Senator Jack Reed

Reed Helps Induct Former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta into RI Italian-American Hall of Fame

Senator Reed helped the Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame celebrate its 30th anniversary by presenting former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.  The ceremony will also honor eight Rhode Island military veterans who will receive Distinguished Service Awards.  Additionally, a select number of college-bound students from Rhode Island will receive scholarship funds to help them pay for higher education. 

Reed Hosts Student Public Service Loan Forgiveness Workshop

Senator Reed joined Rhode Island College (RIC) and the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) for a public service loan forgiveness workshop to encourage Rhode Island students involved in public service to take advantage of opportunities to apply for student loan forgiveness. 

Currently, students who are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  Examples of relevant public service roles include those in law enforcement, the military, care of children or the elderly, public interest law, public health, school-based or public library services, and more.

Reed Presents Overdue Medals to WWII Veteran at Cranston Library

Senator Reed met with 91-year-old Coventry resident and WWII veteran James Dowling and presented him with medals he earned but never received for his service in World War II.  A veteran of the United States Navy, Mr. Dowling will receive an American Service Medal, among others.  

Reed Marks Completion of Restoration Project at Narragansett Fishing Area

Senator Reed joined the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and others at a special ceremony to mark the completion of a $8.7 million restoration project at the Camp Cronin Fishing Area in Narragansett.  In 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused extensive damage to the area surrounding Camp Cronin and washed out a portion of the access road that runs from Ocean Road to the jetty.  The breakwater repair project was performed by DEM in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and included construction of a 70-foot wide, 480-foot long hybrid stone revetment to stabilize the shoreline and restore safe public access to the fishing area.  The project also included repairs to the adjacent East Shore Arm Breakwater of the Point Judith Harbor of Refuge.  

Reed Helps Cut Ribbon at Opening of 3D Printing Facility

Alongside the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, Senator Reed helped cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for R&D technologies in North Kingstown.  The facility will help R&D Technologies provide professional 3D printing consulting services for clients throughout New England.  

Reed Connects Local Veterans with Employers at Hire our Heroes Job Fair

Senator Reed addressed local veterans and employers at the Hire Our Heroes Job Fair in Warwick, where he discussed the benefits of hiring veterans.  Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative that works with local chambers of commerce and other partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to help veterans connect with employment opportunities.  In 2016, Senator Reed helped secure $250,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development to expand the Veterans Business Outreach Center program in Rhode Island, which supports veterans and transitioning service members by providing free one-on-one business counseling, training conferences, and business workshops.  In 2015, he helped pass legislation to enhance and extend Work Opportunity Tax Credits to encourage employers to hire and retain veterans and individuals from other target groups.