Sen. Hwang Condemns New Trump Border Policy;

Urges Congress to “Solve the Problem” and “Lead”

Sen. Tony Hwang on Wednesday issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s policy that has resulted in migrant children being separated from their parents at the border.

“Yes, illegal immigration is against the law, but the new enforcement policy is inhumane, it is cruel, and it must end. We can all agree that innocent children must be protected.  We can all agree that Congress needs to step up immediately and do its job.  Congress: Please do what you were elected to do.  Work in a collaborative basis.  Solve the problem in a thoughtful, comprehensive, compassionate way.  You are our leaders. No more delays.  No more posturing.  Get to work. As former First Lady Laura Bush recently wrote, ‘Can we not as a nation find a kinder, more compassionate and more moral answer to this current crisis?’  I firmly believe the answer to Laura Bush’s question is ‘yes’.  Now is the time for our leaders in Washington, DC to lead.”

Sen. Hwang, an immigrant whose parents escaped Communist China as teens and lived under martial law in Taiwan, has been a consistent and outspoken critic of President Trump’s past documented insults of women, racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants and the disabled.  Sen. Hwang has repeatedly stated that the President’s comments and policies can be used to start a public conversation on diversity, tolerance and kindness.

*Sen. Hwang represents Connecticut’s 28th Senatorial District which includes Fairfield, Easton, Weston, Westport, Newtown and Sandy Hook.  He can be reached at 800-842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.

Senator Hwang hand-delivers new flag to McKinley School for Flag Day

FAIRFIELD – Sen. Tony Hwang recently received a letter from McKinley School third grader Adie Steger, who had noticed that their school flag had become frayed and tattered. Adie had asked her grandfather, Sam Fischer, what she could do to try to get a new flag.

Fischer said, “Call Senator Tony Hwang!”

Touched by Adie’s patriotism and initiative, Sen. Hwang reached out to Fischer to arrange a surprise ceremony at McKinley School during their Flag Day celebration.

On June 14, after the McKinley Singers led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem, Sen. Hwang, accompanied by the McKinley students and faculty, presented Adie and her schoolmates with a brand new flag that had been flown over the Connecticut State Capitol. (photos attached)

Sen. Hwang said, “It was important to have this ceremony to show that a third grader who believes in something can make a positive difference.  Adie Steger did just that. Secondly, as an immigrant, the American Flag to me represents the diversity of our great country, reflected in the incredible diversity here at McKinley School. It represents the freedoms we all enjoy and the freedoms that our veterans fought to protect.”

Fairfield veterans Tom Quinn, Peter Vetrosky, Ron Drew and Ron Orszag assisted in the flag retirement ceremony, hoisting the new Star Spangled Banner with the help of the McKinley Singers’ rendition of It’s a Grand Old Flag.

*Sen. Hwang represents Connecticut’s 28th Senatorial District which includes Fairfield, Easton, Weston, Westport, Newtown and Sandy Hook.  He can be reached at 800-842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.

Sen. Hwang: Malloy’s Veto of Bill to Support Teacher and Student Classroom Safety is “Perplexing”, Sends Wrong Message

Sen. Tony Hwang is urging a legislative override of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s veto of Senate Bill 453: An Act Concerning Classroom Safety and Disruptive Behavior.

The bill includes measures to require boards of education to address daily classroom safety in their safe school climate plans and provide support for training and assistance for teachers.

“We want our schools to be as safe as they can be for our students and teachers,” Sen. Hwang said.  “We want to create classroom environments that are free of violence, threats and disruption. There must be zero tolerance.  That’s why it is perplexing to see Gov. Malloy veto this bill.  What message does such a veto send?  This bill passed unanimously in the Connecticut State Senate.  It is my hope that as Democrats and Republicans, we come together to override the governor and send the right message to our teachers and students.”

Sen. Hwang recently was successful in pushing for a Connecticut law to increase the penalties for when a threat involves a preschool, K-12 school or an institution of higher education. Sen. Hwang noted that such threats of violence can have a devastating impact on the psyches of parents, educators and children.

*Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.  He can be reached atTony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800-842-1421.

Sen. Hwang Slams Malloy’s Veto of Pro-Small Manufacturer Bill;

Pledges Legislative Override

 Sen. Tony Hwang has joined the bipartisan call for an override of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s veto of SB 261, legislation providing Connecticut small manufacturers with a tax credit to train new workers.

“The governor’s shortsighted veto hurts CT small manufacturers and reinforces his reputation of being unfriendly to businesses,” Sen. Hwang said.  “The bill is about supporting and empowering small businesses to train and develop a talented workforce. We need to be doing all we can to help, not hurt, our small manufacturers. This is a pro-small business bill.  It passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.  If this veto stands, job creation in Connecticut will suffer, economic growth will suffer, and workforce training will also suffer.”

The legislation would have extended to limited liability companies, partnerships and other smaller businesses a manufacturing apprenticeship tax credit available to large companies.

“We have a glaring shortage of trained workers in our state,” Sen. Hwang said.  “Good Connecticut manufacturing jobs are going unfilled by the thousands. We need to seize every opportunity to train up our workforce and get people working.  Those served by Connecticut non-profit organizations like the Kennedy Center and Ability Beyond also stand to benefit from that crucial training.  In an environment where small businesses face a number of challenges, including high costs and finding skilled workers, this bill sends a message that policymakers understand their needs and are listening to their concerns.”

Sen. Hwang said that in overriding Malloy’s veto, “We will send a message that our state is, in fact, open for business.  We will send the message to small manufacturers that we want them to stay here, grow here, and invest here. We as legislators can – and will – stand up to the governor and override his damaging veto.”

*Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.  He can be reached atTony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800-842-1421.