Belfanti back in action
Published: July 2, 2009
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share thisHARRISBURG - Rep. Robert Belfanti gave a humor-filled speech to colleagues Wednesday marking his return to the House floor after five months of absence because of serious health problems.
Standing on the floor and using a cane for support, Mr. Belfanti, D-107, Mount Carmel, talked about his bout with acute pneumonia in February that left him in a coma and required extensive hospital stays and physical therapy.
Mr. Belfanti, 60, was airlifted from his Mount Carmel residence to Hershey Medical Center in critical condition. He has also been a patient at Shamokin Area Community Hospital.
He told lawmakers that a TV station aired a mistaken report he had died. His wife, Cecilia, saw the broadcast and panicked, he added.
Referring to his loose-fitting clothes, Mr. Belfanti said "I lost 50 pounds. I put five of it back."
He discussed receiving support from fellow lawmakers, including letters on a daily basis from Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, Pottsville.
In recent weeks, Mr. Belfanti has indicated he planned to return to Harrisburg in time to vote for the state budget legislation and would arrive on a stretcher if necessary.
He provided a key vote this week to help House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-116, Hazleton, win House passage of legislation to expand the state-subsidized health care program for uninsured adults.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com
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