James "Jim" Ferlo (born June 19, 1952) is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 38th Senatorial District since 2003. His district consists of parts of Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties.

Background and career[link]

Ferlo was born to Italian immigrant parents in the small upstate town of Rome, New York, and credits part of his legislative effectiveness as being one of ten siblings.

Ferlo was a liberal community activist in the City of Pittsburgh before being elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 1987. He served on council for 15 years until his election to the State Senate in 2002. Ferlo served as president of City Council from 1994 to 1997. He currently lives in Pittsburgh's Highland Park section.

A Democrat, Ferlo was elected to the state senate in 2002, receiving 65 percent of the vote to 35 percent for Republican candidate Ted Tomson. In 2003, the political website PoliticsPA named him to "The Best of the Freshman Class" list.^[6] Ferlo was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2006 in his heavily Democratic district. In that race, Ferlo received 84 percent of the vote, while his opponent Joe Murphy of the Constitution Party received 16 percent.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Pennsylvania State Senate - Jim Ferlo official PA Senate website
• Ferlo for Senate official caucus website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Jim Ferlo (PA) profile
• Follow the Money – Jim Ferlo
  • 2006 2004 2002 campaign contributions

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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009)

Ferlo is a region in Senegal's Ferio Desert^[1] rapidly depopulated because of desertification. There are two Faunal Reserves in Ferlo.

Coordinates: 15°53′N 15°15′W / 15.88°N 15.25°W / 15.88; -15.25

References[link]

This Senegal location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Joe Sestak
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th district
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Curt Weldon
Succeeded by	Pat Meehan
Personal details
Born	(1951-12-12) December 12, 1951 (age 60) Secane, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susan L. Clark
Children	Alexandra Sestak
Residence	Edgmont Township, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy (B.S.) Harvard University (M.P.A., Ph.D.)
Occupation	Naval Admiral Politician
Religion	Roman Catholic
Website	JoeSestak.com
Military service
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1974–2005
Rank	Vice Admiral (Retired as a Rear Admiral)
Commands	Director of Navy Operations Group
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Joint Service Commendation Medal

Joseph Ambrose "Joe" Sestak, Jr. (born December 12, 1951) is a former American politician and Navy admiral. A Democrat, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms, from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2011. He was the highest-ranking military official ever elected to the U.S. Congress. Sestak defeated 30-year incumbent Arlen Specter in the 2010 Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary. He was defeated in the general election by former U.S Representative Pat Toomey.

Sestak was a member of the United States Navy for over 30 years, before retiring as a Vice admiral (three stars). Late in his naval career, Sestak served as the Director for Defense on the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton. During his naval career, he held a series of operational commands, including commanding the USS George Washington carrier strike group during combat operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean in 2002. Following the September 11 attacks, he served as the first director of "Deep Blue" (code name), the Navy's top secret counter-terrorism unit.

Early life, education and career[link]

Sestak was born in Secane, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Martin, came to America from the Czechoslovak village of Dolné Lovčice in what is now Slovakia in 1922, after World War I, while his father Joseph (age 3), was sent to America in 1924 to join Martin. Sestak's father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, and then fought in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II, rising the rank of captain.^[1] Afterwards, he continued his service as an engineering officer in at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.^[2]

Joe Sestak attended Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield,PA, where his mother worked as a math teacher. Sestak was deeply inspired by his father. He recalls the time Joseph Sr. spent five hours fixing the family car in the freezing cold of a Philadelphia winter:

"I remember going to the window and watching him. And the admiration that I had—just that strong determination of his. Never give in."^[3]

Following in his father's footsteps, Sestak enlisted in the U.S. Naval Academy immediately after graduating high school, during the Vietnam War. In 1974, Sestak graduated second in his class of over 900 midshipmen, with a Bachelor of Science degree in American political systems.^[4] Between tours at sea, Sestak earned a Master of Public Administration and a Ph.D. in political economy and government from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1980 and 1984, respectively.^[5]

Naval career[link]

Joe Sestak commanded the USS Samuel B. Roberts to victory in the Battenberg Cup.

