Mitzvah Day in Delaware

WILMINGTON — Senator Coons took part in the Jewish Federation of Delaware’s “Mitzvah Day” at the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington on Sunday. Joined by his daughter, Maggie, Chris helped decorate cupcakes that were sold to raise money to fight cancer. Chris and Maggie also made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which were later handed out to the homeless. 

“Mitzvah” literally means “commandment” and it refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty and act of kindness to help others.

In Delaware, the goal of Mitzvah Day is to organize volunteers to focus on helping the elderly, improve the environment and to help the sick.  Chris not only joined in the cause, but he was also on hand to thank the hundreds of volunteers for their service.  

Chris answers five questions for Roll Call

Chris took a moment earlier this month to respond to a few personal questions from Roll Call for its Heard on the Hill: Take Five series. Below is his interview with the paper’s Mackenzie Wagner, as it appeared in print this week.

Every Tuesday, HOH gets to know a Member of Congress better through a series of five fun questions. This week, we chat with Sen. Chris Coons. The Delaware Democrat dishes about his caffeine addiction and busy life that unfortunately means no sports or movies.

Q: Which team do you think will win the NBA Finals?
A: I’m afraid I don’t watch as much “SportsCenter” as I’d like to these days, but my son Mike says it’ll be the [Miami] Heat and my son Jack says it’ll be the [Chicago] Bulls.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone (aside from your family), who would it be and why?
A: Harry Truman would make great dinner company. … Telling stories, playing the piano, beating me at poker. Bess would make sure we didn’t stay up too late, though.

Q: What’s your favorite drink?
A: I get by on a regimen of coffee and Diet Coke with Lime these days.

Q: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
A: Do they still have movies? I feel like I haven’t been to one in 10 years … which may explain why my favorite movie is probably “My Cousin Vinny.” Positraction!

Q: Who’s your best friend in Congress?
A: Tom Carper has been a friend for a long time and has been a wonderful mentor to me in the Senate, and I love that my old friend John Carney is now serving Delaware in the House. Coming to the Senate has given me a chance to reconnect with Michael Bennet, who I’ve known for years, and I’ve become quite fond of Johnny Isakson as well.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: May 16 to May 22

Monday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Monday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at New Building Blocks for Jobs and Economic Growth – Intangible Asset Conference. Hariri Building, 4th Floor Fisher Colloquium, Georgetown University Business School, Washington, DC. Closed to press. 

Tuesday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the strategic implications of Pakistan. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Tuesday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Foreign Relations working coffee with King Abdullah II of Jordan. S 119, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Closed to press.

Wednesday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. Capitol Visitors Center, Washington, DC – Closed to press.

Thursday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on policies to reduce oil consumption through alternative transportation technologies. The committee will receive testimony on policies that promote advanced vehicle technologies and accelerate the deployment of electric-drive vehicles. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Thursday, May 19 at 2:30 a.m. – The Senator will chair the Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee Hearing: “Next Steps in Cote d’Ivoire.” 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Eastern Division International Association of Fire Chiefs Welcome Reception. Talleyville Fire Company, 3919 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE – Open to press. 

Friday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Saturday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the 1049th Transportation Ceremony.   Schabinger Pavilion, Harrington Fairgrounds, 18500 South DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, May 21 at 6:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend a celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3420. The event will honor the 75 years of Post 3420’s service in assisting our veterans, their families, active duty personnel, VA hospital patients, and the community. 649 Churchmans Road, Newark, DE.

Sunday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the “From Darkness to Light” Newark Symphony Orchestra Concert. Appoquinimink High School, 1080 Bunker Hill Road, Middletown, DE  – Open to press.

Delaware Children’s Museum gets new solar array

WILMINGTON — Senator Coons headed up to the roof of the Delaware Children’s Museum on Friday to help install SolarDock panels — a unique patented, completely non-roof penetrating commercial racking system. As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Chris has emerged as an outspoken advocate for research and investment in clean energy technology.

