May 2, 2008
For Immediate Release        
Contact: Tammy Roche (814) 392-5190 or media@kathydahlkemperforcongress.com [1]

Erie, PA - Congressman Phil English made a mockery of Pennsylvania families by holding a blatantly political event at a gas station to discuss lowering gas prices.  In realty, Phil English is beholden to Big Oil and has consistently voted against investing in renewable energy alternatives.  Kathy Dahlkemper, small business owner and Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania's third congressional district, called on English to relinquish his commitment to Big Oil by returning the nearly $200,000 he has taken in campaign contributions [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 4/29/08].

"As long as Big Oil is fueling Phil English's campaign, Pennsylvania families will continue to pay at the pump," said Dahlkemper. "If Congressman Phil English is serious about lowering gas prices, he'd return the nearly $200,000 he's taken from Big Oil.  Sadly, our Congressman has a long record of lining his pockets with Big Oil money and voting for tax breaks and loopholes that give the industry billions while middle class families struggle to pay for gas at the pump."

 "I have pledged to never accept campaign contributions from Big Oil because as they make record profits, Pennsylvanians are paying record gas costs - this has to stop.  I will fight to cut our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the American farmer to produce energy alternatives.  We can invest in new technologies, create new jobs here in Pennsylvania, and ultimately reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  This is a priority that has been neglected by Congressman English and I will begin the fight on day on when I am in Congress."

Congressman English has thanked Big Oil for their Contributions by Voting with them:

    * Voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act which would end unnecessary taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil companies and use that money to make investments in clean, renewable energy and promote energy conservation [H.R. 5351, #84, 2/27/08]

* Voted Against Energy Bill That Would Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels [HR 6, Vote #1140, 12/06/07]

    * Voted to Protect Oil Companies, Against Energy Efficiency [HR 2776, Vote #835, 8/4/07]

* Opposed Plan to Increase Energy Independence and promote Renewables [HR 3221, Vote #832, 8/4/07]

    * Voted Against Increasing Use of Renewable Energy [HR 3221, Vote #827, 8/4/07]

      * Voted to Give Subsidies to Oil Companies [HR 2641, Vote #511, 6/19/07]

    * Opposed Repealing Tax Breaks for Big Oil  [HR 6, Vote #40, 1/18/07]

    * Voted Against Increased Penalties for Gas Price Gouging [HRes 897, Vote #352, 6/29/06]

* Opposed Removing Tax Breaks for Big Oil Companies from Tax Bill [HR4297, Vote #109, 4/27/06]

    * Opposed Making Energy Companies Pay Their Fair Share [HR5386, Vote #167, 5/18/06]

* Opposed Barring Oil Companies Receiving Royalty Relief from Bidding on ANWR Leases [HR5429, Vote #208, 5/25/06]

* Supported Bill That Was a Giveaway to Oil Companies and Did Nothing to Lower Gas Prices  [HR5254, Vote #232, 6/07/06]

About Kathy Dahlkemper

Kathy Dahlkemper, 50, is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, having won decisively on April 22, 2007.   With a margin of 18 points over her closest rival, Dahlkemper's campaign has gotten the attention of Democrats and Republicans alike.   The overwhelming success of the primary is indicative of the type of hard work and success that Dahlkemper has shown throughout her life.    

A graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Kathy is a community and civic leader and has spent her adult life working to improve the community through numerous projects including the development of the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF).  Dahlkemper is the director of (LEAF) and vice president of the LEAF Board of Directors.  Since 1997, Dahlkemper has been responsible for securing over $2 million in public and private funding for the Arboretum and coordinates daily operations including programming, marketing, fundraising, site management and collaboration with government, civic and private partners.

Concurrently, Dahlkemper is the Director of Human Resources and Special Projects at her family owned business, Dahlkemper Landscape Architects & Contractors.

Dahlkemper cites the issues of war, healthcare, climate change, education, jobs, and national debt among those to be addressed in greater depth throughout her candidacy and service as Congresswoman.

Dahlkemper is married to Dan Dahlkemper and is the mother of five - Aron, Gretchen, Linden, Tricia and Nathan. 

For more information about Kathy Dahlkemper, visit online at www.kathydahlkemperforcongress.com [2].

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