Bi-Partisan Group of Congressional Candidates Support Wounded Warrior Workplace Initiative
Staten Island, NY - former Assemblyman Bob Straniere, the conservative Republican candidate for Congress in New York’s 13th District, announced the initial list of congressional candidates joining The Wounded Warrior Workplace Initiative today. The program aims to have Congress hire more wounded military veterans and their families to their congressional staffs.
The Straniere Pledge is to hire at least one-third of his congressional staff from the ranks of American’s wounded military veterans or members of their immediate families. The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative is open to all wounded military veteran families regardless of where or when they served. Bob Straniere asked other congressional candidates to make the same pledge when he announced the initiative last week.
Bob Straniere said, “We have received an amazing amount of support from all over our nation for The Wounded Warrior Workplace Initiative. Democrats, Republicans and Independents have made The Straniere Pledge. This is a non-partisan effort and the nationwide movement continues to spread every day.”
Below are comments from some of the congressional candidates who have made The Straniere Pledge:
Democratic congressional candidate, Joel Gill from the 3rd District of Mississippi said when making the pledge, “These brave men and women gave their best and now it is our time to return what we can to them and their families.” For more information abut Joel Gill, please visit his website http://www.gillforcongress.org/.
Republican congressional candidate, Dan Mansell from the 2nd District of North Carolina said when making the pledge, “being a veteran myself, I feel we need to do everything we can to support our wounded soldiers.” For more information about Dan Mansell, please visit his website http://www.danmansell.com/.
Steve Beren, the Republican congressional candidate for the 7th District of Washington said when making the pledge, “Support for our nation’s veterans and active duty troops has been a paramount issue in my campaign, so I salute Bob Straniere’s initiative, and gladly commit to implementing the pledge with regard to my congressional staff if the voters send me to D.C.” For more information about Steve Beren, please visit his website http://www.berenforcongress.com/.
Republican congressional candidate, Delia Lopez from the 3rd District of Oregon said when making the pledge, “Being someone who has had family in the military, I support this initiative because the veterans are the ones who keep us being free.” For more information about Delia Lopez, please visit her website http://www.dlopezforcongress.com/.
Democratic congressional candidate, Paul Renneisen from the 22nd District of Florida said when making the pledge, “without question I support this great initiative and I have already hired a veteran on my staff.” For more information about Pual Renneisen, please visit his website http://www.renneisen2008.com/.
Bert Copple, Republican congressional candidate for Michigan’s 12th District said when making the pledge, “Employers often find it difficult understanding how military experience translates into real world experience. Things like leadership, loyalty, perseverance and duty are often overlooked. This pledge means more than just hiring wounded heroes - it’s an initiative to educate employers about the benefits of hiring veterans.” Copple continued, “I understand what our veterans go through, because I am a decorated Iraq War veteran living and working with a disability. That’s why I’m proud to make this pledge.” For more information about Bert Copple, please visit his website http://www.bertcopple.com/.
Texas Republican, John Faulk, who is a congressional candidate in the 18th District said when making the pledge, “As a veteran, I believe we should do everything possible to support all of our veterans.” For more information about John Faulk, please visit his website http://www.faulkforcongress.org/.
Lee Ferrell, who is a Republican congressional candidate in the 2nd District of Georgia said when making the pledge, “We can sleep safely at night thanks to what these brave men and women have done for our country.” For more information about Lee Ferrell, please visit his website http://www.leeferrell.com/.
Republican candidate for the 11th District of North Carolina, Carl Mumpower, said when making the pledge, “This initiative is a commendable effort to bring attention to veterans and their families.” For more information about Carl Mumpower, please visit his website http://www.mumpower08.com/.
Albert Spencer, the Republican candidate for the 5th District of South Carolina said when making the pledge, “I greatly support the initiative and I have already employed veterans for my staff.” For more information about Albert Spencer, please visit his website http://www.spencer4congress.com/.
Republican candidate for the 2nd District of Nevada, James Smack said when making the pledge, “I think this is an awesome idea and a great plan. I fully support the initiative.” For more information about James Smack please visit his website http://www.jamessmack.com/
Even two congressional candidates who recently lost the Republican primary in the 4th District of Tennessee made the pledge. Kent Greenough said, “Bob Straniere shows both leadership and compassion in his outspoken support of The Wounded Warrior Workplace Initiative. This demonstrates his willingness to take action and not just issue ‘feel good’ press releases. Bravo for Bob!” Greenough continued, “I can only hope the Members of our Congress will follow his lead.” Donald Strong stated, “As a Vietnam-era veteran, I take great pride in the actions taken by Bob Straniere. Bob’s Wounded Warrior Workplace Initiative is exactly what I would expect from a fellow veteran and patriot. Our Nation needs leaders like Bob Straniere, leader that are willing to stand up for those who would sacrifice life and limb so that others can continue to enjoy the freedom and privileges our great nation provides.” For more information about Kent Greenough and Donald Strong please visit their websites, http://www.kentgreenough.com/ and http://www.donaldstrong.com/.
United States Senate Candidate, Dr. Steve Sauerberg, has also joined The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative as the first U.S. Senate candidate to make The Straniere Pledge. Dr. Sauerberg is running for Senate in Illinois. For more information about Dr. Sauerberg, please visit his website http://www.sauerberg2008.com/.
In addition, the following congressional candidates have also made The Straniere Pledge:Charles Hargrave - California’s 9th District (Republican)David Crowlely - California’s 33rd District: http://www.crowley08.com/ (Republican)
Christopher Balding - California’s 34th District: http://www.baldingforcongress.com/ (Republican)
John Roberts - California’s 43rd District: http://www.johnbroberts.com/ (Republican)
David Lee Joy - California’s 51st District: http://www.davidleejoy.com/ (Republican)
Mark Mulligan - Florida’s 2nd District http://www.markmulliganforcongress.com/ (Republican)
Faye Armitage - Florida’s 7th District: www.FayeForCongress.com (Democrat)
Kevin Lehoullier - Florida’s 15th District (Republican)
Allen West - Florida’s 22nd District: http://www.allenwestforcongress.com/ (Republican)
Marion Thorpe - Florida’s 23rd District: http://www.marionthorpe.com/ (Republican)
Thomas E. “Pinkston” Harris - Maryland’s 3rd District: (Republican)David Dillon - Minnesota’s 3rd District: http://www.dillonforcongress.org/ (Independent)
Greg Gloeckner - Missouri’s 7th District: http://www.gloecknerforcongress.com/ (Democrat)
Roland Straten - New Jersey’s 8th District: http://www.rolandstraten.com/ (Republican)
Lee Zeldin - New York’s 1st District: http://www.zeldin08.com/ (Republican)Duane Grassell - Ohio’s 17th District: http://www.grassellforcongress.info/ (Republican)
Bob Straniere announced he will be meeting with leaders of Staten Island and Brooklyn’s Veterans Group to discuss implementing The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. At 2 p.m. Bob will be meeting in Staten Island at 885 Annadale Road and at 4 p.m. he will be meeting in Brooklyn at The VFW Hall located at 9312 4th Avenue.
To learn more about Bob Straniere’s campaign please visit his website http://www.bobstraniere.com/.
