Dear Friends,

I wanted to update you on some of my recent work in Washington, D.C. and the district that may be of help to you.

Last month, Naugatuck Valley communities faced one of the worst localized storm events in recent Connecticut history, with rains that devastated infrastructure, businesses, and homes. I want to again thank all our first responders, law enforcement personnel, and all who are tirelessly working to keep us and our families safe.          

I joined the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Metro North, and MTA professionals to tour the damage and see firsthand the work happening to restore the impacted rail line and roads. Responding quickly to natural disasters like this is yet another reason why we must fully fund the federal government, and this will be my focus when I return to D.C. this upcoming month.                                                

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DESPP/DEMHS) has requested public assistance in assessing the damage from the storm by using the online Residential and Business Damage Assessment Form.

To help streamline data collection and evaluate the extent of the damage, the self-reporting link allows the public to report information regarding their homes or businesses. If you suffered any damage to your home or business, please report information about damage from the storm, please click here.

Should you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my New Haven office at (203) 562-3718. My staff and I will do everything in our ability to assist you and will continue to monitor this situation.

I was happy to join The Boys and Girls Club of Milford to award them $1.1 million to renovate the former Saint Gabriel’s School into a club activity facility. This facility would allow for increased access to sports and recreational activities. Investments like these are crucial to ensuring children in our community have safe places to learn and grow.

As you may know, our community has a rich history in the oyster industry.  I visited Milford National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Lab, which is a leader in aquaculture science and research into how to grow the oyster population in the Long Island Sound. I am thrilled to see this focus on innovation and sustainability in the heart of our community and am excited to see what they accomplish next.

I also had the pleasure of celebrating small businesses with one of our community’s very own, Haven Hot Chicken, along with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy and core to the financial security of the middle class. I am pleased that the owners of Haven Hot Chicken have committed to paying a fair living wage. As they make plans to open more stores within the next year, I wish them and all local restaurants the best of luck and success. In Congress, I am committed to doing everything I can to help the restaurant industry continue its recovery so that we can celebrate more success stories and enjoy more delicious meals!

I will continue my efforts in Congress to get results for the families and communities of the Third District. Should you have any questions or if I can assist you with a federal agency, please contact my District office at 203-562-3718. To follow what I'm working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram. You can also now sign up to receive SMS updates here.

                                                    Sincerely,
                                                           Member of Congress