I want to highlight some recent endorsements for David Weprin for Congress in the Sept. 13th special election for the NY-9 Congressional seat. Two Firefighter Unions, a Teacher's Union and a Police Union have all joined NYC Comptroller John Liu, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Councilman Lew Fidler, The Stonewall Democrats, and Lambda Independent Democrats in endorsing David Weprin for Congress.
This is a great opportunity to beat a teabagger candidate and support our teachers, firefighters and cops.
From two Firefighters Unions:
Firefighters, Officers Endorse David Weprin
for Congress
Today, at “The Enchanted Cottage,” Engine 305 in Forest Hills, New York, David Weprin, Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth Congressional District, received the endorsement of the the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) and United Firefighters Association (UFA).
"Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect New Yorkers, and we need leaders like David Weprin fighting on the front lines for us in Washington,” said UFOA President Al Hagan. “At every opportunity, David Weprin has stood up for firefighters--by supporting working men and women at every turn and fighting to protect the homeland security funding that ensures we can do our jobs safely and effectively. He will fight against efforts in Washington to cut the Medicare and Social Security programs so many of our retired members rely on, and we enthusiastically endorse David Weprin for the United States Congress."
"The UFA is proud to endorse David Weprin for Congress. As City Council Finance Chair, David Weprin fought efforts to shutter FDNY companies that keep our communities safe and secure. He understands the dangerous and difficult job of firefighters, and we are confident he will do everything in his power when in Congress to see that the FDNY has needed funding and resources to protect New Yorkers," Jim Slevin, Vice President and Legislative Chair of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said. "David Weprin is a leader who will protect the benefits firefighters and first responders have earned over a lifetime of hard work. He'll fight the Republican efforts to cut Medicare and Social Security and will stand up for the working families who call Queens and Brooklyn home. That's why I join the UFOA and UFA in my proud support of David Weprin for Congress," said Congressman Joe Crowley.
"We need a strong partner in Congress like David Weprin who will stand with us to keep firehouses open and ensure first responders have the resources they need to protect us. Working men and women throughout New York can count on David Weprin to protect their rights and fight against any cuts to the vital Social Security and Medicare programs they have paid into throughout their entire careers," said City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, Chair of the New York City Council Fire and Criminal Justice Committee.
New York City has one of the largest fire departments in the world, with over 11,000 firefighters and over 3,300 EMTs and paramedics.
“I am honored to receive the support of the UFA and the UFOA. Each and every day, New York’s Bravest make untold sacrifices to keep our city safe,” said Weprin. “At a time when the financial security of millions of Americans is in jeopardy, it is critical that those who have sacrificed so much for us – our firefighters and first responders – know that Social Security and Medicare will be there for them. In Congress, I will fight to make sure that no first responder, nor their families, have to worry whether the benefits they’ve earned over a lifetime will be there when they need them.”
From the Teacher's Union:
Teachers Endorse David Weprin for Congress
Weprin supports middle class families compared to Turner who wants to end Medicare and eliminate Department of Education
QUEENS, NY – Today in front of PS 64 Elementary School in Ozone Park, David Weprin, Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth Congressional District, received the endorsement of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the organization that represents New York City public school teachers. The UFT endorsed Weprin because he is the only candidate in the race they can trust to protect Medicare and Social Security and because Bob Turner wants to eliminate the Department of Education.
"In these times of fiscal uncertainty and growing income inequality, New Yorkers need a strong Democratic voice in Washington to help put his country back on the right track,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said. “David Weprin will fight for the national policies New Yorkers need to solve the problems of our economy, and to keep the promises of Social Security and Medicare."
While David Weprin has fought to protect education and seniors, radical Bob Turner supports a reckless budget plan that would end Medicare and Social Security as we know it and eliminate the federal Department of Education. Bob Turner proposes cutting the federal budget by one-third and refused to close tax loopholes for Big Oil or companies that ship jobs overseas. Under his plan, it is impossible to protect the Medicare, Social Security, and education programs middle class families depend on.
“We can make no better investment in the nation’s future than to support the teachers who instruct our children,” said Weprin. “I am proud to receive the endorsement of the UFT, and I look forward to working with them in Congress to protect Social Security and Medicare for the thousands of New York Educators who depend on those programs and to ensure our schools have the resources and support they need to prepare our young people to take on the challenges of the changing global economy.”
From the Police Union:
Police Endorse Weprin for Congress
Cite 9/11 Health Care bill, Preserving Medicare as key to support
QUEENS, NY – David Weprin, Candidate for Congress in New York’s Ninth Congressional District, today announced the endorsement of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA). The PBA represents over 24,000 police officers in New York City and an additional 30,000 police retirees. The organization cited Weprin’s unwavering support for the 9/11 Zadroga Health Care Act and his commitment to protecting Medicare and Social Security as the main factors for their endorsement.
“David Weprin has a wealth of experience in local and state government that will serve his constituents well in Washington. His support of law enforcement and middle class families is well documented during his tenure in the NYC Council, the State Assembly and as the Deputy Superintendent of Banks in New York State,” PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said. “We know we can trust David Weprin to fight to protect the Medicare and Social Security benefits working families rely on, and his background in finance and his service as the chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee will be of great value
during these difficult financial times. David has been an effective and honest public servant who will represent us well in Congress. The New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association is proud to endorse David Weprin, a true friend of law enforcement, for the United States Congress.”
David Weprin will be a strong advocate for the rights of police officers and all middle class workers in Congress. He supports providing health benefits to all 9/11 first responders and the Employee Free Choice Act and opposes any and all cuts to Social Security and Medicare. In contrast, his opponent Bob Turner does not support health care benefits for 9/11 volunteers and supports a budget plan that would decimate Medicare and Social Security.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of New York City’s Finest, who put their lives on the line everyday to protect us,” said Weprin. “In Congress, I will fight to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits to ensure a stable retirement for New York police officers and all middle class families, and I will work to ensure they have the resources they need to protect us.”
Stand with our Firefighters, Teachers and Cops for David Weprin for Congress against the Billionaire Koch Brothers Teabagger candidate Turner. Vote David Weprin for Congress on Sept. 13th. And if you can contribute a bit to win this one, please click here.