The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: October 23 – October 28

Tuesday, October 23 at 5:45 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Department of Education’s 2013 Teacher of the Year Ceremony at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center.  Each year the program honors a Delaware teacher who exemplifies fine teaching in the state. The Delaware Teacher of the Year is chosen from the District Teachers of the Year, and automatically becomes the state’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program. Dover Downs, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Alison Kepner, Delaware Department of Education, at 302-735-4000 or at akepner@doe.k12.de.us.

Wednesday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m. – The Senator will participate in Make a Difference Day with students from Prestige Academy at Barclays in Wilmington.  The Senator will join employees as they meet with students to teach them money and savings skills and offer a glimpse into the world of working for large professional organizations like Barclays.  Since 2000, Barclays has led Make a Difference Day events in Delaware to enable employees to get involved in their community. Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Barclays, 125 S. West St., Wilmington, DE.  Contact: Nicole Dye-Anders, Barclaycard US, at 302-255-4910 or at ndyeanderson@barclaycardus.com.

Thursday, October 25 at 8:30 a.m. — The Senator will tour the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care with the center’s medical director, Nicholas Petrelli, M.D.  The Senator and Dr. Petrelli will discuss the topics of long term and palliative care of patients with cancer.  Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE – Closed to press

Thursday, October 25 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will receive an award from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence at the Purple Ribbon Event, hosted annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The Senator will receive the organization’s 2012 Vision of Peace Award for his leadership on behalf of victims of domestic violence, continuing a legacy established during his tenure as New Castle County Executive.  Sen. Coons has fought for the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act and has worked to empower women worldwide.  Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, 200 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to Press. Contact: Stephanie Ferrell at 302-658-2958 or at sferrell@dcadv.org.

Thursday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America Kent County Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner at Dover Downs.  This year, the Del-Mar-Va Council is honoring Bill and Mary Jane Willis of Smyrna, DE.  The award was established to recognize a local Kent County leader that through their dedication, hard work and passion has made the community stronger. Dover Downs, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press. Contact: Kevin Les Callette, Boy Scouts of America Kent County, at 443-523-7639.

Friday, October 26 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the annual Meet the Allies event sponsored by Public Allies Delaware.  Public Allies Delaware is a program of the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service.  Since 1994, Public Allies Delaware has developed over 335 young leaders, who have completed nearly 600,000 hours of service to Delaware.  For 10 months, Allies are placed in paid professional apprenticeships at local nonprofits where they create, improve, and expand services that address economic opportunity, education, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.  DoubleTree Hotel, 700 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact: Christina Garrett-Morrow, Public Allies Delaware, at 302-573-4438.

Friday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Neighborhood House of Delaware’s 85th Anniversary Celebration.  Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, that has served the Wilmington community since 1927, addressing the needs of low-income families to improve their quality of life and stabilize the neighborhoods in which they live.  Deerfield Golf Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Christy Pennington, Neighborhood House 85th Anniversary, at 302-598-8696.

Saturday, October 27 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute’s “From Purses to Portfolios” event at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.  Purses to Portfolios is a free financial education certificate program where women and men gain the tools and knowledge necessary to take charge of their finances. This year’s theme is entitled “just FAB! – For Women, About Women, By Women…and the men in their lives!” Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.  Contact: Lisa Wolfe, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, at 302-494-5769.

Saturday, October 27 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak about the importance of parent engagement at the Annual Delaware PTA Convention.  Representatives from National PTA will also be in attendance, and Betsy Landers, National PTA President, will conduct a session on grant writing.  There will also be workshop sessions on Applying to and Paying for College, Advocacy Tactics, Hispanic Outreach, Bullying Prevention and Reading Strategies for Elementary Students.  This event draws hundreds of parents and leaders across the state to discuss the most important issues facing children and schools. Conrad Schools of Science, 201 Jackson Ave., Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact: Yvonne Johnson, Delaware PTA, at 302-753-7107 or at yvonne_johnson@verizon.net.

