Rep. Fattah's Busy Week of Recess Appearances: A Visit Today to UPS Facility and Drivers in South Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) continued a busy week of Congressional Recess appearances today by speaking with UPS drivers and touring the parcel service's facility in South Philadelphia.

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The week's activities have highlighted the Philadelphia Congressman's leadership in commerce, manufacturing, higher educational opportunities, healthcare reform, environmental education and space exploration. Fattah is the leading Democratic appropriator on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice Science and related agencies, and a Congressional leader in education reform.

Noting that the UPS Oregon Avenue Facility's 320 drivers performed a key role in the nation's commerce, Fattah, the Democrats' leading appropriator for commerce, said the United States must do more to maintain its leadership.

"We need to determine what is the government's role in terms of investment will be," he said. "We are the leading manufacturer in the world. It is true that we are getting opposition and we need to do more. China and India will bring out the best in us. There's no reason for us to walk around as the panhandlers of the world."

Innovation and technology are the keys to America's continued success, Fattah said. He pointed out that UPS, and significant part of American commerce, owes its existence to two Drexel University graduates who invented the optical scanner bar code more than a half-century ago.

Fattah's UPS tour coincided with a visit of about 15 high school and college students participating in a Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce program that provides Hispanic students the opportunity to learn more from professionals in organizations like UPS. Fattah addressed the students and answered questions on the economy and job prospects. The Congressman was escorted through the Oregon Avenue Facility by UPS Chesapeake District President Rosemary Turner, who oversees a mid-Atlantic region with 15,000 employees.

Fattah's itinerary today also included a visit to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia for a tour and briefing conducted by the Philadelphia Fed's President and CEO Charles I. Plosser.

On Wednesday, Fattah offered both inspiration and a challenge in a rousing talk to college-bound 2011 graduates of Philadelphia high schools at the CORE Scholars College Sendoff Conference. Fattah is the founder of the CORE Scholars Program that has provided more than $33.4 million in financial aid to 21,308 Philadelphia high school graduates since 2004.

"Study hard and do your work. Think about what you are doing," Fattah told more than 200 college-bound youth. "Your parents are not going to be there to get you up early and get you ready. They aren't going to be there to give you absolute encouragement to do your best every day. You are going to have choices to make. You're going to have to give up on that party and study. Join academic clubs and don't just engage in social activities."

Earlier in the week Fattah participated in a variety of events:

He spoke to a roomful of Philadelphia high school students who have taken part in a summer-long program convened by Green for All to showcase job training, environmental education and college readiness. The students worked on mapping Philadelphia's urban watersheds – gaining training for the green jobs economy.

"As the nation struggles to pull itself out of a prolonged recession, it is critical to encourage efforts that provide training and useful work for young men and women, especially those in low-income and minority communities," said Rep. Fattah. "The valuable programs of Philadelphia Youth Network, the Corps Network and Green for All advance that goal in Philadelphia, with projects that improve our community while putting young people to work."

Also on Tuesday Fattah met with leading health center professionals and providers for Philadelphia's celebration of National Health Center Week. During ceremonies at City Hall, Fattah pledged "no compromise and no retreat" in continuing efforts to provide "health care for every American." The health centers presented Fattah with their 2011 Distinguished Community Health Advocate award.

On Monday, Fattah headed for the Temple University Fox School of Business for the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Forum.

Last weekend, Fattah, whose subcommittee assignment also makes him the top Democratic appropriator for space programs and scientific research, initiated a congratulatory call to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden upon the successful launch of the deep space Mission Juno to Jupiter. Fattah also took time out for a quick trip to South Carolina to participate with his friend Congressman Jim Clyburn in a scholarship program that Clyburn created.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah