July 4, 2020
Dear Friends,
Today we mark the dawn of our great nation. While the circumstances of our celebrations will look a little different this year, I believe we have even greater reason to celebrate.
No doubt conditions are grave. We have lost much in these past few months, and we have mourned together even when we had to be physically apart. And it seems like every day new challenges continue to arise.
Yet in the face of it all, even though at times we have had to bend, we have not broken. We have found common purpose in the cause of racial justice, bound together regardless of party to wear masks not for ourselves, but for each other. For as much as America is a nation born of freedom, we have always been lifted up by the cause of service.
As I reflect on this historic day, I am inspired by recent and ongoing work to deepen our understanding of our nation’s history. Even though the truth is sometimes ugly, we can only know ourselves if we have the moral courage and fortitude to look at our past honestly, to see how it shapes our present, and to seek out new ways to listen to one another in service of a cause greater than ourselves: America’s bright future.
I have long harbored a deep passion for history, heritage and culture, and I continue to work in Congress to make sure these causes have the funding and institutional support they need. I feel awakened by the efforts of those who are revisiting and reclaiming the full truths of our past. In that spirit, I would like to share some stories of America’s history of service that I find deeply moving.
Consider, for example, the patriots at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, where 400 Black soldiers fought bravely alongside white soldiers and marked a turning point in the war. Their victory against a British invasion force not only inspired other Americans and boosted morale, it helped us secure support from key allies France and Spain, who joined the cause in our young nation’s fight for independence.
Consider, too, the example of Sergeant William Henry Johnson who fought in World War I, joining the all-Black New York National Guard 15th Infantry Regiment, which would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment. His unit was stationed in France where he sustained more than 20 wounds in a single battle. For his bravery, he earned the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, becoming one of the first Americans ever to be awarded France's highest award for valor. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Medal of Honor.
These are just two of the countless instances in our nation’s history of Black servicemembers whose sacrifices and experiences—when shared and celebrated—help display a more complete and worthy story of our country.
Despite these troubling times, we have reason to celebrate our nation’s long history of service and of sacrifice, especially by our servicemembers who gave what President Lincoln called the “last full measure of devotion” in the hope and belief that we could create a more perfect union.They epitomize the spirit of our nation, uphold its ideals and deliver us hope. They remind us that we, as Americans, can overcome any challenge when we come together in faith and united by a spirit of service.
As you and your loved ones find your own ways to celebrate Independence Day this year, I hope you will join me in taking time to honor the brave servicemembers who—regardless of race, gender, creed, or origin—answered the call to uphold the purest of our country’s basic ideals: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations on any and all COVID-19 related topics. With that in mind, here are a few recent developments that may be of interest to you:
A few weeks after a stimulus payment is issued, the IRS mails Notice 1444 to the recipient’s address of record. Please keep Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment for your tax records.
- Taxpayers will not include the payment in taxable income on their 2020 tax return or pay income tax on the payment.
- It will not reduce a taxpayer’s refund or increase the amount of tax a taxpayer owes when the taxpayer files a 2020 federal income tax return next year.
- When a taxpayer files a 2020 tax return next year, the taxpayer may claim any additional credit for which the taxpayer is eligible.
- The IRS is not able to correct or issue supplemental payments at this time. See the Economic Impact Payment Information Center for questions and answers about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect and when to expect it.
EU Travel Ban & Travel Updates
- If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, we urge you to check the websites of the relevant U.S. embassies or consulates for information on restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by relevant authorities.
- Some European countries currently prohibit entry by tourists and other non-essential travelers. Visit the websites of those countries' embassies in the United States for additional information including entry/exit restrictions and permissible categories of travel.
Domestic travel guidelines:
- If you are coming back to New York from certain states you are required to quarantine yourself for 14 days. These states are:
- Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah
- This provision does not apply to you if you were just passing through these states for a limited duration (i.e. less than 24 hours) through the course of travel. For additional information regarding domestic travel guidelines, click here.
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