"It's time for a change in Washington that strengthens our farms, smalls businesses, schools and hard working communities in Adams, Cumberland, and York Counties," Avillo says.
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The major unions of America endorsed Phil Avillo for Congress in the 19th District this week according to Ken Kertesz, Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman (BLET).
"It's time we had an administration and a Congress in Washington that paid as much attention to building our hard working communities right here in Central Pennsylvania as they do to building walls in Iraq." Ken Kertesz said today.
"We think Phil Avillo will bring the right kind of change and focus to the most unpopular Congress in recent memory. Phil Avillo will fight for all those jobs lost in the 19th Congressional District, he will fight to maintain green space, and rebuild small business and infrastructure, instead of going along with the historic decline of the Bush-Cheney administration and its lockstep supporters in the U.S. House of Representatives." Kertesz added. "He has received the PA AFL-CIO Executive Committee recommendation as well as the Executive Council's endorsement."
Avillo graciously accepted the endorsement of the nation's leading unions in his home in York, PA.
"It's gratifying indeed to have the support of the labor community of Pennsylvania and the nation in this most important campaign in recent U.S. history." Avillo, former combat Marine officer and college professor with a Ph.D in American history, said today.
"We've faced difficult economies and hard times in the past, and with the right kind of leadership in The White House and in the Congress, we'll get through the tough times this administration and Congress gives us today." He added. "We have to change this failed administration and its weak supporters in Congress, or we run the risk of the continued serious weakening of our infrastructure, economy and communities today."
Avillo said that the voters of all parties in Adams, Cumberland and York Counties are fully aware of the choice they face. "I think the people of the 19th District are ready to turn around the failures of the last seven years and focus on the kind of change that will strengthen central Pennsylvania's communities."
"We have a strong history of concern for others, a strong mix of good hard working people on our farms, factories and small businesses and all of recognize that now is the time to change direction in Congress and Washington."
Avillo noted that real differences exist between "a Washington outsider like me who is willing to fight for a stronger community and those neocons and career politicians in Congress who have supported this administration's failures in vote after vote after vote."
Avillo Said he would clearly articulate the many differences between him and his opponent as the campaign progresses. "We look forward to fighting hard for the kind of change that strengthens, not erodes our communities and our nation." He said.
About the PSLB-BLET
The Pennsylvania State Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) represents some 1,300 employees of Class I Freight Railroads: Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National and CSXT, as well as passenger trains Amtrak and SEPTA. The Pa. State Legislative Board merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and is also a member of the PA. AFL-CIO. More information on the Pa. State Legislative Board can be found by going to its website at: www.pslb-blet.org or contacting Ken Kertesz at 888-611-6921 or kkertesz@comcast.net
About Phil Avillo
Avillo, who enlisted in the US Marines at age 17, served as a Marine officer in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound which resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. He later obtained a Ph.D. in history from the University of Arizona.
He was elected for three terms to the York Suburban School Board, serving 7 of them as President. For over two decades he coached his community's young people in baseball, basketball, and soccer and the men's lacrosse teams at the University of Arizona and York College. He has also served on the Boards of the York Symphony and the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars program. At York College he has been President of the Academic Senate, was twice selected by students to deliver the Winter Commencement address, was twice named Teacher of the Year by the Student Senate, and received the York College Alumna's Professional Service and Recognition Award. For more information or a comment, contact Mr. Avillo at 717-781-9820 or info@avillo08.com.
Contacts:
Bob Philbin
media@avillo08.com
717-975-2148
Avillo for Congress (Avillo08)
info@avillo08.com
2536 Eastern Blvd.
Box 436
York, PA 17402
717-781-9820
Ken Kertesz
Chairman
Pennsylvania State Legislative Board
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
30 Harford Avenue
Shavertown, PA 18708-1243
888-611-6921
http://www.pslb-blet.org/
kkertesz@comcast.net
