Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

PAMatters.com has in-depth coverage on the life of the late US Senator Arlen Specter. It includes reaction from President Obama and others, as well as a story from RadioPA's Brad Christman about a moment that did not get on the air. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Former longtime U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter was battling for his life early Tuesday after he was recently diagnosed with a "serious form of cancer," a source close to his office told CNN. Specter, who has overcome numerous serious illnesses over the past two decades, including a brain tumor and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, was diagnosed six weeks ago with the new form of cancer, the specifics of which are being closely shielded by his family. For more on this story go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Washington , D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), delivered the final floor statement of his Senate career. The following are his comments as prepared: “This is not a farewell address, but rather a closing argument to a jury of my colleagues and the American people outlining my views on how the Senate – and with it, the Federal Government -- arrived at its current condition of partisan gridlock, and my suggestions of where we go from here on that pressing problem and key issues of national and international importance. To make a final floor statement is a challenge. The Washington Post noted the poor attendance at my colleagues’ farewell speeches earlier this month. That is really not surprising since there is hardly anyone ever on the Senate floor. The days of lively debate with many members on the floor are long gone. Abuse of Senate rules has pretty much stripped senators of the right to offer amendments. The modern filibuster requires only a threat and no talking...

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Congressman Joe Barton of Texas as they made good on their World Series wagers this afternoon. Specter presented Pelosi with Hershey’s chocolate and Barton gave her deep-dish pecan pies from the historic Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas. The San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies to get into the World Series, and beat the Texas Rangers in the Series. Photo provided by Specter's office

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) introduced The Gynecological Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2010, also known as Johanna's Law. This legislation would fund a national awareness and education campaign to inform physicians and individuals of the risk factors and symptoms of these often-deadly diseases. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) are cosponsors. “Every year over 80,000 women in the United States are newly diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer,” Sen. Specter said. “We must do everything in our power to promote education and early detection of these cancers so that we can increase women’s survival rates and quality of life.” When gynecological cancer is detected in its earliest stage, patients’ 5-year survival rates are greater than 90 percent and many go on to live normal, healthy lives. Unfortunately, thousands of women in the U.S. each year aren't diagnosed until their cancers have progressed to ...

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) were joined by fourteen other senators today in introducing an amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 that would reinstate the expired COBRA health care premium assistance for laid off workers. "Millions of Americans have been hard hit by the recession and lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said Senator Casey. "Unfortunately, some people in Washington want to pull up the ladder and take away help for these struggling families. Not extending COBRA premium assistance will hurt hundreds of thousands of people in Pennsylvania and across the country and it will add further strain on our recovering economy." “We need to prevent unemployed workers for joining the rolls of the uninsured,” Brown said. “When there are few jobs to be had, the inability to afford COBRA premiums becomes an even more acute problem. I’ve received letters and emails from Ohio...

The White House used former President Bill Clinton to offer an unpaid advisory position to Congressman Joe Sestak in hopes of persuading him to drop his Pennsylvania Senate primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter, according to a report issued today by White House Counsel Robert Bauer. Bauer's two-page report said there was no improper conduct. The report says White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel used Clinton as a go-between with Sestak. Clinton agreed to raise the offer of a seat on a presidential advisory board or another executive board if Sestak dropped his bid, "which would avoid a divisive Senate primary," the report says. The report goes on to say “By virtue of his career in public service, including distinguished military service, Congressman Sestak was viewed to be highly qualified to hold a range of advisory positions in which he could, while holding his House seat, have additional responsibilities of considerable potential interest to him and value to the ...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Congressman Joe Sestak’s apparent victory over incumbent Arlen Specter in the Democrat primary for US Senate is being called historic – and Bradford Democrats can say they were part of that history. In the city, Sestak got 107 votes, barely edging out Specter, who picked up 103, according to unofficial numbers tabulated at WESB and The HERO. When Sestak spoke with WESB last week, he said Specter’s party-switching would be the incumbent’s downfall. “It kind of demonstrates – Are you really in this out of core beliefs and conviction or is it political calculation?” he asked. “It’s probably pretty tough for him waking up each morning, kind of remembering what he has to say rather than just being able to say it out of belief and conviction.” Late Tuesday night, Specter delivered a brief speech in Philadelphia. “It’s been a great privilege to serve the people of Pennsylvania and it’s been a great privilege to be in the US Senate, and I’ll be working ...

Unofficial results: Joe Sestak 53.8 percent Arlen Specter 46.2 percent Specter's speech: It’s been a great privilege to serve the people of Pennsylvania and it’s been a great privilege to be in US Senate and I’ll be working very, very hard for the people of the Commonwealth in the coming months. In McKean County, with all 42 precincts reporting, Congressman Joe Sestak beat Arlen Specter by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent on the Democratic side. Republican Pat Toomey has been declared the winner on the Republican side. He got more than 71 percent of the vote in McKean County. For governor, Dan Onorato has been declared the Democrat winner, and got 42 percent of the vote in McKean County. Republican Tom Corbett has more 74 percent of the vote in McKean County so far. For lieutenant governor, it’s Democrat Scott Conklin with 60 percent of the vote and Republican Jean Craigue Pepper edging out Darryl Metcalfe by half a percentage point. Congressman Glenn Thompson is running unoppo...

