Reps Garballey, Sciortino to Meet Pres. Obama Friday

Representatives Carl Sciortino (D-Medford, Somerville) and Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford) will travel to Washington, D.C. Friday to meet with members of the Obama administration and attend an intimate reception with the president. These legislators, both representing areas of Medford, are part of a small number of members of People For the American Way Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network, a network of young progressives in elected office, who were invited to the White House to discuss important issues facing states and localities.

“Given the many challenges facing residents of Massachusetts, I am pleased to have this unique opportunity to meet with the President and his staff. As a young elected official, I know my generation will pay the price if we do not help the Obama administration succeed in making progress. I look forward to sharing concerns and representing my community during my visit to the White House, bringing particular attention to issues of education and job creation,” said Sciortino (D- Medford). Sciortino also serves as the state director for the YEO Network.

“As a proud resident of Massachusetts, I am honored to have this unique opportunity to discuss our concerns with the President of the United States. I am looking forward to having this conversation with the President to discuss the economy, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for people in the Commonwealth,” said Garballey (D- Alrlington).

The Young Elected Officials Network, a project of People For the American Way Foundation, provides support and training for over 600 progressive state, county and city elected officials from all 50 states.

“We are thrilled to be able to take the observations and concerns of so many young, progressive elected officials to President Obama and the Administration,” said Andrew Gillum, Executive Director of the Young Elected Officials Network. “These young leaders are on the front lines of progressive change, fighting for the values of fairness, equality and opportunity in their home communities. President Obama, a successful grassroots leader himself, understands that national movements are built by individual citizens and their elected representatives working hard to bring about positive change in their own communities. We’re tremendously proud to be able to help the president get to know our communities and discuss the issues affecting states and localities across the country.”

– Information from Rep. Sciortino’s office