Amo Brings Advocate for Women in Construction Industry to 2024 State of the Union
Vennicia Kingston is a mentor and champion for women in the building trades
From the Office of Congressman Gabe Amo:
Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) announced that his guest for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday, March 7, 2024 will be Vennicia Kingston, CEO of Eagle Eye Post Construction Services, which offers construction laborers, cleaning, and site-support services. Kingston is a member of the Local 271 Laborers’ Union and has spent the last decade being a mentor and advocate for women in the construction industry, including serving as the Co-Chair of the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Women’s Council. In January, Kingston received the Community Service Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission in recognition of her many contributions to the community and her support for the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“It is my honor to announce that I have invited Vennicia Kingston as my first guest to the State of the Union,” said Congressman Amo. “During my time in government, I have found it important to uplift the voices of those fighting for good wages, fair benefits, a safe working environment, and the right to organize. As a member of a union, small business owner, and advocate for equality in the workplace, Vennicia is a true role model for working Rhode Islanders and all Americans.”
“Tonight, I look forward to hearing President Biden underscore the importance of building a more fair and more free America, where the economy is built from the bottom up and middle out,” Congressman Amo continued. “I expect we will hear the President speak about how Democrats understand that Americans must be able to live, work, and retire with dignity, that people should be able to live in communities safe from gun violence, that we must protect women’s rights, and we must fight the climate crisis to protect our world for future generations. I know the state of our union is stronger because of President Biden’s leadership. I hope the American people will see that record on full display.”
“I want to thank Congressman Amo for asking me to join as a guest for President Biden’s State of the Union Address,” said Vennicia Kingston. “This is an important opportunity to hear directly from the President about how our country is supporting good-paying, union jobs, and supporting the creation of more small businesses in the first two years than ever before. The federal investments being made are helping women and minorities across the construction industry. I am thankful to represent Rhode Island at this year’s address and continue to be an advocate for those in the labor movement.”
Eagle Eye Post Construction is a state-certified woman and minority-owned company that specializes in selective demolition, labor staffing, snow removal and construction clean up services. Since starting Eagle Eye, Kingston has helped create high-paying union jobs, advocated for women and minorities in the construction industry, and served on the boards of local unions, with the goal of opening up opportunities and improving working conditions for women and minorities. In 2023, Kingston was awarded the Member of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Black Business Association for her work advocacy in the construction industry.
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Amo Advances Over $20 Million for Local Rhode Island Projects
From the Office of Congressman Gabe Amo:
Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) voted in support of six fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills that include $20,075,769 in federal Community Project Funding for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.
“I am incredibly grateful former Congressman David Cicilline initiated these projects that I can now carry forward because they will have a profound impact on communities across our First Congressional District,” said Congressman Amo. “The over $20 million in direct federal funding for these projects will make a real difference in the lives of countless Rhode Islanders. Across our great district, these federal investments will expand affordable housing options, improve public safety, revitalize our public spaces, and support the next generation of learners. Despite the delays, I am glad to have voted on a bipartisan resolution on our 2024 budget.”
Congressman Amo moved forward funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Rhode Island’s First Congressional District residents. These include:
- $1,000,000 for Affordable Housing for Victims of Abuse in Rhode Island
- $789,000 for the Children’s Home Rehabilitation Project
- $920,000 for Green Infrastructure Installations at Mashapaug Pond
- $1,000,000 for the Halliwell School Redevelopment Project
- $585,000 for Higher Ground International, Community Programming Rooms Construction
- $486,490 for IT Media Lab and Entrepreneurship Center Build-out
- $689,000 for the Lincoln Emergency Communications Systems Project
- $500,000 for Multi-Purpose Community Center Cass Pond Restoration at Cass Park
- $5,000,000 for Newport Cliff Walk
- $1,666,279 for North Main Street Revitalization
- $500,000 for Pawtucket Library, Sayles Building Re-Pointing
- $850,000 for Renovation of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Islands Cumberland-Lincoln Clubhouse and Grounds
- $3,000,000 for Supportive Housing Expansion
- $2,240,000 for the Town of Warren for Pump Station Upgrades
- $850,000 for Woonasquatucket River Greenway – Smithfield, RI Trail Construction
This package includes the following funding bills for Fiscal Year 2024: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
The text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 is available here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is available here.
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