In This Week's Edition of E-News…

Murphy’s “Buy American” Language Would Have Stopped White House Earmarks

Focus on Soldiers with Presidential Announcement as Region Organizes Blood Drive

Local “Trade Zone” Helps Area Exporters Grow

Stories of Inspiration For Washington County Leaders

Pitt Honors Murphy for Distinguished Community Service

Local Business Tour Emphasizes Need For Infrastructure Repair

Local Communities Secure Competitively-Awarded Grants

Murphy’s “Buy American” Language Would Have Stopped White House Earmarks

The Administration could never have earmarked taxpayer-funded spending and loans to corporations — many of which are guilty of offshoring jobs — had the previous Leadership in the House adopted his ‘Buy American’ language, said Congressman Tim Murphy on Friday to multiple national news outlets.

On Thursday, ABC News reported that Fisker Automotive, which received a $529 million loan in 2010, is making electric vehicles in Finland instead of a shuttered Delaware auto plant as originally promised. And, a California company called SunPower received a $1.2 billion loan in the stimulus bill to open a plant in Mexico to manufacture solar panels.

Back in January of 2009, Rep. Murphy tried to amend the economic stimulus legislation with ‘Buy American’ provisions for all products purchased and projects financed with American taxpayer dollars. House and Senate Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, as well as Senator John McCain, successfully fought to strip the language from the bill, calling it “protectionism.”

“How can you oppose protecting the US taxpayer’s money?” asked Murphy at the time.

Appearing on Fox News Friday morning, Congressman Murphy talked about his efforts in further detail. Murphy, who signed onto the House of Representatives earmark ban, expressed grave concern that US tax dollars are continuing to go overseas in “stimulus” spending. Watch the appearance by clicking here.

The stimulus bill poured billions of dollars into goods and products, such as $400 million for fuel efficient busses; $621 million for federal government computers; $250 million for state government computers; $900 million for a new computing center for the Social Security Administration, $200 million for scientific equipment for the U.S. Geological Survey; $500 million for new detection systems for the Department of Homeland Security. Despite Murphy’s legislative efforts, none of these purchases contained restrictions to prevent that spending from going to overseas companies.

Another provision authored by Rep. Murphy ensured $20 billion in health information system grants for hospitals and physicians would be used to buy American computers and IT services. That language, however, was mysteriously removed before the bill ended up on the House floor for a vote.

Rep. Murphy also appeared on Fox Business Channel to discuss the recent attempt by the Administration to end the congressional investigation of the $535 million loan to the politically-connected bankrupt Solyndra. You can see his appearance on the Nightly Scoreboard at 9 PM. On October 18th, the Energy Department officially informed the Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman that it was refusing to make officials, including Susan Richardson, Chief Counsel of the DOE Loan Programs Office and author of the DOE legal memorandum on restructuring the Solyndra loan guarantee, available for transcribed interviews by committee investigators. DOE’s attempt to block a formal transcribed interview of Richardson comes in the wake of the White House refusal to turn over internal Solyndra communications. Stay tuned for on this developing story.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on ‘Buy American’ provisions, please click here.

Focus on Soldiers with Presidential Announcement as Region Organizes Blood Drive

Today, President Obama announced 40,000 U.S. troops will return home from Iraq by the end of the year under the deadlines established by the 2008 Status of Forces Agreement.

With so many American soldiers returning home and nearly one million veterans currently residing in Pennsylvania, the government has a duty to assist in the transition back to civilian life for our returning soldiers. Pentagon officials estimate more than 360,000 veterans may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury, and that mental healthcare services will need to be available within the community. Earlier this week, Rep. Murphy met with a local group whose goal is to do just that. 

For more than 50 years Familylinks on Banksville Road has assisted Southwestern Pennsylvanians seeking help for substance abuse, addiction, and developmental disabilities.

“With many of our veterans facing challenges returning to the life they left to fight for our country, Familylinks can provide a helping hand for those heroes suffering from the invisible wounds of war,” said Rep. Murphy.

As the nation turns its focus to those returning home, Southwestern Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to help honor one of our own at the ‘Doug Vitale Replenishment Blood Drive’ to be held on November 2nd from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Peters Township Recreation Center.

