On Wednesday, March 15th, I met for several hours with Admiral Joe Sestak.  Admiral Sestak is running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.  Joe will be attending the Philly for Change Meet-Up with me on April 5th.  Also, I am hosting a beef-n-beer fundraiser at my Union Hall for the Admiral on Saturday, April 15th.  Anyone from the area who is interested in meeting Joe on the 15th can contact me anytime.

Below the fold is my endorsement letter…

United Steelworkers Local 10-1
Jim Savage, Grievance and Negotiation Chair   

March 18, 2006

Leo Gerard, President
United Steelworkers
5 Gateway Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

President Gerard:

I am writing to inform you that I have endorsed Admiral Joe Sestak for Congress in the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.  I met with Mr. Sestak for several Hours on March 15th.  His incumbent opponent is Republican Congressman Curt Weldon.  Mr. Weldon has (mis)represented my district for far too long now and I believe that we finally have a credible opponent in Mr. Sestak.  Mr. Sestak is running unopposed in the primary and will be the Democratic candidate.

Mr. Sestak is a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy who served our country for 31 years.  He was Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group that conducted combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  He also served as the Director of Defense Policy in the White House during the Clinton Administration.  He refers to our current engagement in Iraq as a “tragic misadventure” and believes in a prompt end to our military engagement there.

Mr. Sestak, who prefers to be called Joe, also supports universal health care and has a nine step vision to get us there.  When I questioned Mr. Sestak about healthcare, which is my single most important political issue, his sincerity was clear and unmistakable.  As the father of a five-year old daughter with a malignant brain tumor, Mr. Sestak’s sincerity is hard-earned and rock solid.  As one of this country’s leading healthcare advocates yourself, I’m sure you will appreciate Mr. Sestak’s position on the issue.

Mr. Sestak is also a strong supporter of organized labor and worker’s rights.  He has pledged to co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act, once elected, because he firmly believes in card-check recognition.  Mr. Weldon is a “Johnny-come-lately” co-sponsor to the Act and has never supported worker’s causes in any meaningful way.  

After meeting with Mr. Sestak, it was obvious who I would endorse in this election.  It is my sincere hope that you will have a chance to meet Joe in the near future.  I am certain that when you look Mr. Sestak in the eye, you will see exactly why I’ve made this decision.  Mr. Weldon has been a “Bush Rubber Stamp” for five long years now and it is time for him to go.  

In closing, I would like to thank you for your time and I would also like to thank you in advance for your anticipated support of my next Congressman – Joe Sestak.

In Solidarity,

Jim Savage
Grievance & Negotiation Chair
USW Local 10-1
P.O. Box 1257
Linwood, PA 19061

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