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Senator Coons reviews White House report on women and the economy

Today, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a forum on Women and the Economy. As part of the forum, they released a report examining the financial security of women through all stages of their life.

Senator Coons was glad to see the Administration address the issue at a time when more and more women are the principle breadwinners for their families. Although women make up nearly 50% of the American workforce and are a majority of students in colleges and graduate schools, the fact remains that they still earn just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Senator Coons believes ending this discrimination is an important part of strengthening our economic recovery.  

The report, entitled Keeping America’s Women Moving Forward, The Key to an Economy Built to Last, covers key topics in women’s financial lives, including higher education and career preparation; business ownership and tax credits; and senior women preparing for retirement.

Senator Coons speaks with students at Howard High School of Technology about STEM education

In celebration of Teach For America Week, Senator Chris Coons served as a guest teacher on Thursday at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington. Leading the Advanced Biology class normally taught by TFA science teacher Ashley Sorenson, Senator Coons spoke with juniors and seniors about the value of education and encouraged the students to pursue a career in the sciences.

“The 21st century economy is taking root in science and technology, and if we want to make our economy stronger and our nation more competitive, we have to give students the skills they need to succeed in STEM fields,” Senator Coons said about the experience. “It’s imperative that our children have positive role models to reinforce the importance of education and encourage them to pursue higher education, and that is what young Teach For America educators do.”

Since its launch in 1997, Teach For America Week has brought hundreds of distinguished guest teachers from across America into our nation’s schools to inspire students and raise awareness about the challenges facing students in low-income communities and demonstrate that when students are given the educational opportunities they deserve, they reach their highest potential.

Senator Coons commends report on police response to sexual assault

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a fierce advocate for the prompt reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, Senator Coons commended a new report on improving police response to sexual assault.

The recent study, released by the Police Executive Research Forum, focused on the progress being made in investigating and prosecuting sex crimes. Chris believes this type of research is an example of the “force multiplier” effect the Violence Against Women Act has in our communities. Although the legislation did not fund the new report, VAWA builds on the latest techniques in law enforcement and officer training to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.

The report, conducted with support from the Motorola Solutions Foundation at the direction of PERF President Charles Ramsey, highlights the importance of updating the definition of forcible rape used in the Uniform Crime Reporting system. It also includes discussion of unwarranted “unfounding” of sexual assault cases, special considerations for serial rapist cases, differences in the handling of sexual assaults on college and university campuses and DNA issues in sexual assault investigations, such as the DNA backlog of rape kits.

For more on Chris’ work on the Violence Against Women Act, please click here.

For more on his work as a member of the Judiciary Committee, click here.

Senator Coons to host free job skills workshop with the Goodwill Job Resource Center

As part of his ongoing effort to help get more Delawareans back to work, Senator Chris Coons, in partnership with the Goodwill Job Resource Center, will host a workshop for job seekers this Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.  Those looking to hone their job-search skills, learn the art of networking, fine-tune their resumes, and master the interviewing process are invited to attend the free workshop at the Goodwill Job Resource Center in Wilmington.

This event is one in a series of workshops Senator Coons is hosting to help Delawareans get back to work. Representatives from the Goodwill Job Resource Center will be on hand to explain the services they offer to job seekers.  Businessman, author and motivational speaker Tony Casale will also discuss topics from his book, Still Standing: One Man’s Story of Transforming Failure into Success (and how you can do it, too).  The workshop was developed in response to feedback received at job fairs hosted by Senator Coons and the rest of the Congressional delegation.

 WHEN:

Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

 WHERE:

Goodwill Job Resource Center

300 E. Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802

Senator Coons and Wilmington U. to host job fair for local veterans

U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Wilmington University announced on Monday the details of Operation Success: Welcome Home — a job fair for veterans set for Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wilmington University in the auditorium of the Doberstein Admissions Center in New Castle.  The event will convene employers ready to hire talented men and women who have proven leadership and technical skills gained in their military service. Veterans are encouraged to register online at www.opsuccess.com. This is one of several job fairs Chris is hosting in the upcoming months to help Delawareans find jobs.

“The men and women who serve in our armed forces come home with unique skills and tested leadership experience, bringing immense value to the employers who hire them,” Chris said. “In talking with veterans, military leaders, business leaders, and government officials — as well as with business owners — it became clear that one of the best things we could do was simply to create opportunities for these employers to meet these talented Americans. I am pleased to partner with Wilmington University for Operation Success: Welcome Home to put our veterans in the same room with employers ready to help them return to the civilian workforce.”

