US Sen. Murphy Meets Faith Leaders In Norwich On Loneliness Epidemic

NORWICH, CT —Tuesday, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy will hold a listening session with faith leaders from the Norwich Area Interfaith Association. The goal is to learn about the group’s efforts to combat loneliness, promote social connection, and create a united and thriving local community.

Earlier this month, Murphy introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act, legislation to create a national strategy to combat America’s epidemic of loneliness and promote social connection in communities across Connecticut and the country.

The bill would create an Office of Social Connection Policy within the White House to work across federal agencies to develop effective strategies to improve quality of life and well-being of our communities. It would also issue national guidelines for social connection similar to existing guidelines on sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. And, would provide funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better understand the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness.

Murphy is set to meet with: David M. Horst, Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation & Chair of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association; City Councilmember Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, Director of the United Sikhs Chapter; Judith Post, Bahá'í Community Representative; Pastor David Holland, Cornerstone City Church; Brenda McDonald, Bahá'í Community Representative; Rev. Eric Heinrich, St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church; Rev. Jacqueline Harvey, First Baptist Church of Norwich; State Sen. Cathy Osten, Interfaith Association Member and Rabbi Julius Rabinowitz, Beth Jacob Synagogue. The listening session is set for 2 p.m., in the Sikh Art Gallery Community Room, 7 Clinic Drive.