The LuLac Edition #5, 263, February 25th, 2025
Prior to that, there was a special kinship for me with Mr. Casey and it came through his family. At the age of 12 I was campaigning in my neighborhood for his father when he ran in the ’66 primary against Milton Shapp for Governor. I had met Cartwright on the set of the old WYOU TV Interactive News when the Luzerne County Judicial scandal broke. Naturally, knowing their character it was a no brainer for me to support both enthusiastically in their runs.
The program was a review of what these two men did for the region, regardless of party affiliation. David Demas who is a correction officer at USP Canaan and President of AFGE Local 3003 told of Cartwright’s action to get legislation passed to improve working conditions for prison workers after a savage attack on one of their own in 2013. Correctional Officer Eric Williams, 34, was working in a housing unit at the Canaan federal penitentiary when an inmate attacked him. Other prison staff restrained the inmate, and Williams was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was killed with a homemade weapon and murdered by an insignificant bug of a man whose name isn’t even worth mentioning. There was a reform bill passed in his name. The attack happened 12 years ago tomorrow.
Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards spoke of the work of Senator Casey in serving women and children through maternal health services pointing to a new facility and countless programs to improve the health of mothers and new born children.
Chris Barrett from the Pocono Vacation Bureau lauded Cartwright for his tireless work on getting rail service from NEPA to New York City, cited Casey’s support and kindness and thanked Cartwright for inviting him to a State of the Union address. Barrett spoke of his humble beginnings in Hazleton and expressed his thanks.
Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich spoke of Casey’s work on a special Senate committee on Aging and how his support and leadership improved the lives of thousands of seniors in the state. The Secretary talked about taking a minute of gratitude for his relationship with his clientele as well as the two leaders. Kavulich spoke of the renewal of the “Older Americans Act” and praised Casey for getting that measure renewed in the Senate by a 100-0 vote in December. Some Washington pundits have described Casey’s departure as an “end of an era” in the dedicated work being done by the Senate under Casey’s leadership.
Senator Marty Flynn reminisced about how in 2012 both he and Cartwright were considered underdogs respectively in their State Rep (113th) and Congressional primaries but prevailed and then took office in 2013 after their general election wins. Flynn lauded both men for the work they’ve done on behalf of seniors and the middle class.
121st district representative Eddie Day Pashinski quipped that since Cartwright knew how to play the guitar and sing, he would be a member of Eddie’s band TNT. Pashinski said Casey could do neither as far as musical accompaniment but could be their agent.
Pashinski then launched into the fact that it was the Democratic party that helped all people build a middle class. He also said that America was in a challenging time and that the current state of the nation under the current administration needs to be challenged by all Democrats. He spoke of each person being an advocate for the future. What was past is now an opportunity to contrast the values of the billionaire class vs the common decency of the people of NEPA.
Pashinski also asked people who were from outside Lackawanna County, veterans and union members to stand and be recognized which highlighted the inclusiveness of the crowd appreciating Casey and Cartwright. Pashinski also lauded Terese Casey and Marion Munley Cartwright as well as all spouses who support any politician in their pursuit of public service.
Senator Casey also thanked his wife and noted that she was the sole worker in the family. Casey quipped that he was spending a lot of time sorting out files and paper and making weekly trips to the recycling center. On a more serious note, Casey challenged the recent theory circulating that the Dems needed one strong leader to get them out of the political wilderness. He said that every individual needed to be that leader in their daily lives. If everyone did that, the message would come collectively and not individually.
On Medicaid, Casey said that it is really a Nursing Home program. Citing the demonetization of the term by the MAGAs, he stressed that Medicaid was instrumental in middle class and poor families getting elderly people in nursing homes. Casey then talked about justice utilizing a quote from St. Augustine in describing the obvious bastardization of the Trump administration, its billionaires, it’s flaunting of the law and its Justice department. He ended his remarks with Augustine’s writing from his book City of God, that stated, "Without justice, what else is the State but a great band of robbers?”
Indeed sir, indeed.
Congressman
Cartwright talked about his somewhat rootless upbringing since his father had
different jobs in various locations. He spoke of meeting his wife Marion Munley
in London and their courting and marriage. He stated that as a young lawyer he
lost a few cases in a row and his father-in-law, the late, great Bob Munley
kept on telling him to get back in there. He shared with the crowd how he did that
by reviewing tapes, records and statements, listening to what resonated with
people and how they can be reached.By listening, he won a string of cases as well as elections.
He admitted that he fell in love with the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania and said it was his honor to serve. It seemed he didn’t rule out anything in his future.
Ending, he referenced a passage from his favorite writer (mine too) John Steinbeck in his novel “The Grapes of Wrath”. This section was when Tom Jobe’s mother fretted that she may not see him again.
“Then it don’ matter. Then I’ll be all around’ in the dark. I’ll be ever’where — wherever you look. Wherever they’ s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’ s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’ — I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry an’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live in the houses they build — why, I’ll be there”.
That brought down the house.
The program was a masterpiece, the moderator Mary Ann Kapacs was great. My only wish was that there should have been a video of it somewhere for posterity. It was a combination civics lesson and love letter of two men among their public who not only cherished their hard work but the two guys who fought for them for decades.
Special thanks to the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women for holding an event to honor, outgoing congressman, Matt Cartwright and Senator Bob Casey for all their hard work collectively , and individually they did for the people of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Here’s state rep, EDDIE DAY Pashinski talking with one of his fans,
labor leader, Joe Padavan, speaking with senator Casey,
next is Bob Morgan, former Cartwright district representative,
Senator Casey and your blog editor
and the “family” picture of congressman Cartwright and Marion Munley Cartwright. They joke that they’re going to adopt me and Mrs. LuLac is hoping for that!
As members of the Luzerne County area agency on aging advisory board former representative, Phyllis Mundy and I were happy to speak with the secretary of aging cabinet member Mr. Jason Kavulich .
I had the honor of actually speaking with former congressman Paul Kanjorski,
It was a wonderful day and a great privilege to be part of this wonderful event hosted in Lackwanna County
posted by David Yonki @ 6:23 AM
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