Honoring the Start of Black History Month 

February 1st marked the beginning of our celebration of Black History Month with National Freedom Day. This day is a commemoration of President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of a joint resolution of Congress—a document that would later be ratified as the 13th Amendment—to ban slavery in the United States on February 1, 1865.

While Black History Month is a celebration of how far we've come, it’s also an important reminder of the work still necessary to achieve true equality for every American.

 Continuing the Fight for Common Sense Gun Reform 

If we’re going to be serious about gun reform, we must start with two of the most common-sense measures: a national ban on assault weapons and enacting universal, comprehensive background checks. On Thursday, I honored Gun Violence Survivors Week by joining more than 170 of my colleagues to introduce these bills that will keep families safe from senseless violence.

Eight of the ten deadliest mass shootings in recent history involved guns that would have been banned had we passed this legislation. Military-style weapons have exactly one purpose: to decimate as many people as possible, as fast as possible. They are weapons of war, and they have no place in our communities.

Banning assault weapons and requiring background checks are crucial steps towards protecting our community and stopping these devastating mass shootings from taking more innocent lives. I’m proud to co-sponsor these important measures and I look forward to continuing the fight for common-sense gun reforms.

Read: Congressman Morelle supports bills to ban assault weapons, require background checks

 Supporting Our Seniors 

This morning, I joined my partners in government for a town hall meeting to discuss my work to uplift seniors and older adults in our community. Just last year, I helped pass into law landmark legislation to lower costs for seniors by finally allowing Medicare to negotiate down prescription drug costs, lowering the cost of insulin to $35 per month, and capping annual out-of-pocket costs at $2,000. This year, I’m continuing the fight to expand those cost-saving provisions for all our families.

This week also marked the 83rd anniversary of the first Social Security check being administered—the beginning of a long-standing promise between the United States government to take care of its citizens in retirement. That’s a promise I’ll always fight to uphold, which is why I supported last year’s 8% cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security and continue to stand up against those calling for cuts to this critical program. Our seniors deserve to age with the safety, dignity, and peace of mind they deserve.

Watch: Congressman Morelle Commemorates the Anniversary of the First Social Security Check

 Working Towards a Brighter Future for Our Community 

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with local and national leaders whose partnership is helping create a brighter future for students and young people across our community.

I was honored to meet with Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security Jill Hruby to discuss the recent breakthroughs in fusion ignition and the exciting potential this technology holds. I’m especially proud that our very own University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics helped make this achievement happen.

I’m grateful to Under Secretary Hruby for her continued partnership and confidence in our region—and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the future of clean power.

It was great to meet with leaders from the Rochester Institute of Technology to get an update on the amazing work and research happening right in our own backyard! RIT’s Semiconductor and Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory and REMADE Institute are continuing to lead the way in the future of manufacturing, and I’m proud to support their dedicated work.

I had the pleasure of welcoming yet another of our local University representatives to Washington, DC: Roberts Wesleyan University President Deana Porterfield I’m deeply grateful for her partnership as we work to make our educational institutions better places of learning and growth for all students.

 Valentines for Veterans 

For more information, visit my webpage here.

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.   

Warmest personal regards,  

Joe Morelle   

New York’s 25th Congressional District