The Senator’s week ahead schedule: May 14 to May 20

Monday, May 14 at 8:15 a.m. – The Senator will join Senator Carper and Congressman Carney in hosting the annual Delaware Youth Conference at Wesley College. Students will have the opportunity to interact with members of the Congressional delegation during an open forum, and attend breakout sessions on cyber security, leadership through service, and the impact of digital channels on news. Congressional staff will also be on hand to answer students’ questions about the application process for earning a nomination to a United States service academy. Participants will also present the Food Bank of Delaware with canned good donations.  Wesley College, H.B. DuPont College Center, 120 North State Street, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Monday, May 14 at 4:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 6:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Monday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Delaware Small Business Week Awards Gala. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Stand Up for Small Businesses, will honor the Delaware Small Business Person of the Year, Delaware Business Champions and SBA’s Top Lenders. Executive Banquet and Conference Center, 205 Executive Drive, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Tuesday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will host a Law Enforcement Caucus event on bulletproof vests. The briefing will provide an opportunity for Members and staff to experience wearing bullet-resistant and stab-resistant body armor, and will feature a panel presentation on function and science behind this critical safety equipment. Panelists will discuss topics including: body armor wear rates, the scientific testing process for body armor, and efforts to minimize the risks of backface signature injuries. – SVC-200, Capitol Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Wednesday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Judiciary Hearing on Oversight of the FBI. The Honorable Robert S. Mueller will testify as the Director of the FederalBureau of Investigation of the United States Department of Justice. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will deliver opening remarks at a Media Matters event on the future of clean energy. The Senator will speak about the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 and a bill he will introduce next week to encourage investments in clean energy sources. The panel will feature experts from business and policy to discuss the current and future state of the clean energy marketplace, offer fresh perspectives on the industry, and give reporters the chance to hear the real facts about clean energy. National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will attend an Energy and Natural Resource Committee hearing on the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012. Collin O’Mara, Secretary of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will testify at the hearing. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. During National Police Week, the Committee is schedule to take up two bills that Senator Coons supports and will help protect law enforcementofficers: the Officer Safety Act and the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.  226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will chair a Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing. The nominees being considered during the hearing include: Mr. Edward M. Alford, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Gambia; Mr. Mark L. Asquino, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; Mr. Douglas M. Griffiths, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique; Mr. David J. Lane, to serve as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, with the rank of Ambassador. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Saturday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will deliver the commencement address at Widener Law graduation ceremony. 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE – Open to press

Saturday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the 20th Anniversary of the Biggs Museum. This event will highlight the Dover museum’s history and plans for future growth. 406 Federal Street, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend and deliver brief remarks at the Delaware State University Commencement Ceremony. Alumni Stadium, 1200 North Dupont Highway, Delaware State University, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Newark Memorial Day Parade. The event is dedicated to the United States armed forces and those Delawareans who have given their lives for our freedom. A ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. on University of Delaware’s green, followed by a parade on Main Street. Main Street, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

###

ICYMI: Senator Coons’ op-ed on global Internet freedom

The Huffington Post: Senator Chris Coons, a co-chair of the Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus, penned an op-ed on Thursday supporting the right of citizens around the world to use the Internet to exchange thoughts, opinions, and expressions. The op-ed argues it is America’s duty to ensure foreign governments and the private sector are working to preserve the basic right of Internet freedom.

Popular movements and entrenched governments both clearly see how the unique power of the Internet can spread democratic ideas and demands for human rights and basic freedoms.

These fundamental values, which should be granted to citizens around the world as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are central to who we are as Americans.

We must continue to pursue an American foreign policy that protects the “right to connect” as a U.S. foreign policy priority. The Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus advocates for the promotion of policies that promotes rights of all people to use the Internet and other forms of technology to exercise basic freedoms globally. In order to achieve this goal, we must engage with governments, individuals, and the private sector to preserve the Internet as an open platform for commerce and communication.

Click here to read the full op-ed on The Huffington Post’s website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign relations.

