Press Releases
WITH DESTRUCTIVE ASH BORER JUST FOUND AGAIN IN SOUTHERN TIER:SCHUMER: EMERALD ASH BORER ONCE AGAIN ON VERGE OF SPREADING ACROSS NYS; SENATOR CALLS ON FEDS TO HELP NY COMMUNITIES FIGHT PROBLEM BY APPROVING FUNDING APPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY SO NY IS NOT OUTGUNNED
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has written personal letters to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lisa Jackson, and the Secretary of the United State Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging them to help New York fight the emerald ash borer (EAB) by approving several applications that would provide critical resources to New York communities to prevent the invasive species' advance. Without drastic and immediate intervention, indus… Continue Reading
06.23.10
SCHUMER UNVEILS LONG-AWAITED AND LONG-DESERVED PLAQUE COMMEMORATING ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO HELPED CONSTRUCT THE U.S. CAPITOL
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer led a ceremony to install the longawaited plaque formally recognizing the contributions that enslaved AfricanAmericans made to the construction of the U.S. Capitol. The new plaque was mounted atop original stone used to build the Capitol and is located in the Senate wing of the building, which is open to the public. Schumer, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, was an original cosponsor of the resolution honoring enslaved AfricanAme… Continue Reading
06.22.10
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, TONKO URGE HUD SEC TO ACCEPT AMSTERDAM HOUSING AUTHORITY'S GRANT APP AFTER TECHNICAL GLITCH BY FEDS TOSSED OUT APPLICATION
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko announced that they have sent a personal letter to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donavan, urging him to reexamine the Amsterdam Housing Authority's (AHA) grant application. AHA's grant application was denied based on a technicality after HUD mistakenly sent applicants the wrong due date and failed to properly notify applicants of the new date. The loss of … Continue Reading
06.15.10
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES ROCHESTER VETERANS OUTREACH CENTER TO RECEIVE $270,000 IN FUNDING FROM DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO ASSIST DISABELED SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN COMING HOME FIND JOBS IN CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. in Rochester has received a federal grant totaling $270,000 as part of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding will be used for Veterans employment and training services in the clean energy sector. "This grant ensures that veterans in the Rochester Region will have the opportunity to receive the educational trai… Continue Reading
06.14.10
SCHUMER REVEALS: EVIDENCE MOUNTING THAT SUGGESTS POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN CHEMICAL FOUND IN MOST SUNSCREENS AND SKIN CANCER, FDA HAS BEEN STUDYING ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR; SCHUMER CALLS ON FDA TO MAKE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY CLEAR.
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately address recent reports suggesting a possible link between skin cancer and a common chemical found in sunscreens. Studies from the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have suggested a possible link between skin cancer and retinyl palmitate, a common ingredient found in sunscreen products. While the research has been completed since July 200… Continue Reading
06.14.10
SCHUMER: YOUTH SUMMER JOBS FUNDS WILL HELP LONG ISLAND TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS FIND WORK DURING CRUSHING ECONOMIC CLIMATE, STIMULATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND EASE STRESS FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that $1 billion in summer youth jobs funding is set to pass the Senate this week as part of the Americans Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. This critical funding will begin to address the incredible rate of unemployment among youth in New York and across the country. The current youth unemployment rate of 21.5% is a threat to our nation's broader economic recovery as an entire generation of young women and men see their tal… Continue Reading
06.11.10
TWO DAYS AFTER SCHUMER EXPOSES CHINESE HONEY LAUNDERING, FDA ANNOUNCES SEIZURE OF 64 DRUMS OF ILLEGAL, CONTAMINATED CHINESE HONEYSCHUMER SAYS CASE IS ONLY TIP OF ICEBERG, CALLS FOR LARGER SWEEP OF HONEY SHIPMENTS
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (DNY) announced today that just two days after he called on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on "honey launderers" that are undermining U.S. honey producers, the agency has revealed a major enforcement action against Chinese honey smugglers. Last night, the FDA announced it has seized 64 drums-or, $32,000 worth-of imported Chinese honey that was contaminated with a potent antibiotic. If allowed into the marketplace, the honey wo… Continue Reading
06.11.10
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES RENSSELAER HIGH SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE 5 COMPUTERS TO IMPROVE COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Rensselaer High School will receive 5 computers under the United States Senate Computers for Schools Program. The program helps public schools take advantage of the information technology age by channeling surplus computers into classrooms across the country. Rensselaer High School educates young adults from 9 th through 12 th grades and prepares their students for a college education and a productive working career. … Continue Reading
06.10.10
SCHUMER SECURES FEMA APPROVAL OF LONG STALLED TOWN OF HANCOCK HIGHWAY PROJECT; MOVE WILL IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN TOWN AND THROUGHOUT DELAWARE COUNTY
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has secured approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for infrastructure improvements in the Town of Hancock along Route 28 that come as a result of flooding which ripped through the Southern Tier in the summer of 2006. The project had been tied up in knots as the Town sought the go ahead from FEMA on the environmental impacts of the project so that it could lock in the necessary financing that will ultimately be reimburs… Continue Reading
06.10.10
SCHUMER CUTS THROUGH RED TAPE SO JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CAN TRAVEL TO WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA TO BE OFFICIAL US FLAG BEARER
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he and his staff have successfully cut through red tape and secured travel documents for Mamady Kourouma, a Jefferson High School student, to travel to the World Cup where he will be an official United States flag bearer. Kourouma had faced numerous bureaucratic and timing hurdles and, before contacting Schumer office, it looked like he would not be able to receive his documents in time. "It would have bee… Continue Reading
