SHAHEEN HONORS FIRST RESPONDERS, PROMOTES TOURISM IN HAMPTON

(Hampton, NH)--U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) honored first responders in Hampton Beach this afternoon where she also toured the newly renovated Seashell Pavilion and celebrated Hampton’s 375^th anniversary. Shaheen presented two Congressional Record statements, commending the rescue efforts of Hampton first responders and in celebration of Hampton’s historical and cultural heritage.

“It was an honor to recognize courageous first responders, their bravery, and the work they do to save lives,” Shaheen said at the Hampton Beach Fire Station. “First responders are vital to keeping our communities safe and play a particularly important role along New Hampshire’s Seacoast as they demonstrated just a few weeks ago. They truly are heroes.”

Shaheen’s Congressional Record statement recognized the rescue efforts of the Hampton first-responders, who on the evening of Thursday, July 25, rescued two distressed swimmers off Hampton Beach.  The Hampton firefighters prepared for such rescues partially through Ocean Rescue courses that receive federal funds that Shaheen has supported in the past.  Many New Hampshire firefighters have completed these courses.

This afternoon Shaheen also visited the newly renovated Seashell Oceanfront Pavilion where she highlighted New Hampshire’s robust tourism industry.

“Local officials and businesses across the seacoast have made our 13 mile coast a premier destination,” Shaheen said. “I am going to keep working with our travel and tourism leaders to support New Hampshire’s tourism industry which represents an incredibly important sector of our economy.”

Shaheen also commemorated Hampton’s 375th anniversary with local officials, presenting a Congressional Record statement honoring the anniversary.

Shaheen has promoted tourism in the Senate both nationally and locally. She has cosponsored many pieces of legislation to promote travel and tourism, including the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act, which would clear visa backlogs and make it easier for foreign visitors to travel to the United States. Shaheen also helped to launch Brand USA, which is a private public-partnership responsible for the nation’s first national tourism marketing effort.  

Tourism is one of the top 10 industries in 48 states, supports 14.6 million American jobs and is especially vital to New Hampshire’s economy as the state’s second-largest industry. Shaheen recently welcomed dozens of businesses to the Fourth Annual Experience New Hampshire reception to showcase some of the Granite state’s unique offerings that make it a destination for domestic and international tourist alike.