March 9, 2024
Dear Friends,
This Thursday, I was proud to be in attendance as President Biden delivered his third State of the Union address. In his speech, the President highlighted the significant steps that his administration and Democrats in Congress have taken to support working families — particularly through the passage of major legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act. These investments continue to pay dividends right here in our Capital Region, delivering federal funding to lower healthcare costs, upgrade our bridges and airports, expand local manufacturing, and much more. Now, as we reflect on that extraordinary record of success, I’m more determined than ever to build on our progress with bold action that betters the lives of all Americans.
Unfortunately, GOP infighting and incompetence has made the 118th Congress one of the least productive in modern history. Republicans have obstructed any effort to address countless issues that matter to the American people — from passing comprehensive immigration reform and reauthorizing the critical Farm Bill to expanding the Child Tax Credit and delivering aid for our allies in Ukraine. At a time when too many Americans still struggle to make ends meet, and our nation’s standing on the global stage hangs in the balance, Republican ineptitude is hurting American families and damaging our national security.
This week, we saw a glimmer of hope for continued progress as the House passed the first of two bipartisan federal budget packages. I was pleased to cast my vote for this legislation, which omitted extreme GOP proposals for devastating spending cuts and restrictions on reproductive freedom while boosting investment in key agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs. I’m particularly proud of my successful push to secure in this funding package more than $10.6 million for 14 community development and improvement projects across our Capital Region, each of which brings great promise for our communities. But there is still much more work to do.
One of the issues on which I’ve been working tirelessly to advance new legislation is Parkinson’s disease — the second most common and fastest-growing neurological disease. As part of that effort, I was thrilled in December to celebrate House passage of my National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. Modeled on the successful National Alzheimer’s Project, this legislation will unite the federal government in a mission to cure and prevent Parkinson’s and alleviate the financial and health burdens the disease places on American families. As I watched the House advance our bipartisan bill by an overwhelming margin of 407-9, I was profoundly honored to stand alongside advocates like my friend and colleague Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who is fighting her own courageous battle against a similar disease that she describes as “Parkinson’s on steroids.” Now, with House passage secured, I’m turning my efforts to making certain this pioneering legislation passes the Senate and reaches President Biden’s desk.
To drive home the importance of this bill, I was proud this week to invite Mark Burek to Washington as my guest for the State of the Union address. After serving in the Navy for 21 years, retiring as a Senior Chief, Mark went on to work as a postal carrier delivering mail on foot. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007 at the age of 49, the news came as a shock. As he sought out resources and answers, Mark found that the Capital Region had no fitness resources or services dedicated to the Parkinson’s community. So Mark, an avid runner, set out to create them himself.
In 2011, Mark founded Parkinson’s Albany, which later became Hope Soars. For 13 years, Mark and his wife Ann have joined with local patients and advocates to raise awareness, support research, and inspire the Parkinson’s community to live fuller and healthier lives. Through his years of dedicated advocacy and through his own battle against Parkinson’s, Mark has come to acutely understand the pressing need to bring targeted federal resources to the national fight against this devastating disease. Today and every day, I am so grateful to have Mark and his organization as partners in this ongoing work.
At its core, this effort is about delivering a dose of hope to those who need it most. With nearly 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year, we cannot afford to wait a moment longer to take action on behalf of those living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones. Each day missed is another dark and uncertain diagnosis, another loss for a family and a community. With that urgency in mind, I urge the Senate to take up this bill immediately and join us in our pursuit of hope.
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 United States Postal Service (USPS) is hosting five local job fairs in the coming weeks to fill open positions across the Capital Region.
- USPS has immediate openings in the following positions:
- City Carrier Assistant - $19.33 per hour
- Rural Carrier Associate - $20.38 per hour
- PSE Clerk - $20.48 per hour
- Mail Handler Assistant - $18.62 per hour
- Applications are accepted online ONLY at www.usps.com/careers.
- All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be able to work weekends and holidays.
- Information on the job fairs is as follows:
- Monday, March 11 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Valatie Post Office
- 1050 Kinderhook Street, Valatie, NY 12184
- Thursday, March 14 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Albany General Mail Facility (use employee entrance)
- 30 Karner Road, Albany, NY 12288
- Saturday, March 16 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Latham Post Office
- 685 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110
- Tuesday, March 26 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Malta Post Office
- 12 Hemphill Place, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
- Thursday, March 28 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Albany General Mail Facility (use employee entrance)
- 30 Karner Road, Albany, NY 12288
