“I am saddened by the death of former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. America has lost a public servant who stood up for what he believed in, regardless of party ideology, always standing up for the people of Pennsylvania. I was proud to work closely with Senator Specter on several issues, but especially when he served as the Senate sponsor of the first piece of legislation I passed as a freshman House Member. Our Jewish American Heritage Month legislation, proclaimed annually in May for the past seven years, is now celebrated across the country. My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Specter’s family.”