Marine Corporal Doug Vitale was seriously injured by an IED explosion on September 25th during a patrol mission in Afghanistan. The life of squad leader Vitale was saved by the quick reaction of the soldiers with him at the time. Both of his legs have been amputated, and Corporal Vitale is recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Corporal Vitale, who is a 2005 graduate of Kiski Area High School, is currently hospitalized at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Through the blood drive the Vitale family hopes to help provide the gift of life especially for our wounded warriors.

You can schedule an appointment to donate blood by logging on to www.centralbloodbank.org using sponsor code ZRTN0869 or by calling Pam Slomiany at 412-551-8039.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on veterans' issues, please click here.

Local “Trade Zone” Helps Area Exporters Grow

Southwestern Pennsylvania business leaders are working to build upon the region’s strength in manufacturing through a no-cost federal program that helps companies engaged in global commerce. On Monday, Congressman Murphy sat down with members of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) to discuss how an expansion of Pittsburgh’s ‘free trade zone’ would enable more area businesses to assemble and produce goods sold around the world without being subject to tariffs.

Currently, employers in 17 area industrial parks are part of the Pittsburgh free trade zone (FTZ). In addition to lower tariffs and duties, employers located within the FTZ also benefit from direct access to global shippers and lower compliance costs with customs law.

The RIDC is seeking approval from the Commerce and Treasury Departments to expand the region’s FTZ to include the former Sony plant in Westmoreland County. Congressman Murphy pledged his support for the effort in breaking down trade barriers, recognizing it will help local businesses prosper and reduce the nation’s nearly $500 billion trade deficit.

“American manufacturers are more productive, have safer workplaces, employ the most talented workforce, comply with the strictest environmental controls, and create the highest quality goods,” said Rep. Murphy.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on trade, please click here.

Stories of Inspiration For Washington County Leaders

When it comes to job growth, Washington County outpaces nearly every other large county in the country. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Washington county third in the nation for job growth with the area seeing a 4.3 percent increase in jobs between March 2010 and March 2011.

The job growth, much of it attributable directly and indirectly to the Marcellus Shale development, presents new opportunities and challenges for local residents seeking to keep Washington County a great place to work and raise a family. And Leadership Washington County, a non-profit effort between the United Way and the county’s Chamber of Commerce, is teaching a new generation of civically-minded professionals how to become better leaders in the community.
 

Addressing a class on "Leadership Skills in a Changing Society" in Washington County

Through ten sessions about issues like the county’s social services, government, and quality of life, attendees of Leadership Washington County network with other pillars of the community. The students also engage in exercises and group projects that strengthen teamwork and leadership skills.

On Tuesday, Congressman Tim Murphy addressed the newest crop of leaders in Washington County on themes of commitment and the power of positive thinking. Drawing on his observations as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps, Murphy spoke of the courage he sees on display while working with our wounded warriors.

Despite grave and serious wounds, Murphy says often the soldiers he works with are eager to return to their units in Iraq and Afghanistan because they care so deeply for the men and women with whom they served. Rep. Murphy said that the courage and resiliency displayed by our troops should remind all of us of the power to overcome obstacles, become better people, and serve our country and community.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on job creation, please click here.

Pitt Honors Murphy for Distinguished Community Service

Congressman Murphy was honored today at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg for his professional and personal accomplishments since earning his Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the School of Education in 1979.

Rep Murphy, who also previously taught at the University of Pittsburgh, joined 15 others as part of the Legacy Laureates class of 2011. The Legacy Laureate Program was created in 2000 to honor Pitt alumni who have exemplified exceptional accomplishments in the community. Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Murphy spent nearly three decades as a practicing psychologist and served in the State Senate from 1997-2002 where he authored the state’s Patients’ Bill of Rights. In 2009, he joined the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps to put to work his psychology background in service to veterans who have experienced brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rep. Murphy met with University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg President Sharon Smith along with current Pitt-Greensburg students to talk about his educational experiences at Pitt and current events. 

Earlier in the day, Rep. Murphy was at Hempfield Area High School where he was invited to speak to Junior Government students during their Public Policy and Congress class. Murphy answered questions about his experiences as a Congressman and how he interacts with his constituents.

