Burns: House minority leader tours Cambria County
Dermody learns firsthand about region’s plans, challenges
Rep. Frank Burns May 31, 2019 | 3:30 PM
HARRISBURG, May 31 – Saying it bolsters his ongoing effort to put Cambria County on Harrisburg’s radar, state Rep. Frank Burns hosted House Minority Leader Frank Dermody on a fact-finding tour of the 72nd Legislative District on Thursday.
Dermody joined Burns during a visit to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center – one of the region’s largest employers – and in meetings with officials from Saint Francis University and several businesses and nonprofit organizations.
“I had a great day with Representative Burns and share his excitement about all that’s happening in Cambria County,” said Dermody. “In Harrisburg, Frank Burns is a tireless advocate for the people back home, and he works hard to bring attention to the area’s needs and secure funding to address them. I am really grateful that he took the time to give me a firsthand view of the situation.”
Burns, who has helped procure more than $6.5 million in state funding for his district in the first 150 days of the current legislative session, said he hopes the first-ever official visit by Dermody during his tenure as a state representative portends even greater things.
“While our area has its challenges, progress is being made and I’m sure the strong showing by our business and nonprofit communities left a positive impression on Leader Dermody,” Burns said. “Though we’ll always have our differences, I’ve always been extremely proud of how we come together when it counts – and I’m glad we were able to show that cooperation to one of the top legislative leaders in our state Capitol.”
Burns said he looks forward to strengthening all working relationships in order to overcome challenges and advance the interests of the 72nd Legislative District, particularly in the areas of economic investment and job creation.
“During his visit, Leader Dermody remarked how impressed he was with the region’s advancements in telemedicine, including the positive impacts it’s having on health outcomes in rural areas like Cambria County,” Burns said. “He also said he would be interested in having additional meetings soon, and that’s an invitation I will not forget.”