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What's Our Rep Been Up To?
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| Yesterday, I joined my colleagues for a legislative briefing held by Electric Boat, where they shared their plans to add about 5,000 positions this year to their local workforce in Connecticut and RI.
EB President Kevin Graney highlighted the importance of the company's growth, especially in light of the significant expansion of China’s submarine naval fleet, underscoring the need to continue building submarines for national security. He spoke about China's shipbuilding capacity, citing the Jianghan shipyard's 7.5 sq. mi. size compared to Electric Boat's much smaller footprint.
Congressman Joe Courtney emphasized the significance of AUKUS agreement in countering threats from Russia and China. He shared that 3 Royal Australian Navy submariners are undergoing nuclear submarine training as part of the AUKUS deal, which involves the sale of three Electric Boat nuclear submarines to Australia.
They both spoke about the Columbia-class submarine program, the company's largest project to date, which has just surpassed the Virginia-class program in terms of their workload. The program involves the construction of a new fleet of ballistic missile submarines for the U.S. Navy, replacing the aging Ohio class submarines and providing a crucial nuclear deterrent capability.
As Electric Boat celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, President Graney announced that more than half of the new hires will be in the trades, including about 1,900 in Quonset Point, R.I., and 1,100 at the Groton shipyard. The remaining 2,000 hires will be composed of engineers and designers, most of whom will be working locally in southeastern Connecticut.
It's incredible to see the growth happening in the Norwich-New London region, which posted job growth between December 2022 and the same month last year of 3.2%, making it the second-fastest growing job market in New England.
Electric Boat has also developed a "signing day" program, similar to what high school athletes experience, that allows students to commit to submarine-related training programs. This program has grown from 77 recruits in its first year to 300 last year.
A big thank you to the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, and our local defense contractors, area trade schools, and high schools that have contributed to the growth of our manufacturing and shipbuilding sector! |
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| I am going to include these when I can so that you are in the know! |
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| Please don't hesitate to get involved. |
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| Reminder: Public Comment Open for Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities |
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| You can review and provide feedback on the Connecticut Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities proposed strategic priorities, related actions, and outcomes.
Comments must be submitted by Monday, February 26, 2024, at 5:00 PM. For more details, please click HERE. |
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| Support Ukraine, Democracy in Mystic Saturday |
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| Stonington: Special Town Meeting Monday |
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| Stonington will hold a special Town Meeting on Monday, February 26th at 7 p.m. at Stonington High School, 176 Broad Street in Pawcatuck.
Issues to consider, discuss, and vote upon include:
- A resolution authorizing the purchase of certain real property located on Noyes Avenue - commonly known as “the Circus Lot,”- from the Town of Westerly for $35,000 as provided for in a certain deed recorded in Volume 236, Page 349 of the Town of Stonington Land Records;
- To further authorize the First Selectman to sign all documents necessary and incidental to effectuate said purchase
- A resolution to adopt an Ordinance of the Town of Stonington, Connecticut, establishing a Cemetery Commission
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| Reminder: Water and Wastewater Sector Threat Briefing February 27th |
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The Environmental Protection Agency's Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), along with partners from the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is offering a virtual threat briefing webinar to be held on Tuesday, February 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom, to provide an overview of information on topics related to water and wastewater sector security threats and preparedness:
- Potential threats to critical infrastructure (cyber and physical)
- What to do in the event of a cyber or physical intrusion
- Water security and preparedness products and services
If you're interested in attending the event, please register by Monday, February 26th. You can do so by clicking on the image below. |
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| Climate Poster Competition for Connecticut Students |
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| The Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action is hosting a poster competition for students in Grades 5 through 12. Submissions will be judged by a panel of legislators, environmental leaders, and others. Twelve submissions will be recognized to highlight the climate issues being studied throughout the state. An event to celebrate the winners and their submissions will be held at the State Capitol during the to celebrate the winners and share their submissions.
Please contact Lisa Winkler at 860-614-6102, lisa@grassrootsct.com or Tricia Dinneen Priebe at 203-464-3793, tricia@grassrootsct.com if you have any questions or need any additional information. You may also visit the Coalition website at www.climateactionct.org
For a look at a pdf with the details and a fillable form for students to submit with their artwork, please click HERE. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2024, and submissions can be emailed to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com. |
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| Connecticut League of Museums Merit Awards Update |
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| The Connecticut League of Museums is updating its Awards of Merit program to recognize exceptional work in museums beyond the history field. As a result, the timeline has been shifted: Nominations are due June 1st. Notifications are due in August and awards will be presented at a special ceremony in October.
The committee is preparing new guidance and information that will be shared later. we'll share Please send ideas or questions, to Amrys Williams, Executive Director, at director@clho.org.
Also, in the meantime, please consider submitting history projects to AASLH's Leadership in History Awards!
To discuss your nomination, contact state rep Nick Foster at nfoster@wiltonhistorical.org. |
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| A CT Black History Month Moment |
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| Midway through the Civil War, Connecticut created the state’s first African American regiment, the 29th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. Fighting bravely for the final year of the war, the regiment won many important battles and became one of the first Union regiments to march through the Confederate capital of Richmond.
With its respectable service, the 29th Connecticut demonstrated the merits and justification for racial equality and freedom in Connecticut.
Read the full article by ConnecticutHistory.org HERE. |
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| Declaring Freedom Conference at Central Connecticut State March 15-16 |
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I hope you can attend.
This conference will launch a robust consideration of what freedom means and how we can commemorate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence while considering the many troubling realities that have accompanied the United States' development as a nation.
Friday, March 15 will be the introduction of the mission and vision of Connecticut's 250th Commission to a broader audience and engaging attendees in meaningful conversation about the four America 250 | CT themes. Organized by CT Humanities and the America 250 | CT Commission.
The agenda includes Governor Ned Lamont's Keynote and Commission Introduction, by the Honorable Denise Merrill, Dr. Matt Warshauer, and Cyndi Tolosa.
Panels will be moderated by Kolton Harris, CT Office of the Arts, Frank Mitchell, Ph.D, Merle MCGee, and CT State Historian Andy Horowitz. To register for the event, please click HERE.
On Saturday, March 16th, historians, museums, and other history organizations will gather to learn from one another, share ideas, and make plans for the semi-quincentennial. This day will include presentations, panels, and ample opportunities for share-outs and networking around the 250th planning. Organized by the Association for the Study of Connecticut History with the Connecticut League of Museums. To register, please click HERE. |
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| Community Events and Notices |
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| Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative |
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