State Senator Tony Hwang

Fairfield News: AT&T Makes $10k Donation

State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) participated in a press conference Tuesday as AT&T makes a $10,000 donation to the Newtown Parent Connection.

“I’m ecstatic that AT&T has decided to give this generous grant to such a worthy local nonprofit,” said Sen. Hwang. “Dorrie Carolan and the Newtown Parent Connection are really on the front lines fighting the opiate epidemic in our state. I can’t think of a better recipient for these valuable funds. All the money will go to efficient use right here in the community.”

The Newtown Parent Connection is a local charity devoted to combating substance abuse through education. The organization was founded by Dorrie Carolan, a parent who lost her child to addiction. The organization works in conjunction with town agencies, the police department, the schools, and religious communities to enlighten our community in order to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol among our youth.

City Of Bridgeport Hosts The Mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial

BRIDGEPORT, CT –The City of Bridgeport and The Association of Naval Veterans Port 5 is hosting the world traveled Vietnam Veterans Memorial ‘The Wall that Heals’. ‘The Wall that Heals’ is a mobile half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C. built by The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. through Sunday at Seaside Park.

The wall was opened to the public on Friday with a ceremony that opened with a Huey Helicopter Eagle One from the Stratford Police Department. State Senator Tony Hwang reminded the audience that freedom is never free. City Council Member Tom McCarthy delivered remarks on behalf of Mayor Joe Ganim who is currently out of the country. McCarthy said that when the Vietnam Veterans returned home a part of them stayed there, but when they came home they received dismissal from the public. Vietnam Veteran Tom Balog of Trumbull said the veterans were disrespected and spit on. Balog said he was fortunate to not personally experience that type of treatment. Bridgeport Vietnam Veteran Jack Lyons said the wall means a lot to him because many veterans lost their lives and he was lucky enough to come back. There were 58,220 American lives lost in the war that lasted over 19 years.

The memorial will be open to the public . through Sunday at 4:00 p.m. and is open 24 hours. There is no admission charge but donations are accepted.

Mayor Ganim Visits Senator Hwang’s Community Diversity Conversation…For A While

#Bridgeport CT– State Senator Tony Hwang along with Reverend Cass Shaw held a Community Diversity Conversation at 7pm Tuesday night at the University of Bridgeport’s Littlefield Recital Hall in the Arnold Bernhard Arts and Humanities Center. About 30 people were in attendance. Mayor Joe Ganim slipped in the back for about fifteen minutes when Senator Hwang acknowledged and welcome the mayor. Members from the audience asked if it was candidate for Governor Ganim which he smiled and shrugged his shoulders. The mayor thanked Senator Hwang and said he had to run to another engagement. City council members were getting an earful at that time from the public at the City Hall with a hearing of the City Council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee’s proposed school district’s $255.9 million budget.

Despite the diverse panel, a majority of the conversation was based on the the LGBT community and LGBT rights. The panel included:

· Peter Wolfgang, Family Institute of CT
· Veasna Roeun, Cambodia-America Alliance
· Rabbi Jim Prosnit, Congregation B’Nai Israel
· Dr. Ahmed Ebrahim, Bridgeport Islamic Community Center
· Leon Smith, Esq., Center for Children’s Advocacy
· Jacey Wyatt, Transgender Community Advocate
· University of Bridgeport International Student Advisors