WILKES-BARRE — Last week, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan welcomed Lou Ciampi Jr. — the owner of Independent Graphics, Inc. — to Washington, D.C., to testify as a witness at a subcommittee hearing of the House Committee on Small Business.
The Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing — “Beyond the Ballpark: The Role of Minor League Baseball in Economic Growth” — reviewed the contributions minor league baseball (MILB) can offer local economies and small businesses.
“It was a true privilege to have Lou Ciampi, Jr., join us in Washington to highlight his business’ strong partnership with the RailRiders,” said Bresnahan. “Minor league baseball teams like the RailRiders create an economic boost that helps small businesses thrive. I was proud to have Lou testify to this during last week’s hearing — his commitment to our community, and the commitment of small businesses like his and our local sports teams are what make Northeastern Pennsylvania one of the best places to live.”
Ciampi was one of four witnesses to testify at the hearing. His family-owned, small business — Independent Graphics — was started by his father, Lou Ciampi Sr., in 1980. Ciampi joined the team in 1986 and now serves as the business’ president.
Independent Graphics partners with local MILB team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, where they provide the programs, posters, and additional materials offered by the RailRiders.
“It is truly humbling to have been invited to Washington to talk about my family business at a Congressional hearing,” said Lou Ciampi Jr. “We lost Lou Sr., four years ago, but I know he is smiling today to think the hard work he put in 45, 50, even 60 years ago has brought us here today. I want to thank Rep. Bresnahan for inviting me, and for the work he is doing for the people back home.”
Rep. Bresnahan, Rep. Scholten introduce bipartisan bill to make routes to school safer for children
Rep. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, and Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Michigan, — bipartisan members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee — this week introduced the Kids on the Go Act that would make it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school across the country.
“The Safe Routes to School Program is a worthwhile approach to keeping our children and their communities safe,” said Bresnahan. “I’m proud to introduce the Kids on the Go Act with my colleague Rep. Scholten. This bipartisan legislation is an investment in the children of Northeastern Pennsylvania by incentivizing safe bike paths and walking routes to improve the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Pennsylvania and Michigan are national leaders in the Safe Routes to School program, making this bill a direct investment in the safety and well-being of children in both representatives’ districts. The program has been proven to reduce traffic accidents involving children, increase physical activity, and improve neighborhood safety. By lowering the cost burden for states to employ program coordinators, the Kids on the Go Act ensures this program remains strong and expands to benefit more communities nationwide.
“As the first mom to represent West Michigan, I know that no family should have to worry about their child’s safety on the way to school,” said Scholten.
The bill would reduce the non-federal cost share for states that hire a full-time Safe Routes to School coordinator from the current 20% down to just 5%. These coordinators play a critical role in developing and maintaining safe infrastructure, education programs, and community engagement efforts that protect children as they travel to and from school. States like Pennsylvania and Michigan, where dedicated coordinators are already in place, have seen firsthand how this investment leads to safer, healthier, and more connected communities.
The bill’s bipartisan support reflects a shared recognition of the importance of child safety and infrastructure investment that meets the needs of both urban and rural communities.
“In Scranton, many children — not to mention their parents and caregivers — walk and bike to school, parks, and other places in their neighborhood,” said Todd Pousley, Director of Community Development, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania. “For some this is a choice, but for the 16% of households in the city that don’t own a vehicle, it’s a necessity. At NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, we have led Safe Routes to School initiatives to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along busy Main Avenue in West Scranton and received overwhelmingly positive responses from community members. We thank Congressman Bresnahan for introducing the Kids on the Go Act, which will make traveling throughout our community safer for everyone.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
