Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27, 2025


Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to honor the memory of those who perished under unspeakable conditions during World War II. Please read below to learn more about the importance of standing up against hatred.

My colleagues and I are working on legislation that would improve safety on our roadways. Keep scrolling to learn about a new idea that would affect I-84 in Waterbury.

Some of you may have been using space heaters over the past week due to the miserable cold. Unfortunately, they can cause house fires, and I'll provide a breakdown of safety tips when using those portable heaters.

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor Initiative
  • Portable Heater Safety Tips
 
Holocaust Remembrance Day 

On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, we must become the generations who carry forward the legacy of the witnesses, remember the lives lost, and challenge those who would distort or deny the past.

My thoughts are with the Yeshiva community and all those who carry the weight of this solemn history in their hearts. Today, we honor the memory of six million Jewish people who perished during the Holocaust, as well as the resilience and courage of the survivors who rebuilt their lives and preserved their traditions.
The Yeshiva community stands as a testament to the strength of faith, culture, and learning in the face of unimaginable adversity. May this day serve as a reminder of the importance of standing against hatred and intolerance, and as a call to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
 
I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor Initiative
My colleagues and I are working on a bill that would improve traffic safety across the state. One of the major goals is to establish an "I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor" between Waterbury and New Britain. The idea came from resident and demonstrated why it’s so important for the community to share their input. I look forward to ongoing collaboration and advocacy in Hartford to move the bill forward.
 
Portable Heater Safety Tips

The cold snap in Connecticut may lead some to use portable heaters in their homes to help stave off Jack Frost.

Using these heaters come with some risks, however, as they are the leading cause of home fires in January and February.

Here are some precautions you should take, according to FEMA, if you use portable heaters:

  • Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
  • Keep anything that can burn – i.e. bedding, clothing, mattresses, furniture, paper products -- at least three feet away from portable heaters.
  • Plug in portable heaters directly into outlets; do NOT plug them into extension cords or power strips.
  • Inspect and replace damaged cords, broken outlets or loose connections.
  • Use portable heaters with automatic shutoffs so, if they tip over, they turn off.
  • Only use portable heaters approved by a recognized testing lab.

It's extremely important to stay warm, but it's also important to stay fire safe this winter.