Joe Sestak Calls for Veteran Job Creation with Sen. Carper, Former Navy Secretary Dalton

Events in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Highlight Importance of Helping Those Who Serve Succeed Amidst Recession

MEDIA, Pa. – Understanding that supporting our men and women in uniform at home is just as important as supporting them on the battlefield, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak said today that more must be done to help spur job creation for our veterans.

Admiral Sestak said that commitment to veterans includes creating jobs for vets and helping them return to civilian life but that the impact of the recession has made it a difficult transition for those that served.

“One of our priorities should be helping ease the return to civilian life. This means helping them,” said Joe, noting that one out of every seven businesses is veteran-owned. “The drive and the energy veterans bring, even after they retire from service, is something we can depend on. It’s not about giving anybody a handout – it’s about leveraging their passion and ingenuity to help grow us out of this recession.”

Joe’s message was echoed on both sides of Pennsylvania by former Navy Secretary John Dalton and Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware. Both Navy veterans themselves, the two spoke of Joe’s tireless efforts in Congress on behalf of those who have and continue to wear the uniform of our country and how he will continue that same level of dedication in the Senate.

“Joe is characteristic of the caring, understanding and service of a veteran,” Carper said to veterans at Philadelphia’s Purple Heart Café. “His desire to work for what’s right is undeniable and that’s the kind of wingman I want working with me down in Washington.”

To help veterans succeed once they return home, Joe during his time in Congress has voted for a bill that provides a tax credit to businesses that hire unemployed veterans, helped pass the post-9/11 GI Bill, sponsored Higher Education Relief for U.S. Troops (HEROS Act), voted to expand housing assistance for homeless veterans, and helped pass the Reservist and Veterans Small Business Act.

Admiral Sestak’s record on behalf of our veterans stands in stark contrast to Congressman Toomey, who during his six years in Congress opposed the very services that help our service men and women succeed. He was against the highest level of funding for veterans healthcare while voting against bankruptcy protections for veterans and a $1500 bonus for our troops overseas – even though he defended more than $1.5 billion in unmerited bonuses for Wall Street executives.

“The military is known as a training ground for independent, principled leaders,” Dalton, who served as President Clinton’s first Secretary of the Navy, told veterans at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh. “That is exactly what Joe Sestak is. He is a man who has learned accountability and love of country.

“In the Navy we have something called core values, honor, courage and commitment. Joe Sestak is the embodiment of those values. His commitment to serve the people of Pennsylvania is like none I have seen.”

Admiral Sestak said that in these challenging we cannot forget those who defended and continue to defend our nation.

“We simply can’t afford the same failed policies that give more to the wealthy at the expense of working families, especially those who served,” said Joe. “We need a public servant who is dedicated to solving the problems we face and is willing to stand up to anyone to do what’s right for Pennsylvania.”