Memorial Day
As we observe Memorial Day, let us take a moment to honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication have protected our freedoms and shaped the nation we cherish today. This day serves as a reminder of the cost of liberty and the enduring gratitude we owe to those who have served in our armed forces. Let us come together in reflection and gratitude, keeping their legacy alive in our hearts and communities.
Legislation Supporting our Veterans
Senate Bill 973 would provide Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces, including hundreds who now call Pennsylvania home.
Pictured above is our state’s Korean American Vietnam Veterans chapter. Sung-Bok Nam, a constituent, is the President of the Korean American Vietnam War Veterans association. He is pictured to the right of me in the above photo.
Additionally, Senate Bill 1139 would help grieving families of deceased U.S. military veterans access their federal Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits. Funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies would be required to notify the director of the county veterans assistance office when a veteran living in the county passes. They would also have to provide the deceased veteran’s family with contact information for the county director.
Transportation Update!
This week, the bridge replacement on SR715 and Hypsie Gap Road in Jackson Township is complete, and the road is now open! Thank you to the residents for your patience, and the crews for your work, happy to see this completed and improved for public safety and efficiency.
Unemployment Compensation Hints for School Bus Drivers
It continues to be challenging to find bus drivers so children can safely and reliably travel between home and school each day. When the problem is bad enough, it can even shorten the school day and limit the learning students can accomplish.
To avoid impacts to students’ education, it’s important to retain as many bus drivers as possible. Of course, they are not needed in the summer and aren’t able to collect a paycheck during that time. Unemployment compensation (UC) helps to bridge the gap until the school year begins so bus drivers aren’t forced to abandon their critical roles to pay their bills.
Information is available to help school bus drivers who will be laid off during the summer successfully claim their unemployment compensation. First, it’s crucial to claim during the correct week: the first week in which they are actually unemployed. Second, understand that UC and workers’ compensation are different when filling out the UC claim form. Please reach out to my office if you still have issues with your claim.
Women’s Veteran Memorial
This week, Honesdale dedicated their first Women’s Veteran Memorial. Congratulations to Kim and her team for their tireless efforts over the past two years to make this a reality. It’s inspiring to see the impact of their hard work and dedication to bringing attention to the many women who have served and continue to serve our country. Thank you to PA Brigadier General Maureen Weigle for coming to Wayne County and offering an inspirational keynote speech.
Out and About Listening to You
This week, the Senate was not scheduled for session in Harrisburg, so I spent time across the 40th Senate District. See highlights from this week below:
TOP LEFT: Congratulations to Joy Monroe, the new Director of North Pocono Public Library. This week, I stopped by her Meet & Greet hosted by their Board of Trustees. Her experience and knowledge is a valuable asset to the North Pocono Community. I am certain she will thrive in this position. Congratulations!
TOP RIGHT: This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Carron Bartholomew, the Executive Director for Community Options, Inc. This organization was established to provide community-based options for residential and employment support services to individuals with disabilities living in the 40th District and surrounding areas. Their office is located in East Stroudsburg.
BOTTOM LEFT: This week, I met with the Vice President of the Buck Hill Conservation Foundation to discuss their work preserving and protecting land around Buck Hill Falls and their efforts to save our state tree, the Eastern Hemlock.
BOTTOM RIGHT: This week, we celebrated 25 years of Dress for Success. Our community is fortunate to have this organization empowering women and promoting economic independence – making a profound impact on so many lives in our region. Here’s to many more years of inspiring and supporting women to achieve their fullest potential.
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