February 26, 2022
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month, in honor of Black History Month, I shared with you a few of the many Black legends, leaders and trailblazers whose lasting impacts and contributions continue to be felt not only in our Capital Region that they called home, but throughout the nation.
As we celebrate these heroes, we remember that the fight for equality and civil rights is far from over. This week, as I spent time meeting with constituents across the 20th District, I was pleased to be able to meet with some of our region’s most forceful advocates for equality and to share with them my perspective on the ongoing battle to preserve democracy.
On Thursday, I joined a meeting of the Albany chapter of the NAACP to discuss next steps in the national fight to protect the right to vote. During the discussion, I heard from local experts and advocates about our nation’s history of suppressing the rights of Black Americans at the ballot box and about the fragility of our sacred democratic system. I spoke about my disappointment in the Senate’s failure to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, and H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and I emphasized the need to stay vigilant against the further degradation of our democracy.
I encouraged our Capital Region advocates to keep doing the hard and powerful work of protecting voting rights at the local level, and to continue their full-throated advocacy for desperately needed federal legislation on this issue. The right to vote is the cornerstone of any healthy democracy, and Congress must act now to protect this fundamental right that is under attack across America.
Yesterday, I was pleased to be able to hold a constituent meeting with representatives from all three of the Capital Region’s chapters of the NAACP. Meeting with leaders from the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy branches, I heard their input on the issues most deeply impacting our communities. Their counsel is always crucial in enabling me to better advocate for our region in Congress and beyond, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with them in these trying times for our democracy.
This week, the importance of standing together in the face on injustice and tyranny is more pertinent than ever.
I, like so many of you, was horrified by Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. We are working with our allies to implement a powerful response that holds Russia accountable and supports the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom.
And in this time, we also remember the immortalized words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
I will never stop fighting in Congress to safeguard every person’s fundamental rights, and to protect democracy both at home and abroad. I am immensely grateful to the many incredible local advocates who lead us in this fight every day. I will take their words to heart as I head back to Washington, and with their help and yours, we will win this fight.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine early Thursday morning, I wanted to share some resources from the U.S. State Department that may be of use to you:
- Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department reiterated its recommendation to U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine immediately.
- According to the State Department, “U.S. citizens seeking to depart Ukraine needing further information should communicate with the Department of State via our online assistance request form or call 1-833-741-2777 (in the United States) or 1-606-260-4379 (from overseas) for immediate assistance.”
- U.S. citizens planning to leave Ukraine should consult the State Department’s guidance on how to cross land borders when departing Ukraine.
- The State Department has set up support teams near the Ukrainian border in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova to provide assistance, and have opened a Welcome Center for U.S. citizens in Poland.
- More information and resources—including Embassies and Consulates in the region where U.S. citizens can seek assistance—can be found at: https://ua.usembassy.gov/department-of-state-presence-in-ukraine/