Senator Coons calls for equality for LGBT couples facing deportation

One day after President Obama announced in a historic interview that he supports same-sex marriage, Senator Chris Coons joined 16 of his Senate colleagues in urging the Administration to protect married LGBT couples facing deportation.

Chris and his colleagues called on the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to provide relief to same-sex couples in which one spouse is not a U.S. citizen. Chris believes that while the Defense of Marriage Act is being challenged in court, the denial of green card applications in these cases is unfairly forcing couples to choose between breaking the law or being separated from their families. He strongly opposes the Defense of Marriage Act and believes Congress should repeal this discriminatory law.

Led by Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the letter reads in part “We write to you to reiterate our request that the Administration provide relief for lesbian and gay families in which one spouse is not a U.S. citizen during this time of legal uncertainty…With marriage equality rights being extended to more and more citizens of this country, and with the Department of Justice’s repudiation of DOMA, we are concerned with the toll the continued denial of I-130 applications for same-sex immigrant spouses is exacting on families in this country.”

Along with Senator Coons and Senator Kerry, the letter was signed by Senators Patrick Leahy, Ron Wyden, Bernard Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Daniel Akaka, Al Franken, Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Mikulski, Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Barbara Boxer, Patty Murray and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Senator Coons on President Obama’s support for marriage equality

This afternoon, President Obama made a historic statement. In an interview with ABC News, he said “I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

Senator Coons believes this is an important moment on the journey to equality. Chris is a member of the Senate Judiciary, a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act and a strong advocate for civil rights. Today, he noted that this is “the first time a sitting president has endorsed the idea that every American, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to marry the person they love. Period.”

Chris recognized that for some Americans, the question of marriage equality is difficult to answer, saying “I respect that everyone comes to a position in their own way and in their own time.”

He complimented the President on his leadership on LGBT equality, which did not begin today. Previously President Obama ordered the federal government to extend key benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, banned discrimination based on gender identity in federal workplaces, signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, clarified the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure family leave for LGBT employees, endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act and declared the government would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act and repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell so gay and lesbian members of the military can serve their country openly and proudly.

As Chris said this afternoon, “President Obama is doing the right thing. By coming out for marriage equality today, he is sending a clear message: LGBT rights are human rights, and the right to marry the person you love is intrinsic to what it means to be an American. President Obama may be taking a huge political risk, but some risks are worth taking. That’s what leaders do.”

Celebrating National Teacher Day

All of us can remember teachers who made a difference in our lives. Great teachers can encourage students to reach for their dreams and succeed in school. As we recognize National Teacher Day on May 8, we pause to thank the dedicated teachers in Delaware and across the nation who work tirelessly to educate their students.

Delaware is full of teachers who are working to ensure that the next generation of Delawareans have the resources they need to succeed. Senator Coons has made it a priority to visit a number of schools in Delaware. In particular, Chris had the pleasure of visiting Delaware Teacher of the Year Amber Augustus’ middle school class at John Bassett Moore (JBM) Intermediate School in Smyrna. Amber is a fifth grade math, science, and social studies teacher who is in her seventh year at JBM. During the visit, Chris toured the school and met with students, teacher, and administrators to discuss best practices.  

Chris has been an outspoken advocate for education reform. In March, he introduced legislation to help increase the number of low-income students able to access and complete a college education. The American Dream Accounts Act of 2012 encourages partnerships among schools, colleges, non-profits and businesses to develop secure, Web-based student accounts that contain information about academic preparedness, financial literacy and high-impact mentoring and would be tied to a college savings account.

