For Immediate Release
December 5, 2011
Contact: Michelle Felder
(216) 536-1400
Michelle@marcialfudge.com
Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge Runs for Re-Election
“Many people in our district are struggling or frustrated with an economy and government policies that leave their best interests behind. They deserve a strong voice, a strong heart and proven leadership. I have a promise to keep. Moving this district forward is my top priority. “
BEACHWOOD, OH – Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge announced today her candidacy for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the people of the 11th District of Ohio. The Congresswoman unveiled her plans at a news conference before supporters, community and faith leaders at Phil the Fire Restaurant in Beachwood, Ohio.
Job creation will remain a major focus in the next term. “Residents tell me time and again that the need for jobs and access to good paying jobs rank as their highest priority. That is why it is my top priority as well,” said Congresswoman Fudge. In addition to legislative initiatives and appropriations she pursued to enhance job retention and growth in the District, Congresswoman Fudge was the first Member of Congress to host a job fair in the nationwide “For the People” Jobs Initiative. Through hard work and determined effort by the Congresswoman and her staff, the event brought together more than 100 employers and secured employment for hundreds of residents in the District last August.
She also plans to continue her vigorous support for social safety net programs that are crucial to low-income families and seniors. Congresswoman Fudge is a staunch defender of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and will continue to work to strengthen these programs for current beneficiaries and future generations. At the news conference, Congresswoman Fudge discussed other urgent priorities: addressing housing issues such as foreclosure and the need for structural relief for homeowners who are “underwater” (mortgage holders who owe more than their homes are worth), continuing her role as a national leader in defending voting rights that are under attack for millions of Americans in Ohio and across the nation, and advocating for children’s nutrition and reducing the epidemic of childhood obesity.
Congresswoman Fudge believes the people of her District are entitled to a maximum return of the tax dollars they send to Washington. In fiscal year 2011, nearly $51 million dollars in federal grants were awarded in Congresswoman Fudge’s district, the vast majority either through her direct efforts or as a direct result of legislation she supported or worked to strengthen.
Major Accomplishments
• Congresswoman Fudge has sponsored four major pieces of legislation to encourage job growth, ranging from incentives for employers to train and hire workers to a National Infrastructure Bank. In 2011, she hosted a Job Fair and hundreds of Northeast Ohio residents were able to secure jobs because of the event.
• Congresswoman Fudge has been a leading advocate for voting rights, coming out against Ohio’s proposed Voter ID law and Ohio HB 194 as well as convening her colleagues in Congress to fight suppressive voting laws being passed in legislatures across the county.
• Over the last three years, Congresswoman Fudge has established herself as a champion for children’s health, sponsoring legislation establishing September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month as well as comprehensive legislation to address childhood obesity that addresses food deserts and safe areas for children to exercise.
• Congresswoman Fudge remains a strong advocate for Medicare and Social Security, vowing not to vote for any legislation that drastically changes recipients’ benefits.
• Congresswoman Fudge recognizes the dedication of our veterans and continues to support them through legislation and by sponsoring events, including the Veterans Benefits Resource Fair. In 2010, $900,000 in appropriations she requested was approved for workforce development and supportive education for veterans. This included grants to Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College and the MAGNET program.
• Rep. Fudge strongly supports the right of workers to collectively bargain. She took to the House floor to speak out against SB 5 and will continue to fight attempts to silence workers.
• Rep. Fudge is committed to seeing that every child has an opportunity to receive a quality education. She convened meetings with school superintendents to better understand the issues they face in their districts.
• Rep. Fudge successfully marshaled other Members of Congress to support an $11 million NIH grant for a new colon cancer research center at Case Western Reserve University. In September, 2011, the University received the money.
• National defense: Congresswoman Fudge led the way to securing appropriations for new and established companies in the District involved in research and development in defense projects. This included $2,000,000 for Arteriocyte’s research in cellular therapy for battlefield wounds and $2,000,000 for the Sherwin-Williams Corporation’s research into Paintshield technology to protect people from microbial threats.
What others say about Congresswoman Fudge’s Leadership and Experience
“With the untimely passing of Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the 11th Congressional District also lost seniority in Congress. Marcia Fudge has now acquired some valuable seniority upon which to build. Additionally, she will be building upon a quickly-earned reputation among her colleagues of being a hard worker and a knowledgeable legislator with leadership qualities. Her re-election is a must if the 11th Congressional District is to maintain the excellence in Congressional service to which it has become accustomed.” Louis Stokes, U.S. Congress (Retired)
“MAGNET deeply appreciates the unwavering support, and all the efforts of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge in helping secure funding from the Department of Labor for the Career Assistance to the Returning Veterans’ Program. Because of her belief and conviction in this initiative, a “win-win” situation has been created for our returning military personnel as well as the manufacturing community of Northeast Ohio”. Dan Berry, MAGNET Program
“It is one thing to appreciate higher education, another to affect positive change. Congresswoman Fudge is the whole package…In a legislative arena such as our nation’s capital, the ability to achieve the standing and stature even to be heard is a challenge in itself. To also secure meaningful support is a victory of significant proportions. Congresswoman Fudge has achieved those triumphs time and again for our community and for our campus.” Barbara Snyder, President, Case Western Reserve University
“Congresswoman Fudge has been and is an important, purposeful voice of leadership.”
