July 1, 2023
Dear Friends,
Our Capital Region is a marvelous place full of vibrancy and life, made all the better because of the passion and vision of those who call our region home.
I have long asserted that our region is a hub of innovation, research, and discovery, bolstered by numerous institutes of higher education that help inspire and drive this pioneer spirit. Throughout this week, I had the pleasure of visiting our colleges and universities to see some of the stellar projects and research being conducted by faculty and students alike. From manufacturing and technical education facilities at Hudson Valley Community College to Alzheimer’s disease research at the University at Albany, I was blown away by the impressive work being done by these students, professors, and researchers as they forge ahead to find new, innovative solutions to our biggest challenges.
Welcoming Education Secretary Cardona
As our colleges and universities work to innovate and train the next generation of problem solvers, we in Congress must do all we can to support these institutions and help foster success for our bright students. On that front, I’m deeply proud of the work we’ve done in passing meaningful, historic legislation, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Thanks to this ‘Investing in America’ agenda, we are seeing not only historic job growth in critical industries, increased vital services, and lower costs, but also unprecedented surges in research and innovation projects that will have a ripple effect in ensuring American success abroad and building a better future for us all.
To celebrate some of these achievements and see their impact firsthand, I was honored to welcome the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona to the district this week for a visit to HVCC. During the visit, we joined a tour and roundtable with leaders and representatives from HVCC, Questar III BOCES, Albany County Airport Authority, and GlobalFoundries to discuss the college’s impressive technical education programs that are propelling students toward careers in advanced manufacturing, CHIPs, and aviation.
Driving research on Alzheimer’s
In addition to these vital manufacturing programs, our top-tier educational institutions boast a wealth of critical research opportunities in a wide array of important subjects.
On Thursday, I visited the University at Albany's RNA Institute to tour their impressive Early Alzheimer’s Diagnostics lab. Months earlier, I was proud to announce a grant of more than $270,000 awarded to the RNA Institute for a project to develop saliva screening tests that can detect Alzheimer’s disease before the onset of devastating symptoms such as memory loss.
So many of us know the fear and pain wrought by Alzheimer’s. Early diagnosis can have a major impact on ensuring access to treatments and vastly improving quality of life for patients and their families. I’m gratified by the powerful, compassionate work of those at the RNA Institute who are working to develop these tests that will have a profound impact on individuals living with this disease and their families.
Ensuring equity in higher education
There’s no denying these are important, innovative programs, and that our colleges are key to inspiring our leaders of the future.
So it is deeply disheartening that the Supreme Court just released their ruling striking down affirmative action — thereby denying opportunities for students to succeed in an increasingly diverse workplace and world. Not only does this choice harm minority communities, but also the colleges and communities who would have reaped the benefits that always come with creating an inclusive, diverse environment in which to foster new ideas.
This out of touch, extreme Supreme Court should not decide our values, and will not reverse the progress communities of color have made in promoting equality through education.
This decision will not stop our push for every student, regardless of race and ethnicity, to have an equal opportunity to participate and thrive. I urge leaders within our higher education institutions and throughout our communities to join in that essential push for programs and policies that increase educational opportunities and propel us towards a brighter future for all.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- The EPA compiled a Technical Assistance and Funding Resource Guide designed to assist communities and partners throughout the EPA regions across the United States.
- The guide contains a broad collection of tools and resources relevant to community and economic development and includes important deadlines, application information, and webinars for funding opportunities.
- In June, EPA released a resource guide for Region 2, which includes New York State.
- The resource guide can be found HERE in English and HERE in Spanish
- The content topics are as follows:
- Environmental Justice
- Rural Communities
- Food & Agriculture
- Air & Water
- Community & Economic Development
- Webinars & Virtual Events
- Grant Writing Resources
