PBA Endorses Congressman Jim McGovern

By Re-Elect McGovern Committee  

WORCESTER, MA – May 3, 2010 – The International Union of Police Associations, the New England PBA, and NEPBA Worcester Local 911 – Worcester’s Police Officers, formally endorsed Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-3) in his bid for reelection today, signaling support for strong and effective leadership.

“For the past 13 years, Jim McGovern’s name has been synonymous with public safety,” said Local 911 head Steve Gunnerson, who was joined by NEPBA Executive Director Jerry Flynn at the announcement at Worcester Police Headquarters.

McGovern said that he was gratified that the union, which endorsed Republican Scott Brown in the special election for Senate, had voted to back him in this fall’s election.

“I’ve always been dedicated to the public safety officers who work tirelessly day in and out to protect our communities,” said McGovern.

“I’m proud and humbled that Local 911 has recognized my commitment to them, and given me this vote of confidence for the next two years.”

Since his election in 1996, Congressman McGovern has been a staunch supporter of legislative efforts to protect public safety officers and maintain strong public safety departments in communities throughout his district.

A few of McGovern’s recent key legislative accomplishments include:

  • Cosponsor of the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act that would extend collective bargaining rights to state and local public safety officers. It would serve as the minimum for states that have lesser collective bargaining rights and not preempt states that have stronger rights.
  • Consistently supported and advocated for the full funding of the COPS program to its authorized levels. Since 1994, that effort has put 100,000 cops on the streets, increasing the nation’s police ranks by 20%
  • Original cosponsor of the bill that authorized appropriations for the Byrne JAG program through FY 2012. This federal-crime fighting grant program allows individual departments target where they need the resources most to keep their communities safe.
  • Original cosponsor of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, which has provided over 818,000 new, bullet resistant vests to officers across the country.

McGovern said that he would continue his legislative efforts and work to “ensure that good officers like these can continue to do their jobs effectively.”

Filed in: News

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