Celebrating our Spirit of Play 

From sitting on the Sesame Street stoop and climbing in Big Bird’s nest to filling your cart at the Wegmans Super Kids Market, everyone who lives in Rochester or has the chance to visit our community knows the Strong Museum is a one-of-a-kind national treasure. It’s time they get the official designation to prove it! 

I’m proud to share that legislation I authored to officially designate the Strong as the "National Museum of Play" was passed by the House of Representatives.  This week I joined Steve Dubnik, CEO of the Strong, to celebrate this exciting accomplishment and call on my partners in the Senate to swiftly take up the bill. 

I look forward to getting this legislation over the finish line to solidify what we in Rochester have long known to be true: nobody does discovery, curiosity, and play like the Strong Museum! 

 
Read more: https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-celebrates-passage-his-legislation-designate-strong 

 Supporting Rochester's Deaf Community 

It was great to be with friends from the Rochester School for the Deaf, Foodlink, and the Rochester Deaf Kitchen on Monday to mark 100,000 pounds of food served by the Deaf Community Food Pantry! In just six months of service, this program has had an immeasurable impact on families in Rochester. 

Combatting food insecurity remains one of my top priorities in Congress, and I'm grateful for the work of these dedicated organizations to help deaf and hard-of-hearing families access reliable, healthy meals.  

 Providing Hope and Opportunity for our Neighbors 

National Reentry Week is an important time to recognize organizations like the Reentry Association of Western New York (RAWNY). RAWNY does incredible work in our community, helping to support our neighbors as they return home from incarceration and look to build better futures for themselves and their loved ones. 

It was an honor to join RAWNY and local partners to celebrate the first anniversary of their Reentry One-Stop which provides critical assistance through housing, mental and physical health support, and employment opportunities.  

The hope and support they provide is how we make generational change in our community, and I am proud to continue our long history of partnership together. 

 Celebrating a Century of American Legion   Post #954 

This week I joined our local veteran community in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post #954. For the past 100 years, Post 954 has been devoted to serving America’s veterans and their families, and together we are working to ensure our veterans have access to the resources and support they need when they transition to civilian life. 

I am proud to support this work as one of my top priorities in Congress, and I feel privileged to have been a part of the centennial celebration. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we strive to address the many challenges facing our veterans and uplift those who have so courageously served our country. 

 Learning from the Next Generation 

I visited my grandson Gabriel’s pre-K class this week to read, play, and share some facts about my work and responsibilities as a community leader. These enthusiastic kids had some great questions and ideas, and did a wonderful job reciting the Pledge of Allegiance! 

It is for this next generation that I am inspired to work every day to create hope, opportunity, and a brighter future in America. 

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family. 

Warmest personal regards, 

Joe Morelle 

New York’s 25th Congressional District