Representative Joe Sestak | Representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania

News from Congressman Joe Sestak

E-Newsletter - September 2008

During the past month, Congressman Sestak was hard at work, fulfilling his obligations as a representative by participating in numerous events where he addressed topics of importance to his constituents and provided as many of them as possible with access to him. After the last update in mid-August, the Congressman worked with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to prepare individuals for successful job searches; participated in multiple forums to discuss all facets of the energy issue; discussed the next steps to improving a local small business center; and crisscrossed his District, from Paoli and Bridgeport to Upper Chichester and Upper Darby, reaching out to constituents throughout the area. In addition to the August events mentioned in last month’s newsletter (including his summits that connected hundred of seniors with service organizations and revealed a comprehensive, regional watershed management plan) below are just a few highlights of the Congressman’s efforts.

*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

• Discussing the facts about our energy crisis: After meeting with leaders in the energy industry by convening a roundtable of 30 experts on energy and the environment, and visiting several global alternative fuel companies in his District, Congressman Sestak explained his comprehensive plan to address the financial burden of high fuel costs and the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. At a town hall at which more than 100 interested constituents packed the meeting room of Media Borough Hall the Congressman stressed the importance of developing ways to meet our energy needs that ensured responsible drilling for oil as the nation moved to a clean energy future. The Congressmen enjoyed the opportunity to address his constituents’ concerns about the contentious and important issue of where and how to drill. ,"It is a popular argument to call for opening up certain areas for drilling, but we need to first consider the facts," said Congressman Sestak. ,"Take the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. That area would not yield any oil for ten years and President Bush’s Department of Energy has reported that production there would save consumers less than two cents per gallon in the year 2030.,"
  As the featured speaker at a Marple Library Forum, the Congressman highlighted the positive impact that an environmentally-sound energy policy can have on our economy. ,"At a press conference held for me by the Sierra Club, I asked to have a Radnor businessman beside me to highlight the number of ways that we can stimulate our economy by making energy investments that help the environment,," said Congressman Sestak. ,"In 2006 alone, the renewable energy and efficiency industries generated 8.5 million jobs and nearly $970 billion in revenue in the United States, showing that the development of alternative energy technologies is not only a long term solution to our dependence on foreign oil – which will improve our national security – but also a proven method of increasing our prosperity.,"


• Addressing health care costs in the short and long term:
  With 47 million Americans uninsured, at least 16 million underinsured and health care costs on the rise, Congressman Sestak held a community forum to address the importance of making coverage less expensive and more effective. Speaking at the West Chester Senior Center, the Congressman outlined ways he has worked to increase services for small businesses, seniors, children, veterans, and hospitals. “One policy for which I have advocated is improving the quality and increasing the quantity of preventative care services,” said Congressman Sestak. “By diagnosing illnesses early, we not only have a better chance of helping people overcome a disease, but we also can avoid the costs of major operations, such as amputations for a diabetic.” To improve preventative care, Congressman Sestak has strongly supported the CHAMP Act that eliminates co-payments and deductibles for preventive services, including offering free initial preventive physical exams, mammograms, screening tests for glaucoma and tests for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and diabetes.
  For a long term solution, the Congressman mentioned that he is closely watching the results of the system enacted in Massachusetts, where the state government worked in a bipartisan way to mandate participation in the health care system to drive down costs, and allow small businesses to band together as large bargaining units to negotiate lower premiums from private insurers. “It is this kind of bipartisan approach that we need to take at the federal level to find viable solutions because we cannot accept that any American is unable to afford – and have – health care,” said Congressman Sestak.


• Providing resources for local businesses:
  Congressman Sestak has worked to enhance the small business climate in his District by giving local companies better access to resources. As part of this effort, the Congressman, who is Vice Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, advocated for and won $282,000 for the Delaware County Community College Small Business Solution Center through the federal appropriations process. These resources will allow the college to enhance its programs that assist aspiring and existing small business owners with a wide range of activities including marketing, planning, and financing. “Small businesses are responsible for more than 70 percent of job creation across the country,” said Congressman Sestak, who presented the check to College President Dr. Jerry Parker. “I am taken by Delaware County Community College’s efforts to vitalize our region by supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and I look forward to continuing to partner with the school.”


• Helping constituents prepare for a more effective job search:
  To best equip individuals in our region with the practical skills needed for a job search, Congressman Sestak and the state agency PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) collaborated to present a free Job Search Strategies and Interview Skills Workshop at Upper Darby High School. The event began with remarks from the Congressman on the need to develop a workforce that is prepared to succeed in an era of extraordinary technological advancement. The fair also included a panel discussion with area business leaders and human resources professionals, as well as individual attention during breakout sessions with job search experts, such as the vice president of training and development from a consulting group, a career advisor from Delaware County Community College, and presidents of local businesses. “The communications and networking advice provided at this event is critical for applying to new jobs and succeeding in secured jobs,” said Congressman Sestak. “It was great to have an event that allowed my constituents to interact one-on-one with employers for pragmatic advice”


• Recognizing our first responders:
  Congressman Joe Sestak participated in a moving ceremony in honor of John Anderson, the first Philadelphia firefighter killed in the line of duty outside the city limits. The ceremony took place in Upper Darby, across the street from the site of the fatal fire that caused a wall to collapse on Anderson on August 8, 1918. The Congressman joined Anderson’s relatives, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, and Vice President of Philadelphia’s local firefighters’ union, Ray Clothier, for the ceremony. “Our nation’s firefighters put their lives on the line for their fellow citizens on a daily basis, and our nation owes them a debt of gratitude,” said Congressman Sestak. “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to honor Mr. Anderson and the many other local men and women who have put service before self, sacrificing for the safety of their community.” To honor our nation’s first responders Congressman Sestak cosponsored the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteers Efforts Act. The SERVE Act ensures that volunteer firefighters, who represent approximately 75 percent of the nation’s firefighters, are able to serve their community to the best of their ability. The $1000 tax credit for volunteer firefighters and EMS crew members will serve as an important recruitment tool for local groups and can help offset the cost of the many calls and training sessions that volunteers attend on their own time and at their own expense.


