Declarations – East

Lessons From Irene

“Unfortunately, last year we all saw first-hand the damage a storm could do when Tropical Storm Irene struck New Jersey.”

–N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Ken Kobylowski on the importance of being prepared for potential storms. He is encouraging homeowners to have a plan in place that will keep them safe and protect personal property, including their home and important documents, in the event of a major storm.

Defense of Marriage Act

“The federal district court in New York has now joined a series of court rulings, including those in Massachusetts, that have found the Defense of Marriage Act to be unconstitutional.”

–Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley commenting on a ruling this month by a federal court that declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies federal benefits to married gay couples.

Getting an EDGE

“I remember telling a friend that I wish I’d be given an opportunity, because I knew if I had one, I could succeed.”

–Lorena Martinez, a recent college graduate, speaking after completing The Travelers Companies’ EDGE program, a career development initiative that assists underrepresented students. She is now enrolled in Travelers’ underwriting training program.

Fire in Centralia, Penn.

“The major threat would be infiltration of the fire gases into the confined space of a residential living area.”

–Tim Altares, a geologist with the Dept. of Environmental Protection, on the dangers of the mine fire that continues to burn underneath the town of Centralia, Penn., even after 50 years. Several homeowners remain in the area and still call Centralia their home.