Hello friends,
Happy Black History Month! Black history is sewn into the fabric of America – and this month is all about embracing it.
I encourage you to learn or experience something new about the accomplishments, voices, stories, and legacies of Black Americans. Click here to see how you can commemorate Black History Month in Delaware.
Let’s share our history not only throughout this month but every day because Black History is American History!
Above: Embracing our roots, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester holds a scarf imprinted with a document — the Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath of 1867. It is signed with an X by her great-great-great-grandfather who was enslaved.
Committee Work is Back
On Tuesday, the Energy and Commerce Committee convened for its first hearing of the 118th Congress to discuss how we can strengthen our economic, environmental, and national security.
As a former Delaware Secretary of Labor and former CEO of the Urban League in Delaware, I’m focused on how we can do so while creating good-paying, clean jobs at the same time. And that starts with meeting our workforce needs. In order to meet that need, we must expand skills and opportunities for people from underrepresented communities into sectors such as the energy workforce. You can watch my remarks below:
I also participated in the House Innovation, Data, & Commerce Subcommittee’s first hearing where I spoke about how we need to build off the success of the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act by implementing a comprehensive, credible, and resourced strategy to build resilient supply chains so that we can lower costs, safeguard our health, compete globally, and protect our national security.
That’s why, this week, my colleagues and I introduced a package of bills to strengthen our supply chains and bolster the manufacturing of critical goods here in America. You can learn more about the legislation on my website.
Delaware Update
I had the opportunity to join JPMorgan Chase for a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday. The company, which employs over 11,000 people in Delaware, is renovating and modernizing its Wilmington and Newark Campuses. This project is expected to bring approximately 300 union and construction jobs and help the company fill the over 700 currently open jobs. This is great news for our local economy and our communities.
Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester participates in a groundbreaking ceremony with JPMorgan Chase leadership.
This week, I met with the Delaware African and Caribbean Affairs Commission (DACAC) to hear their priorities and discuss ways we at the federal level can assist. Topics ranged from economic development to education and culture.
Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester poses with members of the Delaware African and Caribbean Affairs Commission (DACAC).
This week, I’m highlighting a person born and raised in Delaware, State Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker led the Delaware General Assembly in passing House Bill 198. That legislation, which Governor Carney signed into law in 2021, requires each school district and charter school to establish and implement a curriculum on Black History for students in grades K through 12. It also ensures that contemporary events are incorporated into the curriculum. It’s important that our young people know our history and embrace it because Black History is American History.
Thank you for reaching out to my office with your questions and concerns. We need to hear your input. It helps my staff and I to understand how to prioritize action and how to build consensus. And remember that if you ever need assistance with federal agencies, my team can help with a wide range of issues including (but not limited to):
- United States Postal Service
- Social Security Administration
- Veterans Affairs benefits and services
- Passport and visa processing
- Citizenship and naturalization
Yours in service,
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Member of Congress
