Service

I was glad that Imani from my Philadelphia office could attend the annual Perkiomen Valley High School career day. Imani spoke to students about internships in my office, service academy nominations, and opportunities to work in public service.   

In addition to learning more about how the Senate works, interns in my office perform a wide range of duties including answering constituent phone calls, handling mail, performing legislative research, attending committee hearings, and conducting tours of the U.S. Capitol building.

I am proud that Pennsylvania also has dedicated young men and women who chose to serve their country by attending one of the United States services academies. Each year, I invite all admitted Pennsylvania students to breakfast in Washington, D.C. - you can see photos from this year's breakfast here.

Any students that are interested in an internship with my office or beginning the process of applying to a military service academy can visit my website here.

On Tuesday, my staff attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Independent Electrical Contractors' (IEC) new facility in Mechanicsburg, PA. This facility will host nearly 80 new apprentices for classes each week, helping young workers get the training and education to ensure their success in the future. The apprenticeship program is a combination of classroom and on the job training over a four-year period of time. It is designed to provide each apprentice with the necessary skills and knowledge to earn the status of journeyman electrician and obtain gainful employment as an electrical contractor.

During the ribbon cutting and open house visitors were able to meet members of the IEC association who own independent electrical businesses. Guests also saw the classrooms and facility, and even sat in on apprenticeship classes. I was pleased to provide a certificate of recognition to Marissa Bankert, Executive Director of the Central PA Independent Electrical Contractors, and Jeff George, Board President of Central PA Independent Electrical Contractors, pictured above.

Recently, Katelyn from my Pittsburgh staff visited the Propel Charter School on the Northside of Pittsburgh. The students were participating in a program called "Fund My Future," which teaches the importance of saving. Propel Schools has teamed up with Dollar Bank to make a savings accounts available for each student.

Fund My Future accounts are opened by the Propel Schools Foundation and maintained by NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania to help the families of Propel students save for college or other post-secondary educational expenses. The non-interest bearing account will grow through deposits made or authorized by the student and their parents. What a great idea to help students learn about personal finance and save for their future education.

It has been a great privilege and an honor for me to be able to represent the wonderful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate. Thank you for allowing me to serve you for another six years.

With the elections behind us, it is time to come together and tackle the serious challenges we face. There is much work to be done to turn Washington around and help improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians.

There are also many reasons to be hopeful. When I think about the diversity and the strengths of our commonwealth, I am convinced that Pennsylvania's best days are ahead.

Again, thank you.