Episode #106 Dan Halloran and David Bellavia – with Guest Co-Host Tony Shaffer
In Episode #106, EMPact Radio is being guest co-hosted byLt. Col. Tony Shaffer (US Army, Retired), and we welcome two guests who are both running for Congress in New York State who will join the EMP Caucus if elected. Call 1(917)388-4499 to call in during our live broadcast and speak to our guests, or send your questions and comments by email to radio@empactamerica.org so that we can have our guests address them during the episode.
Dan Halloran is a member of the NYC City Council and is running to represent New York’s 6th District, and David Bellavia is running to represent New York’s 26th District.
Dan Halloran, a lifelong resident of Queens, is running for Congress to fight for our families in Washington, just as he’s done in City Hall.
Dan was elected to the City Council in 2009 on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Libertarian lines to represent the Queens neighborhoods of College Point, Auburndale-Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Bay Terrace, Douglaston, and Little Neck.
Queens is the only home Dan has ever known. Dan attended local public and private schools and received an ROTC Scholarship to college. Dan’s family has served New York City for five generations. His great- grandfather was an NYPD police chief, his grandfather was an NYPD detective, and his two brothers are an FDNY firefighter and officer. His father served as a Deputy Director in the NYC Office of Management and Budget during the Koch Administration.
Dan served in the NYPD and in three District Attorney offices, helping keep our communities safe. Prior to his election, Dan worked in private practice as an attorney with the law firm Palmieri & Castiglione, LLP where he was a litigator, fighting for patients’ rights and representing New York City police officers as an of counsel attorney for the PBA.
As a homeowner and former small business owner, Dan is dedicated to cutting taxes for New York City’s middle-class families and easing the burden on small businesses. He campaigned against overdevelopment and is committed to preserving the unique residential character of our neighborhoods. Dan is a leading voice for government transparency and reform, being one of the first Council Members to agree to disclose his discretionary spending online. He will bring the same passion for reform to Washington.
Dan is a proud Eagle Scout, and remains active in scouting. He is an avid hunter and camper who raises his Great Dane dogs as part of a family tradition. He is active in numerous not-for-profit organizations and an active member of the Liberty Caucus of the GOP. Dan owns a home near the Bowne Park neighborhood of Flushing, just blocks from where he was born and raised.
David Bellavia grew up in Western New York. He and his wife have been blessed with three children and they live in Batavia – the heart of the 27th Congressional District. David is a recognized authority on the Middle East, terrorism, foreign policy, and veterans’ affairs. He has appeared as an expert commentator on Fox News, CNN and other major national news outlets. He is also the critically acclaimed author of the book House to House, a personal account of his combat service in Iraq.
David enlisted in the United States Army in July 1999, served for six years and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He led a squad of men in combat.
David is a highly decorated veteran of the Iraq War and one of the most decorated veterans of his generation. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah and received the Bronze Star and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.
David was also nominated for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2005, he was inducted into the New York Veterans Hall of Fame. Since his active duty military service, David has served in non-profit organization management. He cofounded Vets for Freedom, a veterans service organization devoted to achieving bipartisan support of the United States’ national security and the defense of its citizenry. Today, Vets for Freedom is one of the largest global war on terror veteran’s organizations in America.