U.S. Rep. Bresnahan meets with constituents to reflect on first months in office

SCRANTON — In his first seven months in office, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan and his staff say they have responded to more than 62,000 inquiries from constituents. On Wednesday, he introduced three of them at his downtown Scranton office.

Silvano Rivera, a native of the Dominican Republic, explained how Bresnahan helped him earn his U.S. citizenship and reunite with his two young daughters.

Leonard Wilson, owner of Bernardi and Wilson Insurance in Dickson City, said the congressman’s office helped him get a tax credit he was entitled to.

The office helped Sandi Levens, executive of the Greater Honesdale Partnership, gain non-profit status to apply for grants.

Bresnahan, R-8, of Dallas Twp., said he wanted to showcase the stories about how the federal government helps people at the constituent level.

“We are about being accessible and responsible,” Bresnahan said. “We fight every single day.”

The freshman lawmaker noted he has opened offices in Forty Fort, Hazleton, Scotrun and Scranton in addition to his Washington, D.C. office. He also noted he office has deployed a mobile office that is called the “BresnaVan.”

Rivera was emotional during the meeting with the congressman, saying his kids were “abandoned” and he was reunited with them after becoming a U.S. citizen.

“The job they did for me I can not describe,” Rivera said.

Wilson said his issue was resolved in his first ever attempt to contact a member of Congress.

“He didn’t ask for my party affiliation. It was just ‘how could er help,’” Wilson said.

Bresnahan noted his office can help with tax and IRS issues, citizenship applications, Department of State inquiries, military services, Medicare assistance, and Social Security benefits just to name a few.

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