Full text of Belfanti statement: 'In the final analysis I need to think about my life with my family.'

Following is the full text of the statement released Tuesday by state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. in which he announced he won't seek re-election when his term expires at the end of the year.

For many months, if not years, there has been speculation that I would "hang up my gloves" as a result of my ongoing health problems. I've undergone several back and spinal stenosis surgeries because of sciatic nerve pain. Somewhere along the line I suffered permanent nerve damage, which eventually led to severe ankle and foot neuropathy, which is extremely painful every minute while one is awake (much like having the gout, throughout the entirety of both feet). In fact, about two years ago, I asked a local elected official, who, in my opinion, really fits the bill, whether he would run for my seat if I couldn't continue. Shortly thereafter, an arsonist destroyed my main district office! That made my mind up to continue serving and run again in 2008.

Since then, I've tried my best to learn to live with my pain through "pain management" epidurals and medication. In addition, these separate problems in my back, hips, left thigh sciatic, both ankles and feet necessitate my taking about 40 medications daily. Some are simply to counteract the side-effects of the other meds. Then, last February, I was stricken with pneumonia and almost died. I've often felt that I've been on borrowed time since 1968-69, so surviving this was God's second chance for me, only this time my body organs were in havoc for many months.

Once stabilized, I stayed in regular contact with my district office and Harrisburg staffers, all who really "stepped up" to keep me on top of things, so that I could make decisions on legislation coming up before my labor relations committee, stay abreast of the budget battle and also continue my efforts to bring "family sustaining" jobs into the region. I told my wife and doctors that I could be in pain (in the hospital and during my physical rehabilitation) and still work, as it helped keep my mind off of the pain. I thought, "For God's sake, FDR ran the biggest war in history from a wheelchair." Then again, FDR didn't live to see the war's end.

My cell phone and laptop were on at full speed once I left the intensive and special care units. I've managed to keep going because of the positive impact I could look back at, from Centralia to the Route 901/Strong Connector project, to the '91 budget impasse caused by my holding up the 102nd vote until we got more than $5 million to divest as opposed to closing the Shamokin hospital. Gov. Casey's staff said it just was throwing good money after bad! Huh?

It was like yesterday that the bridges at Danville, Mount Carmel and Shamokin were replaced after some vocal opposition. Millions more were obtained and spent replacing small bridges in Montour and Northumberland counties. I note the missing culm banks that are being converted into electricity, many additional millions in coal reclamation projects, and I could go on and on.

When I ask myself if I've "made a difference," I only need to look just about anywhere; such as the conversion of Roosevelt Court into a multi-faceted structure as opposed to condemnation, opening the first legislative constituent service offices in Montour County and Shamokin, KOZ legislation and our own industrial park, Reinhart Foods, millions in fire services grants and loans, and hundreds of other reasons to smile.

Throughout all of my health challenges, I've had so much encouragement to run again. I've got calls from several federal and state officials, local municipal leaders, colleagues, veterans, firefighters, friends and, most importantly, my constituents. I really feel a true obligation to them. I also feel a debt to run again to my excellent staff. The pressure to run recently increased when my good friend Rep. Phillips announced his intentions. My failure to run would leave the region with all freshman representatives, none with any seniority.

Announcements about new industry and family sustaining jobs will be made in the very near future. These types of projects typically take years of work to make feasible - negotiations, tons of paperwork, engineers, architects, lawyers, permits, banks, federal and state governments, wetlands, bats, frogs, semi-skilled workforce, etc. A good example of a nightmare is the Shamokin and Butternut Creek Flood Control projects, on the books for 28 years; boxes of paperwork and still no earth moved. This is one of the few examples where federal and state bureaucrats battle with the municipalities and with each other simultaneously where seniority matters not.

My decision waned in the past two weeks, but in the final analysis I need to think about my life with my family. More importantly, my "quality of life" is certain to continue on a negative path if I don't spend much more time and effort tending to it. It is with the utmost regret to my staff, my many supporters and most importantly my constituents that I announce I will not be a candidate for a 16th term. It is my intention to finish this term and to "work in" a commitment to spend more time following doctors' orders and to begin a regimented physical therapy program.

I deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by my family, in particular my unpaid staffer of 30 years, my wife, Cec. I am honored for the faith and confidence shown to me by the citizens of the 107th District. Knowing that I've stuck to my pledge of being the region's first full-time representative is a comfort to me in making this announcement. My public service stretches from Boy Scouts, the Marine Corps, local volunteerism and, finally, as a state representative. I trust I've made a difference, and I hope to do more as I am able.

Awards (Partial List)

Man of the Year - 2 Awards Mayors Roundtable

Man of the Year - Shamokin Area Community Hospital Employees

Honoree - 2 Awards Mount Carmel Celebration of Special Athletes

Elected Official of the Year - 2 Awards - Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce

Elected Official of the Year - Northeast Economic Development Council

Elected Official of the Year - SEIU Hospital Workers

Legislator of the Year - Nationally Chartered Organizations

Marine of the year - Marine Corps League

Workers Champion Award - Pa. Building Trades Council

Founders Award - State Co-Gen Assn (Arrippa)

Kentucky Colonel - State of Kentucky

Alabama General - State of Alabama

Knights of Malta Cross - Italian Government

Veteran of the Year - National War Veterans Council

Distinguished Citizen - Chapel of 4 Chaplains

National James E. West Fellow, Susq. Council Silver Beaver, Netami District Award of Merit, Hornaday Conservation, Order of Saint George, Cubmaster of the Year - Boy Scouts of America

Community Service Award - Mt. Carmel Eagles

Humanitarian Homebuilder - Harrisburg Chapter Habitat for Humanity

Memberships (partial list)

Marine Corps League - Past Commandant

Veterans of Foreign Wars - Past State Legislative Officer, Life Member

Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Honor Guard

Kulpmont VFW - Hon. Life Member

Veterans of the Viet-Nam War - Life Member

Steampipe Hunt Club - President

Major and Squadron Commander - Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary)

Mount Carmel Rescue Squad - Hon. Life Member

Pa. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1 - Hon. Life Member

West End Fire Company - Life Member

Atlas Fire Company - Hon. Life Member

Shamokin Area Community Hospital - Life Member Emeritus

Cub Pack 3178 and Boy Scout Troop 174 - Scouting Co-coordinator B.S.A.

CSO - Board of Directors

Six County Firemen's Assn.

American Legion

AMVETS

4th Degree - Knights of Columbus

F.O. Eagles

AARP Member

(Volunteer for Red Cross Bloodmobiles, United Way, American Cancer Society, etc. Too many to list)

Addendum:

The type of septic pneumonia that put me into a coma last February has only a 10 percent survival rate. My lower legs were kept inside of inflatable bags so as not to cause any nerve damage. When I finally was made to try walking, I found that I couldn't lift my right foot. This illness is called drop foot; in fact I suffered more nerve damage during my extended hospital stay. I now require a leg brace and cane (or a scooter) to be mobile.

My wife and sons (and many relatives from far and wide) spent four solid days and nights trying to talk me out of the coma and they finally succeeded; I owe them my life and eternal love. Hershey's intensive care doctors then put me into a medically induced coma so that they could gradually take me off of life support and begin performing additional tertiary care treatment on my lungs and other internal organs. Again, I asked this same official if he'd seek my seat in a special election if my prognosis remained dire. My pain was relieved somewhat by additional drugs so I ultimately decided that I would serve out my term.

My friends, family and, in particular, my wife have also floundered a bit as I wrestled with my decision. Can I truly devote 100 percent to my office while I'm to keep my feet lofted, take meds that make me drowsy, learn to drive again (with hand controls), maintain my muscle mass by renewing a much more ardent physical therapy program, etc.? By the same token, I've managed to continue to multi-task the job I love and represent my district at a pace I can manage and with my superb staff.

I've recently had my third opinion (EMG tests) as to whether I can possibly reduce my neuropathy foot pain with implanted electric stimuli; all prognoses were negative for me. In other words "my nerves are shot," literally. I found that I also have an aortic aneurism and my drop right foot is not curable unless my body does it on its own. My sciatic pain can only be repaired with another back surgery (with a very real possibility that it could worsen my condition). Bi-monthly epidural shots in my back and spine will likely be necessary for life.

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