E-Newsletter - March 2008

Op-Ed

News from Congressman Joe Sestak

E-Newsletter - March 2008

Congressman Sestak recently voted in Washington on important pieces of legislation that will provide for mental health parity, address Congressional ethics and create fiscal responsibility in the House. While at home in Pennsylvania, the Congressman hosted an Antiviolence Summit, continued to speak out about the FAA's unsafe airspace redesign plan, and visited the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Here, read more about these and other events and initiatives undertaken by Congressman Sestak.

*For the most complete and up-to-date information on Congressman Sestak's work in Washington and in the 7th Congressional District, please visit http://sestak.house.gov

Around the 7th

* FAA Airspace Redesign: On February 20, Congressman Sestak held a press conference with Don Chapman, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association at the Philadelphia International Airport, regarding unsafe procedures used by the Federal Aviation Administration during departures at the airport. Congressman Sestak pointed to new headings that have been implemented by the FAA at the Philadelphia International Airport, where pilots are routinely directed to ignore standard departure instructions, and are risking the safety and well-being of the passengers. Congressman Sestak further added that the FAA is implementing changes in an unsafe manner—on runways just as a pilot is about to take off or taxiing—at a time where unsafe runway conditions have actually increased in the past year. Early the next week he held a follow up press conference with Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ - 01) to address the "rogue" comments made by FAA spokesman Jim Peters who noted that those air traffic controllers who felt that FAA procedures were unsafe should "look for work elsewhere."

* Summit: Congressman Sestak hosted the 7th Congressional District Religious/Community Anti-Violence Summit at Collenbrook United Church in Drexel Hill on February 21. The Congressman has been focused on the summit since he took office in January 2007, and has made frequent visits to churches, synagogues, mosques, and other local communities of faith to gather their opinions and counsel on issues of utmost importance, particularly local violence. The summit featured panel discussions by local experts, law enforcement officers, religious and community leaders who discussed the role of violence in our community and how various interfaith and community organizations can partner with elected officials to reduce it.

Congressman Sestak's second annual Veterans Summit will be held on May 12 at a location to be determined. Registration begins at 5:30 pm and the event will conclude at 9. The Congressman invites all veterans and their families to attend. More information will follow in next month's issue.

* Addressing the Delco Chamber of Commerce: Congressman Sestak addressed the Delaware County Chamber of Congress during its annual Federal Forum. Sestak emphasized his plan to "bring Washington to the District," noting that in the past 14 months he has convened more than a dozen major summits and town hall meetings designed to engage constituents, subject matter experts, and legislators in a continuous dialogue of his district's needs. His legislative efforts have resulted in Majority Leader Steny Hoyer naming him the most productive freshman member of Congress in terms of legislation.

* Higher Education and Workforce Development Advisory Committee: Congressman Joe Sestak convened a meeting of his Higher Education and Workforce Development Advisory Committee, which was established to facilitate two-way communications between the Congressman and higher education and workforce development stakeholders in the 7th Congressional District and Greater Philadelphia region. During the meeting, the group discussed recent legislative advances—such as the Higher Education and Opportunity Act—and drafted proposals designed to further increase opportunities for post-high-school education, thus creating a more powerful American workforce. Since taking office in January 2007, Congressman Sestak has visited area colleges and technical institutions, hosted summits on higher education and advanced training, and worked hard to pass legislation that will enhance the educational opportunities of students in the district. This Committee complements those efforts through a regular forum that offers the Congressman a first hand appreciation for the scope and breadth of educational issues facing the 7th Congressional District.

* Greater Philadelphia Fast 50s: Congressman Sestak, Vice Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, visited four of the Greater Philadelphia region's fast-growing technology companies in the King of Prussia area. These companies received a designation as one of Deloitte & Touche's Greater Philadelphia Technology Fast 50, an annual awards program that ranks technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies located in the region by percentage revenue growth over five years. The Congressman visited Maxwell Systems, Liquid Hub, Med Risk and Beyond.com

* Opportunities for Young People: There are many exciting opportunities in the Congressman's offices for the youth of the 7th Congressional District. First, for those entering their junior or senior year of high school, there is an opportunity to compete for a U.S. House Page position (applications are due by April 4). Second, for high school juniors, there will be an event at the Valley Forge Military Academy & College with representatives of each of the service academies. And finally, for high school and college students, there are opportunities to intern in the District Office in Media, while college students can apply for an internship in the Washington D.C. Office. Information about these opportunities can be found at http://www.sestak.house.gov/services.shtml or email pa07events@mail.house.gov.

In Legislation

* Providing Mental Health Parity: Congressman Sestak voted for the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, H.R. 1424, a piece of legislation he co-sponsored that will close loopholes that allow health plans to charge higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket limits and impose lower day and visit limits on mental health and addiction care. The Congressman stated: "While mental illness is the leading disability in America, facing an estimated one in four adults over the age of 18, our country has not made the same investments in mental health as physical health. This is why I am proud to support and co-sponsor H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act."

* Creating Energy Tax Credit: Congressman Sestak voted for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 2008, H.R. 5351. The legislation provides long-term incentives to expand production of homegrown fuels, encourages manufacturers to build appliances that push the boundaries of efficiency, supports the deployment of renewable energy, helps working families purchase energy-efficient appliances, and provides energy production tax credits for the use of solar panels, small wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps.

* Demanding Fiscal Responsibility: Congressman Sestak voted for H. Con. Res. 312, the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009. The budget resolution is a fiscally responsible investment to domestic programs, including education, children's health care, veterans' health care, and innovation. Furthermore, the Budget accommodates tax relief for middle-income Americans and provides robust security and defense funding. This budget rejects the Bush legacy of growing debt, weakened economy, deficit-financed tax agenda, and underinvestment of vital health, education, and economic development programs. "I am particularly concerned about the effects of the President's Budget to residents of the 7th District and Pennsylvania," said Congressman Sestak. "In many programs, Pennsylvania suffers some of the deepest cuts made in the President's Budget. This budget rejects the incessant underinvestment of the Bush Administration."

Special Notes

* Congressman Sestak earned a perfect 100 percent marking from the 2007 Children's Defense Fund Action Council on their Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard that tallied how well members of Congress protected America's children. The Congressman scored well above the House average, which was 66 percent.

* Congressman Sestak also earned a perfect 100 percent marking on the League of Conservation Voter's 2007 National Environmental Scorecard. He was one of only two Pennsylvania federal lawmakers to receive this score.

* On February 17, 2009, U.S. television channels will all begin broadcasting in digital signals to provide viewers with higher quality images. If you own an analog television set that receives service by means of an antenna, you will need to attach a small digital-to-analog converter box to your TV. All U.S. households are eligible to receive up to two $40 coupons to go toward the purchase of up to two of these boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a federal government agency, is in charge of the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov. The government also has set up a 24-hour hotline to take coupon requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). For general information about the DTV Transition and what you may need to do to prepare for it, visit the Federal Communications Commission's website http://www.dtv.gov/ or call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).

* Cradles to Crayons is a new charitable organization in the region that provides fee essential items needed by children living in poverty from birth to age 12 throughout the region through existing social service agencies. Schools, youth groups, and community organizations are always needed to provide the volunteer support that this model requires. For young people and the schools and organizations they belong to, the service learning and youth service engagement opportunities for all age groups are very exciting and impactful, and can be undertaken in their own community or at C2C's "Clubhouse for Community Service" in Horsham. Check out the website at www.cradlestocrayons.org

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