October 20, 2008                                                                               

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Pete Peterson - (215) 990-8928

Pileggi Endorsed by Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Police Pioneer Lodge 37, Chester County FOP Lodge 11 and William Penn FOP Lodge 19

MEDIA, PA – Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi announced today that he has received additional support from the state and local law enforcement community, earning the endorsements of the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge, Pioneer Lodge 37 of the Fraternal Order of Police (State Police), the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 11 and the William Penn Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 19.  Senator Pileggi received the endorsement last month of the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 27).

The announcement comes on the heels of Pileggi's leadership in guiding House Bill 1845 through the Senate.  The legislation, signed into law on Friday, cracks down on straw purchases of handguns and imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years for assaulting a police officer with a firearm.  The legislation had the backing of both the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Rifle Association.

"Senator Pileggi has consistently shown a strong dedication to local and state law enforcement," said Les Neri, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge.  "He recognizes that support of our law enforcement officers is an essential priority for state and local government and his legislative record reflects that commitment.  The Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police fully supports the re-election of Senator Pileggi as an advocate for law enforcement in the state Senate."

"The dedication shown by the men and women of the Fraternal Order of Police is essential to our community," said Senator Dominic Pileggi. "Every day, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities and our families safe.   I am honored to have the endorsement of these dedicated men and women and pledge to continue to work to pass legislation that protects our law enforcement officers and provides them with the support and funding they need to do their jobs safely and effectively" 

Senator Pileggi has been a leader in supporting a number of legislative priorities of the Fraternal Order of Police:

·        As the Senate Majority Leader, Pileggi helped obtain Senate passage of HB 1845, legislation that cracks down on straw purchasers of firearms.  The legislation also imposes a sentence of death or life in prison for killing a law enforcement officer. It also establishes a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison for anyone found guilty of assaulting a law enforcement officer with a firearm.  The Senator was an early co-sponsor of the legislation when it was introduced last year as SB 450.

·        He is an original co-sponsor of Senate Bill 818, which makes it a criminal offense to attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer

·        Senator Pileggi was the author and chief sponsor of the "Heart and Lung Act of 2006", which extends benefits for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs under Pennsylvania's Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law.  The legislation was approved by the House and Senate and signed into law in 2006.

·        Senator Pileggi is an original co-sponsor of Senate Bill 150, which increases protections for victims of sexual violence.  The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting action by the Pennsylvania House.

Senator Dominic Pileggi is currently seeking re-election to the Pennsylvania legislature representing the 9th Senatorial District, which includes portions of Delaware and Chester Counties.  Pileggi has utilized his position as Senate Majority Leader to champion reform in Harrisburg, working to improve accountability and transparency in state government.  Senator Pileggi has also been a strong advocate of fiscal responsibility, working to block efforts to increase state spending while holding the line on taxes.  Pileggi has been a strong advocate of health care reform, fighting for the extension of the MCare abatement program, championing medical malpractice liability reform, and addressing the problem of the uninsured.  For more information on Senator Pileggi's re-election campaign, please visit his website at www.pileggi08.com.