Celebrating Juneteenth, Hot Weather Protocol, and more

June 20, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you and your family well! In this week's email, you will find information on Juneteenth, how to stay cool in next week's extreme heat, some local events and resources I hope are useful to you and your family. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at any time.

Thursday, June 19 is Juneteenth. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. For many years, this important holiday was primarily celebrated in the South, but was unknown to others from the rest of the country. However, thanks to great advocacy work, it is now rightfully observed throughout the country, including Connecticut. In 2022, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

Contrary to popular belief, the Emancipation Proclamation did not end the practice of slavery in America. It also did not end at the conclusion of the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, 2 months after the Civil War ended, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were now free. They were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.

Although Juneteenth celebrates a momentous event in our history, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and its lingering effects on our society. As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that will make Connecticut a better state for all. If you have any questions about Juneteenth, its history, and how it has been celebrated around the country, please check out this page from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

As you make plans to travel this summer, it is important to stay alert, especially when it comes to scams targeting travelers like you.

There is a rise in fraudulent websites posing as legitimate services offering to assist travelers with passport and visa documentation. These sites charge users fees to access application forms, which are free through the official U.S. Department of State website. These sites aim to collect your private and personal information and charge unnecessary fees.

How to spot these scams:

Be cautious of third-party sites with URLs that do not end in ".gov"
Avoid advertisements that promote "fast results" or "shortcuts" for obtaining your passport or visas

Make sure you are planning ahead of your trip by researching official passport processing times directly through the U.S. Department of State, and give yourself plenty of time to obtain your documentation before your scheduled trip to avoid looking for a fast solution and becoming a victim of one of these scams. If you come across a suspicious website, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Keep you and your family safe while traveling this summer by staying informed and aware of any potential scams. Safe travels!

Due to an anticipated stretch of high temperatures, the state is activating its Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, effective at noon on Sunday, June 22. The protocol will remain in effect through at least 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25.

This is the first time this year that the protocol is being activated. The current forecast calls for temperatures to exceed 90 degrees over this period, with a heat index that could range from between 100 to 105 degrees.

The purpose of activating the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location for those in need of relief.

Cooling centers will be available throughout the state. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or viewing the list that will be published online at 211ct.org

The Bristol Farmers Market is opening this weekend on June 21 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the 10 Main Street Parking Lot! Every Saturday, rain or shine, you can shop local produce and other locally made products. This is a great chance to support local businesses and buy fresh products!

View a list of vendors here: bristolfarmersmarket.com/vendors/

The Friends of the Bristol Public Library are holding a used book mini-sale in the lobby of the Bristol Public Library, 5 High Street, Bristol, and Manross Memorial Library, 260 Central Street, Forestville, from June 14 to June 27.

Books for readers of all ages will be available, including coffee table books, adult fiction and non-fiction, and a large selection of young adult and children’s books. Books can be purchased whenever the libraries are open, and sales are cash only.