Senator Jack Reed

Reed Tours Rhode Island Schools With Education Secretary John King

Senator Reed accompanied U.S. Secretary of Education John King, Governor Gina Raimondo, and other officials at West Warwick High School to kick off Computer Science Education Week.  A computer coding demonstration was performed by students and a discussion will follow on the important role of technology and computer literacy in education and everyday life. 

Senator Reed and Secretary King then headed to the Providence Career and Technical Academy, where they received a welding demonstration by students and meet with educators and staff about the career and technical education training (CTE) programs Rhode Island has launched in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat.  

Reed Tours Small Businesses in Newport in Advance of Small Business Saturday

Senator Reed joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Governor Raimondo, and state and business leaders for a walking tour of small businesses in Newport. The tour, which began at Washington Square and continued up Broadway to multiple business locations, took place ahead of the national “Small Business Saturday” campaign, which will be celebrated this year on November 26 and is meant to encourage customers to support their local businesses by shopping at them. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed has fought for years on behalf of Rhode Island’s small businesses and helped include $871 million for the SBA in the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations spending bill. He also helped secure $231 million for entrepreneurial development grants to provide technical assistance, training, and business planning guidance for starting and growing small businesses. 

Reed Helps Cut Ribbon at New Apartment Building for Homeless Youth

Senator Reed helped cut the ribbon on the new Whitmarsh House Apartments in Providence.  A former group home, the building has been renovated by local non-profit Crossroads Rhode Island and has been turned into 11 efficiency apartments in an effort provide safe and decent housing for the growing population of homeless youth in the state as they get back on their feet.  Crossroads Rhode Island provides a range of services to homeless young people, including offering shelter, case management, education, and employment services to families and adult clients over the age of 18.  

Reed Highlights Need to Repair “High Hazard” Dams

Senator Reed joined with Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Janet L. Coit, and engineers and dam safety officials to highlight the need to repair “high hazard” dams across the state at the Almy Dam in Johnston. High hazard potential dams are dams where failure is probable to cause loss of human life and endanger population centers and ecosystems, especially in periods of extreme weather and flooding. In an effort to protect the public by preventing dam failures and improving dam safety in communities across the country, the U.S. Senate recently passed key elements of Senator Reed’s High Hazard Potential Small Dam Safety Act.  This bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), would authorize $445 million in federal grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of non-federal high hazard potential dams nationwide.  If Reed’s bill becomes law and is fully funded, Rhode Island would be eligible for up to $700,000 per year to help inspect, repair, and rehabilitate high hazard dams.

Reed Helps Wrap Holiday Gifts for Military Families

Senator Reed joined local leaders and representatives from Full Circle Home, a national non-profit that supports the military and military families, at the headquarters of Rhode Island-based jewelry company Luca + Danny for a giftwrapping of items for deployed military personnel.  12,000 gifts will be sent to 1,000 family members, with Luca + Danny products being selected as the “12^th gift” in the dozen gifts each loved one will receive.  

Reed Celebrates Groundbreaking of WaterFire Arts Center

Senator Reed joined state and community leaders and officials from WaterFire Providence at the groundbreaking for the new WaterFire Arts Center in Providence.  The center is located in a historic industrial building and will serve as WaterFire’s first permanent home in the community, consolidating all staff and operations in one location.  Senator Reed helped secure $600,000 in federal Brownfields cleanup grants to help WaterFire Providence safely redevelop the former Uniroyal U.S. Rubber Plant site.  When it is completed, the new center will also serve as a multi-use arts venue to host various events, exhibitions, and performances and will include a visitor’s center where people can learn about WaterFire and the River Relocation Project.