Dear John,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work. 

Last week, newly elected officials were sworn-in across the Fifth District. I extend my congratulations to our new and returning leaders and look forward to serving the people in our communities together. Also, I celebrated the Town of Southbury 350th Anniversary to commemorate 350 years of community, culture, and history. Next, I visited the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) Lab at the Muriel Moore Child Development Center in Waterbury. Additionally, I attended the 2023 STEM/Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Expo, a career fair for students to learn about opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Lastly, I joined Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries on Thanksgiving Day to serve dinner to the community.

For the full recap, please read below.

New leaders across CT-05

Newly elected local officials are being sworn-in across the Fifth District. On Tuesday, I attended the swearing-in ceremony for First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, who will lead the Town of Cornwall for a 17th term.

I look forward to working with all local officials to continue serving our constituents in new and innovative ways.

Celebrating the Town of Southbury’s 350th Anniversary

Concluding a year-long series of events, I celebrated with the Town of Southbury to commemorate 350 years of community, culture and history. Wonderful to see how friends and neighbors came together to learn about the past and the progress of the one and only Southbury in America.

Visiting the Muriel Moore Child Development Center

On Friday, I visited the Muriel Moore Child Development Center in Waterbury to tour the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Lab. The STEAM Lab will introduce preschoolers to the world of science and technology during the most critical stage of development. This project was supported by funds made available in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 

Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed a new Health and Human Services rule to modernize the early education sector. The rule aims to strengthen the Head Start Workforce, increase wages, and support quality programming. Head Start sets children on a path of success through essential educational, nutritional, and social services. If finalized, the rule would raise Head Start teacher wages by over $10,000 and improve access to high-quality service for more than 5,500 Connecticut children and families.

2023 STEM/Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Expo

On Friday, the Waterbury Regional Chamber and the Waterbury Board of Education hosted the 2023 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)/ Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Expo at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

The event was a terrific opportunity for hundreds of middle and high school students to directly engage with local manufacturers and learn about career opportunities from area leaders in manufacturing. 

As we close out National Apprenticeship Week, this career fair is a great reminder to students that postsecondary education is not the only pathway to success. Apprenticeships, particularly in the manufacturing sector, provide opportunities for every American to access stable, high-paying jobs.

In the 117th Congress, I supported the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes investments to boost American semiconductor research, development, and production while creating opportunities for workers.

Thanksgiving with Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries

On Thanksgiving Day, I joined staff and volunteers at the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (GWIM) to serve dinner. GWIM has provided services for the greater Waterbury community for over 80 years. I come back every year because these folks have known me since I, myself was on the receiving end of aid. The efforts of GWIM, local food pantries and soup kitchens to combat food insecurity and improve outcomes for families is more critical now than ever. With over 35,000 households across the Fifth District of Connecticut participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), it is critically important for us all to continue to advocate for measures to end hunger. As your Congresswoman, I will continue to champion efforts to address food insecurity in the Fifth District and across the country.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me.  

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress