Senate honors Jerome Lewis and Delaware State University wrestling team for service and heroism

The Delaware Senate used part of its Jan. 15 floor session to recognize two distinct acts of public service.

Senators paid tribute to Dr. Jerome Lewis and the Jerome R. Lewis legislative fellows program after the reading of House Concurrent Resolution 85. Senator Sekola described Lewis's decades-long contributions to the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration and the General Assembly; former fellows and current staff recounted Lewis's mentorship and the program's role in training legislative aides. "When you're one of Doctor Lewis's students, you're one for life," Kiki Evinger, deputy chief of staff for the caucus and a former fellow, told the chamber.

Separately, the Senate recognized members of the Delaware State University women's wrestling team and their coaches for an off-field act of heroism. Senators described how coaches and student-athletes stopped on I-95 in the early morning to aid the occupants of a disabled BMW, helped a dazed woman into the team van and stayed on scene until emergency responders arrived. Senator Poore told the Senate the team's "quick thinking, grace under pressure, and willingness to step in may have saved a life that night."

Ending: The body adopted the resolution honoring Dr. Lewis by roll call and recessed briefly to allow senators and guests to recognize the honorees; no formal follow-up actions were attached to the resolution.