As a surface warfare officer, Sestak served division officer tours as damage control assistant, combat information center officer and weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd, and then was weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel. He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of United States Navy surface forces in the Pacific.

In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood and was instrumental in the Underwood winning the coveted battle E and the Battenberg Cup (awarded to the best ship in the Atlantic fleet). He then served in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, which was named the Atlantic Fleet's best surface combatant in the 1993 Battenberg Cup competition.

Vice Admiral Joseph Sestak, Jr., USN
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs

In July 1993, Sestak became the head of the Strategy and Concepts Branch in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where he was responsible for national security and defense strategy, policies, programs, inter-agency and congressional coordination and regional political-military advice. In May 1997, he became the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14.^[4]

Sestak then directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the Navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After September 11th, he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War on Terrorism. He reported directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vern Clark, as policy adviser and administrator. Under Clark, Sestak worked to rein in military spending by maximizing fleet efficiency.^[1]

Controversy over reassignment[link]

In the summer of 2005, Sestak was administratively removed from his position as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7), effectively ending his naval career.^[6] His removal was one of the first changes made by Admiral Michael Mullen when he took over as the new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in July, 2005, according to Navy Times. With his removal, Sestak was reassigned as a special assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.^[7]

However, controversy stirred over his leaving of the Navy, as it was reported that it was because he "ruffled feathers" within the Bush Administration and conflicted with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (who later resigned) because Sestak pushed for spending cuts.^[2] In an investigative report by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chief of Naval Operations Vern Clark stated that he,

"wanted straight talk, and this put [Sestak] in the crosshairs. People are going to say what they want to say, but he challenged people who did not want to be challenged. The guy is courageous, a patriot’s patriot."^[8]

Daughter's diagnosis of brain cancer[link]

In the summer of 2005, his 3-year-old daughter Alex was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Sestak subsequently retired from the Navy to concentrate on his daughter's diagnosis. He retired in 2005 as a two-star Admiral, as he did not hold the rank of three-star Admiral long enough to retain it as a permanent rank.^[2]

Military decorations[link]

Sestak's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.^[9]

Congressional Campaigns[link]

2006[link]

Sestak ran successfully for Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, making him the second Democrat to win in the traditionally Republican district since the Civil War. The race was in the national spotlight, as it was profiled in Time Magazine as the harbinger of the national political climate of the 2006 elections and the most-watched swing district in the country.^[10]

In 2006, with his daughter's recovery process going smoothly, Sestak was motivated to run for Congress due to the benefits he received under the United States Military's TRICARE health care program. Due to his high rank, his daughter received the care she needed to treat her brain tumor. Sestak stated that, during his travels to find the best treatment for his daughter, he saw children who didn't have the same quality care, or couldn't even afford the needed care. Thus, Sestak placed health care reform as a pillar of his campaign to make sure everyone had the same care his family had. He articulated that his congressional service was a continuation of his military service, for "paying back" the country that gave health care to his daughter. Sestak began laying the groundwork for a Congressional run in his home district in Pennsylvania as a Democrat. However, he was approached and told that he had to first receive the endorsement of the "DCCC." Confused, Sestak first thought DCCC meant his hometown's Delaware County Community College. Eventually, he was steered toward the correct DCCC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and informed its head, Rahm Emanuel, of his run for Congress.^[11] Emanuel told Sestak he was not ready for such an election. Pennsylvania's 7th district is heavily conservative, as Republicans outnumbered Democrats 2:1. Sestak decided to run anyway and turned to his brother Richard and sisters Elizabeth and Margaret, who served as his campaign manager, top fundraiser and treasurer, respectively.^[12] Sestak challenged ten-term incumbent Curt Weldon in a race for the seat. Sestak proved a capable fund-raiser. In the second quarter of 2006, he raised $704,000 to Weldon's $692,000; in the third, $1.14 million to $912,000. As of September 30, 2006, Sestak had $1.53 million cash on hand, while Weldon had $1.12 million in the bank after making a $500,000 TV ad buy that had not started as of the close of the third quarter.^[13] Sestak received campaign funds from famed people around the world, including performer Jimmy Buffett, John Grisham, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and many Naval officers.

