Dear Friends,

I recently spent some busy days home in Connecticut meeting with constituents, visiting local businesses and discussing my work in Congress. As always, I’m inspired and amazed by the work happening in our community. From cutting-edge bioswales being built in Stamford to new leadership in the Norwalk and Bridgeport police departments, here are a few stories from my time in the district.

Valentines for Vets

I kicked off the month with one of my favorite annual traditions: Valentines for Vets. This is the 12th year my office has collected valentines made by students in the Fourth District, which we then deliver to local veteran organizations. This year, I paid a visit to Ms. Preiss’s fifth grade classroom at Hamilton Avenue School in Greenwich, where I was joined by US Army Major Justin Bokmeyer, whose two daughters attend the school.

Pointing out how far Iraq was from home for Major Bokmeyer, as well as other locations where people in the military are sent.	Dropping off Valentines at Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport.

One of the most important legislative wins of President Biden’s time in office was signing the PACT Act into law – the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans in 30 years. When I head back to Washington, DC, I’ll continue fighting to ensure our veterans are getting the care they deserve. 

Welcoming Bridgeport and Norwalk’s Police Chiefs

It was a pleasure meeting with Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter and Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh, both of whom were recently sworn into their new roles. I had a chance to thank them for their dedication and discuss different strategies to collaborate on working with our communities to keep our streets safe. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that became law last summer included $250 million to support law enforcement and bolster community-based violence prevention initiatives. 

Meeting with Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter.	Meeting with Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh.

Bioswales for Stamford

Hurricane Ida caused serious flooding across Southwest Connecticut, and Stamford is taking innovative steps to prepare for future storms. I joined Mayor Caroline Simmons to announce $1 million I secured in federal funding for the city to create bioswales – channels that look like small gardens but are specially designed to capture storm runoff and reduce urban flooding. They have proven successful in other flood-prone states, and importantly will do more to keep the Long Island Sound waters clean.

With Mayor Simmons announcing the $1 million in federal funding.	One of the newly constructed bioswales. Stamford will use the funding to build more and help mitigate flooding.

Fighting Pediatric Cancer with GHS Students

It was a special honor to present Sophie, a junior at Greenwich High School, with a Congressional certificate to show our community's appreciation for bringing awareness to pediatric cancer. 

GHS Junior Sophie proudly displaying her Congressional certificate of achievement.

Sophie battled leukemia while in the 8th grade and started Pajama Day to raise money for children's cancer research. Since children who have cancer are stuck in their PJs for weeks and months, wearing pajamas to school is a way to show solidarity.

Grit & Grace Screening at UConn Stamford

I headed to UConn’s Stamford Campus in the evening to join their Dodd Human Rights Institute for a special screening of Grit & Grace, the documentary produced by the Select Committee on Economic Disparity & Fairness in Growth, which I had the privilege of chairing last Congress.

Welcoming the audience at UConn Stamford to the documentary screening and panel discussion.

The film tells the stories of three very different individuals from across America who have one thing in common: their fight for the American Dream. It was an honor to be joined by my friend former Senator Chris Dodd for a panel conversation about why the American Dream has become unattainable for so many and how we can change that.

If you haven't yet, you can watch the full 30-minute documentary here.

As always, I’m here to serve you. If you’re having trouble with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to call my office at (203) 333-6600.  

Sincerely,

Jim