Senator Jack Reed

Reed Visits May E. Fogarty Elementary School 2nd Graders

Reed Visits Flood-Affected Business in Westerly

WESTERLY, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today visited the Westerly NAPA Auto Parts store to meet with business owner Jamie Silvestri and his employees.  Although the business was devastated by last year’s historic flood, Mr. Silvestri, with the help of the local community, has been able to rebuild and expand.

Mr. Silvestri’s family has run the auto parts shop in Westerly for over 60 years, and the company also has branches in Mystic and Colchester, Connecticut.

When the Westerly shop on Canal Street was hit by flooding last year, the store’s inventory was wiped out and the business interruption insurance policy did not cover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of flood damage.  However, with the help of friends, customers, volunteers, and financial aid from the Westerly Chamber of Commerce’s Flood Assistance Program and $300,000 in federal Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance, Mr. Silvestri managed to keep his auto parts shop afloat and reopened for business in the old EbLens location on Granite Street.  

“We have come a long way, but there are many local businesses that are still recovering from the flood, and I want to ensure they get the assistance they need,” said Senator Reed.  “Mr. Silvestri is a great example of someone who was able to turn tragedy into opportunity.  His business  was hit hard by the flooding.  But through hard work and determination, and with the help of his neighbors and customers, and support from the SBA, his business is not just recovering from the flood -- it is growing.” 

Reed also noted that during the flooding, after the auto parts shop had to be evacuated due to safety reasons, Mr. Silvestri spent the next two days working around the clock in his capacity as a volunteer firefighter, selflessly devoting his efforts toward helping others in need.

“When times are tough, it is heartening to see people come together and lend a hand to those in need.  I salute Mr. Silvestri and his employees for their efforts, and I’m pleased that through it all, they are maintaining their commitment to serve the community here in Westerly,” concluded Reed.  

To date, more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help families and businesses recover from last year’s historic flood.

Reed Visits Flood-Affected Business in Westerly

March 14, 2011 WESTERLY, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today visited the Westerly NAPA Auto Parts store to meet with business owner Jamie Silvestri and his employees. Although the business was devastated by last year’s historic flood, Mr. Silvestri, with the help of the local community, has been able to rebuild and expand. Mr. Silvestri’s family has run the auto parts shop in Westerly for over 60 years, and the company also has branches in Mystic and Colchester, Connecticut. When the Westerly shop on Canal Street was hit by flooding last year, the store’s inventory was wiped out and the business interruption insurance policy did not cover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of flood damage. However, with the help of friends, customers, volunteers, and financial aid from the Westerly Chamber of Commerce’s Flood Assistance Program and $300,000 in federal Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance, Mr. Silvestri managed to keep his auto parts shop afloat and reopened for business in the old EbLens location on Granite Street. “We have come a long way, but there are many local businesses that are still recovering from the flood, and I want to ensure they get the assistance they need,” said Senator Reed. “Mr. Silvestri is a great example of someone who was able to turn tragedy into opportunity. His business was hit hard by the flooding. But through hard work and determination, and with the help of his neighbors and customers, and support from the SBA, his business is not just recovering from the flood -- it is growing.” Reed also noted that during the flooding, after the auto parts shop had to be evacuated due to safety reasons, Mr. Silvestri spent the next two days working around the clock in his capacity as a volunteer firefighter, selflessly devoting his efforts toward helping others in need. “When times are tough, it is heartening to see people come together and lend a hand to those in need. I salute Mr. Silvestri and his employees for their efforts, and I’m pleased that through it all, they are maintaining their commitment to serve the community here in Westerly,” concluded Reed. To date, more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help families and businesses recover from last year’s historic flood.

Reed Visits Matunuck Oyster Bar to Discuss RI’s Growing Aquaculture Industry

MATUNUCK, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a strong advocate of shell fishermen and the state’s sustainable aquaculture industry, visited Matunuck Oyster Bar to meet with local oyster farmers to discuss Rhode Island’s growing aquaculture industry.

In an effort to help oyster farmers create jobs, restore the health of the Bay, and promote ecologically sustainable development, Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured $1.5 million in 2002 to hatch the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative, which has increased the breadth and depth of the local aquaculture industry.  In the years following, Reed secured an additional $1.6 million in federal appropriations to boost aquaculture research facilities at Roger Williams University’s (RWU) Center for Environmental and Economic Development (CEED).  In 2010, Reed secured $500,000 for RWU’s Oyster Gardening for Restoration and Enhancement (OGRE) Program, which is seeding Narragansett Bay with oysters for habitat restoration and $300,000 to promote genetic research on shellfish. These programs have helped the state’s aquaculture grow by leaps and bounds, and it now serves as a model for other coastal states.

“Sustainable aquaculture is good for the environment and good for our economy,” said Reed.  “I am proud to have secured nearly $4 million in federal funding to help local oyster farmers restore the health of the Bay and estuaries as well as provide healthy, sustainable, and delicious oysters to consumers across the country.  The industry continues to grow, and I will continue working to help the state’s aquaculture industry penetrate foreign markets.” 

Today, Reed toured the award-winning Matunuck Oyster Bar, which is owned and operated by oyster farmer Perry Raso.  Mr. Raso began his oyster farm with a grant from the Reed Aquaculture initiative in 2002.  He has expanded the operation, opening the restaurant in 2009, and employed over 100 Rhode Islanders throughout the year through the farm and restaurant, which overlooks his 7-acre oyster farm in East Matunuck.  Visitors can tour the farm to see how the oysters are raised and how they get directly from the water to the plate.  

Bivalves are becoming big business in the Ocean State, and world-class aquaculture research facilities at the University of Rhode Island (URI) and Roger Williams University are helping to lead the way.  According to the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), there are 38 aquaculture farms currently operating in the state.  Last year Rhode Island oyster farmers produced and sold 3.6 million oysters, a major increase from just 126,000 in 1996.  Additionally, almost a million dollars worth of shellfish, including clams and mussels, were raised for various restoration projects.

Trip to Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan

Senator Jack Reed traveled to Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan to observe the security and political progress in the region. He visited U.S. servicemen and women, including several Rhode Islanders, diplomats, and foreign officials. Two fellow senators, Carl Levin of Michigan and Jon Tester of Montana, joined him. This was Reed's 15th trip to Iraq, 11th trip to Afghanistan, and first to Yemen.

Reed Speaks at Johnston Senior Center

Senator Jack Reed attended and gave brief remarks at the unveiling of the Johnston Senior Transvan. 

Senator Reed, along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, helped secure $190,000 for the purchase of two vans- one for Johnston and one for Pawtucket. 

The TransVan will help provide seniors with transportation from their residence to the senior center.