Operation Success: Welcome Home attendees will have the opportunity to speak with federal and private sector organizations and companies that currently have positions available for veterans. The April 21st event will also provide veterans with other information on topics including: education benefits, support for military children, healthcare and mental health resources, family services, and spousal support and employment.

For more information on Operation Success: Welcome Home visit www.opsuccess.com.

In August 2011, Chris convened a panel of Delaware’s top experts on veterans to discuss ideas for boosting hiring.  In May 2011, Chris introduced the Hire America’s Heroes Act, which addressed many of the issues America’s veterans face as they re-enter the civilian workforce.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to support veterans.

Click here to learn more about the other Delaware job fairs Chris is hosting in the upcoming months. 

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: April 2 to April 8

The Week Ahead

Monday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. — The Senator, in partnership with Wilmington University, will hold a press conference announcing the details of Operation Success: Welcome Home — a job fair and outreach event geared toward veterans.  The event, which will take place on April 21st, is designed to strengthen job prospects for Delaware’s veterans. Auditorium of the Doberstein Admissions Center, Wilmington University, 320 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE – Open to press. 

Tuesday, April 3 at 8:00 a.m. – The Senator will be the keynote speaker at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs East Coast Conference in Philadelphia.  Good Jobs, Green Jobs East is the region’s leading forum for sharing ideas and strategies to build a green economy and create good, green jobs.  Other speakers include Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and United Steel Workers International President Leo W. Gerard.  The Philadelphia event will be the third of four Good Jobs, Green Jobs Regional Conferences in 2012, including Atlanta, Los Angeles and Detroit. Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia Hotel, 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Open to press. 

Tuesday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m. – The Senator will participate in the Distinguished Speaker Series at the University of Delaware as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the School of Public Policy and Administration.  The Senator will speak about leadership, service and policy. University of Delaware, Gore Recital, Roselle Center for the Performing Arts – Open to press. 

Wednesday, April 4 at 9:15 a.m. – The Senator will address juniors and seniors at Newark High School, hosted by the NHS Student Government Association.  Students will also have the opportunity to ask the Senator questions on issues facing the country and the world being a senator what it’s like riding the train every day. 750 East Delaware Avenue, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Wednesday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the First State Innovation Showcase.  Several Delaware-based early stage tech companies will be featured.  First State Innovation is a privately led, not-for-profit initiative that focuses on dramatically accelerating the growth of Delaware’s entrepreneurial economy. Harry’s Savoy Grill and Ballroom, 2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 – Open to press.

Thursday, April 5 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will be a guest teacher at Howard High School as part of Teach For America Week. Teach for America Week is an education initiative that gets Members of Congress, authors, actors, musicians, athletes, executives and activists into classrooms.  Participants teach in the classrooms of Teach For America corps members, who commit to teach for two years in low-income communities and then go on to become leaders in the effort to ensure that all of our nation’s children have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.  Howard High School of Technology, 401 East 12th Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Thursday, April 5 at 11:00 a.m. – The Senator will speak at a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Wilmington.  The ceremony marks the culmination several months of hard work by members of the immigrant community.  Senator Coons will offer patriotic words of encouragement as they embark on their new journey as United States citizens. Federal Courthouse, 824 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Thursday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will tour Calpine Energy Center. Calpine acquired the 1,130-megawatt facility in 2010 as part of its purchase of the Conectiv Energy assets. Units at the complex use an advanced dry combustion process to limit the formation of pollutants, thus preserving valuable water resources.  198 Hay Road, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Thursday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator, in partnership with the Goodwill Job Resource Center, will host a free workshop for job seekers.  This event is one in a series of workshops Senator Coons is convening to help Delawareans get back to work.  Representatives from the Goodwill Job Resource Center will be on hand to explain the services they offer to job seekers.  Businessman, author and motivational speaker Tony Casale will also discuss topic from his book, Still Standing: One Man’s Story of Transforming Failure into Success (and how you can do it, too.).  Goodwill Job Resource Center, 300 E. Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. 

