Encouraging civics in Delaware schools through the Democracy Project

On Wednesday, Senator Coons met with a group of social studies teachers from across Delaware to discuss civics education.  The teachers were here in the Capitol as part of the University of Delaware’s Democracy Project Institute for Teachers.  Chris was joined by Senator Carper and Congressman Carney as well, and the three fielded questions from the teachers about the Delaware delegation’s work in Congress and addressed the challenges that Delaware’s teachers, students and parents must work together to solve.

Drawing on his own high school experiences, Chris discussed how bullying and discrimination in our schools is not a new phenomenon.  He acknowledged that combating bullying would not be easy and would have to be accompanied by a change in culture in many communities.  Singling out an individual or group due to physical appearance, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation should not be acceptable in society and has no place in any of Delaware’s schools.  New technology, such as instant messaging, social media, and text messaging has created another forum where bullying and discrimination can take place often undetected.  Limiting abuses of these new technologies and combating the old forms of bullying requires hard work from teachers and parents to teach respect and tolerance – both in the classroom and at home.         

Every student in Delaware, in public and private schools alike, has the ability to succeed, Chris told the group.  He spoke about our responsibility to create an environment that allows all children to achieve their potential.  Closing the achievement gap between the sexes, for minorities, and for those with learning disabilities is a goal shared by teachers, administrators, and policy makers alike.  Chris plans to work with Senator Carper and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to promote substantial education reform, providing students and educators with the critical resources they need to help students succeed in an increasingly competitive workforce.

The Democracy Project is a teacher development program co-sponsored by the University of Delaware and the Delaware Department of State with the goal of improving the teaching of civics and social studies in Delaware schools.  Over the past decade, its summer institute for teachers has brought 150 teachers to Washington to hear from elected officials and discuss ways to improve civics education and inspire active youth citizenship on the K-12 grade levels.  

For more information about the Democracy Project, visit:  http://www.ipa.udel.edu/democracy/institute/.  To read more about Chris’ ideas for education reform, click here. 

Senator Coons congratulates Padua Academy on outstanding service award

Today, Senator Coons met with the Delaware recipients of the Jefferson Award for outstanding service by a high school.  The Jefferson Award, a national recognition honoring community and public service, went to Wilmington’s Padua Academy, a Catholic school for girls, this year.  Chris met with students, their families, and faculty of Padua Academy today to celebrate this honor.

Between April 2010 and March 2011, students at Padua Academy have performed more than 30,000 hours of community service projects.  Padua’s faculty and staff have additionally volunteered more than 15,000 hours.  According to Jefferson Award calculations, this contribution of time for community service is worth more than one million dollars to local, national, and international humanitarian agencies and schools.

The Jefferson Awards for Public Service were created to inspire volunteerism and community service across America by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard.  The awards are presented on two levels, nationally and locally.  In 2006, the Jefferson Awards launched a national youth leadership program.  This program is active in more than 325 high schools in communities across the United States and stresses building life-long habits of service, leadership, and ethics while encouraging youth volunteerism.

Partnering federal, state, and local law enforcement to make Delaware communities safer

WILMINGTON — Senator Coons chaired a field hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Carvel State Building today, focusing on collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, information-sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies has been increasing to meet our new security challenges and to help make local communities safer from crime.  The hearing explored both federal funding for state and local law enforcement as well as information-sharing and operational coordination.  

Testifying before the committee were five witnesses representing all three levels of law enforcement: Richard McFeely, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Baltimore Division; James Burch, Principle Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance; Col. Robert Coupe, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police; James Hosfelt, Chief of the Dover Police Department; and Drewry Fennell, Executive Director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council. 

Chris took the opportunity to question them about the challenges to coordination and how best law enforcement agencies can overcome obstacles and work more closely to share information, resources, and best practices.  In his opening statement, Chris spoke about why Delaware was a logical choice of location to hold this hearing, saying: 

“Being a small state, Delaware’s police face unique opportunities and challenges. Delaware’s size lends itself naturally to a closely-knit, adaptable law enforcement community. At the same time, many of our police departments are small and, as a result, lack the resources to develop specialized techniques or units that might be needed to deal with organized crime or other relatively rare crimes that have serious consequences. Meeting these challenges requires collaboration with our federal partners.”

Over the past decade, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies have made it a priority to work closely.  In Delaware, the center of federal-state-local information-sharing is the Delaware Information Analysis Center (DIAC), which is led by the State Police and is staffed with four civilian employees and two analysts from the Delaware National Guard.  At DIAC, information about threats and potential hazards are collected and distributed, and DIAC closely coordinates local agencies activities with those of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI, ATF, ICE, Delaware National Guard, Coast Guard, Dover Air Force Base, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security.  It is just one of several similar centers operating nationwide to ensure that critical law enforcement data reaches those who need it. 

