Philadelphia's Largest Hospital Worker's Union Endorses Fattah For Congress

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199C announces its strong support for the re-election of Congressman Chaka Fattah to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a statement released today Union President, Henry Nicolas said, "We are proud that local 1199C was the first union to endorse Congressman Fattah in 1994 when he ran for Congress and we're proud to be the first union in the city to announce our enthusiastic support for him again 20 years later.

"During his thirty years serving the people in the Philadelphia region, Congressman Fattah has helped more than 25 million individuals through programs and initiatives he has created. From creating opportunities for every child who wants to go to college, to programs that provide the means for them to be successful in college, to staving off mortgage foreclosures; Chaka has worked to ensure a higher quality of life for the men and women in the Philadelphia region.

"As a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Fattah has been pivotal in ensuring federal dollars are spent in effective ways through the Affordable Healthcare Act.  His leadership made possible $1.3 billion in federal funding for Pennsylvania's Community Health Centers.  In Philadelphia, a large portion of those funds help in providing critical services at 44 centers to more than 280,000 adults and children.

"As the Ranking Member on the Commerce, Justice Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee Fattah helped secure $1.45 billion in federal grants from the National Institute of Health for research and development. In the Philadelphia region those federal dollars supported 25,000 jobs and generated $4 billion in economic activity.

"In 2011, Congressman Fattah created the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative which coordinates federal agencies to promote medical research in the areas of brain development, disease and traumatic brain injury.  With its many hospitals and universities, Philadelphia is a hub of medical and educational innovation providing the nation with cutting edge research and pushing the boundaries of science and medicine.  To aid in that research, Fattah's leadership in Washington – in just the last four years - has been key in directing over $3.5 billion to Philadelphia hospitals, universities and organizations.

"By supporting the re-election of Congressman Fattah, our union is investing in Philadelphia's future. He has a proven track record of bringing home the federal dollars to help make Philadelphia a better place to live and work. As a national champion for children and working families and a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee he is in the best position to fight for our City.

"Our union will help lead the grass roots effort to rally support and funding from the labor community to make sure Congressman Fattah returns to Washington."

SOURCE District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees AFSCME, AFL-CIO