Click here to learn more about National Teacher Day

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to improve education in Delaware.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: May 7 to May 13

Monday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 5:40 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, May 8 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will speak at the AIPAC New Leadership Network breakfast. Senator Coons will speak about the importance of economic, partnership to the U.S.-Israel relationship. Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Tuesday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:30 a.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will host a roundtable discussion with ambassadors from African nations on increasing U.S. trade with Africa. The discussion will focus on the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act, looking for ways to strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and African countries. 385 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will meet with the students of the Wilmington Friends School.  Senator Coons, Senator Carper and Congressman Carney will speak with the students of the Wilmington Friends School during their field trip to Washington, D.C. After meeting with the Delaware Delegation, the students will be treated to a tour of the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 10 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at an event on global Internet freedom. The event is hosted by the Center for a New American Security and is entitled: “Global Internet Freedom: A Foreign Policy Imperative in a Digital Age.” As co-chair of the Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus, Senator Coons will open the event with Congressman Chris Smith and take questions.  Formal remarks by the co-chairs will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; Daniel Calingaert, Deputy Director of Programs at Freedom House; Pablo Chavez, Director of Public Policy at Google; Rebecca MacKinnon of the New America Foundation; and Richard Fontaine, Senior Advisor at CNAS.  U.S. Capitol Building, 209/208 Senate Visitors Center, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Judiciary Committee’s Erica Chabot at 202-224-7703.

Thursday, May 10 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at PwC’s Annual Global R&D Symposium. The Symposium, which is entitled, “Fostering Innovation in the United States and around the World” will focus on emerging issues in innovation tax policy.  Renaissance Hotel, 1143 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Friday, May 11 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

###

Video: Senator Coons talks job numbers, China on MSNBC

Senator Chris Coons appeared on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd” on Friday, May 4 to discuss the March jobs report and Chen Guangcheng.

Senator Coons teams up with students for Food Bank of Delaware

WILMINGTON — Senator Coons joined 25 students at Bancroft Elementary School on Friday as they learned about the importance of giving back through community service at a food-packing project to mark a $125,000 donation from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to the Food Bank of Delaware.

The Foundation’s grant will allow the Food Bank of Delaware, in partnership with Children and Families First, and the Christina School District, to support three new food pantries at the Eastside Community School, serving Bancroft, Elbert-Palmer and Stubbs Elementary Schools. The funding will also provide hundreds of students with weekend food through the Food Bank’s Backpack Program. Chris feels strongly that partnerships like this truly have an impact and make a tremendous difference in the lives of our children and the community as a whole.

“Students can’t have a hunger for knowledge if they’re worrying about the hunger that comes from not having nutritious food on their plates,” Chris said. “Giving families access to the basic necessities that many of us take for granted, like food and hygiene products, will make a significant difference in their lives. JPMorgan Chase Foundation’s generous donation will give many local students the energy and nutrition they need to find success in school and to have positive interactions with friends and family.”

School officials will discretely identify 25 to 30 families who can select food from the pantry based on their household’s needs each week. In addition, the funding will also allow the Food Bank to provide 353 children with backpacks full of weekend food for an entire school year. The Backpack Program provides food to at-need children times when school is not in session and federal school meal programs are not available.

To learn more about both the School Pantry and Backpack programs, please contact the Food Bank of Delaware at 302-294-0185 or go to www.fbd.org.

Sen. Coons, DSU co-host Kent County Science Fair

DOVER – Senator Chris Coons and Delaware State University co-hosted the first-ever Kent County Science Fair in Dover on May 2, drawing 66 middle school and high school students who displayed creative and innovative science projects. The science fair was organized to encourage students to pursue an education rooted in science, technology, engineering and math.

Bloom Energy breaks ground in Newark

NEWARK — Senator Coons was on hand to commemorate the ground-breaking of Bloom Energy’s new manufacturing facility on the grounds of the old Chrysler plant in Newark Monday morning — an important moment for the Delaware’s economic future.

“When we think about the threads that will keep America competitive in the global economy for the next generation, we think of innovation, entrepreneurship, clean energy and manufacturing – and all of those are coming together today here in Delaware,” Senator Coons said. “In building its East Coast facility here in Newark, Bloom isn’t just investing in its own cutting-edge technology – Bloom is investing in Delaware’s communities, our families, and our future. This is a wonderful day for Delaware, and is a day made possible because of what Delaware brings to the table: a talented workforce, a welcoming business climate, and the tremendous leadership of folks like Governor Markell, Secretary O’Mara and DEDO Director Levin. I am proud to welcome Bloom Energy to Delaware today, and look forward to a long, fruitful relationship.”