Pallone Calls for Meaningful Action to Address Risks Posed by Concussions & Repetitive Brain Trauma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2016


Ranking Member Requests Official Hearings be Held to Seriously Examine the Effects of Concussions & Subconcussive Hits at Today’s Roundtable

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) called for meaningful action to address the serious health risks posed by concussion and repetitive brain trauma. At an unofficial roundtable discussion, Pallone insisted that the Committee conduct a more in-depth review to examine the causes, effects, treatment, and prevention of concussions.

“It is time to accept the mounting evidence that there is a linkage between head impacts and brain damage, and it is time to do something about it,” Pallone said in his opening remarks. “While there is research that still needs to be done in order to answer all the questions, this should not be an excuse for inaction. We should be examining not only the state of the science, but also looking to how we can apply what we know right now – to protect our service men and women, our athletes, and our kids.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 1.6 to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur each year. However, the risks posed by subconcussive hits are equally concerning. Football players, including high school players, may experience 1,000 to 1,500 subconcussive hits over the course of a typical regular season. Additionally, researchers have found evidence linking repetitive hits to the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, depression, and eventually, dementia.

During the roundtable, Pallone asked for a more formal Committee process to fully examine the science surrounding concussions, given the gravity of the topic. In a letter sent to Chairman Upton, Pallone requested that a series of official hearings be held to conduct a more in-depth review of this public health issue and allow members to hear from all those personally affected by concussions, including former athletes, service members, and their families.

Pallone proposed that the Committee hold hearings focusing on:

· Head impacts in youth sports

· Protective gear used in contact sports

· Head impacts in college and professional sports

· Diagnosing and treating concussions

The full text of the letter is available here.

Pallone’s Superstorm Sandy Forum Takes a Critical Look at Lessons Learned and Progress Made

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2015


Congressman Pledges to Use Powerful Committee Position to Ensure Improved Disaster Preparedness

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, held a Superstorm Sandy Field Forum with local officials, industry leaders and senior FirstNet representatives to take a critical look at lessons learned and progress made with public safety telecommunications since the hurricane. During and after Sandy there was a major breakdown of telecommunications networks, including cellular and home telephones, television, and internet services. This created a dangerous barrier to emergence response and recovery for residents and towns.

“When Sandy struck, I promised that I would keep fighting with you until we completely rebuilt. I vowed to roll up my sleeves to restore our area to greatness,” said Congressman Pallone in his remarks to open the event. “Three years later that fight unfortunately is not over—we still have a lot more work to do. We still have homes to replace. We still have businesses to restore. At the same time, we must also look ahead. We need to understand the lessons that Sandy taught us to make sure we are better prepared. That is why I called for this forum to focus on the services that keep us connected when we need it most.”

In his new role as the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone reiterated his commitment to use his position and the broad jurisdiction of the Committee, which includes telecommunications and broadband issues, to ensure increased safety and disaster preparedness.

“Unlike three years ago, today I am here as the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee,” continued Pallone. “My committee is responsible for overseeing the industries that are most crucial during a storm—the industries that must keep our power flowing; the industries that make sure we have adequate health care; and the industries that keep us connected when the worst occurs. As the Ranking Member of a Committee with such broad jurisdiction, I pledge to use every resource at my disposal to make sure we are better prepared than we were three years ago.”

Following Pallone’s opening remarks, local officials, including two mayors, discussed their experience during Sandy, with a focus on telecommunications, broadcast, social media, and first responder communications. Next, panelists from the telecommunications and energy industries were questioned by Pallone on what happened during Sandy, lessons learned, and steps that have been taken to improve their systems. To round out the forum, Pallone sat with FirstNet and JerseyNet officials to discuss the failure of interoperability and other public safety communications during Sandy, what FirstNet can do to solve the problem, and FirstNet’s progress in New Jersey.

Participants in the Local Roundtable were Susan Howard, Mayor of Monmouth Beach; Fred Tagliarini, Mayor of Aberdeen; John Ferguson, Middlesex County OEM Director; and Adam Hubeny, Business Administrator, Atlantic Highlands. Participants in the Industry Panel were Paul A. Sullivan, President, Mid-Atlantic North region, Verizon; Dave Davis, President & General Manager, WABC; Dan Finn, SVP/Regional General Manager, Greater Media; Justin Auciello, Founder, Jersey Shore Hurricane News; Ananda Kanapathy, Senior Director of Asset Strategy, PSEG; and Tony Hurley, VP of Operations, Jersey Central Power and Light. Participants in the FirstNet panel were T.J. Kennedy, Acting Executive Director, FirstNet; and Fred Scalera, Public Safety Broadband Manager, Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, State of New Jersey.

Grow Monmouth Roundtable at Middletown Arts Center Jan. 27; Local Business Owners And Managers Invited To Attend

From Middletown Alerts:

Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone is inviting Middletown business owners and managers to a Grow Monmouth roundtable at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the Middletown Arts Center at 36 Church St.

“This roundtable is being done in partnership with the governing body of Middletown,” said Arnone, liaison to the County’s Division of Economic Development. “It is important for local officials, business owners and managers to get together to discuss ways to grow business, economy and community in Monmouth County.”

The Grow Monmouth roundtables mark the first time that the Board of Chosen Freeholders has partnered with the governing body of municipalities to encourage direct conversation with business owners and managers.

“Business owners and managers are encouraged to discuss zoning and regulations that impact business success,” said Arnone. “Issues that support and foster business growth, as well as issues that make it difficult for businesses to thrive and expand, will be part of the discussions. Attendees are invited to make suggestions to officials on how to best resolve issues.”

Contact the Division of Economic Development for more information at 732-431-7470. The roundtables are part of the County’s Grow Monmouth program offers assistance to both municipalities and businesses to help spur economic development in the County.