Interim 2021
When session ended in Annapolis in April 2021, Delegate Rachel Jones got to work in the community. In Prince George's, Jones celebrated the grand opening of the new University of MD Capital Region Medical Center in Largo. Access to quality healthcare across the region is key to a thriving community. She joined State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy for the Our Streets, Our Future rally to discuss gun violence prevention and encourage the community to support gun safety measures and stand up against gun crimes.
The Prince George's County Farm Bureau hosted a farm tour for the Prince George's County Delegation. We toured several farms, including Robin Hill Farm in District 27B and saw firsthand the value of the hard work our farmers put in to feed our community. She joined Councilman Sydney Harrison in Brandywine for his Health Fair along with Delegate Susie Proctor. Delegate Jones paid a visit to resident Valerie Edwards in Upper Marlboro to present her with a citation for being a good samaritan and saving an elderly neighbor's life when a fire started in her kitchen, and she passed out while attempting to crawl out the kitchen door.
Council Chairman Calvin Hawkins invited Jones to join the Prince George's County Re-Entry Advisory Board to formulate strategies for residents returning to the community from incarceration. As the Vice President of the Board of Directors of Farming 4 Hunger since 2018, Jones has worked with men in the MD Department of Corrections pre-release program and has worked to try to help find employment and post release resources for returning citizens. Jones worked with stakeholders across the county to identify partners and solutions to help give returning citizens a second chance.
In Calvert, Delegate Jones joined environmental groups at the annual Patuxent River Wade In to measure the clarity and health of the Patuxent River. Her commitment to working with advocates to clean our Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River an protect our natural resources is strong. The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department held the grand opening of the new firehouse and Jones was pleased to be there to support first responders in their upgraded facility that will allow them to better serve the community.
We lost former County Commissioner Mike Moore last year. The NAACP was given space to honor him as the second African American County Commissioner with an honorary bench in the courtyard at the County Courthouse. Jones was pleased to be a part of the ceremony to reflect on Moore's contribution to the community. He is deeply missed.
In addition to the above, Jones participated in countless community events, nonprofit celebrations, hosted a back-to-school backpack giveaway in both counties, a holiday food drive with the Prince George's County House Delegation, and regularly distributes food with the nonprofit Operation Earnie's Plate throughout District 27B. Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day and other holidays were spent honoring those who've served our country and those being recognized. She held meetings with stakeholders to prepare legislation for the 2022 Legislative Session in Annapolis.