On Monday I stopped by the Jewish Community Center to spend time with members and share an update on my work in Congress to support and uplift our Jewish Community. The JCC is critical to our region, and I’m grateful for their continued partnership. 

Tuesday started with a visit to Joe Bean Coffee Roasters. Joe Bean is committed to the highest quality, mindfully sourced coffee, and they’re located right here in Rochester. I was excited to join this thriving local business for a tour and discussion about their growing organization. 

Fun fact: did you know coffee beans are actually pits of a type of cherry? It was fascinating to learn more about how the harvesting and roasting process works! 

Up next, I headed to the Henrietta Senior Center to visit some of our older residents. We discussed my ongoing work in Congress to address their needs, including bringing down the cost of prescription drugs they rely on, and protecting essential programs like Social Security. 

I enjoyed the opportunity to swing by Amazon's Rochester facility to see firsthand how they are strengthening our region’s position as a hub for e-commerce. I was grateful for the opportunity to tour the facility and I look forward to continuing our work together. 

Greenlight Biosciences is creating innovative solutions to tackle the issues facing our agricultural economy. On Wednesday, I stopped by to meet with their team and discuss ways we can work together to enhance sustainability, support farmers, and more. 

To round out the week, I visited the Community Place of Greater Rochester's senior center. I met with residents to discuss the issues at the top of their minds, and I look forward to returning to Washington to turn their concerns into results. 

When I voted to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act two years ago, my goal was to ensure our veterans and their families have full access to the healthcare benefits they have rightfully earned from their service. Now, over one million veterans and survivors have received their PACT Act benefits. 

Last summer, many veterans submitted an Intent to File (ITF) in order to qualify for backdated PACT Act benefits. The Veterans’ Administration (VA) does not allow for ITF forms to sit in their records past 365 days, so veterans and survivors who submitted an ITF but have not yet filed their claim must submit their forms before the one-year mark of filing.  

If you or a veteran you know submitted an ITF last summer, be on the lookout for a call or email from the VA. Reach out to an accredited representative to file your claim today, and secure the benefits you are owed.

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. 

Until next week, 

Joe Morelle 

New York’s 25th Congressional District