Recent
Photos from Legislative Hall and Around the District |
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| New
Law Should Reduce Noise for People Living Near Highways
A new law should result in less noise in areas where large trucks
are forced to slow down. House Bill 444 limits the use of engine
exhaust braking systems - often referred to as "Jake Brakes"
- to emergency situations. The systems typically release compressed
air trapped in the engine cylinders, which reduces energy and slows
the vehicle. However, the systems also produce a loud, staccato
or machine gun-like sound that’s familiar – and often
disturbing – to anyone living near major intersections, toll
plazas or other areas where trucks need to brake. The new law clarifies
current state law and establishes that Jake Brakes cannot be utilized,
except in cases of emergency. The law’s prime sponsor, State
House Majority Leader Richard Cathcart (R-Middletown), says the
measure will make it easier to post and enforce Jake Brake restrictions.
The bill was amended to exempt emergency vehicles including fire
trucks, ambulances, and emergency medical service vehicles.
In photo: State
Rep. Richard Cathcart and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner take a moment following
the ceremonial signing of House Bill 444 (July 29). Rep. Cathcart,
whose district contains the Biddles Corner Toll Plaza and several
major highways, said he has been trying to curtail the use of the
noise-producing braking systems for several years.
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| Kevin
Savage (center), a member of the Class of 2011 at Appoquinimink High
School, cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the new high school Saturday,
May 17th. To cope with enrollment that's growing by 600 students a
year, the district will need to hold three referendums and build six
new schools between now and 2016. Representative Cathcart, second
from right, was on hand to welcome the opening of the new facility. |
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Lawmakers
Acknowledge Odyssey of the Mind Competition
Legislators applauded some of the local winners of the Odyssey of
the Mind competition during recent (5/14) festivities in the State
House of Representatives. Students from Everett Meredith Middle
School and Olive B. Loss Elementary School were on-hand to receive
congratulations for winning their state divisions in the program
that stresses creative problem-solving. Odyssey of the Mind is an
international competition for students from kindergarten through
college. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and more than
20 other countries participate in the program.
In photo: (from
left) John Dina and Josh Smith – both of Everett Meredith
Middle School in Middletown – were among the two dozen students
to receive congratulations from State House Majority Leader Richard
Cathcart (R-Middletown) and State Rep. Vince Lofink (R-Bear) during
ceremonies in the State House of Representatives.
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| Rep.
Cathcart speaks with Albertha Roberts at the 2008 Senior Expo he recently
sponsored at the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA. The Senior Expo was a one-stop
informational resource, providing seniors with contacts and details
about programs benefiting New Castle County residents, age 55 and
over. Various organizations were on hand to share information and
answer questions related to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,
volunteer opportunities, emergency medical services, caregiver resources,
Diabetes, heart health and stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and more.
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| Rep.
Cathcart (far left) with Mahlandt and Elizabeth Kircher at the 2008
Senior Expo he recently sponsored at the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA.
Senior citizens in New Castle County were invited to learn about
various programs and services available to them. Free cardiac screening,
blood pressure screening and memory screening were also offered,
allowing attendees to better gauge their health and prepare for
the future.
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| State
Representative Dick Cathcart (left) recently presented a House of
Representatives Commendation Certificate to Brian Lewis for his outstanding
service with the Middletown Action Network. Mr. Lewis was recognized
for his dedication and effort in helping those in the community who
are in need of education, employment and housing, mental health and
drug treatment, early intervention, and policing. Rep. Cathcart presented
the tribute to Mr. Lewis in his Legislative Hall office. |
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| State
House Majority Leader Richard Cathcart, State Rep. Greg Lavelle, State
Sen. Charles Copeland and State Rep. Greg Hastings hold a press conference
at Legislative Hall to announce legislation they are sponsoring to
improve professional conduct. |
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| State
Sen. Liane Sorenson (R-Hockessin) and State House Majority Leader
Richard Cathcart (R-Middletown) were part of a group of General Assembly
lawmakers who expressed disappointment in Gov. Minner’s final
State of the State Address on January 17, 2008. |
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| Rep.
Cathcart (left) with Tony Davila (right), Director of the Delaware
Commission of Veterans Affairs at an event outside Legislative Hall
in May in which Korean War veteran Harry Starkey of Hartly received
a check for $2,000 to be used for purchasing furnishings for the new
Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. More than a dozen state representatives
and senators, including Rep. Cathcart, made personal donations to
the fundraising effort. Mr. Starkey is slated to be a future Veterans
Home resident. |
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Rep.
Cathcart (fourth from right) and other area legislators recently attended
a dedication event at the new St. Georges Technical High School. According
to the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District, the new high school,
which can accommodate up to 1,000 students, opened in November 2006
with a freshman class of approximately 280 students. Also pictured
(from left): Rep. Vince Lofink, Rep. Joe Miro, Rep. Bethany Hall-Long,
Senator Dave Sokola, Rep. Bruce Ennis, Rep. Mike Mulrooney, Speaker
Terry Spence and Senator Steve Amick.
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| Rep.
Cathcart (front row) welcomes senior staff from Wilmington College
during a visit to Legislative Hall recently. Also pictured (second
from left in back row): Rep. Cathcart's daughter, Nicole Romano, who
works in the Human Resources Department at Wilmington College. |
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| Rep.
Cathcart (left) and Tim Olinda, a computer lab teacher at Cedar Lane
Elementary, observe a student working in the lab. Rep. Cathcart led
the successful effort to secure $4 million in state funds to allow
the Appoquinimink School District to end its use of portable classroom
trailers at the Cedar Lane and Silver Lake Elementary Schools and
Redding Middle School. |
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| Rep.
Cathcart was honored by the Appoquinimink Education Association this
past Fall for his continued efforts to support public education. Also
pictured (from left): Ana Anderson (Appoquinimink Education Association
Co-President), Dottie Burkley (AEA Vice-President) and Veronique Thomas
(Appoquinimink Educational Support Professionals President). |
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Second
Lieutenant Katie Ewing (left), Deputy Commander of the Delaware
Air National Guard Cadet Squadron of the Delaware Civil Air Patrol
(CAP), and Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Egry (right), Vice Commander
of the Delaware Wing of the CAP, presented Rep. Cathcart with an
award of appreciation for his long-time support of the Civil Air
Patrol. The Delaware Civil Air Patrol, made up of volunteers, is
the official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force whose main function
is to assist in emergency and disaster-related missions.
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| Representative
Cathcart, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, addresses
a rally on the steps of Legislative Hall in support of funding aVeteran's
Home in Delaware. |
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| Dick Cathcart,
joined by fellow legislators and members of the many veterans organizations,
celebrate the funding of our Veteran's Home. |
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| Representative
Dick Cathcart welcomes poultry industry pioneer Frank Purdue to Legislative
Hall. |
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