Dear Friend,

I’m heartbroken by the passing of my friend and colleague Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. Rep. Jackson Lee led on justice issues in Congress, including as chair of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, and her partnership was instrumental on Clean Slate. I’m praying for her family, loved ones, and the Houston community. Learn more about her life and legacy here.

Also, you may have seen the news about widespread Microsoft outages impacting service across a number of industries including Delaware’s IT systems. I am closely monitoring the situation. To stay up to date on how it progresses, visit the Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s website here.

This Week in Delaware

Delaware State Fair Welcomes USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small!

The Delaware State Fair is always one of the best events of the year! On Friday, I, along with Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse, was proud to host Xochitl Torres Small, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, at the fair. We visited the livestock barns, connected with local vendors and residents, and ate some great food! As Congress works to pass the next Farm Bill reauthorization, the state fair is an opportunity for me to gain insight from our ag community about how we can put together a package that best responds to the needs of our farmers and protects critical ag programs. We also stopped by the New Castle Building that was updated with federal funding I secured through the House’s Community Project Funding process to expand youth agriculture programming run by Delaware 4-H and FFA.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Small State BIG FUN!” But the fair isn’t just about the food and fun, it’s about celebrating our ag community and all that it contributes to our health, our communities, and our economy. I remain committed to working alongside the Biden Administration in ensuring that the ag sector in Delaware and across the country remains strong. You can get more information on the fair here.

Above: Rep. Blunt Rochester and U.S. Deputy Secretary Torres Small tour Delaware 4-H and Future Farmers of America’s members’ exhibits.

Above: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Scuse, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small at the New Castle Building that Blunt Rochester secured federal funding for.

Investing in Peoples Settlement, An Anchor of Wilmington’s East Side

My family’s story in Delaware started in 1969 when my dad, the late Ted Blunt, moved us to Wilmington because he got a job at the Peoples Settlement Association - a community center that has served as an anchor of Wilmington’s East Side. Dad was trained as a social worker and always worked to empower others to achieve their greatest potential. Peoples Settlement was so important to him, and to our family – especially to me and my sisters who grew up going there with Dad.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (left), her sisters, and Julie Sills stand with James Sills Sr. and Mayor Harry G. Haskell Jr. at Peoples Settlement in 1969.

When we moved to Wilmington, it was a tumultuous time. It was after the longest occupation of a city in the aftermath of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s murder, after I-95 tore through communities, and Delaware was grappling with implementing the Brown v. Board of Education decision. But through it all, Peoples Settlement is still standing, as it has for generations.

That’s why three generations of the Blunt Family were so proud to join community leaders, including many longtime mentors of mine, to break ground on the future of Peoples Settlement. Thanks to the work of leaders like Governor John Carney and State Senator Darius Brown, Peoples Settlement will be renovated and expanded to include classrooms, daycare centers, and office space so it can continue to serve the community. We are excited to see the legacy and work of our dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ted Blunt, live on in this impactful way.

Above: The family of the Honorable Theodore "Ted" Blunt with State Sen. Darius Brown and Sandra Ballard, Executive Director of Peoples Settlement

SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

My office is hosting another Constituent Resource Fair on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Wilmington University New Castle Campus in the Audrey K. Doberstein Admissions Center! Last year, more than 40 federal and state agencies, non-profits, and community organizations helped hundreds of Delawareans at our Fair. So, whether you’re having an issue with a federal agency or are looking for some community resources – we hope you can make it! For more information and to RSVP, click here.

I’m also excited to share that my office will be hosting our next mobile office hours at the Delmar Public Library on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Members of the casework team will be on hand to assist Delawareans who need help with federal agencies including passport and visa processing, securing your Social Security benefits, and getting your tax refund from the IRS. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Informed!

As Delaware continues to experience extreme heat, I want to be sure that you have the tools to stay cool! Heat.gov has a plethora of heat safety resources and heat-related illness tips. Remember – stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay Informed!

Below are some helpful resources for you:

• Lower Energy Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped pass last Congress, there are opportunities to lower your energy costs through tax credits and rebates. Check out energy.gov/save to learn more. 
• NEW! Calculate Your Potential Savings: The Biden-Harris Administration’s actions are helping to lower costs and put more money back into the pockets of Americans across the country. You can calculate your potential savings at Invest.gov/Savings.
• Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up-to-date! You can go to travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
• Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to passportappointment.travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel. You can utilize this resource until September!
• 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org. 
• Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline. 
• Student Loan SAVE Program: The Biden Harris Administration announced the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan. This program is income-driven and calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any Income-Driven Repayment plan available to nearly all student borrowers. To apply for the SAVE Plan, go to studentaid.gov/idr.
• U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more about at exchanges.state.gov/us.
• NEW! Protecting Your Data: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, legislation protecting the personal data of Delawareans, goes into effect on January 1, 2025. You can go to this website from the Delaware Department of Justice to find out how it will impact consumers, parents, and businesses in our state.

This week’s constituent corner celebrates the Laurel Fire Department, which recently celebrated its 125th birthday! In the summer of 1899, as the community grappled with a devastating fire, Laurel came together to organize a local fire department. Now, more than a century later, it is a partner in protecting the Laurel community. We in Delaware know the risk our firefighters take each day when they put on their uniforms, and we are forever grateful for it. Happy 125th birthday, Laurel Fire Department!

Photo: Laurel Fire Department

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

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