Utah Congressman and Super Bowl XV winner Rep. Burgess Owens, center, was in Pittston Monday to host a small business roundtable for Rob Bresnahan, right, the Republican nominee in the 8th Congressional District. At left is Jimmy Zarra. The roundtable will focus on small businesses, inflation, and workforce development.
Submitted Photo
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PITTSTON — U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens, an NFL Super Bowl champion, visited Pittston on Monday to headline a small business roundtable in support of businessman Rob Bresnahan’s campaign for Congress.
The event highlighted the importance of the trades, discussing critical issues such as inflation, the cost of goods, education, and workforce development.
Owens expressed his excitement about having a pro-business candidate such as Bresnahan running for office. He emphasized the need for new voices in Congress, stating, “What we need now is this voice. Your opponent has been there for a long time, voting 100% with Biden and Pelosi. We need to make sure the voices of your community are represented in D.C.”
Additional attendees at the roundtable included:
• Josh Coleman, owner of Kings Raising Queens LLC Clothing, Kingston
• Norb Dotzel, owner of Norb Dotzel Trucking and Top Soil, Mountain Top
• Mike LaRocca, owner of NEPA Coin Op LLC, Hazleton
• Luzerne County Councilwoman Lee Ann McDermott
Owens’s visit to Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District marks the third notable member of Congress to campaign for Bresnahan, joining House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
During the event, Owens shared an inspiring story from his time on the Super Bowl XV-winning Oakland Raiders. He spoke about the importance of teamwork and perseverance, drawing parallels to the current political climate.
“Americans are waking up,” Owens said. “If we all, as a group, team, and city, leave everything on the field, we’ll be victorious.”
Owens also commented on his visit to NEPA.
“It’s an honor to be here in Pennsylvania’s 8th District supporting Rob Bresnahan,” Owens said. “The trades are the backbone of our economy, and we need leaders like Rob who understand and prioritize this critical sector.”
Bresnahan expressed his gratitude for Owens’s support.
“I am deeply grateful to Congressman Owens for joining us today and for his unwavering support in recognizing the importance of growing and developing the trades and vocational training here in Northeast Pennsylvania and across the country,” Bresnahan said. “Together, we will work to ensure that the voices of our hardworking communities are heard in Washington.”
Owens was raised in the 1960s deep South during the era of Jim Crow and the KKK. His segregated yet successful Black community reflected the efforts of a proud generation of patriotic, competitive men and women who worked hard to command the respect of their fellow Americans.
Burgess would go on to play in the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the “Just Win Baby” Oakland Raiders.
Based in Utah, he founded and operated a nonprofit for at-risk youth. Now, he serves as the Congressman for Utah’s 4th Congressional District, serving on the House Transportation Committee, House Education and Workforce Committee, and as Chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education.
The 8th Congressional District is comprised of Lackawanna, Luzerne (partial), Monroe (partial), Pike, and Wayne Counties, forming the Northeast corner of Pennsylvania.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.