March 17, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2023

Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov 

News From the District: Congressman Trone Visits Cumberland Prison with BOP Director, Delivers Community Project Funding, and Opens New District Office in Frederick

Rep. Trone delivers $4.8 million in Community Project Funding to the City of Cumberland for Fayette Street Bridge Renovations

CUMBERLAND, MD — This week, Congressman David Trone (D-MD) visited Allegany, Washington, Frederick, and Montgomery Counties to meet with local leaders, deliver crucial funding, open his new Frederick District Office, and promote proven successful reentry services for returning citizens. 

On Wednesday, Trone kicked off his tour by visiting FCI Cumberland with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters to learn more about how he can help address some of the most pressing issues facing America’s federal prison system. Trone is prepared to work with the BOP on everything from staffing shortages to strengthening job-training programs within the prisons. The visit comes just six weeks after Trone announced the launch of his Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force, which aims to improve reentry outcomes and reduce employment barriers for returning citizens.

Next, Trone delivered $4.8 million in Community Project Funding to Cumberland Mayor Raymond Morriss and other city officials to replace the Fayette Street Bridge. The bridge has been largely inoperable since 2018 after it was struck by a CSX train. With this new funding, supported by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, vehicular and EMS traffic will now be allowed to cross the bridge, making life easier and safer for Western Marylanders. 

Trone wrapped up the day by meeting with the Washington County Farm Bureau to discuss issues that must be addressed in the upcoming Farm Bill. Agriculture is the largest commercial industry in Maryland, contributing $8.25 billion annually to the economy. Having grown up on a 200-acre chicken and hog farm, Trone is committed to bringing the voices of local farmers to Washington.

On Thursday, Trone started off the day by opening his new flagship district office in Frederick, located at 30 W. Patrick Street. Over 100 constituents attended the ribbon cutting, as well as Mayor Michael O’Connor, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce President Rick Wheldon, alongside many other local officials. In 2022, Team Trone answered over 31,000 constituent letters, emails, and calls and recovered $4.4 million in unemployment benefits for those in need. 

Trone then visited Frederick Municipal Airport to discuss the recent $5.4 million federal investment that will expand the airport’s runway. Given that the airport is a critical part of Frederick’s local economy, providing more than 1,100 jobs, $101 million in business revenue, and $37 million in local purchases, investing in the airport has never been more important.

Trone wrapped up the day by visiting the Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness to learn more about the programs and services the center provides to families in the community. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Without a doubt, the center’s therapeutic preschool program, parent-child clinical services, and special education programs are lifelines for its students’ future success. 

“I came to Congress to bring compassion, civility, and competence back to Washington — and that’s exactly what we’ve highlighted this week during our district tour. I was proud to deliver crucial funding to Cumberland for a new bridge, open a brand new district office to better serve Marylanders, and meet with local and federal leaders to discuss solutions to the issues facing our state,” said Congressman David Trone. “Whether it’s securing funding for our local airports or working to make meaningful change in our criminal justice system, working together as local, state, and federal leaders is how you get stuff done.”

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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