Under questioning from state Sen.

Don White, R-41st,

John Quigley, acting secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week pledged to keep Pennsylvania's 117 state parks open this summer.White secured the commitment during a public hearing held by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Quigley's nomination to be DCNR secretary."Neither our parks nor the individuals and groups that enjoy them should ever be used as pawns to promote a political agenda," White said.Last year, Quigley unveiled a list of 50 state parks that could be closed as a result of a budget impasse.But on Tuesday he said that resources are available to keep all 117 parks open, even though the DCNR's funding has been reduced.——-—Citing the growth of Marcellus Shale drilling in the state, creating many opportunities and raising many questions, state Rep.

Jaret Gibbons, R-8th, will host a meeting to help residents get answers.It is set for 7 p.m., Wednesday the Lincoln High School Auditorium, 501 Crescent Ave., Ellwood City.Gibbons said the Marcellus Shale Coalition will provide information about how the drilling and distribution process works, the rights of landowners who lease their mineral rights and the types of jobs that are being created by the new industry.It also will cover concerns about the environment and the water supply.Gibbons said federal, state and county officials have been invited to participate.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, hailed the U.S. Department of Commerce's recent recommendation that anti-dumping duties be placed on oil well pipes from China.In May, the U.S. International Trade Commission will vote on whether to issue a final recommendation to the president in favor of imposing anti-dumping duties on these goods."The U.S. Department of Commerce's recent recommendation strengthens the case for imposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese tubular goods," Altmire said."Given the additional evidence that anti-dumping duties on Chinese oil country tubular goods are both needed and justified, I am once again urging the ITC to rule in favor of imposing them."In December, Altmire testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission in support of placing countervailing and anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese oil country tubular goods.On Dec. 30, the ITC ruled that oil country tubular goods from China are putting American manufacturers at a disadvantage.That ruling, Altmire noted, paved the way for placing countervailing duties on Chinese goods, which will help to offset the unfair advantages Chinese manufacturers have enjoyed in U.S. markets as a result of government subsidies.—-—-—U.S. Rep.

Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd, is urging eligible veterans to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay before the deadline this year.Although the Department of Defense announced the program in October, the majority of eligible service members have yet to apply for the special payment they are due.Under Stop Loss Special Pay, eligible personnel will receive a monthly payment of $500 for each month that the member was retained on active duty due to Stop Loss.Service members, including members of the Reserve components, former and retired members, are eligible if they served on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, while their enlistment was extended, or whose retirement was suspended due to Stop Loss.—-——State Rep.

Brian Ellis, R-11th, reminds veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf theater in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Bonus.Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers the bonus to veterans who served on active duty between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991, with a payment of up to $75 per month for every month of Gulf War service.Veterans who received a Southwest Asia Service Medal and were legal residents of Pennsylvania at the time of their service are also eligible for the benefit.An additional bonus of $5,000 is available to surviving families of those killed in action during the same period.For information, visit Ellis' Web site at www.RepEllis.com and click on "Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Bonus."———

Clayton Grabb of Butler County, a Republican candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, announced a series of visits to meet with voters.The visits will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on these dates:n May 3, Kings Family Restaurant, Franklin, Venango County.• May 6, Panera restaurant, Butler Commons, Route 356 in Butler Township.• May 10, Kings Family Restaurant in Kittanning.