For Immediate Release
CONTACT: HP COMMUNICATIONS
513/207-5101

OHIO VETERANS UNITED ENDORSES DICK STOBBS
FOR US REPRESENTATIVE 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

COLUMBUS, OH – Mar. 10, 2010 – Ohio Veterans United today announced the endorsement of Richard “Dick” Stobbs for U. S. Representative, 6th District of Ohio. The announcement was made by Col. Thomas Moe, honorary chair and founding member of Ohio Veterans United.

Stobbs is a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran serving with the 11th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse) Regiment. He served on the First Squadron Commander’s staff as an administrative clerk and machine gunner, also on the Regimental Commander’s staff as a combat correspondent. He received an honorable discharge and several awards and decorations, including: The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Achievement, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Stobbs is a member of Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38, and a life member of the AMVETS Youngstown Post 44, Bellaire Disabled Veterans Post 117, Colerain VFW Post 8848, MOPH Chapter 625, The Blackhorse Association and the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Stobbs has served as chairman of the Gold Star Family Committee and through GFC’s lobbying efforts helped pass SB25 in Ohio, giving license plates to family members of Fallen Warriors

From Belmont County, Stobbs has over 30 years of public service, including sheriff of Belmont County from 1981 through 1985. He also has 11 years in federal service, including three years as a criminal justice specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice. He is a Life Member of the NRA and has received their “A” Rating. He has been active in numerous civic organizations over the years including 4-H Junior Leaders, Jaycees, Rotary and Lansing Sportsmen’s Club. He has served as Co-treasurer of the Law Enforcement Training Fund for the U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and is currently active with the Belmont County Farm Bureau. Stobbs earned an Associate’s in law enforcement from Jefferson Community College along with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Ohio University and a Master’s of Science Administration from Central Michigan University.

Making the announcement was Col. Moe, a retired United States Air Force pilot who fought in Vietnam and spent five years in captivity as a POW. Some of that time was spent at the Hanoi Hilton, where Col. Moe got to know U.S. Senator John McCain. In 2008, Col. Moe campaigned for Sen. McCain during his run for U.S. President
“Our mission is to educate citizens on the need to maintain a strong military and to help elect qualified veterans and like-minded non-veterans to office,” says Harry Prestanski, executive director and founding member of Ohio Veterans United. “We are strong advocates of legislation that fully supports our troops, military families and Veterans and we work to ensure that every military absentee ballot is counted in every election.”

The Ohio Veterans United endorsement alongside the endorsement from Combat Veterans for Congress and Tom White, the 18th Secretary of the Army, makes Stobbs the sole endorsed military candidate for Congress in the 6th district.

Ohio Veterans United is a voluntary unincorporated, non-profit organization, which is registered as a Political Action Committee with the state of Ohio Election Law Enforcement Commission. It is operated as a federal non-connected, multi-candidate political committee, as defined by the publication “Campaign Guide for Non-connected Committees” of the Federal Election Commission.
For more information go to www.ohioveteransunited.org or contact: Ohio Veterans United, 6896 Windwood Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45241 or call 513-207-5101. Also, visit Richard Stobbs website at www.stobbsforcongress.com.

Stobbs joined the Army in 1968 to volunteer for combat service in
Vietnam.  Specialist    Four Stobbs served with the 11th Armored
Cavalry (Blackhorse) Regiment on the First Squadron Commander‘s Staff
as an administrative clerk, a machine gunner, and on the Regimental
Commander’s staff as a combat correspondent.  He was awarded the
Bronze Star Medal because he “distinguished himself by outstanding
meritorious service in connection with military operations against a
hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.” He was also awarded the
Army Achievement Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, and other Vietnam
Theatre Medals.

J. R. John, co-founder of Combat Veterans for Congress, said “we look
forward to working with Sheriff Stobbs and are pleased that a veteran
of his caliber is running for Congress.”  Stobbs said “I’m very
humbled and honored to receive an endorsement from such a
distinguished group of American patriots.” He continues, “Let me be
honest, it’s heartwarming to know that a farm boy from Belmont County
might have the privilege of serving in U.S. Congress.”

Combat Veterans for Congress supports the election of fiscally
conservative combat veterans.  They believe in limited government,
reining in the out of control spending of Congress, and are committed
to preserving and defending the US Constitution. Moreover, they
support candidates who are dedicated to promoting free enterprise
economics, who will provide for a strong national defense, and who
endorse the teaching of US history and the Founding Fathers’ core
values in educational institutions.

For more information visit www.stobbsforcongress.com

Wilson still has faith in health care bill

By TOM GIAMBRONI (tgiambroni@reviewonline.com)

LISBON – U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson said his support for health care legislation remains unwavering, despite Scott Brown’s Republican upset win last week.

“A lot of things in Washington may have changed in light of the special election in Massachusetts, but one thing hasn’t: Ohio and the rest of the county desperately need health care reform.”

Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, was asked what affect Brown’s win might have on the health care bill. Brown, a Republican, was elected to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat held by Edward Kennedy in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1.

Because opposition to the current health care bill working its way through Congress was a cornerstone of Brown’s campaign, many political observers wonder whether his shocking win will cause the Democrat majority to either pause, scale back or even abandon efforts to get a bill passed. Don’t count Wilson among that group.

“I remain committed to quality, affordable health care that provides security for families and businesses, stops harmful insurance practices and lowers overall costs,” Wilson said, in a e-mailed response.

“I will continue to fight for health care, whether we tackle it as one comprehensive bill, whether we take it on incrementally, or whether another legislative option is available. Each approach has its pluses and minuses, and I intend to work with the House leadership to pursue the most sensible approach,” he said.

Meanwhile, a man who wants to replace Wilson, Republican Richard Stobbs, was the featured speaker at a town hall forum hosted last week in Lisbon by the Ohio Valley Tea Party. Stobbs, who lost to Wilson 62 percent-38 percent in 2008, is running again this year.

About 100 people attended the event, according to Tea Party leader Duke Bennett, whose group recently filed paperwork at the Columbiana County Board of Elections to become a political action committee so it can accept donations and make contributions to political candidates and causes.

Stobbs used the opportunity to announce his candidacy, and Bennett said they questioned him about education, health care, jobs, illegal immigrants, cap-and-trade legislation, and government corruption. He said the organization will decide later whether to endorse any particular candidate.

“We the people are the employers and these candidates are job applicants looking to work for us,” Bennett said.

The Tea Party expects to hold future town hall meetings for any candidates wishing to attend.