In this week's edition of E-News:

Murphy on “Get Marty” to Help Local Navy SEAL Frustrated With VA
At William Pitt Union, Murphy Speaks at Brain Institute’s “Brain Day”
Murphy Presents Grant to West Alexander VFC
Murphy Presents Flag to Students at Trinity East Elementary
In Honor of Senator J. Barry Stout

Murphy on “Get Marty” to Help Local Navy SEAL Frustrated With VA

In April 2016, Congressman Murphy joined Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and the St. Clair Bethel Park Rotary to pitch in for Navy SEAL, American patriot and Elizabeth Forward alum Brandon Myers who was tragically paralyzed during a training exercise. The group of volunteers came together on a Saturday to complete a handicap ramp, install handrails, and other home rehab needs.

Soon after, Brandon’s family reached out to “Get Marty” because even with the volunteer help, more was needed from the VA to retrofit Brandon’s home. Murphy, who talked to KDKA’s Marty Griffin, said: “Bottom line, it shouldn't take ‘months and months’ to help a paralyzed veteran make his home wheelchair accessible. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers and we need to keep on fighting to get the VA where it needs to be to ensure those who stepped up to serve our nation are served by the VA upon their return.” 

Watch the story here:

“Get Marty” on KDKA-TV: Injured Navy SEAL Frustrated With VA

Click here or on the image above to watch the story.

To share your thoughts on this “Get Marty” episode on helping local paralyzed veterans, click here.

At William Pitt Union, Murphy Speaks at Brain Institute’s “Brain Day”

Today, Congressman Murphy spoke about mental illness, neurodegenerative disease, and the need for targeted brain therapies and addiction management at the University of Pittsburgh's 2nd Annual “Brain Day.” With Chancellor Pat Gallagher on hand, Murphy joined scientific experts and advocacy groups in an effort to advance brain research and develop new ways to treat brain diseases and disorders.

“Our knowledge of brain research is growing faster than our ability to map it, " said Murphy. “Understanding the functioning of the brain will only lead to greater breakthroughs in preventing and treating serious mental illness.”

The University’s Brain Institute was created with the goal of unlocking the mysteries of normal and abnormal brain function and then translating discoveries into new approaches for overcoming brain disorders.

Murphy speaks at Brain Institute's "Brain Day"

This week, more tragic headlines on the impact of untreated mental illness dominated the news cycle, including the shocking news of two Iowan police officers who were shot and killed by a man known to have had reoccurring episodes with law enforcement resulting in mental health evaluations. In the wake of these recent fatal shootings and tragedies related to serious mental illness, Congressman Murphy renewed his call on Congress to pass his crisis mental health reform bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646).

“Since Congress left in September, over 32,000 lives have been lost due directly or indirectly to mental illness. Congress went away, but the problems with our mental health system have not. My hope and plea is for the Senate to take up and pass the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act as soon as we return to Washington in the coming weeks,” said Murphy, noting that H.R. 2646 passed the House in July by near unanimous vote, 422-2.

“How can we say to our nation and to families, ‘Sorry, we didn’t have the time to make a difference and save lives’? It’s unconscionable. Until the Senate takes action, our nation will continue to mourn more fatal shootings, suicides, and other preventable tragedies related to serious mental illness. We cannot keep ignoring this grim reality, hoping it goes away. It’s not going anywhere. Our neighbors, siblings, parents, and loved ones who are suffering from mental illness deserve this desperately needed reform. America deserves treatment before tragedy.”

To share your thoughts on advancing brain research and treatment, please click here.

West Alexander VFC Awarded FEMA Grant

Congress authorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support local fire departments, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), that are in need of equipment that protect our local communities. Each year, Congressman Murphy works to help secure these grants for Pennsylvania’s Eighteenth Congressman District and this week, Congressman Murphy was joined by State Senator Camera Bartolotta and State Representative Jim Christiana to present a ceremonial check to the latest grant recipient, the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company (VFC) in Donegal Township, Washington County.

Congressman Murphy, State Sen. Bartolotta, Rep. Christiana with West Alexander VFC.

With Fire Chief Eric Graham and Lieutenant Brandon Harrison West on hand, the Alexander VFC received two separate grants for 23 complete sets of turnout gear ($66,262) and 1 mini-pumper quick attack ($204,762). In 2008, West Alexander VFC was also awarded a grant in the amount of $68,163 and Murphy congratulated the fire company for building upon their past success. West Alexander VFC responds to over 300 calls every year including many incidents on I-70 on the border of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

So far in 2016, Murphy has helped Midway Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Morris Community Volunteer Fire Company, Gill Hall VFD, Rostraver Central VFC, Rostraver VFD #1, Sewickley Township Community Ambulance Service, and Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department. Murphy is expected to award Southwest Greensburg VFD grant in the amount of $41,429.00 for an Air Compressor.

To share your thoughts on supporting local fire departments, please click here.

Murphy Presents Flag to Students at Trinity East Elementary

Murphy answers Trinity East student questions.

On Wednesday, Congressman Murphy was at Trinity East Elementary School in South Strabane Township to speak with students and present a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Murphy started the event by leading the students in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, then spoke about his role as Congressman in Washington. Students were engaged in the civics lesson about our country's three branches of government and the roles of each branch. If you are a student or educator and wish to have a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, please contact Congressman Tim Murphy's Mt. Lebanon office at (412) 344-5583 or click here to inquire further.

In Honor of Senator J. Barry Stout

With a heavy heart, Congressman Murphy weighed in on the passing of local legislator J. Barry Stout, who died at his home in Bentleyville Saturday evening. He was 79. Barry served decades in state elected government both in the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

Murphy greets Sen. Stout at a 2010 Washington County Community Foundation event.

“I am forever grateful that Barry’s desk and mine were side by side on the State Senate floor. Right from the onset, he was a true mentor and quick to offer honest, trustworthy advice on issues and legislation impacting Washington and Greene Counties. But Barry would never try to influence me to do something that was not good for my Senate district. In fact, there were times when he would say to me, ‘You have to vote ‘Yes’ on this, but I have to vote ‘No,’ said Murphy. “It was never about partisan politics with Barry, it was about what would most benefit our constituents. His level of honesty and camaraderie was invaluable to me, his constituents, and to the Pennsylvania Senate. It’s a model of governing that is sorely needed but sadly, rapidly disappearing.”

Known for being a champion of transportation and infrastructure projects in the State Senate for decades, Murphy said Sen. Stout was, “A fierce fighter for those projects, yet he was always respectful in his dealings with other members. One of his favorite sayings when it came to making difficult decisions was, ‘Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die to get there.’ It was this gentle persuasion and honest advice that won many a member over. Barry will be missed, but he left a lasting legacy by his many projects, both that bear his name, and his influence, to see them through to completion on behalf of his constituents. The region and the commonwealth are better because of what he did. I join the entire county in mourning the loss of Senator Stout and offer heartfelt prayers to his family and friends.”

Murphy attended services in Bentleyville this week to pay respects to the Stout family and in honor of Senator Stout’s lifelong service to the community.

To share your thoughts on Senator J. Barry Stout, click here.