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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Video: Senators Coons, Durbin, Boozman introduce bill to increase U.S. exports to Africa

Senators Chris Coons, Dick Durbin, and John Boozman spoke on the Senate floor about legislation they introduced that would create American jobs by dramatically increasing the number of U.S. exports to Africa. 

The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2012 also aims to improve America’s economic competiveness throughout the continent by forcing better coordination between U.S. government agencies and departments, establishing comprehensive strategic goals, and marshaling private investments to improve U.S.-Africa business activities. Six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies over the last decade are in Africa, creating extraordinary opportunity for American manufacturers.

Video: Senators Coons, Begich urge House to pass highways bill

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Mark Begich spoke on the Senate floor about the critical need for the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the Senate highway bill – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (S. 1813), which passed the Senate earlier this month.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: March 26 to April 1

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, March 27 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting.  The Committee will consider ambassadorial nominations and several pieces of legislation, including S.Res.397, a resolution introduced by Senator Coons urging the Government of Sudan to allow humanitarian access to the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions of Sudan. S-116, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday,March 29 at 7:30 a.m. – The Senator will be interviewed live, in-studio, on The Bill Press Show during its first week of simulcast onCurrent TV. 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, D.C.

Thursday,March 29 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the price expectations for gasoline. The purpose of the hearing is to hear testimony on current and near-term future price expectations and trends for motor gasoline and other refined petroleum fuels. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. 

Thursday,March 29 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. 

Thursday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will chair a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs hearing entitled: “A Closer Look at Nigeria: Security, Governance, and Trade.” Witnesses include Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson; Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Sharon Cromer; and Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Paul Marin.  419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Friday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware Military Academy Performance Review. The Delaware Military Academy will have its annual inspection by the United States Navy Representative, Captain Powell. The ceremony will include a performance review of 558 cadets, as well as a rifle march and promotions. Banning Park, 100 Middleboro Road, Wilmington, DE– Open to press.

Friday, March 30 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society Luncheon. The Senator will discuss his efforts to increase federal funding for maritime and port security, for deepening the Delaware River, and fixing the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Dupont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Friday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will visit the FMC Corporation. The FMC plant in Newark is one of three Delaware manufacturers that have “insourced” manufacturing work from overseas. Senator Coons’ visit will include a safety introduction, a meeting with the management team, and a plant tour. 1301 Ogletown Road, Newark, DE – Closed to press.

Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 a.m.—The Senator will speak at the City of Milford’s 29th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast. This year’s breakfast will honor Mayor Joseph “Ronnie” Rodgers and benefit the Milford Senior Center, founded in 1973 with the purpose to provide comprehensive programs and services to older adults in the local community. Milford Senior Center, 111 Park Avenue, Milford, DE

Saturday,March 31 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Martin Luther King Day of Service Kick Off.  Delaware State University is partnering with a new non-profit called Opportunity Nation for a day of service for the entire university community. DSU students will perform community service projects in all three counties: Peoples Settlement (Wilmington), Food Bank of Delaware (Newark), Habitat for Humanity home (Frederica), and the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club (Laurel).  Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, March 31 at 11:00 a.m. – The Senator will host a FAFSA workshop to help Delawareans apply for federal student aid.  Senator Coons and the the Christina School District are sponsoring a free event to help students and their parents fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since tax information is needed to complete the FAFSA, there will also be help for individuals who want to file their taxes for free (income must be under $57,000 for 2011) using a web-based self-help tax program. Tax experts will be on-site to answer Delawareans’ questions. Sarah Pyle Academy, 501 N. Lombard Street, Wilmington, DE— Open to press. Contact: Mary Dupont at 302- 255-9245.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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Senator Coons releases ten new Correspondence from the Commute videos

Senator Chris Coons today released the sixth installment of his “Correspondence from the Commute” video series, in which he replies to a sampling of constituents’ letters with personalized video messages. Senator Coons recorded ten new video replies earlier this month on an Amtrak train from Wilmington to Washington.

“My office engages every day with Delawareans who call and write in on issues important to them,” Senator Coons said. “The ideas and opinions of Delawareans are important to me, and it’s my duty to keep them informed on all the work I do in the Senate. I enjoy hearing from folks of all ages who have a lot on their minds – the economy, foreign policy, and environmental standards. I hope Delawareans will continue to share their thoughts with me, so we can continue this two-way dialogue.”  

Videos released today include replies to: