Jerry McNerney's website

Thank you Lilly Ledbetter

Dear Friends,

 

In 1979, a woman named in Lilly Ledbetter, the wife of an Army veteran and the mother of two daughters began work at a tire manufacturing plant in Alabama.  She worked on the night shift from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. as a supervisor and was one of just a few female managers.  When she retired twenty years later, Lilly was making $599 a month less than the lowest paid male manager and $1509 a month less than highest paid male manager.  Determined to right this wrong, she made her case in court, only to ultimately have a decision in her favor overturned by the Supreme Court. 

One of the first votes I cast in 2009 was for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help close the income gap between women and men. One year ago, this bill was signed into law with Lilly present at the ceremony.  It was a historic and moving day.

Fair treatment for everyone in the workplace is critically important to me.  Unfortunately, across our country there are still too many women like Lilly Ledbetter - hardworking women - mothers, sisters, and daughters, who provide for their families and want nothing more for their hours than to receive equal pay for equal work.  Thanks to Lilly's courage and the Fair Pay Act we are one step closer to making that a reality.

We still have work to do.  Women are making only 81 percent as much as men.  At the end of 2009, women made an average of $670 per week while men made an average of $825 per week.  We need to leave a better legacy for our daughters and future generations. 

When my daughter, Windy, was growing up she loved solving puzzles, but hated math because she felt overshadowed by her math and science oriented brothers.  My wife, Mary, and I, continually encouraged her to develop her math skills.  Today, she has the equivalent of a master’s degree in statistics and is working toward a PhD in neuroscience where she uses complex calculations daily.  I want to make sure that she, and all children in our country, has every opportunity to succeed.

The changes we’re making today will strengthen future generations.  Thank you for standing with me and for a better America.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jerry
Congressman Jerry McNerney

BREAKING NEWS: Our Congressman McNerney in Afghanistan

Friends,

 

I’m writing to you from Kabul, Afghanistan where I’ve traveled as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation.  I’ve come here to see for myself the current state of affairs in Afghanistan, ask questions of our military leaders and the Afghan government, and spend time with our men and women in uniform.  

 

It’s now the end of a whirlwind day of activity, and I’m glad to have a moment to reflect on my experiences and share my thoughts with you.  

 

When I landed in Kabul today the weather was hazy and cool.  We left the airport and traveled through Kabul and points near the city where we saw a number of Afghan civilians along the roads and in crowded and bustling marketplaces.  The majority of the people on the streets of Kabul were men, but there were women out in the city as well and some were not dressed in full burkas, a change from rule under the Taliban.  With so much conflict throughout the country and region it was heartening to see day-to-day activity continuing and an active local economy.

 

Shortly after we arrived, we went to meet with President Karzai.  The offices of the president were modest and the congressional delegation was joined by senior advisers to the Afghan government as well as other presidential staff.  The visit was an opportunity for the congressional delegation to question him about the country’s political and economic situation.  Karzai laid out the challenges in Afghanistan as he viewed them, and we had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues.  I pressed him directly about his commitment to ending corruption, which I consider essential to both America's military support for his country, and for the ultimate success of democracy in Afghanistan. Karzai acknowledged that serious problems still exist and more needs to be done to address the situation.

 

After our meeting, I visited with soldiers stationed here, including several Californians.  They told me about their families, and I could tell how much they miss everyone back home.  They are very proud to be serving their country and showed a lot of enthusiasm for their work.  I shared with them how much we appreciate their sacrifice. 

 

Over the next days, I’ll continue on with the congressional delegation’s travel to other parts of the country and discussions with our senior military leaders on the president’s proposal for our involvement in the region.  

 

We have many difficult decisions ahead about sending additional troops to Afghanistan. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see firsthand the situation and use what I’ve learned here to make informed decisions in the coming months.  

 

I hope to see many of you soon after my return home and look forward to sharing more about my trip.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jerry

Congressman Jerry McNerney

Happy Holidays

Season's Greetings -              Thank you for your friendship and support throughout this year. We wish you the very best for the next.     Happy Holidays,   Team McNerney and the McNerney Family     Photo credit to Dolores Fox Ciardelli/DanvilleExpress.com/SanRamonExpress.com

Thank You Veterans

Dear Friends,

 

Today is Veterans Day, a time to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country in uniform.  America owes its freedom to our veterans.   We must never forget their sacrifice.