Saturday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Kind to Kids Halloween Hoopla 5K Run-Walk in Wilmington.  Annie Coons is honorary chair of this year’s event which benefits Kind to Kids, a non-profit organization that provides services to children and families in need through other non-profits and state agencies.  Its mission is to enrich the lives of foster children and children in poverty.  Since its inception in 2008, Kind to Kids has given 5,000 children access to events they normally wouldn’t have the resources to attend, at over $80,000 in ticket costs.  In addition, the organization provides LifeSkills, an educational course that teaches teens at-risk the skills they need to become independent and successful adults.  Wilmington Riverfront, Dravo Plaza, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact:  Caroline Jones, Executive Director, at 302-654-5440.

Sunday, October 28 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will march in the 65^th Annual Newark Halloween Parade.  This costume parade is complete with marching bands, floats and antique automobiles. Tyre Avenue and Main Street, Newark, DE. – Open to press.  Contact: Sharon Bruen, City of Newark, at 302-366-7060.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons stands with startup businesses

Senator Coons spoke Wednesday at the first annual New Castle County Economic Development Luncheon.  The lunch discussion focused on ways to foster and develop a strong economic and entrepreneurial system in New Castle County and across Delaware.  

Chris reiterated his commitment to Delaware startups, noting that new businesses are powerful drivers of job creation and economic recovery. Over a 25 year period between 1980 and 2005, most of the net new jobs in America – about 40 million jobs – were created by firms that were five years old or less.  

Since he arrived in the Senate, Chris has used his private sector experience to shape a number of job creating pieces of legislation that support innovative startups and entrepreneurs. He has especially focused on making the Research and Development Tax Credit available to newer businesses, in addition to more established companies.

To read more about Chris’ work supporting job creation and economic competitiveness, click here.

Senator Coons helps kick off entrepreneurship program

Last week, Senator Coons took part in a launch celebration unveiling the new Horn Program in Entrepreneurship at UD.

Made possible by a generous gift from Charles and Patricia Horn, this program will encourage students to pursue the kind of entrepreneurial ideas that will power Delaware’s economy for years to come.

The Horn program will enhance and expand entrepreneurial studies at UD and be made up of a variety of initiatives like the Venture Development Center, a student business incubator, Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition and an annual President’s Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It will also support new curricular offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Chris believes that supporting our innovators and entrepreneurs is critical to our economic recovery. 

To read more about his work to create jobs and promote American economic competitiveness, click here.

Senator Coons attends 5K to honor Lt. Joseph Szczerba

This weekend, Senator Coons attended the inaugural Lt. Joseph Szczerba 5KRun/Walk at Salesianum School in Wilmington. Lt. Szczerba was a 1985 graduate of Salesianum and a New Castle County Police Officer who died in the line of duty last year.  Proceeds from the run will benefit a scholarship fund in his name and assist sons of police officers and first responders who wish to attend Salesianum.

Senator Coons speaks on importance of heating assistance

At the Delmarva Power Low Income Energy Assistance Summit on Tuesday, Senator Coons spoke about the importance of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. The event, held in Dover, was designed to help non-profits, social service agencies and government entities better understand the types of services available for low income households.  

With winter weather fast approaching, Chris discussed his commitment to protecting funding for LIHEAP, as well as investing in other energy efficiency programs, such as weatherization, that can keep heating costs down for Delaware families.

 “In Delaware alone, LIHEAP took a cut of 25 percent – literally leaving thousands of our seniors out in the cold,” Chris said.  “Last winter, a number of families who were struggling to heat their homes called my office. We were able to work with Catholic Charities to get them the support they needed, but it just underscores how vital these programs really are.”

Click here to learn more about applying for heating and cooling assistance. If you are in need of assistance to heat your home this winter, please call Chris’ constituent services representatives at 573-6345.

Amtrak breaks record for new ridership

Amtrak announced on Wednesday that it carried more than 31 million passengers in this fiscal year – marking the highest annual ridership total since operations began in 1971. The Northeast Corridor alone, which travels from Washington D.C. to places such as Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, had a nearly a five percent increase in ridership. 