• Honoring fire company’s 100 years of service:
  Congressman Joe Sestak presented a Congressional Citation to Joe LoCasale, president of the all-volunteer Oaks Fire Company, to recognize the service the company’s firefighters have provided to Upper Providence and surrounding municipalities for the last century. “As Route 422 has become a major transportation and commercial artery, the scope and scale of the Oaks Fire Company’s responsibilities have increased dramatically; however, so to has the volunteer spirit of this community,” said the Congressman in his citation. “Oaks 63 has established a reputation as one of the most capable organizations of its kind in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It gives me great pleasure to honor all who serve and have served in this extraordinary fire company and wish you a second century of excellence in service.”


• Traveling the District:
  Congressmen Sestak took advantage of many opportunities to interact with residents of the District at informal events. For example, he marched in a parade and attended the annual late summer carnival in Upper Chichester, enjoyed the Tinicum fireworks, spent time at community days in Sharon Hill and Chadds Ford, and joined in the celebration of Bridgeport’s Slovak Festival hosted by St. Augustine’s Church, among other events. “The most important part of my job is being a Representative,” said Congressman Sestak. “Transparency and communication are vital elements of that role and the people throughout my District, from Chadds Ford to Tinicum and Bridgeport, need to know that they have access to me, whether they want to express their opinion about an issue or just show their community pride.”


• Improving the local public transit system:
  Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) and Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-06) presented a $500,000 check to SEPTA, representing funds that they secured through the federal appropriations process, in a bipartisan effort, for the construction of a Paoli Transportation Center. Upon completion, this multi-modal transportation center will connect the bus service in Chester County with local and regional rail destinations such as Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington and New York. The entire project will yield a new inter-modal station, which includes a bus facility, a 1,200 space parking area, reconfiguration of access roads, new sidewalks and crosswalks, and a concourse linking inbound and outbound station platforms for pedestrian convenience. “Advancing our public transportation infrastructure is a critical step towards decreasing our oil dependence, preserving our environment, and establishing reasonable fares for local and regional commutes,” said Congressman Sestak. “We must specifically lessen the burden on our airports and our highways by encouraging greater use of railways and busses through projects such as the one in Paoli.”


• ALERT! Congressman Sestak calls on mental health professionals to volunteer to help returning Veterans:
  Congressman Sestak will host an event in conjunction with Give an Hour and Crozer-Chester Medical Center to provide local mental health professionals information on how they can help soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2005, Give an Hour is a non-profit organization which provides a range of services, including marital therapy, substance abuse counseling, and PTSD treatment, for both returning troops and their families. According to Give an Hour, approximately 40 percent of soldiers, a third of Marines, and half of National Guard Members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report psychological problems. The ultimate goal of the group is to engage ten percent of the nation’s licensed health professionals, or 40,000 people, to make mental health services more accessible to our country’s servicemen and women. The event is scheduled for Friday October 10, 2008 at 10:45AM in Crozer-Chester Medical Center’s auditorium.

Special Notes:

• Benefits for Vets and Surviving Spouses in Nursing Homes: Many Veterans or their surviving spouses living in nursing facilities may be eligible to receive a $90-a-month pension. Federal law allows those who qualify to keep the pension for personal use in addition to a $50-a-month personal needs allowance. The Veteran must reside in a nursing home, be single, use Medicaid and have no dependents. To qualify, the Veteran also must have served at least 90 days or more of active duty including one day or more during a period of war or hostilities. Surviving spouses are entitled to the same $90-a-month benefit, provided they are in a nursing home, on Medicaid, and without dependents. Veterans must submit VA Form 21-526 and a surviving spouse must submit a VA Form 21-534 to apply. All applicants are also required to fill out VA Forms 21-8416 and 21-0779. The VA Form 21-0779 is signed by the nursing home and confirms the patient's level of care and Medicaid status. Copies of those forms are available on the Department of Veterans Affairs website at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/default.asp.


• Service Academy Application Deadline October 17
  The Congressman urges students interested in pursuing a Service Academy education to look into the program further by visiting his website. Those who decide to apply must meet basic eligibility requirements and demonstrate academic, leadership and physical aptitude. The Congressman’s selection committee emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded student, as they are instructed to evaluate the “whole person.” In addition to completing an application, each potential nominee is interviewed by the Congressman’s committee. Accepting a position at a service academy comes with the obligation of serving a minimum of five years in the armed forces upon graduation.
  More information, including a Checklist and the Congressional Nomination Application, is available at http://www.sestak.house.gov/services.shtml. Those with further questions can contact Jason Marmon by calling 610-892-8623. Nomination packets are due to the District Office (600 N. Jackson Street, Suite 203, Media, PA 19063) by October 17, 2008.


• Addressing Heating Costs in Advance (Phone number corrected from July E-Newsletter):
  The Community Action Agency of Delaware County advises that eligible families take advantage of the county’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides quality energy education and home energy conservation modifications that reduce heating bills by an average of 31 percent. Delaware County renters and homeowners who have not had their residences weatherized since September 30, 1993, can apply for the program by contacting the agency at (610) 874-8451.