Schumer makes it 25 straight years of visiting all 62 NY counties
Senator was in Albion on Aug. 1 to highlight an effort to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. from China and Mexico
Photo by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer speaks in the Orleans County legislative chambers on Aug. 1, discussing federal efforts to sanction China and Mexico for spreading fentanyl in U.S. Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone, at right, said fentanyl “is the worst crisis we have in the country today.”
Charles Schumer isn’t letting his increased demands as U.S. Senate majority leader keep him from seeing all 62 counties in the state.
Schumer for the 25th straight year met with officials in all 62 counties. He said he goes to the fur largest upstate cities – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany – at least monthly.
Schumer was in Orleans County on Aug. 1 when he held a news conference with Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone to highlight the dangerous flow of fentanyl into the United States. Cardone said fentanyl “is the worst crisis we have in the country today.”
Schumer discussed federal efforts to sanction China and Mexico for spreading fentanyl in U.S.
In Orleans County, as of Aug. 1, there have been 23 fatal drug overdoses since 2019 and Genesee County has 53 fatal opioid overdoses during that time. Of those overdoses, 64 of the 76 or 84 percent involve fentanyl, said Paul Pettit, director of the public health departments in Orleans and Genesee counties.
Schumer, in a news conference with reporters today, said he has made more than 4,500 visits to upstate communities and Long Island in his career. He pledged to see all 62 counties again next year.
“25 years ago, I made the promise to visit every county, but little did I know that this tradition would bring me across our great state over 4,500 times,” Schumer said. “From Buffalo to Brooklyn, meeting with New Yorkers from every walk of life on my tour is what inspires me, it is how I learn, and it is what motivates me every day in Washington.”
Schumer reached the 62-county goal on Monday after going to Columbia County.
“This was a landmark year, and one of my most meaningful tours, as we got to see firsthand many of the historic investments we made from my CHIPS & Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and more really start to bloom,” he said. “We have delivered billions for long overdue infrastructure projects from roads to broadband, new cutting-edge industry and thousands of good paying jobs coming back from overseas to Upstate NY. All of that would not be possible without the knowledge and motivation I gain from the people I meet on the 62 county tour.”
Among the economic development highlights in his report, Schumer cited a commitment by Edwards Vacuum to invest $300 million to build a 600-job U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility at the STAMP site in Genesee County to supply the semiconductor industry.
Schumer was at Baxter International in August 2022 to highlight the company’s micro-chip shortage. Schumer said there was success with that problem this year when Baxter’s infusion pumps were classified as in “critical need” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Schumer said he also began working with Texas Instruments, one of Baxter’s primary chip suppliers, to help prioritize components for the Baxter medical devices. After months of work, Baxter confirmed that Schumer’s support was successful and the company has the necessary chips to produce their infusion pump technology and preserve the company’s 300-person workforce.
“God gave me a lot of energy,” Schumer said. “Many people said that when I became majority leader, I wouldn’t have time for the 62 county tour, but even though I carry a bigger title in Washington and I now have to lead international trips on diplomacy, my favorite two titles will always be New York’s senator and a New Yorker. After 25 incredible years of traveling the state, I have no plans of slowing down anytime soon, and I look forward to continuing this tradition again next year.”
In recent years some of Schumer’s stop in Orleans County included:
- Aug. 11, 2022, Schumer met with company leaders at Baxter International in Medina, where the company was concerned about a microchip shortage. Schumer touted federal legislation to boost microchip manufacturing in the United States. During a news conference, he held up a Baxter infusion pump which requires 70 microchips.
- Aug. 16, 2021, Schumer held a news conference in Holley’s Public Square with local elected officials to highlight $8 million in American Rescue Plan funds going to Orleans and Niagara counties to close high-speed internet gaps.
- On Nov. 19, 2020, Schumer held a press conference at Medina Memorial Hospital to highlight his push for federal funds to be released for more Covid testing sites, especially in rural communities like Orleans.
- On Nov. 27, 2019, Schumer visited Miller’s Organic Hemp Farm on Route 98 in Carlton to discuss the emerging hemp industry and the need for federal government to improve regulations for sampling and testing hemp. Terry and Gina Miller hosted Schumer’s visit to their farm.
- Schumer was at the Village of Holley Police Department on Aug. 24, 2018 when he was in Orleans County. He launched a push to pass the “Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act” as part of a package of bills to address the opioids crisis across Upstate New York and the United States.
- The senator stopped in Kendall on Oct. 9, 2017 at the Eagle Creek Marina to highlight a push for federal funds for infrastructure updates that will improve Great Lakes fisheries and restore habitats through the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act.
- On Nov. 11, 2016, Schumer joined Nelson Leenhouts, chairman and CEO of Home Leasing, to discuss the importance of keeping federal tax incentives for redeveloping historic sites, including the former Holley High School. Those tax credits were an importance piece in allowing Home Leasing to complete the $17 million renovation. Schumer also observed Veterans Day at the Holley VFW earlier that day.
- Anthony Piedimonte Farms in Hulberton hosted Schumer on June 29, 2015 to discuss a June 9 computer crash of the federal system that processes temporary farm-working visas. Schumer joined local farmers and urged the U.S. Department of State to fix the computer glitch. That computer crash created a backlog of stalled applications and prevented farms across the state from accessing legal temporary workers to harvest their crops.
- Aug. 14, 2014, Schumer was in Holley at the former Diaz Chemical, where he pressed the federal EPA to continue a Superfund cleanup.