Amtrak attributed their ridership growth to passenger services such as Wi-Fi and eTicketing, as well as high gasoline prices and continued growth in business travel on the Northeast Corridor.

Senator Coons is an ardent supporter of Amtrak, which employs more than 1,100 Delawareans and brought $9 million in goods and services to the state last year. Chris is also an Amtrak rider – making the near-daily roundtrip from Wilmington to Washington.  

Delegation to host holiday job fair at Christiana Mall

NEWARK – To help Delawareans find work during the holiday season, Senators Chris Coons, Tom Carper 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.

“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.” 

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.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: October 8 – October 13

Monday, October 8 at 7:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend St. Anthony’s 16^th Annual Columbus Day Mass and Breakfast.  St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Ninth and DuPont Streets, Wilmington, DE – Open topress.

Monday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the New Castle County Farm Bureau Annual Fall Dinner. Senator Coons will discuss the many contributions Delaware Farm Bureau members make to agriculture in the state. Townsend Fire Company Hall, 107 Main St., Townsend, DE – Open to press.

Tuesday, October 9 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Low Income Energy Summit sponsored by Delmarva Power and Pepco. The summit is for service providers to network with peers and tolearn about national issues related to the energy industry, including stormrestoration, weatherization, diversity and economic independence. Delmarva Power will discuss what programs and services it provides for groups who provide heating assistance. Attendees include representatives from social service agencies, churches, civic and community organizations.  Sheraton Dover, 1570 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 – Open to press.

Tuesday, October 9 at 9:45 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware Police Chiefs Council meeting.  Members include every police chief in Delaware, as well as the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.  The Council was formed in 1971 for the purpose of improving police services in Delaware and establishing standardization and uniformity in policies and procedures. Senator Coons is a member of theSenate Judiciary Committee and is co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. Dover Police Department, 400 S. QueenSt., Dover, DE – Closed to press.  

Tuesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the World Affairs Council of Wilmington about boosting trade opportunities in Africa for Delaware businesses.  Founded in 1967, the World Affairs Council of Wilmington provides a forum for thought-leaders and intellectually curious citizens to hear from foreign and domestic leaders about the world affairs issues that will shape the global business, political and cultural world we share. Senator Coons is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. Wilmington Club, 1103 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 – Closed to press.

Wednesday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a check presentation by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to the Challenge Program in Wilmington.  The Challenge Program provides vocational training for Delaware’s at-risk youth to empower them with the confidence and skills they need to be productive members of society.  124 E. 7th St. Wilmington, DE 19801 – Open to Press.

Wednesday, October 10 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the Commercial-Industrial Realty Council of New Castle County. Senator Coons will address the current political climate, his expectations for whatCongress will work on during the remainder of the year, and some of the policy ideas that might affect Delaware’s real estate community. This non-profit organization brings together members of the Delaware Valley community who are in a variety of fields relating to commercial and industrial real estate. Clarion Belle Hotel, 1612 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.  Closed to press.

Thursday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will address members of the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (DelARF) about the impact of the Affordable Care Act on persons with disabilities. DelARF is a statewide membership association of agencies supporting people with disabilities. Membership is open to organizations that provide direct services, advocacy and/or educational services to Delawareans with disabilities, their families and advocates. Easter Seals, 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720 – Closed to press.

Thursday, October 11 at 10:15 a.m. – The Senator will host David Kappos, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for a discussion with doctoral candidates at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University about commercializing technology developed at universities. Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was a cosponsor of the America Invents Act, the 2011 legislation that radically modernized the patent system. Under Secretary Kappos advises the President, the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration on intellectual property matters. University of Delaware, 201 Lammot duPont Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716 – Open to press.

Thursday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware State Housing Authority’s 2012 Governor’s Conference on Housing.  This year’s keynote speaker is Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban and Development Shaun Donovan. Sheraton Dover, 1570 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 – Open to press.