On October 6, 2006, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report re-rated the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up." A poll released in late September 2006 showed Sestak and Weldon locked in a statistical dead heat. Sestak led Weldon 44-43 among likely voters in a Franklin & Marshall College Keystone Poll released September 29. The poll also found that 49 percent of registered voters in the district felt it was time for change in the district and only 37 percent said Weldon deserved re-election.^[14] The poll numbers suggest Sestak had seriously eroded Weldon's previous lead; a poll conducted in April 2006 by the pro-Democratic Party organization Democracy Corps had Weldon leading 51 to 41 percent. An October 8–10 survey by nonpartisan pollster Constituent Dynamics put Sestak ahead 51–44.^[15] On October 13, 2006, CQPolitics changed their rating on the race, from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite."^[16] The race was locked in a dead-heat until late October, when FBI special agents raided the homes of Weldon's daughter and a close friend in connection with a federal corruption probe ^[17] (though as of 2009 neither Weldon nor his daughter were ever charged with a crime).^[18] Sestak won by 13 points.

2008[link]

In 2008, Sestak faced Republican nominee Wendell Craig Williams, a U.S. Marine and attorney. Sestak defeated him by a 20-point margin (59.6–40.4), a full 8 points higher than his 2006 election, considered by many to be a landslide victory.^[19] He did not purchase any advertisements, and his largest expense was lawn signs. Sestak became the only Democrat in the history of his district to be re-elected.^[20]

On April 22, 2008, he was interviewed as part of the Colbert Report's Better Know A District series. He said that he supports Senator Hillary Clinton for president because of his history with her in the White House and how "she has watched and observed the proper use of military force, not as the first step, like the Bush administration did; they walk, they clobber things with a big stick, and then we have to deal with the mess they've given us." When asked if he ever felt like a mushroom, Sestak joked, "Sometimes I feel as though my staff keeps me in the dark and feeds me ...", a reference to the use of compost in mushroom production.^[21]

Sestak endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president in the 2008 Democratic primaries; he then endorsed Barack Obama for the general election after Obama secured the presidential nomination for the Democratic party.^[22]

U.S. Congressman, 2007-2011[link]

Committee assignments[link]

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces
  • Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on Education and Labor
  • Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Subcommittee on Healh, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Small Business (Vice Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
  • Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare and Trade

Work ethic[link]

Sestak has "developed a reputation for being a temperamental and demanding boss" due to reports that thirteen staffers quit his employment in 2007. Aides are purportedly expected to work seven days a week, including holidays, often for 14 hours a day. Sestak justifies these hours, which are considered long even by the standards of Capitol Hill, by presuming to instill a military-minded "toughness" in his civilian staff.

He typically worked 18 hours a day and purportedly sleeps only 2 to 3 hours a night, and states that he does not ask his staff to work harder than he does. He also defends his relatively low salaries for his staff by instead providing more resources to constituents. While in Congress, he kept his constituent office in Pennsylvania open seven days a week to accept those seeking help, and dared reporters to check by calling the office on a Sunday at 10 PM. Sestak's office accomplished more than four times the national average amount of constituent cases.^[23]

During his first term in office, Sestak employed 61 people as staff in his official congressional office. In comparison, Representatives Jason Altmire, Patrick Murphy, and Christopher Carney, the three other Pennsylvania Democrats elected in 2006, have employed a total of 28, 26, and 25 staff members, respectively, as reported by Real Clear Politics.^[23]

Legislative accomplishments[link]

Sestak wrote various pieces of legislation that successfully passed Congress. Most significantly, he created the House Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he co-chaired; extended benefits for those seeking work (COBRA), as a part of the JOBS bill; co-wrote the amendment to give small businesses tax credits, as a part of health care reform,^[24] and moved the first significant federals funds into autism care and research, nicknamed the "Sestak Amendment."^[25]

Sestak also heavily advocated for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, as Congress' senior veteran, and Wall Street Reform, ending the practice of tax-payer bailouts to banks. Those measures eventually passed.^[25]

Sestak also voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,^[26] the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,^[27] the American Clean Energy and Security Act,^[28] and the Affordable Health Care for America Act.^[29]

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer named Sestak the most productive freshman member of Congress in 2007.^[30] In the 111th United States Congress, Sestak's last term in office, Congress passed more bills written by Sestak than bills written by Pennsylvania's Senators, combined.

