Dear Friends,

May was a busy month around Southwest Connecticut, full of graduations to celebrate and travel plans to finalize. Read on to see what I have been up to in our district.

Supporting Individuals with Disabilities

I joined Abilis Greenwich to learn more about how the non-profit provides life-long support to individuals with disabilities and their families. Abilis’ offerings include job opportunities for their participants through retail and micro-farming initiatives, Spanish-language services, and family-oriented support groups. The vital work of this organization assists more than 800 individuals with special needs throughout Fairfield County – thank you all for your efforts!

My staff and I loved hearing about the different employment opportunities available to individuals with disabilities through Abilis.

Honoring our Veterans

It was great to join veterans in Trumbull for the official groundbreaking of a new 5,500 square foot multi-use Veterans and Community Center that will serve more than 30,000 former service members across the region. Our veterans deserve a place to gather worthy of their selfless sacrifice and I am glad my office was able to help secure federal funding for this project. The Center will also offer workforce training programs and host public meeting spaces available to local small businesses, civic groups, and residents. Looking forward to coming back soon to see the facility once it is completed!

Always heartening to see projects like Trumbull’s new Veterans and Community Center come to fruition.

Exploring Renewable Energy

It’s not every day that I get to stand on top of a dam that generates the power which lights our homes. I have to say, it was pretty cool. FirstLight Power showed me around the Stevenson Dam plant in Monroe and offered insight into how hybrid renewable energy projects are thriving here in Connecticut. Through our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal government is set to invest $553 million in maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric energy production across the United States. I look forward to hearing more from FirstLight Power and other energy providers about how the federal government can support Connecticut’s transition to green, renewable energy.

Improving renewable energy generation infrastructure is a critical component of our country’s green energy future.

Settling the Great Pizza Debate

Our state is home to the best pizza in the United States—no matter what New Yorkers or Chicagoans might say. I’m thankful to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for settling the score once and for all by proclaiming Connecticut the Pizza Capital of the United States in the Congressional Record. Everyone in D.C. knows there’s no arguing with Rosa. Check out her full proclamation here.

Thank you to all the pizza makers who flew down for our ceremony on the Capitol steps – and for bringing us a few slices to enjoy on our way back to the office. Come back to visit D.C. soon!

I made sure to take a souvenir “Connecticut: The Pizza State” box back to my office so everyone who stops by knows the definitive answer to the great American pizza debate.

Join Team Himes!

Are you or someone you know a veteran, Gold Star Family member, or an active-duty spouse interested in working in a Congressional office? If so, consider applying to join my district office through the Green and Gold Congressional Aide program! More information on the full time, two-year position can be found here or you are welcome to contact my district office for additional details.

With summer vacation coming up, it's a great time to make sure your travel documents are up to date. Earlier this month we helped nearly 200 constituents at our Stamford passport fair, and we've heard from many more of you looking for assistance. For that, or for help with other federal agencies, please don’t hesitate to call my Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600. To receive news about our next passport fair and similar events, be sure sign up for my newsletter.

Sincerely,
Jim