Sen. Tony Hwang (top row, far left) on Nov. 29 met with participants in Our Woven Community, a program at Burroughs Community Center in Bridgeport which helps refugee women from war-torn countries to become more economically self-sufficient and integrated into the community.

Every Our Woven Community item is hand made by refugee women now living in greater Bridgeport. Each item is made from donated materials and fabrics from the local community and fabric and materials from Africa.

“This program is an inspiring success story and I hope to see it grow and grow,” said Sen. Hwang. “Participants come from war-torn African nations – places where their lives were turned upside down and places devoid of hope. Here in America – and at Our Woven Community – hope lives. Participants learn and develop tangible skills while generating supplemental income. I urge area residents to consider Our Woven Community products during the holiday season.”

“Each piece created at Our Woven Community symbolizes the importance of weaving lives, cultures, and communities together,” Sen. Hwang said. “This program provides the artists with opportunity for creativity, community integration, and economic growth.”

Our Woven Community is always looking to increase its volunteer network. For more information on upcoming events and for ways to become involved, contact the Burroughs Community Center at www.burroughscc.org or call (203) 334-0293.

*Sen. Hwang (www.senatorhwang.com) represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

A “Sweet” Way to Help The Community!

Operation Hope Food Drive at Saugatuck Sweets in Fairfield, Saturday, Dec. 3

Non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit area families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Saugatuck Sweets, 28 Reef Road, Fairfield.

Sen. Tony Hwang, Rep. Laura Devlin, and Rep. Brenda Kupchick are joining with Operation Hope in encouraging residents to help their neighbors in need.

For each food donation, the food donor’s family will receive a free soft serve cone.

On the web: www.OperationHopeCT.org .

Serving the Community
Sen. Tony Hwang (center) on Nov. 22 joined with community volunteers at the annual Bridgeport American Jobs Center Thanksgiving lunch to helped serve the lunch to area residents. The Jobs Center provides services to unemployed and underemployed individuals in the greater Bridgeport region seeking jobs and job search assistance at no cost. The Jobs Center can be reached at (203) 455-2700. On the web: www.cthires.com . Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com .

10-year Anniversary of Innovation and Research

Says goal is to “establish a thriving ecosystem of new businesses and high value jobs”

Sen. Tony Hwang on Nov. 10 joined his friend Dr. Haifan Lin, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Cell Biology and Director of Yale Stem Cell Center, along with prominent medical researchers from across the nation to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Yale University Stem Cell Center and to celebrate its medical accomplishments.

Yale University leadership, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro also offered words of praise and support.

“I am so proud to celebrate Connecticut’s world leadership in stem cell innovation and research, and I am honored to be joined by so many amazing and brilliant scientists to celebrate the Center’s first decade,” said Sen. Hwang, who is co-chair of the legislature’s bipartisan Life Sciences Caucus. “The work done here improves medical care and the quality of life in our community. It also provides and economic multiplier effect for high-value jobs and business growth.”

Sen. Hwang said his focus at the State Capitol continues to be on policies which spur scientific research and grow jobs in the state’s bioscience industry.

“The Center’s existence is a win-win for Connecticut,” Sen. Hwang said. “High-tech jobs are being created, biotech spinoff companies have emerged, and our state’s status as a leader in scientific research has been bolstered.”

“Our shared goal here in Connecticut must be to establish a thriving ecosystem of new businesses and high value jobs,” Sen. Hwang added. “Yale Stem Center is one of many success stories in Connecticut, and we must pass pro-growth policies in Hartford to ensure future success stories.”

Sen. Hwang can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

STRATFORD, CONN. – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), State Senator Tony Hwang (R- Fairfield) and State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford) joined the Governor, Monday, October 31, at a ceremonial bill signing to commemorate the adoption of legislation that approved the state’s agreement with Lockheed Martin. The deal will keep Sikorsky Aircraft’s worldwide headquarters in Connecticut through 2032. The company is poised to retain and grow approximately 8,000 jobs and is located in Stratford.

“The bill signing marks an important bipartisan effort to keep good-paying middle-class jobs here in the greater Stratford community,” said Sen. Kelly, who represents the towns of Stratford, Shelton, Seymour and Monroe. “We have an incredibly talented workforce that builds helicopters better than anywhere else in the world. These efforts will help overcome the economic issues Sikorsky was facing so that we can maintain and expand the presence of one of our biggest local employers.”

“This legislation will save thousands of good manufacturing jobs, keep Sikorsky in Stratford, and benefit scores of Connecticut small businesses in the vendor supply chain,” Sen. Hwang said. “It also serves as a warning to every state lawmaker that we’ve got to make our business climate less expensive. That requires more predictable, more sustainable, and more transparent economic policies. That requires lower taxes. That requires the elimination of burdensome regulations and red tape. Only then can we create the stable ecosystem that all businesses deserve.” Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

“Sikorsky, which began in Stratford, is recognized as the world leader in helicopter manufacturing,” said Rep. Hoydick. “Sikorsky’s presence is critically important to Stratford and the surrounding towns’ tax base but it is an economic catalyst to the downstream supply companies which provide materials and resources to Sikorsky. It was an honor to join the Governor at the bill signing and I look forward to the good jobs that this deal will produce in the future.”
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Photo 1 – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), State Senator Tony Hwang (R- Fairfield) and State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford) joined the Governor, Monday, October 31, at a ceremonial bill signing to commemorate the adoption of legislation that approved the state’s agreement with Lockheed Martin to keep Sikorsky Aircraft’s headquarters in Connecticut.