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Dear Friend,
It's Joe Courtney. After a busy week in Congress, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut. Here with an update on the Connecticut National Guard, a landmark bill for veterans' health care improvements, and lots more. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Remembering Former Governor Jodi Rell
This week, Connecticut mourned the loss of former Governor Jodi Rell. I served in the General Assembly for eight years with her on committees and had an opportunity to see up close her principled, civil approach to public office.
During her time as governor, she succeeded by using the same approach to deal with difficult issues on a bipartisan basis, which explained her immense popularity both before and after her time as governor. That civility, comity, and adherence to her oath of office are in many ways her enduring legacy which is greatly needed at a time of great division in our country.
A Critical Upgrade for the CT National Guard's 103 Airlift Wing
Last Friday, I joined the Connecticut National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing and Collins Aerospace for an event to mark the first upgraded C-130H plane with new NP2000 propellers – delivered by the highly-skilled workers at Collins Aerospace. The Connecticut Congressional delegation secured funding for the upgraded propellers, which help ensure the 103rd Airlift Wing can meet the demand of increased operations.
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| Right: the new NP2000 Propeller |
This event also recognized Collins Aerospace’s recent Patriot Award which they received for their exceptional support for employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Thank you CT National Guard Major General Evon, 103rd Airlift Wing Commander Colonel Byrne, and Guard personnel for hosting us to mark this milestone at the Bradley Air National Guard Base, and thank you to Collins Aerospace for their continued support of our servicemembers.
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| Left to right: Former CT National Guard Col. Gerald Lukowski, Collins Aerospace General Manager and U.S. Site Director, Sean McGuinness, Rep. Courtney, 103rd Airlift Wing Commander Colonel Neal R. Byrne III, and Connecticut National Guard Major General Francis J. Evon. |
Last month, the CT National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing was recognized with the prestigious Major General Stanley F.H. Newman Award as the top airlift wing in the Air National Guard. I’ve always known this about this wing, and I’m glad the National Guard Bureau has made it official. Congratulations to the Flying Yankees!
National Apprenticeship Week
This week is National Apprenticeship Week! Apprenticeships are reliable pathways to good careers for workers, and they help employers meet workforce needs. It's no wonder that the "earn as you learn" model is so successful.
Here in Connecticut, federally funded Registered Apprenticeship programs have surged in popularity over the past decade. Currently, there are 1,800 businesses in our state that employ over 7,000 Registered Apprentices, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.
Eastern Connecticut is the birthplace of the federally-funded apprenticeship program, thanks to the Fitzgerald Act of 1937. The bill was written by my predecessor, Congressman William Fitzgerald from Norwich, CT and signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt.
86 years later, it is long past time for Congress to reinvest in apprenticeships. We must pass the National Apprenticeships Act to do so.
Improving Veterans Health Care
Great news. This week, the House passed a landmark package of veterans' health care and benefits improvements. I joined a strong bipartisan coalition to pass the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans' Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which makes community and home-based health care more accessible for veterans and improves support for caregivers, among other provisions to make the VA work better for veterans.
Veterans deserve a VA that works well for them. This package includes many provisions that are priorities for veterans and veterans service organizations. I'm glad to report that the bill passed the House by a vote of 389-9. Next, the Senate must pass it, too.
Eastern Connecticut is home to the largest concentration of veterans of any part of our state. It's my great honor to serve them in Congress. For help accessing earned veterans' benefits for the VA, call my Norwich office at (860) 886-0139 and ask to speak to Manny, my Military and Veterans Representative.
Congratulations to Norwich Free Academy Teacher Jessica Chapman!
Congratulations to Norwich Free Academy social studies teacher Jessica Chapman, a national Milken Educator Award winner! Jessica goes above and beyond to create a nurturing classroom environment and to spark engagement from all students in her 9th and 12th grade classes. She received the award at a surprise ceremony earlier this month at NFA. Thank you for all of your dedicated work, Jessica!
Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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