Rev. Kenneth Chalker, Cleveland
“My Congresswoman, Marcia Fudge, is a fabulous leader and remains very much true to the cause of serving others.” Robert Nosanchuk, Shaker Heights
“I want to personally thank and extend my appreciation to the Congresswoman and her office for promoting and hosting the job fair. I found her staff and interns to be extremely helpful and hospitable by their direction and knowledge of what agencies were in attendance. Because of their guidance and by my attending the career fair, I was able to obtain a government job and start building an actual career for myself. Thanks Congresswoman Fudge for the opportunity!
Darilyn Hopes, Cleveland
Background
In November 2008, Congresswoman Fudge was elected to fill the remaining weeks of the unexpired term of the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Ms. Fudge was sworn into office in December, 2008. During November 2008, the election was also held for the next full Congressional term that began in January 2009. Congresswoman Fudge ran for the full term as well and was overwhelmingly elected. Voters returned her to office by more than an 80% margin in 2010.
The Congresswoman is a life-long Democrat who makes her home in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. For a copy of Congresswoman Fudge’s biography and campaign updates, please visit, www.marcialfudge.com
Endorsements
Federal
Hon. Louis Stokes, Congressman 11th District, Retired
State
John Barnes, Jr., State Representative District 12
Barbara Boyd, State Representative District 9
Armond Budish, Ohio House Minority Leader
Bill Patmon, State Representative District 10
Shirley Smith, State Senator District 21
County
C. Ellen Connally, Cuyahoga County Council President
Ed Fitzgerald, Cuyahoga County Executive
Russell Pry, Summit County Executive
Mayors
Bill Cervenik , City of Euclid
Merle Gordon, City of Beachwood
Susan Infeld, City of University Heights
Frank Jackson, City of Cleveland
Ed Kelley, City of Cleveland Heights
Earl Leiken, City of Shaker Heights
John Licastro, City of Bratenahl
Kathy Mulcahy, City of Orange
Bob Nash, Village of Highland Hills
Gary Norton, City of East Cleveland
Don Plusquellic, City of Akron
Dan Pocek, City of Bedford
Brad Sellers, City of Warrensville Heights Mayor Elect
Georgine Welo, City of South Euclid
City Council Members
Dan Brown, Orange Village
Kevin Conwell, Cleveland Ward 9
Phyllis Cleveland, Cleveland Ward 5
Jeff Johnson, Cleveland Ward 8
Ken Johnson, Cleveland Ward 3
Dr. David Miller, South Euclid Council President
Mamie Mitchell, Cleveland Ward 6
Mike Polensek, Cleveland Ward 11
Marco Sommerville, Akron Council President
Zachary Reed, Cleveland Ward 2
Elona White, Warrensville Heights Ward 3
Democratic Party
Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman
Cuyahoga County Young Democrats
Community
Beth Brandon
David Goldberg
Larry Goldberg
Robert Goldberg
Bill Heller
Basheer Jones
Peter Lawson Jones
Ira Kaplan
Marcia Levine
Richard Romero, President & CEO Latino Media Network
Kent Smith, Euclid School Board Member
Jim Samuels
Linda Weisenberg
Sandy Wuliger
Tim Wuliger
Faith Leaders
Rev. Cedric D. Beal, Temple Baptist Church
Rev. E.T. Caviness, Pastor Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church
Rev. Vivian Colston, Pastor Glorious Church of God in Christ
Rev. Keneth Chalker, Pastor University Circle United Methodist Church
Rev. Walter Houston, Temple of Praise Baptist Church
Pastor Cory Jenkins, Pastor Shiloh Baptist Church
Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins, Pastor Euclid Avenue Congregational Church
Dr. Larry L. Macon, Sr., Senior Pastor Mount Zion Church of Oakwood Village
Rev. Otis Moss Jr., Pastor Emeritus Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Pastor Lorenzo Norris, Pastor Concord Baptist Church
Robert Nosanchuk, Shaker Heights
Bishop F.E. Perry, Pastor Cathedral Church of God in Christ
Pastor John Ribbins, Calvary Baptist Church
Rev. Mark Ribbins, Evening Star Baptist Church
Dr. Stephen Rowan, Pastor Bethany Baptist Church
Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., Pastor Mt. Zion Congregational Church
Pastor George Stewart, Pastor Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Cory Tate, Pastor Center of Hope Church
Dr. Rodney S Thomas, Pastor Imani Temple Ministries
Bishop Eugene Ward, Bishop Greater Love Missionary Full Gospel Baptist Church
Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II, Pastor Mt. Zion Fellowship
Endorsement List in Formation as of December 5, 2011
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