Dear Neighbor, I hope you are well! I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on several happenings in the district as well as Harrisburg. 

As always, I hope you find this informative and useful.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On Friday, January 27th we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day to not only mark the liberation of Jews, Poles, Romani, and prisoners of war from the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in 1945, but to remember the savage cruelty of the Holocaust in its entirety. The true measure of lives lost to the Holocaust will forever be unknown, as estimates range from 11 million to 35 million victims, but the certainty of the inhumanity of the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler remains clear. 

I say all this as your state representative because it is imperative to remember history, as accurately as possible, to not only honor the past but to understand our present and protect our future. The hatred of Jews, of Black people, of disabled people, of LGBTQ, of Roma, of Jehovah's Witnesses that allowed the Holocaust to occur remains intact and present in our world today. It is our obligation, as both American citizens and citizens of the world, to fight the spread of racial and religious hate wherever it occurs to prevent the past from repeating itself. 

This Friday, I encourage you to take a moment from your day to mourn the lives lost in the Holocaust and commit to not only persevering their memory but to stand against hate and the distortion of history.

Maternal Health

This past Monday was Maternal Health Awareness Day to promote access and expansion of comprehensive health care of all pregnant and parenting people throughout pregnancy and postpartum. In this 2023-2024 legislative session, I plan to continue working to strengthen and expand health care for Pennsylvanians who are pregnant or postpartum by – among other things – extending Medicaid coverage, reducing maternal morbidity rates, expanding early intervention, and improving access to reproductive health care in its entirety. 

If you or someone you know needs maternal health care, county and state resources are available. Contact my district office at 484-200-8263 or send an email to [email protected] and a staff member can assist you.

Mass Shootings and Violence

Over the past few weeks, Americans have once again been subjected to a string of mass shootings and violence across the country. I remain committed to passing common-sense gun reform in Pennsylvania, including waiting periods and red flag laws – two constitutional measures that have been shown to reduce instances of mass shootings and death. While we can take every measure to protect Pennsylvanians from needless tragedy, we cannot protect the commonwealth from our neighboring states, which is why it is also vital that our federal representatives pass federal gun reform laws. 

While we work to pass these important measures, we must also work to fund and expand trauma services, community-based intervention, health systems – including access to comprehensive mental health care, as well as invest in our public schools and secondary education. Every industry mentioned above has a role to play in not only ending gun violence but crime as well. 

For now, I would also like to remind you that if these incidents of violence have caused you to feel depressed or anxious, such feelings are normal, and help is available. The Disaster Distress Helpline is 24/7 and confidential and can be reached by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also 24/7 and can be reached by calling or texting 988.

Please continue to stay safe, healthy and well-informed.

And, if you have questions about any state-related issue, please contact my office at 484-200-8263 or email [email protected].

Sincerely,

Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District

PA House of Representatives Democratic Caucus
PO Box 202250 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2250

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