  

As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I’m fighting for our veterans.  Earlier this year, I wrote and passed legislation that will help improve care for the new generation of veterans who are returning home with severe and traumatic brain injuries.

 

Recently, the House of Representatives also passed a resolution I wrote to honor the Sentinels of Freedom program.  Sentinels of Freedom provides support to veterans severely wounded on, or after September 11, 2001, including assistance finding housing, securing a job and enrolling in school.

 

Honoring the men and women who have served our country is one of my top priorities.  I’m going to keep working for all veterans to receive the care and benefits they’ve earned.

 

I hope you’ll join me today in honoring our heroes by taking time out of your daily activities to reflect on Veterans Day and thank a veteran for their service.  Together, we can ensure that no veteran’s sacrifice is forgotten.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jerry

Congressman Jerry McNerney

Healthcare debate continues

Hello Friends,   We're in the midst of an historic debate on health care and closer than ever to enacting major reform.    Many of you participated in the health care survey I began circulating in April or in the telephone town halls on health care I held recently with almost 12,000 participants.  Your thoughts and comments are appreciated and offer great insight.    Unfortunately, as you've probably heard, there are those in our country who want to block an open debate on health care.  We shouldn't lose the opportunity to have a productive and respectful conversation about the future of health care in this country.   I am not deterred by the current challenges or by those who seek to scare people into believing myths about the great changes we can make to the health care system.   I need your help to continue.  We must stand together to create great change - our voices must rise above the din of misinformation.   Will you please sign my petition to show your support for health care reform?   I will continue to reach out to hear from you.  Over the past month, I've traveled throughout the district to meet with small business owners, seniors, doctors and nurses.  I've toured health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics and local practices so that I can see our health care resources firsthand.    During my health care listening tour, I've heard again and again from people who are ready for change to our health care system.  During these tough times no one should have the additional burden of worrying if they'll have health care when their family needs it most.    I'm working hard to find a uniquely American solution to the problems of our current health care system.  Every family should have access to high quality and affordable health care.  We should crack down on insurance abuses such as preventing people with pre-existing conditions from accessing coverage.  Every citizen should be able to choose the doctor they want to see and be free to make their own decisions on care for themselves and their families.       We're in this together.       Thank you for all that you do,    Jerry Congressman Jerry McNerney

PRESS RELEASE: San Joaquin Supervisors Offer Support To Congressman McNerney

PRESS RELEASE

 

McNerney for Congress

California’s 11^th Congressional District

 

For Immediate Release

June 22, 2009

 

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUPERVISORS

OFFER SUPPORT TO CONGRESSMAN MCNERNEY

Stockton, Calif. – Today, San Joaquin County Supervisors Steve Bestolarides and Larry Ruhstaller offered their support to Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) with the following statement:

“We’re offering our support to Congressman McNerney because we've come to believe this area couldn’t be better represented by anyone than Jerry McNerney," said Supervisors Steve Bestolarides and Larry Ruhstaller.

Healthcare: Tell Me What You Need

Dear Friends,

I just helped write the groundbreaking energy bill that will transform the antiquated policies of the last twenty years into the forward thinking solutions we need to meet our climate and supply challenges.

I'm ready to tackle our next challenge: healthcare reform. 

We must fix healthcare in America.  The outrageous costs and limited services offered by today's system are hurting our economy and our people.  We need a system that provides quality healthcare choices at affordable costs for all Americans.  We also need to lower costs to ensure American small businesses stay competitive and keep jobs here.

 

I need to hear from you.  There are many special interests in Washington trying to promote their agenda, but I want to hear directly from you on these important reforms.

 

Click here to tell me your suggestions.

 

I need you to forward this email to all your friends and family.  The Energy and Commerce Committee - of which I am a member - will be working on a bill to reform healthcare in the coming weeks.  I want input from you on what should be included in this important piece of legislation.

Now is the time to exercise your voice and make your government work for you.  Please tell me what you need.

 

I'm listening.

 

  
Your Friend,

Congressman Jerry McNerney

 

 

PS - Ask all your friends and family to make their voices heard!