Congressman Murphy explained that being a representative is not just a job title but a job description, as it is a solemn duty to communicate with those he represents in Congress. He said that touring local businesses, holding Town Hall meetings with residents and engaging in community events are just some of the ways he interacts locally. He also reads all the emails, letters, and phone messages he receives coming in from the 18th district, especially before votes on legislation when people weigh in with their opinions. Other students asked about the nation’s rising debt levels and what could be done to ensure future generations are not burdened by overspending today. Cutting spending was a top priority, said Rep. Murphy, who noted that the House will likely vote on another deficit reduction package expected to produced by the “Super Committee” later this year.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy, please click here.

Local Business Tour Emphasizes Need For Infrastructure Repair

More than 30 percent of the bridges in the Pittsburgh area are deficient, according to a new report from a public policy group, the worst rating for metro areas with more than two million people.

And on Thursday, Rep. Murphy discussed with the people who would design new roads and bridges how Congress can help to rebuild the region’s aging infrastructure without raising taxes or borrowing from China.

At the invitation of KTA-Tator in Robinson Township, Rep. Murphy discussed with employees his bipartisan plan to safely expand offshore exploration and use the new revenues to rebuild the nation’s roads, bridges, locks, and dams. KTA-Tator, Inc. is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in maintaining steel and concrete structures like bridges and overpasses.

Employee town hall at KTA-Tator

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the nation must spend $930 billion over the next five years to bring roads and bridges into a state of good repair. Much of this cost is associated with rehabbing roads, bridges and overpasses that are at the end of their lifespan and require almost constant maintenance to keep up with the corrosive effects of the elements and salt used during the winter months.

Rep. Murphy authored the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act (H.R. 1861) to expand safe offshore oil and gas exploration and reinvest those proceeds into public works projects. The plan would create 1.2 million new jobs annually and launch $8 trillion in economic output. His bill moves the nations towards energy independence while also rebuilding the nation’s roads, bridges, and sewer systems without spending tax dollars, borrowing from foreign nations or taxing other industries. 

Along with a discussion of energy independence and infrastructure investments, Murphy also fielded questions in a Town Hall-style forum.  A number of comments and questions centered on reducing the deficit and runaway spending, along with supporting a balanced budget, Medicare problems and the Occupy Wall Street movement that has cropped up around the region.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy on infrastructure, please click here.

Local Communities Secure Competitively-Awarded Grants
 
This week Congressman Tim Murphy presented over $160,000 in ceremonial checks to communities in the 18th district. The communities, having applied to federal grant programs, demonstrated the need for federal support and won from a highly competitive field of nationwide applicants to supplement local support for infrastructure improvements and emergency response services.

On Tuesday morning Rep. Murphy presented $25,888 to the Amwell Volunteer Fire Department in Washington County to purchase the lifesaving Hurst Tool, more commonly known as the Jaws of Life. It is the first federal grant competitively awarded to Amwell Township through the FEMA’s Firefighters Grants Program.

With 15 active firefighters, the Amwell Volunteer Fire Department responds to more than 90 vehicle accidents per year and provides

Rep. Murphy with District Attorney Steve Toprani at Amwell VFD

emergency response for accidents on US 19, US 40 and over 13 miles of Interstate 79 that runs through both Washington and Greene Counties. Acquisition of the Hurst Tool means that the fire company will no longer have to rely on neighboring fire departments with the Hurst Tool in the event of a trapped motorist.

“The acquisition of the Hurst Tool gives the Amwell Volunteer Fire Department a powerful tool to protect the public,” said Congressman Murphy. “When every second counts, the Hurst tool can be on location within minutes, speeding up extraction and getting the injured to a trauma center in time to save a life. Our thanks go out to Chief Wright and the rest of our volunteer firefighters and emergency responders for their service and dedication to our community and for keeping all of us safe.”

Congressman Murphy also presented three infrastructure improvement grants to officials from the Char-West Council of Governments (COG), Carnegie Borough and Bridgeville Borough to complete road resurfacing projects and update sewer line maintenance.

The Char-West COG worked to secure the competitively awarded grants through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to complete three projects. Carnegie Borough for its repaving project in the Irishtown neighborhood and for the Jefferson Street and Main Street reconfiguration project. Bridgeville will receive support to update sewer system and maintain current sewer lines.

To share your thoughts with Congressman Murphy, please click here.