Sestak Concludes Tour in Philadelphia with Endorsement from Democratic Congressman

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Democratic US Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak received the backing of Congressman and former Navy Commander Eric Massa (D-NY) and the Veterans’ Vision publication today as he concluded a five-city tour across Pennsylvania to discuss ways to better care for the men and women of our armed forces. As the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress, Joe Sestak has made honoring this nation’s veterans one of his highest priorities. Today’s event at the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission in Philadelphia was the final stop on a two-day trek across the state that has already taken Joe to Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Harrisburg, and Scranton, with local veterans turning out at each stop to show their support.

“I served with Joe Sestak in the United States Navy and I know that he’s the real deal,” said Rep. Massa, who was elected in 2006 after 24 years on active duty. “America needs leaders like Joe Sestak steering the ship if we’re going to get our economy back on track and create more good paying jobs across this nation. Because of his experience and leadership, I am wholeheartedly supporting Joe Sestak for Senate.”

Vets Vision Publisher Brian A. Hampton has traveled the state with Joe to talk about the need for new leadership for veterans in the US Senate. Delivering the endorsement today in Philadelphia, Hampton commended Joe’s 31 years of service in the Navy and his leadership in Congress fighting for homeless and disadvantaged veterans. Joe is pictured with Rep. Massa (left) and Pastor Terrence Priester (right), a former Marine and now Senior Pastor of Light of the World Ministries International, who kicked off the event.

Congressman Sestak’s foresight and experience have meant so much for military families and veterans hit hardest in tough economic times across this country,” said Hampton, who commended Joe’s work, from securing vital health benefits to holding the VA accountable for how it treats injured soldiers. “The endorsement reflects his commitment to American veterans and his role as a leading voice in the fight to end veterans’ homelessness.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Veterans’ Vision, a powerful advocate for our returning troops, as well as the support of a fellow sailor, Congressman Eric Massa, ” said Joe, who retired from the Navy in 2006 after rising to the rank of 3-star Admiral. “It is my highest commitment that we serve the fighting men and women of this nation, and their families, as well as they have served us.”

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Since taking office in 2006, Joe has been one of the most productive members of Congress for military veterans. He introduced and passed legislation to treat the epidemics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He voted for the largest increase in Veterans Administration (VA) funding in history, supported increased compensation rates for disabled vets and their families, and secured over $900 million in health benefits for Priority 8 veterans who had been denied coverage by the VA.

Joe has also been attentive to veterans’ needs and concerns in his own district, where he holds an annual Veterans Summit, has handled over 1400 individual cases for vets and active-duty service members, and pushed to make reviews of VA facilities public following revelations of poor conditions at the Philadelphia VA Medial Center.

Addressing what needs to be done moving forward, Joe highlighted his support for the Veterans Bill of Rights to prevent our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan from ending up on the streets, as well as his own recent legislation to combat homelessness among American military veterans by increasing housing assistance available under the HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development and VA’s Supported Housing) program. The bill lowers the percentage of income that program participants must pay toward rent and is part of an effort to work with the Obama Administration towards its goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans in five years.

“The astounding estimate that one in every four homeless is a veteran is a tragic legacy of years of inadequate attention to the economic, educational, and health security of our returning warriors,” said Joe. “When our Vietnam Veterans came home, we did not give them the care they deserved and the resources they needed to transition into civilian life. Now, as veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are ending up on the streets at a higher rate than those of any previous conflict, we cannot afford to repeat the sins of the past, and neglect another generation returning from war. It is time that we honor their service and reward their sacrifice, by providing veterans with the education, housing, medical care, and jobs that they need — and earned, wearing the uniform of the United States of America.”

In addition to serving as the publisher of Veterans’ Vision, Major Brian Hampton also founded the Center for Homeless Veterans, Inc., after a distinguished career of service in the U.S. Army. He said that when it comes to caring for our nation’s heroes, the choice for U.S. Senate is clear.

“Congressman Sestak’s opponent, Senator Arlen Specter, has voted time and again against our veterans’ interests,” said Hampton. “Senator Specter opposed funding to treat PTSD, voted in favor of limiting mental health care compensation for disabled vets, and even supported President Bush’s tax cuts over billions for VA healthcare. This is not the kind of leadership our returning troops need in the Senate.”

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Since 1993, the Veterans’ Vision has harnessed the power of the media on behalf of American veterans, by keeping elected officials’ ‘feet to the fire.’ Every two years, the most carefully read portion of the publication is the section of 90 or so endorsements of elected officials for federal office.

The Veterans’ Vision is distributed in 26 major metropolitan areas across the country. Copies are distributed to every Congressional office on the Hill, the White House, Executive Cabinet officers, the Pentagon, and military installations.

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