Specifically, the hearing explored five federal grant programs that assist law enforcement in Delaware, including: the Bulletproof Vest Program, which provides direct funding for bulletproof vests for law enforcement officers; the Justice Assistance Grant Program, which provides states, tribes and local governments with critical funding to support a range of program areas including prevention and education, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives; the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which aims to reduce the cost of corrections and related criminal justice spending and reinvest savings in strategies designed to increase public safety; the Justice Information Sharing Program, which supports grants designed to promote innovative and cost-effective implementation of state, local and tribal justice information systems; and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, which is working to establish a national capacity for gathering, documenting, processing, analyzing, and sharing suspicious activity reporting.

Joining Chris this morning was Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who attested to the importance of federal, state, and local law enforcement working closely together.  He said:

“Interagency coordination and information sharing is more important than ever. We must continue to ensure that we are able to effectively piece together the information our government agencies – federal, state and local – collect on terrorist and criminal threats.  Ensuring adequate information sharing among law enforcement has been one of my highest priorities as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Senator Coons has become a partner in this effort.  I was delighted when he approached me about holding this important hearing in Delaware, to hear from people on the front lines in this partnership about the challenges state and local law enforcement face today.”

To learn more about Chris’ work on the Senate Judiciary Committee, click here.  

Keeping counterfeit goods out of our soldiers’ hands

Senator Coons cosponsored an important piece of legislation for our troops this week, the Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011, alongside Senators Whitehouse (D-RI), McCain (R-AZ), and Graham (R-SC). This bipartisan bill will intensify criminal offense for trafficking in counterfeit military products.

“Especially at a time when so many of our troops are deployed, it is disturbing to think that inferior, counterfeit goods are making it into the hands of our men and women in uniform,” Chris said. “It is a dangerous, flagrant practice and it needs to be stopped. This bill would increase the punishment for those who sell our military counterfeit goods that could cause injury, compromise combat operations, or disclose classified information. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to working for its passage.”

As of now, sentences imposed on traffickers who are responsible for military counterfeits do not address the serious dangers that these products pose to our troops. The Combating Military Counterfeits Act will address this deficiency by creating a new criminal provision that specifically targets trafficking in military counterfeits and increasing penalties for criminals who know that the counterfeit product they sell is intended for use by the military or is identified as meeting military standards.  

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 20 to June 26

Monday, June 20 at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will chair the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on “Building Safer Communities: the Importance of Effective Federal-Local Collaboration in Law Enforcement.” Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and members of federal and local law enforcement agencies will join Sen. Coons in examining how information sharing has evolved and the role it will play in the future of reducing and preventing crime. 2^nd Floor Conference Room, Carvel State Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. 

Monday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Tuesday, June 21 at 9:15 a.m. — The Senator will speak at the No Labels Policy Day. No Labels is a national citizens-led movement of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who believe that America’s toughest challenges will never be solved by one party alone. The Senator will address forty supporters of the movement. 210-12 Senate Visitors Center, Washington, DC –Closed to press.

Tuesday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting on the nomination of Anne Patterson to be the Ambassador to Egypt. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Tuesday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism business meeting on cybersecurity. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press 

Tuesday, June 21 at 4:30 p.m. — The Senator will meet with Delaware recipients of the Jefferson Awards. The Senator will meet with 25 people, including students and faculty of Padua Academy. Padua Academy is the Delaware recipient for outstanding service by a high school for 2011. 208-210 Senate Visitors Center, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Tuesday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Jefferson Awards Dinner. National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting on intellectual property law enforcement efforts. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Wednesday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will join Senator Carper and Congressman Carney in speaking at the Democracy Project teachers meeting. The Democracy Project is a teacher development program co-sponsored by the University of Delaware and the Delaware Department of State with the primary goal of improving the teaching of civics and social studies in Delaware schools. 203 Senate Visitor Center, Washington, DC –Open to the press. 

Thursday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Afghanistan and Pakistan. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Thursday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Thursday, June 23 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak at the Information Technology and Innovation (ITIF) conference. Senator Coons will be a part of a panel discussion on innovation policy. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Lechlieter, President and CEO of Eli Lilly. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Friday, June 24 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate, if in session. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Saturday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will participate in the Inland Bays Clean Up service project.  Hosted by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. Mulberry Landing Public Boat Ramp at the Assawoman Wildlife Area, Bethany Beach, DE. Open to press.

Saturday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. — The Senator will be the keynote speaker at the 3^rd Annual Destiny Community Development Corporation Dinner. The Senator will be honoring the community development arm of New Destiny Fellowship in Wilmington, Delaware and its commitment “to strengthening families, empowering individuals, and increasing the economic viability of our community.” 1612 North DuPont Hwy, New Castle, DE- Closed to press.

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Video: Senator Coons votes against tax subsidies for corn-based ethanol

Senator Coons spoke on the floor this afternoon about his support for ending tax subsidies for corn-based ethanol and why America should invest more in other sources of biofuel. 

He didn’t have enough time to deliver his full remarks, but entered them into the record. You can read them here.

House proposal to privatize the Northeast Corridor is simply off the rails

Yesterday, Chairman John Mica (R-FL) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) of the House Rail Subcommittee, proposed a U.S. government takeover of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and the subsequent sale of its assets to private companies.  The reaction from Amtrak, regional officials, and business leaders was immediate, with many expressing serious concerns about the impact privatization would have on passengers and the future of rail development in the region and throughout the nation. Senator Coons, too, is concerned about the effect it would have on Delaware, where the Northeast Corridor forms an important link to jobs and the regional economy.  

