DeLauro visits TEAM in Derby, Caring Heart awards presented at Griffin Hospital

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter is now available. 
Please check it out here. 

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro

We feature U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro's visit to TEAM offices in Derby Monday to talk about proposed cuts to heating assistance.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Patti and Ralph

DeLauro visits with TEAM clients, staff in Derby

U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro speaks during a visit Monday to TEAM, Inc. offices in Derby. She met with clients to learn how proposed cuts to the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program would affect their families.

DeLauro backs Lockheed plan to purchase Sikorsky

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-CT, released the following statement today after the Department of Defense announced concerns with mergers and acquisitions between prime contractors, such as Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky (Aircraft). 

DeLauro represents Sikorsky’s home of Stratford.

“Lockheed Martin is the right home for Sikorsky. Lockheed Martin does not presently make helicopters, and they are committed to both the military and commercial helicopter business. I look forward to seeing Lockheed’s $9 billion purchase of Sikorsky go through and the world’s best helicopters continue to be built in Stratford.”

This is a press release from DeLauro's office.  

TEAM to celebrate 50th anniversary at gala in Orange

ORANGE - Derby-based TEAM, Inc. will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a gala starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Race Brook Country Club, 246 Derby Ave.

Honorary chairperson is U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-New Haven, and chairperson is Lynn Kieley.

Cost is $100 per person; cash bar. 

Dinner will be followed by dancing to the sounds of The Bernadettes from 7-11 p.m.

Marquee sponsor is Pitney Bowes.

Stay tuned for further information! 

DeLauro salutes civil rights marchers on 50th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday'

NEW HAVEN - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement today marking the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”

“I salute the extraordinary courage and commitment of those civil rights marchers who, 50 years ago today, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, demanding their right to vote. All Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for pushing our nation to be a better place.

“A direct line can be drawn from ‘Bloody Sunday’ to the day the landmark Voting Rights Act was signed. That law has been responsible for most of the progress made towards outlawing discriminatory voting practices over the last 50 years. Unfortunately the Voting Rights Act is now under assault and its values are being dishonored. Congress must pass a revised, renewed, and strengthened Voting Rights Act this year to protect the most fundamental right of our democracy.”

In June 2013, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that invalidated a key section of the Voting Rights Act, significantly weakening it.

The decision struck down the formula used to determine if covered state and local governments are in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.


This is a press release from DeLauro's office. 

DeLauro seeks postage stamp honor for Derby native

Bassett served as first African-American ambassador

Bassett

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, today introduced the Ambassador Ebenezer D. Bassett Commemorative Stamp Act, which calls for the creation of a stamp to honor Ebenezer D. Bassett, the nation’s first African-American diplomat and native son of Derby.

If the bill were to become law the Postmaster General would be required to issue a stamp honoring Bassett.
“I am proud to introduce this legislation to recognize Ebenezer D. Bassett’s profound service to this nation and his historic appointment as the first African-American diplomat," DeLauro said.

"Throughout his life, Ambassador Bassett inspired his community and worked tirelessly to give a voice to some of the most vulnerable members of society. As an educator, abolitionist, and civil rights activist, Ambassador Bassett became a pioneer in race relations. President Grant appointed him to represent his country and build diplomatic relations with Haiti - a role he served in with honor and distinction.

"Today, his story serves as a source of inspiration and is an important reminder to us all of the virtues of hard-work, quality education, and humility,” she said.

Bassett was appointed U.S. Minister to Haiti in 1869 (the equivalent of today’s ambassador) and served in a posting that was one of the most difficult of its time, due to ongoing civil war.

Bassett was the first black student to attend what is now Central Connecticut State University.

This is a press release from DeLauro's office.

DeLauro honors veterans' sacrifices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement today commemorating Veterans Day:

“When their nation asked them to, our veterans put on the uniform, they went overseas, they fought to keep us safe, and they gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Since the founding of our republic, American soldiers have been the guardians of our freedom. We can never take them for granted – the sacrifices they and their families have made, and the peace they have secured.

“Veterans are heroes to us all, and we honor your commitment, your service and your sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families on this day of remembrance,” she said.

DeLauro has been holding an “Honoring the Greatest Generation” appreciation series to honor World War II veterans in Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District. At those events she presents each of the World War II veterans there with a challenge coin as a sign of her appreciation and shares photographs of her trip to Normandy on the official Congressional delegation for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.


This is a release from DeLauro's office.

DeLauro calls negative Ebola result 'great news'

NEW HAVEN - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement today on the news a possible Ebola case at Yale-New Haven Hospital has come back negative in preliminary tests.

Further tests will be done tomorrow to confirm that initial result.
“The preliminary negative result is great news," DeLauro said.
"Credit needs to be given to Mayor Harp, Yale-New Haven Hospital, city and state health officials, and police, fire fighters and emergency responders who have been involved. But we must not allow this to lower our defenses. Every precaution needs to continue to be taken when a possible case arises. I will continue to stay in close communication with state and federal officials to ensure that our guard is up and Connecticut is prepared for whatever may happen in the future.

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC and National Institutes of Health. She has called for that subcommittee to hold a hearing on budget cuts to those agencies in light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak and has yet to receive a response.

More information on the cuts can be found here.



This is a press release from DeLauro's office.

DeLauro issues statement on unconfirmed Ebola case in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement today on the unconfirmed Ebola case at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

DeLauro has been in contact with officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today, and attended a press briefing on the situation.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the individual and family impacted by this unconfirmed Ebola case. Later this afternoon we should receive preliminary test results from the Laboratory Response Network, which is supported by the CDC. I am encouraged by the cooperation among health, state and local officials; first and emergency responders; and Yale-New Haven Hospital staff. But we must continue to take every precaution to protect our medical workers and stop this from spreading. Since the outbreak began I have been in constant communication with officials at the NIH and CDC.

“As the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the NIH and CDC, I have fought for more resources for those agencies. We are seeing now how crucial they are, as they are in the lead on responding to the Ebola crisis. Unfortunately, federal support for these programs has dwindled due to budget cuts over the last four years. The NIH’s purchasing power has been cut by 10 percent over the last four years. The CDC program that supports the lab doing the testing has been cut by 11 percent over the last four year. The Health and Human Services program that supports local preparedness has been cut by 44 percent.

"As NIH Director Francis Collins has said, we would be much further along on an Ebola vaccine if it were not for these cuts. National preparedness efforts have been damaged as well. We need to reverse this trend.”

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC and National Institutes of Health.

She has called for that subcommittee to hold a hearing on budget cuts to those agencies in light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak and has yet to receive a response.
More information on the cuts can be found here.

This post is taken from a release from DeLauro's office Thursday afternoon.

Event at Griffin in Derby focuses on breast density, mammograms

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Griffin Hospital hosted a press conference Friday to draw attention to legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-New Haven, the Breast Density and Mammography Reporting Act. 
Pictured from left are Griffin President and CEO Patrick Charmel, Dr. Devika Jajoo, Dr. Denise Barajas, DeLauro, and state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge.

* Please check out my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel linked above.