2010 U.S. Senate Campaign[link]

Primary Election[link]

Whispers of a possible U.S. Senate campaign appeared in 2008 after his landslide victory and $3 million campaign surplus after his re-election. Even before Arlen Specter's announcement to switch parties, draft efforts were organized. However, once Senator Specter switched, nationwide support mounted on a possible senatorial campaign. Most prominent was a straw poll conducted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. It was entitled "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?" Nationwide, almost 8000 votes were cast with 86% responding yes and 85% of Pennsylvanians responding yes. Sestak only responded with a thank you for the overwhelming support.^[31]

Sestak faced significant opposition to his candidacy from President Barack Obama, the national Democratic Party and the state party. Then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) appeared on national TV and stated that "Joe Sestak should not run for the Senate in the Democratic primary." ^[32] Sestak responded, "there’s no more kings, there’s no more king makers in America,"^[33] and proceeded to visit all 67 counties of Pennsylvania.

On May 27, 2009, Sestak indicated that he intended to challenge current Senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary, pending a final family decision because he hadn't "had the time to sit down with my eight-year-old daughter or my wife to make sure that we are all ready to get in."^[34] In June, he was overheard saying "[i]t would take an act of God for me to not get in now," in reference to the Senate race.^[35] In a Quinnipiac University Poll conducted May 20–26, in the Democratic primary, Specter led with 50%, with Sestak at 21% and 27% undecided. Despite the gap, it was noted that Sestak did not have much statewide recognition at the time, as he represents only one out of the nineteen Pennsylvania congressional districts.^[36]

On August 4, Sestak officially announced his candidacy.^[37] His only brother, Richard Sestak, was his campaign manager for the Senate race.^{[38][not in citation given]} In discussing his opponent Arlen Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, Sestak has said that the switch was "100%" motivated by politics.^[39]

At a little after 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 18, 2010, the Associated Press called the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary for Congressman Sestak.^[40]

Democratic Opposition & "Obama's Bribe"[link]

Throughout the primary election, the Obama administration and the Democratic Party campaigned heavily against Sestak, as the President, Vice President, and numerous cabinet members and Senators hosted many fundraisers and events for Specter. On September 19, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid even shut down the entire United States Senate, as he, the President, and many Senators instead flew to Philadelphia to host a prominent fundraiser for Specter.^[41] The event drew controversy because of its unconventional nature of closing federal business and how the money raised during the event would be given to Republicans and conservative PACs that asked for refunds of their contributions given prior to Specter's party switch.^[42] Barack Obama's presidential campaign, called "Organizing for America" during the off years, also led efforts against Sestak.^[43]

In an interview in February 2010, Sestak responded affirmatively when asked if the Obama administration had offered him a high-level White House job if he would end his candidacy for the Pennsylvania Senate seat, held by Arlen Specter. Sestak stated that he had quickly refused the offer.^[44] When questioned about the specifics of the offer on Midweek Politics with David Pakman, he stood ground on refusing to add information to or comment further on his prior statements.^[39][45][46] He continued to offer no further details to the media of what transpired until the Obama administration released their official report on the incident.

On May 28, 2010, the White House released an official report on the matter, authored by White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer, clarifying that Sestak had been approached about potential, uncompensated executive branch positions on senior advisory boards and stating Bauer's official opinion that nothing inappropriate, illegal or unethical had taken place.^[47] The official report also stated that the offer had been made by former president Bill Clinton, on behalf of the Obama administration. Following the release of the report, Sestak issued a statement in which he essentially confirmed the contents of the White House report.^[48]

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa alleged that such an offer and Sestak's not reporting the offer could possibly have been felonies.^[49] However, partisan legal analysts have disagreed with the suggestion that such a job offer would be illegal.^[50]

General Election[link]

