September 18, 2009
Media, PA -- Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) congratulated Cheyney University on receiving $300,000 for projects to repair and preserve campus buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The funding announcement follows Congressman Sestak’s May 29, 2009 letter to the National Park Service urging support for the funding and was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act— which the Congressman voted for in February. The award, which will be used to restore Cheyney’s historic Melrose Cottage, is one of 20 projects-- totaling $14.25 million-- for historic preservation grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
“I am proud of Cheyney's legacy,” said Congressman Sestak. “This project supports this impressive institution and at the same time creates jobs and supports economic recovery in our community.”
The buildings selected for this apportionment of grant funds were assessed as being the most architecturally and historically significant buildings on these HBCU campuses, and as needing essential repairs to preserve them and make them useable. The funding will go to much needed repairs such as termite and wood rot damage, leaking roofs and water damage, asbestos and lead paint removal, masonry work, electrical rewiring, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and achieving accessibility for disabled persons.
Congressman Sestak has been a strong supporter of Cheyney University-- having visited the school over a dozen times since taking office. He has worked hard to facilitate collaborative projects between the University and community leaders, and brought much needed funding to the school.
“Our collective goal must be to restore public and alumni confidence in the University. I appreciate the interest shown in this problem by Cheyney’s President, Dr. Howard-Vital, alumni and student body. This funding is yet another example of our efforts to support the University moving in the right direction,” noted Congressman Sestak.
Last year, Congressman Sestak presented Cheyney University with a check for $1.25 million for their Science and Technology Complex. These federal funds will be used to improve their infrastructure as well as the capacity of the institution to better prepare underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Improvements to the science facility will directly impact students and faculty at Cheyney by enhancing the research and teaching capacity of the school.
Earlier this year, an omnibus spending bill was signed into law, which included a project sponsored by Congressman Sestak to provide an additional $475,750 for Cheyney University’s curriculum and infrastructure enhancements in STEM, and $133,000 for a “Campus Infrastructure Upgrade and Wireless Project.”
Congressman Sestak also sponsored an additional $300,000 for the campus’s Aquaculture Research and Education Center in this year’s House Agriculture Appropriations bill.
Finally, Congressman Sestak is working with SEPTA on restoring rail access to Cheyney and the surrounding communities.
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, the Congressman was the first Director of Deep Blue, the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the Global War on Terrorism. He served as President Clintons Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Congressman Sestak is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dworkin
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