“I was proud to vote today in support of ratification of New START,” Senator Coons said. “I applaud the Senate for approving this critical security measure.”

“This vote reinforces the wide consensus among national security and military leaders, as well as the American people, that New START is a pressing security matter of the highest order. New START will make America stronger and more secure by building on 30 years of U.S. global leadership on nuclear arms control and reduction.  The 111^th Congress has come to an end with the Senate fulfilling this critical national security obligation to the American people.”

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Senator Coons Applauds the Passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009. The bill, which is the first piece of legislation Senator Coons cosponsored, provides federal funding for medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors exposed to toxins at Ground Zero – including 61 first responders from Delaware.

 “Americans swore they would ‘never forget’ September 11, 2001, today’s vote proves that the United States Senate hasn’t forgotten,” said Sen. Coons. “Today we honor the thousands of first responders who rushed to the scene to shift through toxic rubble of the Twin Towers, never thinking about the impact this act of courage and kindness would have on their health. Over the last several weeks responders from all over the country came to Washington to do what they never do – ask us for help. I am honored to stand with my colleagues and provide these heroes the benefits that they badly need and deserve.”

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Senator Coons’ Statement on the Senate’s Vote to Repeal DADT

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s floor vote on the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010:

“Sexual orientation is not a choice, but discrimination is. Today, I was proud to stand as one of 65 Senators to vote to end this discriminatory policy and repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Brave men and women in uniform are willing to fight for our freedom every day, and it is our responsibility – as legislators- to continue to fight for theirs.”

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Senator Coons Praises Progress on DADT Repeal

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s cloture vote on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010:

“I was proud to vote this morning to invoke cloture on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Senator Coons said. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is discrimination, plain and simple. Sexual orientation should have never been a factor in determining one’s fitness for service. Any American prepared to die for his or her country deserves our utmost respect and admiration, not to be made to feel ashamed about who they are.”

“As happy as I am about the outcome, I can’t help but lament how close we came to never getting the opportunity to vote on this repeal,” Senator Coons said. “Reckless political behavior last week prevented the Defense authorization bill from being considered and kept this repeal from getting a vote. I applaud Senator Lieberman, Senator Collins, and the bipartisan group of Senators who voted for this bill today for coming together to introduce the repeal as a standalone measure and finally giving Senators the opportunity to cast up-or-down votes on a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I could not be more proud to be a cosponsor of this historic legislation.”

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Statement from Senator Coons on the DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate’s failure to invoke cloture on the DREAM Act, which would require children who came to the United States before the age of 16, and who have lived here at least five years, to serve in the military or get a college education in order to gain legal status:

“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. “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 tax-paying legal status through education, financial responsibility, and military service. I’m disheartened that the Senate today turned its back on a group of young immigrants who wish for nothing more than a shot at the American Dream.”

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Senator Chris Coons Applauds Passage of COMPETES Act: Bill will extend investments in cutting-edge research and education

WASHINGTON — Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today applauded the Senate for reauthorizing the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) Act. This is one of the first bills Senator Coons has cosponsored as a United States Senator. The legislation focuses on supporting innovation by increasing investments in research as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The bill now awaits final passage in the House.

“To remain competitive in the global economy, I believe we must fight for investments in STEM education and cutting-edge research,” Senator Coons said. “I’ve seen first hand in Delaware how these types of investments can spur job growth.”

One of the most successful programs implemented under the America COMPETES Act is the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which funds “out-of-the box” clean energy projects. ARPA-E recently funded two cutting edge projects in Delaware. Nearly $4.5 million went to the University of Delaware to develop the next generation of permanent magnets for hybrid vehicles and alternative energy. More than $8.8 million went to DuPont for the development of a commercially viable process for the production of bio-fuel from seaweed.

“This is exactly the kind of bill I came to the United States Senate to support,” Senator Coons stated. “I’m pleased to join Senator Rockefeller and others in co-sponsoring and passing this vital piece of legislation.”

The original America COMPETES Act was signed into law in 2007, and was based on recommendations from the National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm report, which warned that America’s place as a global leader in science and technology was at risk.

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