Group Will Work to Permanently Protect Parts of the Allegheny National Forest WARREN – Six conservation organizations, representing nearly 65,000 Pennsylvanians, have joined to form the Pennsylvania Wilderness Coalition. The new group will advocate for wilderness designation on the Allegheny National Forest – the state’s only National Forest. “The Allegheny is located in the northwest corner of the state, but as Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, it belongs to all of us,” said Adam Hostetler of Lebanon, vice president of the Pennsylvania Division, Izaak Walton League of America. “Wilderness designation for some of the most pristine and wild areas on the Allegheny will leave a permanent natural legacy for future generations, so they can forever hike, hunt, camp and explore here.” Wilderness designation by Congress is the highest level of protection that can be given to federal lands, adding them to the National Wilderness Preservation System as areas where nature reigns and people are...

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is within striking distance of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, trailing the long-time incumbent 47 - 39 percent among likely primary voters, compared to his 53 - 32 percent gap April 7, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In the Democratic primary for Governor, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has 36 percent to lead a pack of largely unknown candidates, none of whom tops 9 percent, the independent Quinnipiac University survey finds. Another 37 percent are undecided and 60 percent of likely primary voters who express a choice say they might change their mind. "The Senate race is closing and could be headed for a close finish, while the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination is moving in the opposite direction," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "With only two weeks until the May 18 primary, Onorato can feel somewhat confident, wh...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has introduced legislation to address the growing number of U.S. children who go hungry on the weekends or when school is not in session. The Weekends Without Hunger Act, cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), would establish a pilot program that provides resources to eligible institutions, such as schools and emergency food providers, to carry out projects to provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. Eligible institutions must be located in low-income communities, meaning at least 50% of the children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals. “For many children at risk of hunger in this country, school breakfasts and lunches are a main source of food throughout the week.” Senator Specter said. “We need to act to ensure that no child goes hungry simply because it’s the weekend.” “While we have made great strides to make sure childre...

The Bradford City Fire Department has received a grant of nearly $127,000 for operations and safety programs. The money is awarded by FEMA though the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. This is the 13th round of grants for Fiscal Year 2009. ~~~~ WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $333,626 to three fire companies in northwestern Pennsylvania for vehicle acquisition and operations and safety. “Firefighters are invaluable members of the community and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs,” said Senator Casey. “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of northwestern Pennsylvania.” “These fire prevention and safety programs will help protect the citizens of Pennsyl...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) made the following statement on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day: “This 40th Earth Day is an important milestone. The environmental movement that rose to national prominence in 1970 has resulted in cleaner air and water for all Americans and has saved millions of lives. “Today is also the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Week, which I am proud to say started in Philadelphia in 1970. Environmental regulation has come a long way since that time, when, as District Attorney of Philadelphia, I had to resort to an 1860 law to bring a public nuisance suit against a contractor who was spraying asbestos at a construction site, endangering workers and passers-by. “This year is also the 40th anniversary of the historic Clean Air Act and of the founding of the EPA. The Clean Air act is a vital tool in combating air pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The air in Pennsylvania is cleaner than it was 40 years ago, but it c...

Star Hose Company in Port Allegany has received a $19,000 grant from FEMA, under the Department of Homeland Security. This is the 11th round of grants awarded for fiscal year 2009 in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

"He scans the page, which tells him that host Anne Holliday of WESB-AM in McKean County is on deck for an 8:30 a.m. interview. She wants to press Sestak on his view that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should be tried in civilian court." For the full story, go to the Philadelphia Inquirer .

Republican Pat Toomey is back on top 46 - 41 percent over Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's seesaw U.S. Senate race, while Attorney General Tom Corbett, the leader for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, remains ahead of each of the three top Democratic contenders by double digits, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In the governor's race, Tom Corbett - by far the best known of the contenders - retains a double digit lead over the three leading contenders for the Democratic nomination, which will be decided in the May 18 primary. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1442

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of the Interior has awarded $1.68 million to make infrastructure improvements at the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery in Warren. The work will be completed by Wm. T. Spaeder, Co., Inc., of Erie. The funding is being awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “These funds going towards the reopening of the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery are yet another example of the way the Recovery Act is positively impacting Pennsylvania,” said Senator Casey. “Prior to its closure in 2005, Allegheny was the only fish hatchery working to restore the lake trout population in the Lower Great Lakes. By investing in Allegheny’s reopening, we can help them continue their conservation efforts while at the same time creating jobs.” “I am pleased to see stimulus funds being used to repair and reopen the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery,...

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will conduct a comprehensive $1.9 million study to investigate "the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing in Marcellus Shale drilling may have on water quality and public health." "Fracking" is a process that injects millions of gallons of water mixed with chemicals and sand into a gas well under great pressure to create horizontal and vertical cracks in the thick black shale. The fracking process releases the natural gas from the shale, but the EPA said there are concerns the process may degrade surface and ground water and pose a threat to human health and the environment. Senator Arlen Specter says he's pleased that the EPA will be conducting the study. “In Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale has the potential to create nearly 200,000 jobs and generate nearly $15 billion in the next decade - but the gas must be extracted in a way that does not endanger our water supply, the most precious ...

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has introduced legislation that seeks to help domestic manufacturers by enforcing trade remedy laws. The Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 2010 provides a private right of action for domestic manufacturers injured by illegal subsidization or dumping of foreign products into U.S. markets. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are cosponsors. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. “Job creation and job retention in this country depend, in large part, on our ability to enforce existing trade laws,” Senator Specter said. “This legislation would give an injured industry the opportunity to seek reliable enforcement in federal court so that we can stop anticompetitive, predatory trade practices which steal jobs from our workers, profits from our companies, and growth from our economy.” “Unfair trade practices have shipped Pennsylvania jobs oversees and increased our trade deficit," said Senator Casey. “...