The company’s headquarters are located in Wilmington. It is recognized among leading integrators, installers and distributors as the next generation in flat-roof and ground-mount solar systems.  The company has grown 400 percent since 2007 with clients that include Fortune 500 businesses, manufacturing and warehouse facilities, schools and universities, retail centers and medical facilities.

Chris joined Governor Jack Markell and Delaware Children Museum’s Executive Director Julie Van Blarcom for the installation.

Expanding our protection of White Clay Creek

Today, Senator Coons introduced legislation to designate nine additional miles of White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.  Delaware’s senior Senator, Tom Carper, and Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey, Jr., joined as original cosponsors of the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act to ensure that more of this beautiful natural resource cherished by communities in both states is protected.  The bill was also introduced today in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania’s sixteenth district and Delaware’s Congressman John Carney. 

In 1968, Congress passed the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect the free-flowing condition of rivers with outstanding scenic, recreational, natural, historic, and cultural values.   Since that time, Congress has designated 165 river segments comprising 11,409 river miles as wild and scenic. These rivers must be preserved in their free-flowing state and cannot be impeded by dams or any other form of development.

Congress designated the majority of White Clay Creek and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 2000.  Then-Senator Joe Biden was the lead sponsor for the legislation that made this designation in the Senate, and former Delaware Congressman Mike Castle was the lead sponsor for the version passed by the House of Representatives.  An expansion of this designation to the remainder of White Clay Creek was initially proposed by Chris’s predecessor, former Senator Ted Kaufman. 

Chris’ bill would expand the original White Clay Creek designation to include a 1.6-mile stretch of Lamborn Run in Delaware and 7.4-miles of stream in Pennsylvania’s New Garden Township.  These additions would increase the total number of protected miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to 199 and provide more comprehensive protection for the White Clay Creek watershed, which is an important resource for both Delaware and Pennsylvania. 

White Clay Creek is unique within the Wild and Scenic Rivers System because it was the first designation to include an entire watershed rather than individual river segments.  This approach takes into account the many factors that influence a river beyond its banks.  Nearly 100,000 people reside within the 107 square mile watershed in New Castle and Chester Counties, and this watershed-wide approach is an innovative way of protecting the integrity of White Clay Creek.  Additionally, the management of White Clay Creek is distinctive because it involves a partnership between the National Parks Service, state and local governments, businesses, universities, and other groups.

The White Clay Creek watershed is home to 33 species of mammals, 21 species of fish, twenty-seven species of reptiles and amphibians, and over ninety species of birds.  The creek is also stocked with brown and rainbow trout and is an important resource for fishing.  Protected land in the watershed also provides recreational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, birders, and hunters.  White Clay Creek and the Cockeysville aquifer that lies beneath portions of the watershed are an important source of drinking water for over 128,000 residents in both states.

Growing up, Chris spent a lot of time in the White Clay Creek watershed and understands its importance for nearby communities.  Years ago, his grandmother donated some of her land along the banks of White Clay Creek to help preserve it.  Chris is proud to take the lead on this important legislation that further protects White Clay Creek and its tributaries in a way that does require spending a single dollar from the taxpayers.

The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Chris is a member.  We hope it will be quickly approved by the Committee and advance to consideration by the full Senate.

Click here to learn more about White Clay Creek.

Chris introduces bill to help veterans get jobs

Senator Coons talks with Iraq war veteran Navy Corpsman Eric Smith of Baltimore about his experience trying to find a job after a press conference announcing the Hire America’s Heroes Act outside the Capitol on Wednesday.

Senator Coons today joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) at a press conference with veterans struggling to find work to discuss aggressive new legislation they introduced today to will address rising unemployment among our nation’s veterans.

“After they fought for our freedom abroad, our veterans shouldn’t then have to fight just to get a job at home,” Senator Coons said in a statement. “Especially during this difficult economic recovery, it is more important than ever to equip our veterans with the resources necessary to successfully reenter civilian life. We must make it a priority to connect returning soldiers with job training and job opportunities. It’s not enough for us to bring them home — it’s our duty and responsibility to give them the tools and training to be as successful in civilian life as they were while they were deployed.”

