Patrick Leahy

Senator Leahy Presents Pomerleau Medal Of Honor At The Queen City Police Foundation Breakfast

On May 21, Senator Leahy presented the Antonio B. Pomerleau Medal of Honor to Sally Borden, Executive Director of the KidSafe Collaborative of Chittenden County, at the Queen City Police Foundation Breakfast in Burlington. The Medal is presented each year to a member of the community who works to promote public safety in partnership with law enforcement, youth organizations, and members of their community.

The KidSafe Collaborative works to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect in Chittenden County. The annual Queen City Police Foundation Breakfast falls this year just days after the conclusion of National Police Week. Senator Leahy has long been a champion of support programs and funding to help law enforcement and public safety initiatives.

Click here to learn more about Senator Leahy's work on law enforcement issues. »

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Honors Senator Leahy With Congressional Leadership Award

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to managing and preserving the Appalachian Trail, presented Senator Leahy with its Congressional Leadership Award on May 17 at its Annual Awards Gala. The award, which was also presented to Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, is given each year to congressional leaders who exemplify what it means to protect America's forests and wildlife.

Above, Senator Leahy and his wife Marcelle are pictured at the Awards Gala. Photo courtesy of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Click here to read more about Senator Leahy's work to protect forestland. »

At Vermont Law Day Event, Senator Leahy Speaks About The Rule Of Law In The United States

On May 4, Senator Leahy attended the Vermont Bar Association's Law Day Event at the Vermont Supreme Court in Montpelier. At the event, Senator Leahy gave brief remarks about the ongoing challenge of ensuring that justice is served and that our courts remain independent and fair.

Above, Senator Leahy is pictured outside the Supreme Court building with, from left to right, Vermont Bar Association Executive Director Robert Paolini and Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber. Prior to delivering his remarks, Senator Leahy toured the Supreme Court with Chief Justice Reiber.

Click here to ready Senator Leahy's remarks. »

Senate Committee On Agriculture Approves 2012 Farm Bill

On April 26, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry voted to approve the 2012 Farm Bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act by a vote of 16-5. The bill will be considered by the full Senate next.

Senator Leahy is the Committee's most senior member and led the committee in writing a new dairy program to end the price rollercoaster that periodically roils Vermont’s dairy farmers and consumers. Senator Leahy also led in improvements to the bill’s sections on conservation, nutrition, organics and other agriculture issues important to Vermont.

Above, Senator Leahy prepares to markup the 2012 Farm Bill in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Click here to learn more about the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012. »

Senate Passes Leahy-Authored Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

The Senate has passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), a bill introduced by Senator Leahy and Senator Crapo of Idaho in November of 2011. The Senate voted 68-31 in support of the legislation on April 26. The bill will further strengthen and improve programs authorized under the landmark law to assist victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Click here to learn more about VAWA. »

Leahy Center For Lake Champlain Continues To Expand

On March 24, Senator Leahy joined staff, board members, and guests of the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain to officially open the Lakeside Pavilion, a new 5900 square foot multipurpose space on the very edge of Lake Champlain which will be used for meetings, events, and educational programs.

Senator Leahy is honored to have his name, and his wife Marcelle's, attached to the Leahy Center for the Lake, which is home to: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources of the University of Vermont Ecosystem Science Laboratory, Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room, Lake Champlain Sea Grant Watershed Alliance, and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial.

Above, Senator Leahy and Dave Tilton of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service celebrate the opening of the expansion.

Click here to learn more about Senator Leahy's work for Lake Champlain. »

Featured Issues

The Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was enacted in 1994, and has been the bedrock of the federal government’s response to domestic violence every since.

Education

In Vermont, schools are at the core of what brings our communities together. Vermonters understand the importance of giving our children a quality education and Senator Leahy believes no student should be denied the opportunities of an education because of their family’s financial resources.