Press Releases

SANTA FE - Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández invited David Elliot, a Taos resident who stepped up to serve his community throughout the pandemic and helped form the Enchanted Circle Community Organizations Active in Disaster to address challenges facing Taos County, as her virtual guest to President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress today.   

“The American Rescue Plan has put shots in arms, money in pockets, and people back to work. But it’s New Mexicans like David who are the true heroes in our recovery and continue to work tirelessly to help our communities survive and thrive. David’s commitment to serving others is inspiring. His Enchanted Circle of Community Organizations Active in Disasters brought organizations and people together to help businesses and people in need – the Enchanted Circle is what community looks like. I am proud to invite him as my virtual guest to the Presidential Address,” said Leger Fernández

Elliot has been involved in his community as a community organizer and emergency response manager. He has served as a volunteer firefighter, volunteer Fire Chief, and Emergency Management Coordinator for Taos County and Santa Fe County. 

“I’m honored to have been invited as Congresswoman Leger Fernandez’s virtual guest for the President’s address to Congress,” said Elliot. “The Enchanted Circle COAD was born out of the love we hold for our community—a love I know she shares. That love also extends to the countless New Mexicans, businesses, non-profits, and organizations who have donated their time, effort, and money to help our state recover during this extremely difficult time. I feel that I am the Congresswoman’s guest on their behalf.”

THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: HELP IS HERE

100 Days into Congress’s work with President Biden, the American Rescue Plan is delivering shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools and people in jobs. 

SHOTS IN ARMS

• The United States has administered more than 215 million vaccine doses and counting. More than 85 million Americans are fully vaccinated. 
• In New Mexico, 57% of New Mexicans have received at least one dose and 41% are fully vaccinated. 
• The American Rescue Plan also recently sent $6 billion to local Community Health Centers to help them distribute vaccines. New Mexico received over $70 million to support 16 health centers. 

MONEY IN POCKETS

• About 159 million stimulus payments have made their way into the hands of hardworking Americans with most eligible families receiving $1,400 per family member. 
• Over 18 million Americans are able to pay their bills due to unemployment benefits that were extended, including the extra $300 per week. 

CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS

• The American Rescue Plan invested $130 billion to help schools reopen safely, stay open safely and make up for lost learning time. 
• The American Rescue Plan also recently sent $39 billion to states to help keep childcare providers on the job and lower costs for working families. New Mexico received over $320 million. 

PEOPLE IN JOBS

• The economy created nearly 1 million jobs in March. In fact, “Job growth boomed in March at the fastest pace since last summer, as stronger economic growth and an aggressive vaccination effort contributed to a surge in hospitality and construction jobs,” according to CNBC. 

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