Many cited the Pennsylvania Senate general election as the "marquee race of 2010," a bellwether of the national stage. After securing the Democratic Party's nomination, calling it "a win for the people, over the establishment, over the status quo, even over Washington, DC," Sestak enjoyed a slight lead in the general election polls against the Republican Party's candidate, former Congressman and Club for Growth President, Pat Toomey. However, as Sestak tried to recoup his financial losses after a long primary, Toomey did not face a competitive primary process and aired TV ads much earlier than Sestak. Toomey's effective fundraising and advertising allowed for him to rise in the polls, at one point having a double digit lead, causing political pundits to change the race from a "Toss Up" to "Lean Republican."^[51] Many stopped short of calling the race "Solid Republican" for Toomey, as Sestak had a reputation of campaigning until he "sees the whites of their eyes" and 11th hour comebacks.^[52] As the election neared, Sestak began airing ads in mid-fall and overcame his deficit and was behind a only a couple points, within the margin of error polling. It was only until Sestak narrowed the gap in October did the DSCC and the Democratic Party began to recognize the winnability of Pennsylvania, and aired advertisements against Toomey. At the beginning of election night, Sestak led in the exit polls by a large margin, but as more votes were counted, and the "red T" area of central Pennsylvania began reporting votes, Toomey caught up. Counting continued until early next morning, as the numbers were too close for a winner to be declared. As the percentages stabilized, and it was clear Toomey was eventual winner, Sestak conceded the race to a room of his supporters at the Valley Forge Military Academy. He lost by 80,000 votes out of the 4 million cast, a margin large enough to avoid a recount. It was the smallest margin of loss of any other Pennsylvania Democratic candidate in 2010.^[53] The total spending of the race was $20 million, the most of any other federal election in 2010. After the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling, conservative Political action committees and corporations broke the record for outside spending, airing ads on Toomey's behalf, causing Sestak to be outspent 3 to 1.^[54] Sestak responded to this outside spending at Philadelphia Constitution Hall, arguing, "It is we the people. Not we the corporations; nor we Wall Street."^[55]

Political positions[link]

Abortion[link]

Sestak is pro-choice, holding a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a 0% rating from the National Right to Life Committee.^[56][57] NARAL endorsed Sestak in the 2010 Democratic primary over Specter because of Sestak's opposition to a ban on partial birth abortion.^[58] In 2009, Sestak's invitation to speak to students at the Catholic Malvern Preparatory School was rescinded after the school received criticism from Catholic parents and alumni.^[59]

Economy[link]

Sestak supports requiring Congress to offset the cost of all new spending. The Congressman also supports expanding middle class tax cuts and letting the Bush tax cuts expire. He voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus) and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008.^[60]

Education[link]

Sestak voted for the Improving Head Start Act and the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.^{[citation needed]}

Environment[link]

Sestak voted for the Waxman Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap and Trade) program.^[61] Joe Sestak has a 96% lifetime rating from League of Conservation Voters and a 100% rating from PennEnvironment. He was endorsed by the Sierra Club in his 2006 and 2008 Congressional election campaigns. He voted for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 and the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act. He was also an original co-sponsor of the Climate Stewardship Act (H.R. 620) and the Safe Climate Act.^[62]

Gun rights[link]

Sestak supports gun control and has a 100% rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence^[63] and an F rating from the National Rifle Association.^[64]

Sestak has called for the reinstatement of the federal ban on assault weapons.^[65]

Healthcare[link]

Sestak credits his support for health care reform as to "pay back" the country that provided him and his family health care while he was in the Navy (the TRICARE program), especially for successfully treating his daughter's brain tumor.^[66] He supports state-provided preventive care and voted for the CHAMP Act. Sestak originally co-sponsored the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiations Act, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act and co-sponsored H.R. 3800, which establishes a public-private Partnership for Health Care Improvement. He also announced the Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he will co-chair.^[67] He is also a member of the Autism Caucus, Diabetes Caucus,^[68] 21st Century Health Care Caucus, Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Nursing Caucus, and Cystic Fibrosis Caucus.^[69]

Unions[link]

Sestak is an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act and supports the original version that includes card check. He created the Labor Advisory Committee to address the challenges facing working families in his district.^[70]

Medical marijuana[link]

