This Week in Harrisburg

This week, it was my privilege to remember the life of William “Willie” Valentin Jr. of Upper Saucon Township, a fallen firefighter who served with the Coopersburg Fire Company, on the floor of the House of Representatives. His family members were there for my remarks and the unanimous vote by House members to approve Willy’s condolence resolution. The 22-year-old volunteer firefighter died last month in a traffic accident. 

Also this week, the House passed my resolution urging the U.S. Congress to create a special committee to investigate and report on the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance program. House Resolution 456 also calls for the committee to recommend any necessary reforms to the Patriot Act or the conduct of the NSA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and any other agencies involved in this program.

According to recent revelations, the NSA is collecting information regarding telephone and Internet communications. This is shocking to me and to most Americans. While we understand the importance of the war on terror, many questions have been raised regarding the scope of the data being gathered. 

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who took part in Monday night’s telephone town hall meeting. Nearly 3,200 people were on the line during the course of our one hour discussion on a variety of issues, including pension reform, transportation funding, liquor privatization and Obamacare. I look forward to our next telephone town hall meeting, which should be scheduled early in the new year.