Dear [firstname],

Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin will be joining me for the State of the Union Address in Washington on Thursday.

Last week, I had the honor of visiting Det. Gilmartin and his wife, Lindsay, at the Philadelphia rehab facility where he was recovering after being ambushed in a gang-related shooting in January.

While there, I was deeply moved by Det. Gilmartin's courage, strength and amazing recovery. Yesterday, Det. Gilmartin and Lindsay were given a hero's welcome on their return back to the city. 

We are so happy to have you back home in Scranton, Det. Gilmartin, and I look forward to seeing you and Lindsay in Washington on Thursday!

Learn more here.

It was great to recognize this year's honorees at the Monroe County NAACP Black History Month Prayer Luncheon.

Three phenomenal members of our community were recognized as the 2024 Black History Month honorees for their year-round efforts to better the lives of Monroe County residents.

Brandon Hanks, Executive Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts and the Producing Director of Rebel Stages/The Rebel Initiative in Stroudsburg, was recognized for his commitment to creating and providing educational and performance opportunities to illuminate and celebrate diversity in our communities.

Deidre Sears, Founder and Artistic Director of the Elevé Dance Theater in East Stroudsburg, was recognized for her dedication to empowering dancers of all ages and ethnicities to find their voice through movement.

Clavertis Miller, Owner of the Clavertis Miller Fine Arts Gallery in East Stroudsburg, was recognized for his support of local artists and for keeping the arts alive and well in our communities. Clavertis also established the East Stroudsburg University Meal Plan Annual Scholarship, which provides a student with a meal plan for one semester.

A heartfelt thank you to each of this year's honorees for their important work in our communities, and congratulations once again on receiving this distinguished honor!

Work has already begun on the tunnel to take our passenger rail line into Manhattan!

Phase one of the Gateway Rail Tunnel to shore up infrastructure for the tunnel under the Hudson River is expected to be completed by September.

I am excited to see this major construction for our passenger rail line already beginning. For how to stay up to date on our passenger rail project, read on.

My office has heard loud and clear that you want to know more about the return of passenger rail and to have access to updated project information.

That's why we launched a comprehensive webpage that will be updated regularly, detailing progress on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something transformational for the economy of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The rail resource page is just one component of the new website that launched last week to better serve as an interactive and informative resource.

Now, you can visit my website to apply and find information about grants, get help with a federal agency, have access to important veterans resources and much more!

For example, if there are members of our community who you feel deserve recognition, stop by my Commendations & Greetings page to request a Congressional Certificate.

Click here to visit my updated website.

Be safe and well,