Dear friends,

Yesterday, we marked a solemn anniversary - one year since Russia's unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine. As we mourn the lives lost - we remain steadfast in our commitment to the freedom and sovereignty of our ally - and in awe of the bravery and strength of the Ukrainian people.

Celebrating Black History Month

While in Delaware this week, I joined organizations, schools, and businesses across the state to celebrate Black History Month.

In December, the Hockessin Colored School #107 opened its new Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Equity. The school was the center of the 1952 Delaware court case Bulah v. Gebhart and became one of five cases used in Brown v. Board of Education – the landmark Supreme Court case that desegregated schools in the United States. 

I was proud to sit down on Tuesday with several extraordinary individuals who attended the school #107 in the 1950s. They shared their experiences with me about going to school, the road to preserving their stories, and the impact of the new Center on them. I want to thank these former students for their openness in sharing their experiences with me as well as their efforts, alongside the Hockessin Colored School board members, in bringing the Center to life. It's a living example of why it is so important to preserve Black History - because Black History is American History. And with this Center, the legacy of the school will be shared across our state and nation for generations to come.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester hosts a conversation with former students and board members of the Hockessin Colored School #107.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester joins former students of the Hockessin Colored School as well as Senators Carper and Coons for President Biden's signing of legislation that designated the Hockessin Colored School as a National Historic Site.

Honoring Don Baker II of FAME, Inc.

I had the opportunity to join Delaware Technical Community College to celebrate Don Baker II, CEO of the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) Inc., as he was named Del Tech's 2023 Black History Month Honoree. 

Under Don's leadership, FAME has been instrumental in uplifting young Delawareans, especially girls and minorities, to grow their STEM skills, gain career confidence, and become innovative thinkers and leaders. That is crucial to the vitality of our communities, our economy, and our competitiveness. Having started the bipartisan Future of Work Caucus in Congress, I am committed to doing all we can to prepare our workforce for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow - and Don is helping us do that right here in Delaware. Thank you and congrats Don!

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester with Don Baker and his family

Social Media Highlights

REMINDER: TAX FILING SESSION REGISTRATION

A reminder that my office is again hosting a tax filing event with special guests from the IRS and the Delaware Taxpayer Advocate to help answer your questions about filing your 2022 taxes.

To sign up for the event and submit your questions ahead of time, you can do so by clicking here or by watching live on March 6th at 12:00 pm at Facebook.com/RepLBR.  

It's National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week - a time for us to celebrate the important work FFA does in states such as Delaware to support agricultural education. I've had the privilege to meet so many Delaware FFA members throughout my time in Congress, and I'm continually inspired by their passion for and commitment to becoming leaders within our agriculture sector. That's why I proudly secured over $900,000 in Community Project Funding for the Delaware State Fair to make major improvements to the New Castle Building so it can provide year-round agriculture support and services to students and families in Delaware including Delaware FFA and Delaware 4-H. Keep up the great work, future leaders!

For more information on Delaware FFA, click here.  

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester takes a picture with Milford FFA members in July 2022 at a ribbon cutting for the New Castle Building at the Delaware State Fair.

Photo: Logan B. Anderson/Delaware State News

As a reminder, If you are ever in need of assistance with federal agencies, my office is here to help you. 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,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress

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