WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday released the following statement after Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki announced he will not seek re-election when his term ends:

“The Mayor has dedicated much of his career to helping Wilmington be successful. He managed our city through some of the most challenging times in recent history, guided by compassion, fairness, and a commitment to doing the right thing. When his term ends next year, he’ll be leaving city government better than he found it, with a professional, efficient city workforce focused on improving the quality of life for Wilmington residents. We’re fortunate to have had Mike Purzycki leading our largest city for the past seven years, and Wilmington is better off because of his service.”

WILMINGTON, Del. – As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, and in concurrence with the President Biden’s order, Governor John Carney has ordered both the U.S. and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until sunset on May 11, 2023.

“Allen, Texas was the latest American town shocked by a terrifying act of gun violence this weekend. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims and to the whole Allen community as they navigate this challenging time,” said Governor Carney. “We’ve seen too many of these incidents and every time we do, it means more lives lost. We need to act. Families should feel safe at their shopping centers, their schools, and in their neighborhoods. As public officials, we have an obligation to keep our communities safe. We’re not waiting to take those steps in Delaware – and I encourage Congress to act on gun safety legislation to curb future tragedies that takes guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them and addresses the mental health crisis in our country.”

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Compassionate Champions ceremony to be held May 17

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney on Friday previewed the events occurring in May 2023 during the 5th Annual Trauma Awareness Month in the State of Delaware, hosted by the Family Services Cabinet Council (FSCC) and Trauma Matters Delaware (TMD).

In 2018, Governor Carney issued Executive Order 24 prioritizing efforts for Delaware to become a trauma informed state and incorporating Trauma Awareness Month as a key initiative.

“Trauma Awareness Month is an opportunity for all of us to engage with our community and learn how to prevent and interrupt cycles of trauma, especially for our children,” said Governor Carney. “A lot has changed since we first recognized Trauma Awareness Month in 2018 and we are grateful to recognize Trauma Awareness Month in Delaware for the fifth year, this year. We thank Trauma Matters Delaware and the many organizations, state agencies, and individuals who are working hard to make Delaware a more trauma-informed state.”

“With this kind of work, which has generational as well as short-term goals, it can be easy to focus on how far there is to go. But on this fifth anniversary of Trauma Awareness Month, it’s also worth remembering how far we’ve come, thanks to so many partners working together in our state,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “It’s an inspiring, collaborative, and essential fight for the future.”

The FSCC and TMD are highlighting a variety of events throughout May, including webinars, movie screenings, and a theme night at a Wilmington Blue Rocks game. Events begin April 25 and run throughout the month of May. A few events include:

• April 28, 2023 –Trauma Awareness theme night at the Wilmington Blue Rocks – 5:35 p.m.
• April 29, 2023– Conference on Moving From Trauma-Aware to Trauma Informed – 9 a.m. at Delaware State University’s MLK Student Center
• May 6, 2023– Film screening of Mister Rogers & Me –  Additional information will be shared on the TMD event calendar
• May 10, 2023– Conversation on “Gun Violence 101” – Online webinar
• May 17, 2023 – Compassionate Champions Award Presentation – Wilmington University’s Dover Campus

The purpose of the Compassionate Champion Award is to recognize outstanding achievement by both individuals and organizations in providing trauma-informed services. Awardees will be recognized from government, community organizations, first responders, education, health care, and other organizations. This year will include the inaugural First Chance award which will go to an outstanding youth from Delaware.

The FSCC and TMD encourage Delaware community organizations to add their own Trauma Awareness Month events to the TMD event calendar. To have events published on TMD’s Trauma Awareness Month calendar, please complete this form.

“We are excited for the fifth-annual Trauma Awareness Month to kick off. This year will include virtual and in-person events, and most importantly, a platform for information-sharing about trauma awareness,” said Erin Mitchell, Executive Director of Trauma Matters Delaware. “After living through a global pandemic, we know mental health is at the front of people’s minds. At Trauma Matters Delaware, our vision is that all people can feel safe, grow beyond adversity and thrive.”

For more information about Trauma Awareness Month events and registration, visit traumamattersdelaware.org/trauma-awareness-month.

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WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney tested positive for COVID-19 late Friday through an at-home antigen test, which he took after experiencing mild symptoms. Governor Carney is currently isolating per the CDC guidelines.

“I’m feeling fine and will work from home,” said Governor Carney. “Also, Go Birds!”

For more information on Coronavirus, visit: de.gov/coronavirus

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney was elected National President of The Council of State Governments (CSG) during the organization’s national conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, last week. His one-year term as CSG National President will begin on January 1, 2023.

CSG is a national, nonpartisan association of all elected and appointed state officials from all three branches of state government. Governor Carney succeeds Hawaii Governor David Ige, who served as CSG National President this year.

“During his tenure as a public servant at the local, state and federal level, Governor Carney has distinguished himself as a problem solver and an innovator. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to bring people together and, as a result, he has made produced impressive results for the people he serves,” said David Adkins, CSG Executive Director and CEO. “We are honored to have the Governor of our nation’s first state lead CSG during the organization’s 90th year.”

Governor Carney took office as Delaware’s 74th Governor in January 2017 and began his second term in January 2021. From 2011 to 2017, he represented Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his election to Congress, he served two terms as Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner, the 72nd Governor of Delaware, served as CSG National President in 2005. Governor Jack Markell, the 73rd Governor of Delaware, also served as CSG National President in 2016.

“I am honored to serve as the National President of The Council of State Governments in 2023,” said Governor Carney. “State leaders focus on getting things done, and it’s important we share best practices and success stories among states, regardless of political party. CSG provides a platform to do just that. I look forward to working with state leaders across the country to advance issues that are important to all of us — making sure we have safe communities, a strong and growing economy, and world-class public schools for all our children.”