Latino Advocacy, Cancer Awareness Walk, and Supporting Nonprofits

April 26, 2024
The House of Representatives is moving at a feverish pace as we try to pass as many bills as possible before our deadline at midnight on May 8. Please read below to see some of the proposals affecting the environment, housing, and voting rights that are now heading to the Senate.

Many of my colleagues gathered for a Latino Advocacy Summit this week to push for more reforms that will help our Hispanic community. Keep scrolling to watch a video where I talk about why our youth need to pursue education from a young age in order to set themselves for a path toward success.

Please join me this weekend for a walk to learn about prostate cancer and its affects. I will let you know when and where that event is taking place and how you can donate to cancer research.

We remembered the country's first black military pilots at a special ceremony on Thursday. Please read below to find out how we are trying to educate everyone about the brave Tuskegee Airmen.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Legislative Session Highlights
  • Latino Advocacy Summit
  • Join Me for Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk
  • Support for Nonprofits
  • Honoring Our First Black Military Pilots
 
Legislative Session Highlights

In case you missed it, here are some of the bills that we passed on the House floor this week:

  • HB 5232 - Expands solar energy projects 
  • HB 5153 - Increases workforce housing 
  • HB 5237 – Gives students a louder voice
  • HB 5308 – Easing voting for nursing home residents
  • HB 5466 – Revises laws on election

These bills now all move to the Senate and must get a vote before the end of legislative session at midnight on May 8.
 
Latino Advocacy Summit

I was proud to advocate for immigrants this week at the 10th Annual Connecticut Latino Legislative Summit at the State Capitol. My colleagues and friends talked about pressing issues directly affecting the Latino community including affordable house, education, healthcare, and voting rights.

We need to pass policies that support Black and brown people and get them on an even playing field with everyone else. Please watch my speech below where I emphasized the importance of financial education and highlighted a law that we passed last year requiring a financial literacy course be required for a public student to earn a high school diploma in Connecticut.
An individual can't be overeducated when it comes to finance and real estate.
 
Join Me for Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk
You are invited to join me at 8:30 A.M. on Sunday, April 28 for a prostate cancer awareness walk at Platt Park. I will share what I've learned about prostate cancer since my diagnosis, explain the importance of attending your men's health screenings, and answer any questions in English or Spanish.
This event is part of a new campaign I'm taking part in to support Prostate Cancer Research. I'm walking 60 miles in April to improve my health and to raise money for the organization. I hope to see you this weekend!
Click Here To Learn More and Donate
 
Support for Nonprofits

More than 1,800 nonprofit supporters rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday to push for more state funding. I fully support their effort and will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to aid these vital organizations.

Nonprofits help by focusing on different causes, like helping people in need, protecting the environment, or supporting education. They use donations and volunteers to do things like providing food and shelter, offering education programs, advocating for change, and more.
CLICK HERE to watch a report from NBC Connecticut highlighting the rally.
 
Honoring Our First Black Military Pilots
We honored and celebrated the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen in a touching ceremony inside the State Capitol on Thursday. The event raised awareness of our country’s first black military pilots, who served in World War II. Family members shared moving stories of these courageous aviators. The valor and determination of the Tuskegee Airmen in the face of adversity broke barriers within the military and laid foundational paths for civil rights advancements.
Patricia Wilson, daughter of Tuskegee Airman

My colleagues also advocated for House Bill 5409 at the event. The proposal would recognize April 26 as Tuskegee Airmen Day annually in Connecticut and promote education to keep the memories of the airmen alive. The measure passed the House and now awaits action from the Senate.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Tuskegee Airmen, the New England Air Museum is sharing their stories in a wonderful exhibit. There is archived video of their training and information about the struggles they endured during and after the war, including their difficulty in getting jobs as airline pilots after serving.

State Representative Tammy Exum
Rep. Tammy Exum’s late husband Earl helped lead the New England Air Museum's efforts to create a world-class exhibit for the Tuskegee Airmen.