Sestak voted to allow states to regulate medical marijuana by voting for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008, which would have barred the Department of Justice from preventing the implementation of state laws regarding the distribution, possession, and cultivation of medical marijuana. The bill was defeated 165–262.^[71]

Military[link]

As a candidate, Sestak campaigned to end the war in Iraq. Once in office in 2007, he supported Congressional efforts to re-deploy forces but also voted for war supplemental that the House constructed after President Bush's veto, a bill that many critics of the Bush administration have called a "blank check" for the continuation of administration policies in the Middle East.^[72] However, Sestak and other veterans argued that they shouldn't punish soldiers for the President's actions, and supported the bill in order to provide adequate protection & equipment for the armed forces.^[73]

Sestak supported the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which critics contend continues the Bush administration's policy of warrantless wiretapping and provides retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies who participated in the National Security Agency's "terrorist surveillance program."^[74]

Sestak supported the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan in late 2009, and military actions such as drone strikes in northwest Pakistan. He supports the gradual drawdown of troops from Iraq.^[75]

Sestak was an opponent of "don't ask, don't tell", the policy that excludes gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military, saying that the policy means "[w]e're absolutely not adhering to the ideals of our nation".^[76] Sestak was instrumental in bringing to light a two-year pattern of abuse, including anti-gay hazing, that took place within a Military Working Dog unit stationed in Bahrain, sparking an investigation that turned up nearly 100 instances of abuse.^[77]

Electoral history[link]

Personal life[link]

Sestak is married to the former Susan L. Clark. In childhood their daughter Alexandra survived brain cancer.^[81]

See also[link]

United States Navy portal

• Pat Toomey

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Joe Sestak

• Joe Sestak for U.S. Senate official campaign website
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Congressional profile at GovTrack
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On the Issues
• Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Collected news and commentary at The New York Times
• Biography at the United States Navy
• Campaign contributions at the Federal Election Commission (U.S. House)

Articles

• "GOP's Financial Edge Shrinks" The Washington Post, August 20, 2006
• "One on One with Congressman Joe Sestak" Pottstown Herald, September 9, 2009, 20-minute podcast

Shirley M. Kitchen is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 3rd District since 1996.^[2] Previously she was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 through 1988.

Ward leader[link]

Kitchen is the Ward Leader of the 20th Ward Democratic Executive Committee.^[3]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Senator Kitchen official Caucus website
• Pennsylvania State Senate - Shirley M. Kitchen official PA Senate website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Shirley M. Kitchen (PA) profile
• Follow the Money - Shirley M. Kitchen
  • 2006, 2004, 2002, and 2000 campaign contributions

This article about a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Laura Fygi (born 27 August 1955 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch singer.

Background and career[link]

For the first eight years of her life, she lived with her parents in South America. She is the daughter of a Dutch father (a manager at Philips) and an Egyptian mother.^[1]

Between 1984 and 1991, Laura Fygi was a member of one of the most popular Dutch girl-bands, Centerfold, known for their hit "Dictator". During performances, the ladies dressed themselves in sexy lingerie. They had hits in the Netherlands and all over Europe. They were big in Japan.

In 1991, the ladies of Centerfold stopped performing and Laura (together with Rowan Moore) started a band called The Backlot. After one performance in Dutch theatre Paradiso, an album was expected, but Mercury Records had already asked Laura to make a solo album. This first album of hers was called Introducing, produced by Ruud Jacobs. On this album, she was accompanied by famous Belgian musician Jean "Toots" Thielemans. Most of the songs on the album are jazz.

Solo albums[link]

• Introducing 1991
• Bewitched 1993
• The Lady Wants to Know 1994
• Turn Out the Lamplight 1995
• Watch What Happens 1997
• Dream your dream 1998 (released in Japan only)
• Live 1998
• Laura Fygi's tunes of passion 1999 (special release for Jaguar Nederland)
• The Latin Touch 2000
• Change 2001
• Live at Ronnie Scott's 2003
• The Very Best Time of Year 2004
• Rendez-vous 2007
• Songs from Movies & Musicals 2009
• The Best is Yet to Come 2011

Stage appearances[link]

• Victoria Grant/Count Victor Grazinski in Victor/Victoria, Singapore 2009

References[link]