Friday, October 12 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will join members of the University of Delaware community as they launch the Horn Initiative for Entrepreneurship.  The Horn Initiative is anticipated to have a transformative impact on innovation andentrepreneurship through the expansion of curricular, co-curricular and outreach programing.  At the event, aspiring entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to try to win funding as part of the launch celebration.  1975 University of Delaware alumnus Charles Horn and his wife Patricia Horn committed $3 million for the initiative, which will be housed in the AlfredLerner College of Business and Economics. University of Delaware, Roselle Center for the Arts (On the Lawn), Newark, DE 19716 – Open to press.

Friday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the public investiture ceremony for Magistrate Judge Sherry Fallon.  Judge Fallon serves on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Fallon earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and is a 1986 Graduate of the Delaware Law School of Widener University. She is a member of the Delaware, New Jersey and American Bar Associations.  J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 – Open to press.

Friday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Latin American Community Center’s (LACC) Annual Grand Ball.  Since 1969, this fundraising event has been part of Delaware’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.  The gala is held to recognize community leaders and companies that have made significant contributions to the LACC and the Latino community in Delaware.  Waterfall Banquet Center, 3416 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 – Open to press.

Saturday, October 13 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend the inaugural Lt. Joseph Szczerba 5KRun/Walk at Salesianum School in Wilmington. Lt. Szczerba was a 1985 graduate of Salesianum and a New Castle County Police Officer who died in the line of duty last year.  Proceeds from the run will benefit a scholarship fund in his name, and assist sons of police officers and first responders who wish to attend Salesianum. Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19802 – Open to press. 

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Report highlights importance of infrastructure investments

The American Society of Civil Engineers recently published a new report making clear the economic necessity of investing in our nation’s infrastructure. The report, entitled Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Airports, Inland Waterways, and Marine Ports Infrastructure, highlights the broad economic repercussions of failing to invest in our nation’s trading centers.

The report’s economic findings demonstrate the urgent need for significant investment in our aging infrastructure—for our continued productivity, our economic competitiveness and the affordability of the millions of household goods that traverse our ports. An investment of $15.8 billion is needed by 2020, the report finds, to close the funding gap and accommodate trade growth in our marine ports and inland waterways. The stakes are high. If we fail to close the gap, the report estimates cumulative losses of $697 billion in GDP, $1.3 trillion in business sales, $872 billion in disposable personal income, and $270 billion in exports By 2040, these losses reach into the trillions of dollars.

Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for infrastructure investment, co-sponsoring legislation such as the Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-Term Development Act,the Rebuild America Jobs Act and the Harbor Maintenance Act that invest in America’s future while providing high wage, high skill jobs for American workers.

The Port of Wilmington plays a critical role in Delaware’s economy, transporting more than five million tons of goods and generating nearly $30 million in state tax revenue each year. The port’s operations provide jobs for 5,000 Delawareans and planned expansions could create up to 75,000 jobs in the region. The Delaware River Deepening Project, slated for completion in 2017, would dredge the Delaware River from a depth of 40 feet to 45 feet, which will attract larger, more efficient cargo ships and increase Wilmington’s competiveness on the Eastern Seaboard. Chris is committed to ensuring its completion and will keep fighting to make sure the Port of Wilmington has the resources it needs to thrive.

What We’re Reading: Domestic violence awareness in Delaware

The News Journal  published an editorial on Monday discussing the importance of shining the light on domestic abuse. The editorial details how educational measures, appropriate safe guards, and resources must be available to ensure the safety for a person who wants to come forward to report abuse and to make reporting abuse a real and viable option for victims. October is designated as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

The silence that robs victims of relief from domestic violence makes October one of those significant “Did you know that?” kind of months. It provides 31 days of dedicated awareness about the crippling danger that defines too many partner and family relationships.

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However public advocacy – taking steps to educate the public about the signs and indicators of domestic abuse – among family, co-workers and friends – and providing resources and information to help victims to escape and rebuild their lives – robs abusers of their most potent weapon: A lack of fear of being caught and prosecuted.

Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for the reauthorization 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

Chris encourages 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.

Click here to learn more about the Department of Correction’s Victim Services Unit.

Click here to read the entire editorial on The News Journal’s website.