06.09.10
SCHUMER: NY'S HONEY INDUSTRY UNDER ASSAULT BY CHINESE 'HONEY LAUNDERING' - SENATOR SAYS CHINESE UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES COULD DEVASTATE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR NY HONEY INDUSTRY, HURT FARMERS, AND PUT CONSUMERS AT RISK
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on "honey launderers" that are undermining New York's honey producers. Almost a decade ago, the United States started imposing duties on honey imported from China after it found that Chinese exporters were engaging in predatory trade practices. But in the subsequent years, Chinese companies be… Continue Reading
06.07.10
SCHUMER: LEGISLATION ALLOWING REMINGTON TO COMPETE FOR SMALL ARMS CONTRACTS INCLUDED IN VITAL SENATE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he has successfully worked with his colleagues to include language in a must pass Senate bill that will open up competition for the Army's small arms contracts to other U.S. manufacturers. The legislation would open up the Army's small arms contracts to domestic producers across the country like the Ilion, New York based Remington. More competition for the Army's small arms contracts would likely spur innovation as more producers would have an inc… Continue Reading
06.03.10
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES EXPANSION AT HICKEY FREEMAN IN ROCHESTER
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Rochester's Hickey Freeman will be adding an additional 25 jobs over the next four weeks and aiming to employ as many as 550 people at the plant by the end of next year. Currently there are approximately 480 employees working at the facility. Schumer said that the plant was operating at capacity, and parent company Hartmarx Corporation will be aggressively marketing the American made Hickey Freeman brand in Europe and Asia. … Continue Reading
06.03.10
SCHUMER REQUESTS COAST GUARD, ARMY CORPS BRIEF LOCALITIES ON HOW A FEDERAL RESPONSE WOULD BE COORDINATED IN THE EVENT BP OIL SPILL REACHES LONG ISLAND SHORES
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer requested that the United States Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) begin early coordination plans with Long Island coastal communities to prepare for the potential of oil from the BP Gulf Oil spill ending up on local beaches. In his letter to Coast Guard Rear Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. and Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant General Van Antwerp, Schumer called for a field briefing with local municipalities and federal agencies that w… Continue Reading
06.02.10
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEMA WILL GRANT SYRACUSE AND SURROUNDING AREA EXTRA TIME TO PROVIDE INPUT INTO FLOOD MAPS - WILL HELP AVOID TREMENDOUS FEES AND RED TAPE
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to give Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse more time to provide input into FEMA's recent decision to require approximately 2,400 property owners to purchase flood insurance at an average cost of $800 per year. By law, FEMA is required to give adequate and substantial notice to local municipalities and residents if they intend to add additional properties to the county flood map … Continue Reading
05.27.10
SCHUMER, MADD CEO: DRUNK DRIVERS KILL HUNDREDS OF NY'ers EACH YEAR, AND ONLY TWO PERCENT ARE CAUGHT - SCHUMER LEGISLATION WILL HELP DEVELOP TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP DRINKERS OUT OF CARS AND OFF THE ROADS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is pushing legislation to foster research and development of incar technology to fight the scourge of drunk driving. This legislation will create a consortium to drastically curb drunk driving by funding a partnership between antidrunk driving advocates, large car companies and the federal government to design devices that prevent intoxicated people from getting behind the wheel. During a conference call, Schumer said that drunk driving ki… Continue Reading
05.19.10
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FARMSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE OVER $28,000 IN A FEDERAL FIRE GRANT FOR OPERATIONS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department has received a federal grant totaling $28,297 as part of Round 16 of the FY09 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funding will be used improve departmental operations and safety. "This essential grant ensures that the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department will continue to have the basic resources required to do their jobs, imp… Continue Reading
05.18.10
SCHUMER, JOINED BY BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS, CALLS FOR CHINA TO STOP SUPPRESSING IMF REPORT THAT COULD BE SMOKING GUN ON CHINA'S CURRENCY MANIPULATION
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (DNY)-joined by a bipartisan group of nine other senators-urged the Obama administration Tuesday to pressure the Chinese government to stop suppressing the release of an independent report that is said to conclude that China manipulates its currency to gain an unfair competitive advantage. An annual report issued last summer by the staff of the International Monetary Fund is believed to have found that China intentionally undervalues its curren… Continue Reading
05.14.10
SCHUMER TOURS FROST DAMAGED APPLE FARM; MEETS WITH FARMERS FROM DUTCHESS AND ULSTER COUNTY WHOSE CROPS HAVE BEEN HURT BY FROST, AND DISCUSSES POTENTIAL FEDERAL AID
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer toured a frost damaged apple farm and met with farmers from Ulster and Dutchess counties. During an appearance at a Dutchess County apple orchard, Schumer said that a recent late frost has caused damage to a variety of crops, from apples to black dirt onions. Schumer met with farmers to see the extent of the damage and discuss potential responses. "Our farmers are the backbone of New York's rural economy and this late frost could potentially be a… Continue Reading
05.11.10
SCHUMER SECURES COMMITMENT FROM SECRETARY OF THE ARMY TO KEEP THE ARMY RESERVE'S "VIRTUAL INSTALLATION" FACILITY OPEN AND OPERATING IN ROCHESTER; 490TH QUARTERMASTER COMPANY WILL BE STATIONED IN ROCHESTER STARTING IN 2012
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has secured a commitment from Army Secretary John McHugh that the Army would keep the Army Reserves "Virtual Installation" open and operating, and that the 490th Quartermaster Company is scheduled to activate in Rochester, New York on September 16 th, 2012. Schumer has been working with the Army for the last three months, urging them to keep the 98 th Reserve Division, currently stationed in Rochester, from moving to a base in Georg… Continue Reading
