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In this Update:
25th Anniversary of 9/11
Remembering September 11 – 25 Years Later Twenty-five years ago, America awoke to what seemed like an ordinary September morning. Families were getting ready for work and school, some had already begun their day, and others were still asleep. None of us could have imagined what the next few hours would bring – or how profoundly they would change our nation forever. On this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the extraordinary courage of ordinary Americans, including the passengers and crew of Flight 93 here in Pennsylvania – who answered terror with selflessness and bravery. A quarter-century has passed, but our responsibility to remember has not. Remembering 9/11
Twenty-Five Years Later: Remembering September 11 and the Courage That Endures Twenty-five years ago, America awoke beneath a clear blue September sky. Before Sept. 11, 2001, was over, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were gone, families across our nation had been shattered, and America had been forever changed. A quarter century later, we gather again to remember a day seared into our nation’s soul. And here in Pennsylvania, we remember a quiet field near Shanksville where ordinary Americans performed an extraordinary act of courage. The best memorial we can give those we lost is not simply to remember how they died, but to remember how Americans responded. This is one reason I introduced Senate Bill 290, enacted as Act 25 of 2024, to ensure that Pennsylvania schools pause for a moment of silence on Sept. 11 and that future generations learn about the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93. And may we never forget. God bless the fallen. God bless their families. God bless Pennsylvania. And God bless the United States of America. Read my full reflection on the importance of this anniversary here. Veteran Service Officer Meetings
VETERAN SERVICES – CHAMBERSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE On the third Thursday of each month, starting September 17th, a Veteran Service Officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion will be available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at my Chambersburg District Office to assist veterans and their families. Assistance is available with: State and Education Benefits Military Personnel and Medical Records Compensation and Pension Claims Burial and Survivor benefits Enrollment in the VA Health Care System. 📍 Chambersburg District Office *Please note: Office hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call to schedule an appointment. If you served our nation, we are here to serve you. Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The chosen photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
Operation Display Determination – Turkey Here, I am pictured with Turkish soldiers during Operation Display Determination, a multinational NATO exercise involving American, Italian, and Turkish Marines conducting an amphibious landing near the Dardanelles. My unit, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, deployed from Germany to serve as the Opposing Force (OPFOR). Much to the Marines’ frustration, we successfully prevented them from achieving their objective. The full story is one for another chapter. Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception
It’s critical for state laws to keep up with fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially as it relates to protecting our children online. I’m proud of our work to address the alarming rise in AI-generated sexual images of children, as well as non-consenting adults, through Act 125 of 2024 which gives prosecutors the ability to go after criminals who create “deepfake” AI images of minors and child sexual abuse materials. Previously, Pennsylvania law made it illegal to share intimate images without consent, and Act 125 took it a step further to combat the use of AI technology for this purpose and prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material. As technology continues to advance, we must be vigilant in making sure proper safeguards are put in place. New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect next month. Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:
The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. The new law takes effect Oct. 19. Phishing Scam Targets “MyChart” Patient Portal Users
If you use MyChart — a popular online patient portal used by many hospitals and healthcare providers — please be aware of a phishing scam targeting patients. State Attorney General Dave Sunday reports scammers are impersonating MyChart by sending emails or text messages that offer patients a chance to claim a reward in the form of a “MyChart Medicare Kit.” No such program or reward exists. These emails and text messages are attempts to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links, and obtain passwords and personal information from patients, which allows hackers to gain access to the patients’ MyChart portals. Read about how to avoid this and other phishing scams here. Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance
Attention local fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads: Applications are being accepted for the latest round of the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program. The funds can be used to help pay for facility construction/renovation, equipment, training, debt reduction and more. The application period closes Oct. 22. Providing communities with fire, medical and rescue services comes with a considerable price tag, especially for volunteer organizations. The General Assembly funds these grants to ensure these life-saving services are available. Find more information and applications here. Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists highjacked four airliners on America’s east coast and turned them into deadly missiles, ultimately taking the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens in the name of Islamic fundamentalism. Filled with passengers, two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth, perhaps destined to strike the White House or U.S. Capitol, was brought down in Somerset County by brave passengers who fought back. Twenty-five years later, we recall the shock and anger over the attack, the grief over lives taken and the resolve to prevent another act of that scale. I hope we also remember the nation coming together in response, and the power of a unified people facing adversity. As the number of people who experienced this event declines, it becomes more important to dedicate ourselves to never letting that day slip from our nation’s memory. |
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