Dear Friend, 

After a busy week in Congress, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut and here with an update on a few of my recent stops and visits. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me. 

Welcoming Students from Woodstock Middle School to the Capitol

It’s a privilege to welcome young students from eastern Connecticut on their visits to the U.S. Capitol – and speak with them about my work in Congress. Yesterday, I met with over 100 eighth graders from Woodstock Middle School on the steps of the Capitol. These visits are an excellent compliment to young students' education – seeing our government institutions and pieces of our nation's history up close. It’s great to see student groups like this back making trips down to Washington after we’ve rebounded from the pandemic. 

On Thursday, Rep. Courtney met with a group of over 100 students from Woodstock Middle School during their visit to Washington, DC and the U.S. Capitol

A massive thank you to the fantastic teachers and chaperones for these students. They put in long days to make sure these kids come back to Connecticut with lifelong memories from our nation’s capital. Some of these faculty from Woodstock Middle School even brought one of my staff members on his Washington trip 13 years ago! 

During Woodstock Middle School's visit to the Capitol building, one of Rep. Courtney's staff members, Sean Falvey (right), reconnected with his former math teacher Ms. Lisa Audet (left)

My office helped Woodstock Middle School arrange their visit to the Capitol. Please contact my office if you are planning a trip to Washington – my staff can help set up tours for you and your group. Call us at (202) 225-2076 or visit https://courtney.house.gov/services/tours-and-tickets.

Click here to contact Rep. Courtney's office about scheduling a Capitol tour or call his Washington office at (202) 225-2076

Catching Up with Cadets and Leadership at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy 

I always appreciate the chance to visit the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London. From Connecticut waterways, to the Long Island Sound, to waters around the globe, Coast Guard servicemembers take on important and often dangerous missions – keeping us safe and the maritime economy flowing. Last Friday, I joined U.S. Coast Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan and Rep. Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, for meetings with USCGA leadership and updates on infrastructure projects the Academy now undertaking on campus with the use of federal funds. Thank you to RADM Bill Kelly, Provost Amy Donahue, and so many cadets for welcoming us. 

Last week, Rep. Courtney made a visit to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London. While receiving an update on the Academy's needs and recent infrastructure upgrades, he joined USCGA Provost Amy Donahue and cadets for quick trip up the Thames River on one of the Academies harbor tugs

We’re lucky to host cadets as they train for their future as Coast Guard servicemembers. At the USCGA, they’re getting top-notch education and training that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. I keep in close touch with leadership at the Academy to ensure their needs are addressed in Congress. On our visit last week, we saw some of the great upgrades being made to the campus and heard updates on how funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being used to keep improvements coming for future cadets. 

Rep. Courtney was joined on his visit by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan (right center) and Rep. Rick Larsen (WA), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (left center) which has oversight of the U.S. Coast Guard

The men and women of the Coast Guard prove every day that the Academy has prepared them to not only to take on some of America’s biggest national security challenges, but also to success in life after service. Southeastern Connecticut is the proud home of so many of our nation’s veterans and active duty servicemembers. I’m grateful for their service and honored to represent the Coast Guard Academy in Congress. 

Celebrating Connecticut’s Woman of the Year in Norwich 

Last Saturday, I joined people in Norwich to celebrate Connecticut’s USA Today Woman of the Year Debbie Kievits – founder of Norwich Bully Busters. For over two decades, she’s been a relentless leader against bullying in Norwich schools – working alongside parents and educators to keep kids safe. Young people have struggled with bullying for years, and it's clear this problem is central to our education challenges today. Kids need to feel safe to receive a quality education, and Norwich Bully Busters is working to create a positive environment for students to achieve success. 

On Saturday, Rep. Courtney joined Debbie Kievits (left) and Norwich community members for the presentation of her 2023 USA Today Woman of the Year Award for the state of Connecticut

Debbie began to implement her vision of youth empowerment following a string of unfortunate bullying incidents that impacted Norwich and her own family. She engaged with fellow parents and created Norwich Bully Busters, a volunteer-based organization missioned toward sharing a simple message: “Kindness is magical.” Two decades later, amid rising nationwide struggles with bullying and a disturbing rise in poor mental health, we’re seeing a long-needed push to strengthen behavioral and mental health services for youth. Just recently, school districts across eastern Connecticut received American Rescue Plan funding to bolster their in-school mental health programs. Debbie's visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to student wellbeing has paved the way for critical initiatives like these.

"I don't want to be part of a world where we give up on 10, 11, 12 year olds," said Debbie Kievits at her Connecticut USA Today Woman of the Year ceremony. Read more here in the Bulletin.

There are countless more examples of Debbie working to improve the Norwich community. Norwich Bully Buster's summer programming has connected youth in town with community service activities, art programs, and ideas for future careers. In fact, Norwich's newly elected State Representative Derell Wilson grew up participating in the summer program! Read more in a Congressional Record Statement I submitted this week to recognize Debbie Kievits' legacy of leadership. Congratulations to Debbie on the well-deserved recognition! 

Reminder: Scams Pose a Threat to us All 

A quick reminder during tax season of the danger scams pose to all of us. I hear lots of stories about scammers targeting people in the Second District. Criminals often pose as Medicare, Social Security, or an IRS representative over the phone, and in 2022, the most common scam in the U.S. was IRS impersonations. These calls can be frightening. We’ll be threatened with arrest if we don’t immediately comply with their outlandish claims and demands – paying phony back taxes or providing personal financial information. During tax season, scam phone calls claiming to be IRS agents are common. We all need to be vigilant and remember some key facts that can easily debunk scammers claims. 

There are lots more helpful tips to protect yourself from scams. The IRS has compiled useful information here to avoid tax scams and the Social Security Administration has information here to avoid Social Security scams which are often targeted at seniors. Remember, it's important to report scams so others can avoid them. For more information on reporting scams, click here. Please help spread the word to loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk, and don't hesitate to call my Norwich office with questions about scams and how federal agencies like the IRS will contact you.

Now Accepting Submissions for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition 

There’s so much creative talent in Second District high schools, and every year, one of the great joys of my job is accepting submissions for the Congressional Art Competition. I’m excited to share that my Norwich office is now accepting submissions for the 2023 Art Competition!  

Click here to learn more about the 2023 Congressional Art Competition

All high school students in CT-02 can submit original works of art – including paintings, drawings, collages, photography, digital art, and more! Works must be dropped off or delivered to either my Norwich or Enfield offices by April, 29th. On May 9th, my office will host a CT-02 Art Show at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich to showcase all of the works submitted. At the show, a winning work will be selected and later hung in the U.S. Capitol building alongside works from all other Congressional Districts. For detailed submission requirements and directions, visit: https://courtney.house.gov/ArtCompetition.

Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend, and go Huskies! 

This week, to cheer the Huskies on in the Final Four, Rep. Courtney set up a UConn Men's Basketball poster outside of his office in Washington, DC

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

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