Watch Chris’ full remarks at the press conference below:

President Obama nominates Richard Andrews to U.S. District Court for Delaware

President Obama today nominated State Prosecutor Richard G. Andrews to the U.S. District Court for Delaware. Senator Coons applauded the move, saying in a statement this afternoon:

“Delaware’s courts are known for their excellence, particularly in specialized fields like patent litigation, and in a court as small as ours, every vacancy matters. It’s been five years since Delaware has had a full complement of judges on the District Court, putting an undue burden on the other judges forced to carry an increased caseload. The nomination of Richard Andrews will ensure that Delaware continues to play its important role in the protection of American innovation. Mr. Andrews’ experience as a state prosecutor and in the U.S. Attorney’s office shows his commitment to serving the people of Delaware and makes him particularly well qualified to serve on the bench. I look forward to helping move his nomination through the Judiciary Committee and working with Senator Carper to ensure a swift and smooth confirmation.”

A little on Andrews’ resume:

Richard G. Andrews is the State Prosecutor for Delaware, a position he has held since 2007. As the State Prosecutor, Andrews oversees the Criminal Division of the Delaware Department of Justice. From 1983 to 2006, Andrews worked for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware as an Assistant United States Attorney. During his 23-year tenure in that office, Andrews served as Chief of the Criminal Division, First Assistant United States Attorney, and acting United States Attorney. From 1981 to 1982, Andrews clerked for the Honorable Collins J. Seitz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Andrews received his J.D. in 1981 from University of California at Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law and his B.A. in 1977 from Haverford College.

Confronting Syria

Senator Coons was part of a bipartisan coalition of senators today who condemned human rights abuses in Syria in the violent crackdown being waged by President Bashar Al Assad.

“I am pleased to join my colleagues in condemning the unconscionable actions perpetrated against the Syrian people by the Assad regime,” Senator Coons said in a statement announcing the resolution. “As President Assad continues a brutal crackdown against demonstrators in the streets, the United States and international community stand with the Syrian people and supports their calls for democracy. The violence must come to an end, and President Assad and other Syrian government officials must be held accountable for the deplorable abuse of human rights.”

The bipartisan resolution calls for the expansion of targeted U.S. sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for human rights abuses, including against President Assad personally, and for the Obama Administration to work at the United Nations Security Council to hold Syrian human rights abusers accountable. The resolution also expresses unambiguous support for the aspirations of the Syrian people, as they continue peaceful protests in the streets of cities and towns across their country despite a dramatically heightened campaign of barbaric violence against them by the Syrian regime, and urges President Obama to speak out directly and personally about the situation in Syria.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), and was also cosponsored by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kirk (R-IL), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

Chart: Number of crude oil rigs in operation in the U.S.

One of the tenets of the energy policy supported by Senator Coons, President Obama, and Senate Democrats is that American oil companies ought to be utilizing as much of the area they’ve received permits for as they possibly can rather than letting them continue to sit idle. The good news is that according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the number of crude oil rigs in operation in the U.S. has actually more than doubled since President Obama took office. That’s a good sign that we’re making inroads toward energy independence.

Senator Coons marks groundbreaking of Dover Air Force Base chapel

DOVER — Today marked an important day in the history of the Dover Air Force Base, and Senator Coons was honored to be a part of it. Chris participated in the groundbreaking for the Dover Air Force Base Chapel.

The original chapel, constructed in 1956 on the same site, was demolished about a year ago. Over its lifetime it had no major renovations. In fact, the Command Chaplain rated it the second worst in the Command.

The new Chapel Center, being built with funds secured by Congress, will include 16,340 square feet of area devoted to providing ministry, counseling and religious education. It will include a 300-seat sanctuary to meet the needs of personnel and their dependents assigned to Dover Air Force Base. There will also be over 3,000 square feet devoted to a rest and relaxation area for families of dignified transfers of fallen service members.

In January, Chris attended the dignified transfer ceremony of three service members who lost their lives in Afghanistan. For Chris, the moving and difficult experience drove home the need for a place like the Chapel that is being built at Dover Air Force Base.