Chris responded to their proposal yesterday, saying:  “Amtrak has invested in the Northeast Corridor for 40 years and has done an exemplary job of providing efficient rail services while continually improving its operations.  Last month, Amtrak marked 19 straight months of growth in ridership and announced its own plan to pursue private investment in the Northeast Corridor, both of which are very encouraging signs that Amtrak is continuing down the right track.  While I wholeheartedly support public-private partnerships, I do not support selling off the entire Northeast Corridor to the private sector.  Amtrak service is too important to our regional economy.” 

The Northeast Corridor in Delaware is served by 90 daily trains, connecting riders in Wilmington and Newark to destinations as near as Aberdeen, MD, and Philadelphia, PA, to as far as Miami, FL and Burlington, VT.  Over 706,000 people either boarded or exited an Amtrak train in Delaware last year, and Wilmington is ranked as the system’s 12^th busiest station overall. 

Just as important as its wider economic impact, Amtrak also employs more than a thousand Delawareans, and it had procurement contracts with Delaware companies worth over $8 million in 2010.  In fact, Amtrak’s operational nerve center, the Consolidated National Operations Center, moved to Wilmington from Philadelphia in 1998, underscoring Delaware’s major role on the Northeast Corridor and in our national Amtrak rail system as a whole.  A privatization of the Northeast Corridor would have a significant effect on the many Delawareans who work at Amtrak, provide contracted services, and rely on its service to get to work. 

To learn more about Chris’ work on transportation issues, click here.  

Senator Coons calls for shift in strategy in Afghanistan

Senator Coons this morning called on the president to reduce the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan as the beginning of a shift in strategy from counterinsurgency to counterterrorism. He made the case for change in an op-ed in The News Journal.

Chris’ op-ed follows months of Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Afghanistan progress, meetings with officials from the military, State Department, and the Afghan government, as well as a visit with troops and field commanders in Afghanistan. 

Chris concluded that the best way to keep America safe was to ensure the flexibility of our military in responding to emerging threats across the world is a substantial drawdown of our forces and a targeted strategy of counterterrorism. 

More important than determining a precise number for our initial drawdown is ensuring that we have a sustainable long-term strategy.  In his op-ed, Chris wrote: 

A substantial drawdown of forces — which I support — should not be the first step on a course of total disengagement from Afghanistan.  Rather, it should mark the beginning of a new, more targeted counter-terrorism strategy that more wisely focuses our military and diplomatic resources on defending America’s security interests.

With al Qaeda and affiliated groups now operating in Somalia and Yemen, we need greater operational flexibility, which will necessitate the repositioning of troops and resources out of Afghanistan.

Our men and women in uniform have performed their mission with courage, dedication, and strength of character, and we owe it to them to have the best long-term strategy for securing our nation possible.

To read the full op-ed, click here.  

Senator Coons hosts briefing on clean energy innovation’s role in American manufacturing

Today, Senator Coons was the keynote speaker at the “Clean Energy: Perspectives on Innovation” briefing in Washington.  The second of a two-part series Chris’ office is co-hosting with the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the luncheon explored the roles that the private sector, universities, venture capital, federal and state governments, and other vested interests play in facilitating an economic environment that incentivizes the growth of clean energy in the United States.

In Chris’ speech, he emphasized the correlation between manufacturing and innovation, stating that “manufacturing is only sustainable if it is tied to innovation.”  Chris referenced his first piece of legislation, the Job Creation through Innovation Act, which provides federal incentives to grow America’s manufacturing sector by expanding, simplifying, and making permanent the research and development tax credit.

Chris went on to applaud Bloom Energy’s recent decision to open a facility in Newark, which will create clean energy jobs for hundreds in the surrounding area.  This deal underscores Chris’ belief that, in order to gain job opportunities and help balance the economy, we need to embrace innovation.

A panel presentation followed Chris’ remarks.  The presenters include Josh Freed, the Vice President for the Clean Energy Program at Third Way; the University of Michigan’s Office of Technology Transfer Program Manager Megan Reichert-Kral; DuPont’s Research and Development Director Bill Provine; and William Lese of Braemar Energy Ventures.

Delegation hosts workshop to help Delawareans access federal grants

DOVER – Senator Coons joined Senator Carper and Congressman Carney on Monday in hosting a grants workshop and fair at Delaware State University. The event drew more than 200 individuals representing private businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations.  Chris spoke about the importance of collaborating and how that concept goes a long way in securing grants.

“Collaboration.  That’s the buzz word that I hope attendees take away from the Congressional delegation’s grants workshop,” said Chris.  “With less federal and state money to go around, successful grant writing must focus on how businesses, agencies and non-profit organizations are working together to serve the community.

“Today’s grants workshop and fair was all about creating opportunities for small businesses to grow, and non-profits, schools and other organizations to serve our communities. Researching and applying for grants is a competitive and often times daunting process. The congressional delegation is committed to making that process more accessible and easier to navigate.”

To learn more about how Chris’ office can assist Delawareans who are applying for grants click here.