Larsen Leads Bill To Reauthorize School Safety Program

Source: Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-2
WASHINGTON, D.C. (link)—Today,Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Mike Coffman, CO-06, and Suzan DelBene, WA-01, introduced a bill to help pay for improved security measures in schools, such as training for staff and students, and deterrents like lighting and locks. The School Safety Act of 2015 would reauthorize the Secure Our Schools program, which provides matching grants to local, state and tribal governments to meet schools’ individual security needs.
 
“Schools must be a place where our students feel safe. I introduced this bill to help schools and communities assess and meet their unique safety needs. Sadly our country has not seen the end of violent crimes. Congress must do much more to make our schools and communities safer and shrink the cycle of violence. This bill helps empower schools to focus on what they do best: teaching our students and preparing them for their futures,” Larsen said.
 
“School violence has hit my district and Colorado hard and I am committed to finding ways to make our schools safer. This bipartisan, common sense legislation will help fund important school safety programs across the country. From education to improved technology, our schools can be made safer through a comprehensive approach to dealing with school violence. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with me in fighting to make our schools a safe place to learn,” Coffman said.
 
“I’m strongly committed to ensuring the safety and security of our students. While there is no one law that will prevent every single instance of senseless violence, like last year’s tragic shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, we can and must do more. The School Safety and Security Act is an important first step and I’m honored to help introduce it. This bipartisan legislation will provide critical resources to keep our schools safe, ensure teachers and administrators are adequately trained in security procedures, and improve notification and response technologies in schools across the country,” DelBene said.
 
Violence in schools has continued at a steady pace in recent years, with tragic shootings at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Wash., in October 2014, and at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., in December 2013.
 
The Washington State School Directors’ Association has endorsed the bill.
 
The Secure Our Schools program takes a comprehensive approach to preventing violence in schools based on schools’ unique needs. Matching funds can pay for physical deterrents, security assessments, security training and coordination with local law enforcement. The Act reauthorizes the program and updates it to allow funding to cover emergency communications systems with local law enforcement. 

Larsen Announces Funding for Skagit Valley Flood Study and Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration

 
 Press Release, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen
WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, announced $760,000 in funding for local flood protection and estuary restoration projects. The Skagit General Investigation (G.I) Study will be receiving $400,000 and the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project will be receiving $360,000. Citing the need for long-term flood protection in the Skagit River valley, Larsen pressed the Army Corps for funding last month.
 
“Communities in Skagit County have stayed focused on getting the G.I. Study finished,” Larsen said. “This ongoing commitment from the Army Corps is great news and sends a clear message that the federal government is going to keep its agreement in Skagit County. 
 
“The Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project will be the largest tidal marsh restoration project ever completed in our state. This project is not just about protecting the environment. It is about protecting our economy. Restoring the estuary will enhance the role of fishing in our economy and keep a commitment to our tribal and city partners and provide critical habitat for salmon.”
 
More information on the Army Corps’ announcement of funding is available here.

2013 Congressional Art Competition for highschoolers

art-competition
Congressman Rick Larsen
Everett Office
2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9F
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-252-3188

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district.

The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the 2nd District. The over-all winner of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nation-wide.

Art works entered in the contest may be up to 32 inches by 32 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. The art work may be

  • Paintings – including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
  • Drawings – including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
  • Collage
  • Prints – including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
  • Mixed Media
  • Computer Generated Art
  • Photography

 

For those in the Tulalip, Marysville and Everett area visit this page for further information, criteria and application
Hon. Rick Larsen, WA-02

For those interested and not located in the Tulalip, Marysville and Everett area, please find your Districts Congressman here. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WA

 

View criteria and application here

Hon. Suzan DelBene, WA-01
Hon. Rick Larsen, WA-02
Hon. Jaime Herrera Beutler, WA-03
Hon. Doc Hastings, WA-04
Hon. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, WA-05
Hon. Derek Kilmer, WA-06
Hon. Jim McDermott, WA-07
Hon. David G. Reichert, WA-08
Hon. Adam Smith, WA-09
Hon. Denny Heck, WA-10

View artwork for the 2012 competition here http://conginst.org/art-competition/