PHOTO RELEASE: Rep. McBride Highlights the People and Projects Strengthening the First State

WILMINGTON, Del. - Over the past several days, U.S. Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.) traveled across Delaware to celebrate the people and projects that help keep the First State strong - from farmers and students shaping the future of agriculture, to innovative clean energy projects helping build a more affordable energy future, to the servicemembers who protect our nation. Photos from Rep. McBride's visits can be found here.

Rep. McBride began her travels in Harrington, where she joined the Delaware Future Farmers of America (FFA) for its Annual Fair Awards Breakfast, bringing together hundreds of FFA members, agricultural educators, and industry leaders to celebrate agricultural education and student leadership.

"Agriculture has always been at the heart of Delaware's story, and our future depends on the next generation of farmers, producers, and agricultural leaders," said Rep. McBride. "It was an honor to celebrate the incredible students of Delaware FFA, whose leadership, hard work, and dedication to their communities is keeping the First State's agricultural tradition strong."

She then joined neighbors at the Delaware State Fair, touring the Delaware 4-H exhibits and taking in many of the fair's longstanding traditions.

"The Delaware State Fair is one of my favorite summer traditions because it brings together everything that makes the First State special - our farmers, small businesses, talented artists, and neighbors from every corner of Delaware. It was wonderful to celebrate our agricultural community and the traditions that bring us together year after year," said Rep. McBride.

Rep. McBride then visited Middletown to deliver remarks at the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation's ribbon-cutting ceremony for Delaware's first floating solar array. The project places solar panels on a treatment pond at the Town of Middletown's wastewater treatment facility, generating renewable energy while preserving land and strengthening Delaware's energy future. Local energy projects like this can also help reduce energy costs for Delawareans over the long term.

"This floating solar array shows what's possible when local leaders think creatively about solving big challenges," said Rep. McBride. "By putting existing infrastructure to work in new ways, Delaware is producing more local energy, preserving valuable land, and helping build a cleaner, more affordable energy future for the people we serve."

Rep. McBride concluded her travels in New Castle on Sunday, where she joined the Delaware Air National Guard to honor the 158 Airmen of the 166th Airlift Wing ahead of their deployment in support of Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, a mission that serves as a cornerstone of U.S. stability efforts in the Middle East. She addressed the Airmen and thanked them and their families for their service and sacrifice.

"Behind every deployment are families, friends, and communities making sacrifices alongside those in uniform. It was an honor to thank these Airmen for their service and to let them know that all of Delaware is behind them as they embark on this mission. We will be thinking of them and praying for their safe return," said Rep. McBride.

Photos from Rep. McBride's visits can be found here.

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