Representative Joe Sestak | Representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania

Date Announced for Business Procurement Summit: As Vice-Chairman of the Small Business Committee, Congressman Sestak will host the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania Business Procurement Summit on December 3, 2007, and will be joined by keynote speakers Congressman John Murtha (PA-12), Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Defense Subcommittee, and Congressman Ike Skelton (MO-4), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. The Congressmen will join leaders of the district’s business and working community, and will discuss the Federal Supply Schedule, government subcontracting, proposal writing and other issues of import to business owners, purchasing agents, government officials and a wide range of non-profit organizations. The summit will be held at the Springfield Country Club from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration information for the Business Procurement Summit is available online at www.sestak-procurement-summit.org.

First Reponders and the ‘Dignity of Danger’: October is home to Fire Prevention Week, and last month Congressman Sestak marched in Upper Darby’s Fire Prevention Parade and the Delco Fireman Association’s Parade (among others), spoke at the Tinicum Township Firehouse Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and gave remarks at the Collingdale Fire Company’s 101st Anniversary Banquet. While speaking to a crowd at the Brookhaven Fire Company's new building dedication ceremony, he noted, “There is something that sets first responders apart from other professions … We ask these men and women who serve as our first responders to place their lives in harms way for our community.” Congressman Sestak recently introduced the Christopher Kangas Fallen Firefighter Fairness Act, H.R. 2224, to bring equity to fire fighter benefits, regardless of age or status as an apprentice or trainee.

Mental Health Parity: Congressman Sestak is at the forefront of legislation that supports mental health parity, from his push to pass the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act to his successful amendments offering mental health parity to returning veterans. Last month, the Congressman visited Mirmont Treatment Center in Lima as part of his plan to visit all local behavioral and mental health organizations in order to best represent the interests of patients and their caregivers through legislation that brings equity to the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse. In addition, he attended the Arc of Delaware County’s Annual Legislative Breakfast, where he spoke on federal initiatives to support the intellectually and developmentally disabled.

Preparation for Summit on Violence in our Community: If you follow the Congressman around on any given weekend, you will likely to find him visiting a church, synagogue, mosque, or other local community of faith. Sestak makes these weekly stops to talk not only about the values and service exemplified in the lives of congregants, but also to gather their opinions and counsel on issues of utmost importance, particularly violence in our community. While at a Sunday morning visit to the Drexel Hill Baptist Church, the Congressman noted, “Few issues are more important to local communities than addressing violence. Our houses of worship, as pillars of the community, along with government are looked to by the community to help combat that violence and its root causes. That is why, in the coming months, I will be hosting a summit that brings together the leaders of all faiths as well as law enforcement and other civic leaders for a summit on community violence.” Topics that will be addressed at the district summit will range from gun crime and school violence to issues centered on religious and ethnic intolerance.

District Roundtable: This October, Congressman Sestak held a roundtables in the district devoted to breast cancer treatment and research. His discussion with breast cancer survivors and patient care advocates centered on the challenges to appropriate care faced by patients, family members, and treatment providers, and explored needed changes in legislation. Since taking office in January 2007, Congressman Sestak has made breast cancer treatment and research a top priority, and was a leading supporter of Congressional action to increase the National Institute of Health budget for breast cancer treatment from $585 million to $650 million in FY ‘08. In addition, he signed a Colleague letter requesting that the Department of Defense increase its budget for breast cancer research from $127 million to $150 million.

Legislative Highlights

Bipartisan Resolution for Iraq: Congressman Sestak introduced the Bipartisan Resolution for Iraq (H.R. 3863) on October 17. The bill provides a strategic approach to the war in Iraq to enhance the national security interests of the United States both at home and abroad, while ensuring the safety of the United States Armed Forces and ensuring stability in Iraq and the Middle East. Congressman Sestak’s resolution, which highlights the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S., Iraq, Iran, and Syria, calls for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces serving in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom must begin within three months of the date of enactment. Within six months of the date of enactment, troop levels are to be at 15,000 below pre-surge level of 130,000 troops. Furthermore, the bill calls for the redeployment of troops serving in Iraq to locations within the Middle East or Southwest Asia regions or to other regions or nations, or returned to the United States. This redeployment is expected to take between 15 and 24 months. Read more about the Bipartisan Resolution for Iraq.

SCHIP: Congressman Sestak recently voted to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 976, which would have extended and expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, bringing health care, dental insurance, and mental health parity to American children from low- and middle-income families. SCHIP currently covers 6.6 million children, and the Congressman and his colleagues in the House wanted to extend this coverage to 3.4 more needy children. Although the House could not override the presidential veto, Congressman Sestak will continue to work for a compromise on the legislation—which is set to expire this month—that will ensure that 6.6 million children will continue their coverage under SCHIP and will provide health insurance to as many of the 3.4 million uninsured American children as possible that would have been covered under H.R. 976. He will continue to fight for health care for every American child. Read more about SCHIP and the Congressman’s fight to pass this legislation.

Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act: Congressman Sestak recognizes that the United States must not only be protected from international terrorism, but also from terrorism that emanates from U.S. soil. To that end, he voted in support of the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, H.R. 1955. Among other measures, the legislation calls for the creation a National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Ideologically-Based Violence, establishes a “Center for Excellence” to study violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism, and calls on the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and other relevant federal agencies to conduct a survey of methodologies used by key allies to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in their nations. Read more about the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.

Early Warning and Health Care for Workers Affected by Globalization Act: Congressman Sestak recently noted that some 3 million American workers lose their jobs each year through no fault of their own. To support these workers, he voted for the Early Warning and Health Care for Workers Affected by Globalization Act (HR 3796), which passed in the House Education and Labor Committee, of which Sestak is a member. The legislation will ensure that workers have a longer period of time to prepare for imminent job loss and it will provide workers with the education and information they need before they find themselves unemployed and unsure of what to do next. In addition, this bill will provide more advanced notice of a plant closing or layoff, requiring employers to provide employees with a 90-day notice of mass layoffs and plant closures and to inform employees of benefits and services that would help them with an impending job loss. Furthermore, the act extends the time period that workers can continue their COBRA health coverage at their own expense at cheaper group rates. Read more about this legislation, and Congressman Sestak’s stance on it.

The War Profiteering Prevention Act: Congressman Sestak voted in support of H.R. 400, the War Profiteering Prevent Act, which makes it a federal crime to commit fraudulent acts involving the provision of goods or services in connection with a mission of the U.S. government overseas. Under the legislation, war profiteering becomes a federal felony, subject to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million or twice the illegal profits of the crime. Read more about preventing war profiteering.