Scanlon secures direct benefits in National Defense Authorization Act
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act to strengthen national security with investments in America’s service members, alliances and partnerships, diversity and technology. Language secured by Scanlon in the legislation will deliver direct investments in Pennsylvania’s District 5 in jobs, businesses and support for federal firefighters.
The NDAA maintains funding for the CH-47F Block II Chinook and V-22 Osprey programs. These advanced-capability aircraft are manufactured in Ridley Park, providing good-paying local jobs to over 4,000 skilled men and women. In addition to providing thousands of local jobs, the programs benefit dozens of suppliers throughout Pennsylvania.
“I am excited to share that this year’s defense bill will once again deliver direct benefits for my district,” said Scanlon. “The over 4,000 hardworking men and women who build these aircraft in Ridley Park are incredibly proud to contribute to our national security and disaster relief efforts. I am equally proud our government is investing in these amazing workers. I look forward to seeing it put to good use as PA-05 businesses and workers continue to contribute to America’s national security.”
Additionally, Scanlon secured the inclusion of the Federal Firefighters Workforce Support Act, a bill she introduced earlier this year to ensure federal firefighters are not forced to operate with staffing levels below national safety standards.
“I am also pleased that this year’s NDAA will include my bill to support the federal firefighters in my district and across the country,” she said. “Federal firefighters have some of the toughest and most strenuous jobs in our communities, but budget mitigation efforts have forced them to operate with substandard crew sizes — making their lifesaving and fire suppression efforts all the more demanding and dangerous. The Federal Firefighters Workforce Support Act will require DOD to adhere to nationally recognized fire protection staffing standards at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and across the country. As the NDAA process continues in the House and Senate, I will continue to advocate for the inclusion of these PA-05 priorities as the legislation makes its way to the president’s desk.”
Home repair program funded in budget
State Sen. Nikil Saval announced a $125 million appropriation in Pennsylvania’s 2022–23 budget to establish his Whole-Home Repairs Program.
Saval issued the following statement:
“Every person has a right to a home that is safe — a home that is healthy. But right now, across our commonwealth, hundreds of thousands of households are denied this right simply because they don’t have access to the resources they need to repair their homes.
“For decades, urban, suburban and rural communities alike have suffered from disinvestment from their government at all levels. The creation of the Whole-Home Repairs Program in this year’s budget changes that.
“This is a hard-fought victory for every Pennsylvanian who is struggling to stay in their home. This program is a direct investment in our people and our communities, whose needs have been ignored, and whose voices have gone unheard. At this time of protracted hardship across the commonwealth, we have seized a historic opportunity to move the needle on our housing crisis — permanently.
“What we have done sets a new standard. Today we have a program to preserve housing across the commonwealth, to stabilize our communities, to prevent blight and abandonment and displacement, to build a skilled workforce to keep our state at the forefront of the industries of the future, and to protect the place that is most dear to all of us: home. I’m committed to fighting for every household to have what they need to make their home whole.
“The United States needs a model for how to preserve its aging housing stock and create new jobs, and with the Whole-Home Repairs Program, Pennsylvania has positioned itself as a leader.”
The Whole-Home Repairs Program is the first of its kind in the nation, creating a one-stop shop for Pennsylvanians to repair and weatherize their homes by providing up to $50,000 for habitability repairs and energy efficiency upgrades, allocating support staff to ensure applicants receive the help they need in the order they need it, and funding pre-apprenticeship and training programs to build a skilled local workforce capable of meeting the growing demand.
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest housing stock in the country.
Saval, who serves as minority-party chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, introduced the legislation with the entire Democratic caucus and five Republican senators as co-sponsors.
Polish festival in September
The 56th Annual Polish American Festival at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located at 654 Ferry Road in Doylestown, takes place during Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Sept. 3, Sunday, Sept. 4 and Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, from noon to 8 p.m. each day.
The Polish American Festival features carnival rides, live music and stage shows and ongoing entertainment on the main stage and in the Polish Village highlighting Polish traditions and customs, Polish folk dance groups, along with a variety of Polish and American food and refreshments.
The $12 admission includes all events and carnival rides. The festival will continue Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11, from noon to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit the link on the front page of PolishAmericanCenter.com or PolishAmericanFestival.org.
Buy Vietnam war memorial paver
The deadline is Sept. 5 to order a 12-by-12-inch granite paver to be completed by Veterans Day at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Front and Spruce streets.
The $400 donation made payable to (PVVM) Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is used to maintain the site, which honors the 648 Philadelphians who died during the Vietnam War. Appropriate personalization that honors any veteran’s service includes four lines of
text with 21 units per line. If you need assistance, contact Sandy Bukowski at 267-253-2965 or veapdd214@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, a National POW-MIA Recognition Day observance will take place on Friday, Sept. 16, at noon at the PVVM.
The annual name reading is set for Saturday, Oct. 22, at noon. Volunteers are needed to read one of (or part of) the 34 panels that honor the 648 Philadelphians killed in the Vietnam War.
Check the PVVM Facebook page for information on mobile wall displays in October and November.
Looking for vendors for health event
Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, 2000 Shelmire Ave., will host a free event on Saturday, Sept. 10. There will be healing services, talks on “Faith & Cancer,” health screenings, activities for children, a concert, helpful resources and information and a White Mass honoring and blessing health care workers. Persons and organizations interested in being a vendor can email jenniecfranklin@gmail.com, call 215-745-3211 or visit www.resurrectphila.org/vendor.
Activities at Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is hosting several current and upcoming exhibits.
Sea Change is running indefinitely.
The River Feeds Back, going through Oct. 30, is an immersive sound installation created by artists Annea Lockwood and Liz Phillips. The exhibit brings visitors into the deep sonic environment of the Schuylkill River watershed through recordings and a layered sound map that captures glimpses of the river system including the life of aquatic insects, eels, fish and swirling currents.
Ocean Bound will run through Jan. 15, 2023.
South Phila. HS class of ‘68 reunion
The South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will hold its 55th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets cost $60 and include buffet dinner and open bar. For tickets and more information, call Arleen Liberi [609-922-2419], Maria Leati [856-287-3734] or Stephen Michielli [267-252-2740].
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise that will sail Oct. 6-17, 2023, featuring 10 ports-of-call. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,198 to $7,998 per person, double occupancy. Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations.
Kimmel schedule
The Kimmel Cultural Campus will present Dear Evan Hansen (through Aug. 28, Forrest Theatre). For more information, call 215-893-1955 or visit kimmelcenter.org.