Thank You Veterans

Friends,
 

Monday, May 25th, is Memorial Day, a time to remember the men and women of honor who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I hope you’ll join with me in observing this solemn holiday and giving thanks for the freedom we enjoy.

You can join millions of your fellow Americans by observing the “National Moment of Remembrance,” a minute of silence Monday at 3 p.m. local time. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada says, this is “a way we can all help put the ‘memorial’ back in Memorial Day.”

This is also a time to renew our commitment to caring for our nation’s veterans. Over the past weeks, I’ve hosted the Veterans History Project in cities throughout our area in an effort to preserve the stories of the men and women who have served our country. In Stockton, Lodi and Pleasanton, veterans have come to share their remembrances with college, high school and middle school students. The video and audio recordings from these sessions will later be housed in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. for future generations to watch and listen.

Recently, I was proud to announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs selected San Joaquin County as the location of a new clinic and nursing home for veterans. This facility will provide the Central Valley's more than 80,000 veterans with much needed local medical care. I’m going to continue to fight in Congress for all our veterans to have access to the health care services they’ve earned.

I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on all that the men and women who have served our country have given each and every one of us.

Sincerely,

Jerry
Congressman Jerry McNerney

BREAKING NEWS: McNerney secures new veterans' medical facility

I have more great news to share with you today.  Thanks to the hard work and persistence of our Congressman Jerry McNerney, a new outpatient clinic and nursing home for veterans will be built in San Joaquin County. 

 

Our Congressman fought tirelessly for this veterans' medical facility to be built in our area.  Now, all his work on behalf of the brave men and women who have served our country has paid off. 

"It's a new generation - we have to be sure we're ready for them," said Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton. McNerney, a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has been a strong advocate for placing the facility in the county. In addition to increased access for veterans, the construction and staffing of the facility will bring 900 jobs, he said. - Stockton Record, 5/15/09.  Click to read more.

This clinic and nursing home will serve the Central Valley's 80,000 veterans and bring 900 much needed jobs to the area. 

 

I have included links to local news sources if you would like to learn more.  This is a major accomplishment and we could not have achieved this without your support.  We are proud to work for you.

 

Thank you,

 

Robbyn

_____________

Robbyn Umland

McNerney for Congress

___________________________________________________________________________

'Waiting with bated breath'

Lodi News-Sentinel

 

S.J. picked for veterans' home

Stockton Record

 

VA picks SJ County for new veterans clinic

Tracy Press

 

McNerney announces San Joaquin County to get new VA clinic

Lodi News-Sentinel

 

VA selects San Joaquin County for new health-care site

Modesto Bee

 

VA Clinic, nursing home, to come to San Joaquin County

Stockton Record

 

Roll Call publishes McNerney article on Energy

I have exciting news!  Roll Call, a premier Capitol Hill newspaper, recently published a piece written by our Congressman Jerry McNerney.  The subject?  Need you ask?  His expertise - renewable energy!

 

Click here to read the full text.

 

Recognizing our Congressman's 20+ years of experience in renewable energy, they asked for his thoughts on the direction of our country's energy policy.  Here's an excerpt from the article:

 "As when I started my career in renewable energy, America is again at a critical point in its history. We face threats to our national security, a struggling economy, and the danger of climate change. Despite these challenges, the opportunities ahead are great." McNerney: We Need New Energy Technologies, Special to Roll Call, 4/20/09.

Congressman McNerney goes on to point out that we must increase our development of renewable energy from wind, solar, and other sustainable sources, and improve the efficiency of our electrical grid by investing in new technologies.   This process, Congressman McNerney writes, will make "moving America toward energy independence...synonymous with creating millions of "green collar" jobs that our country needs." 

 

Our Congressman is fighting every day to move our country towards a more sustainable energy policy, but he can't do it without you.  The people who come together to support this movement and recruit their friends to become more energy efficient will be the groundswell that accomplishes great change.

 

Please tell your friends and family and ask them to sign up for email updates from Congressman McNerney to learn how they can help! 

 

 

Thank you for all you do,

 

 

Robbyn

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Robbyn Umland

McNerney for Congress

 

 

 

PS -- Want to take your support a step further?  Help us keep the only renewable energy expert with experience in the field in Congress.  Click here to make a donation or sign up to volunteer today!