One Voice Can Make A Difference

One Voice Can Make A Difference

By Eric D. Gerst, Esq.

In early September 2019, I communicated with my Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, by phone and letter, urging her to get on board regarding an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. I knew that Rep. Houlahan was a freshman Democrat recently elected in 2018 in Pennsylvania District 6, Chester County an historically heavily Republican district. Despite this political scenario, in which a freshman Democratic representative would understandably rather not incur the wrath of Republican voters, Houlahan chose to speak out about Pres Trump. To her credit, Rep. Houlahan joined the group of seven Democratic freshmen U.S. representatives elected in 2018 from Republican districts, all having military or security experience, announcing in a Washington Post op-ed on September 23, 2019 that they were voting for the start of an impeachment inquiry into Pres. Trump’s wrongful actions which appeared to be putting American security at risk. Sparking the inquiry: a credible whistleblower report asserted that Trump withheld approximately $400 million dollars of Congressionally approved military defense aid for Ukraine (for use at the Ukraine/Russia border), until the President of Ukraine agreed to get “dirt” on Trump’s perceived Democratic opponent Joe Biden (and his son Hunter) for use in the 2020 Presidential election.

It has been largely noted that only after the seven U.S. representatives from “Trump districts”, with military and security experience announced their courageous stand, did the political winds shift. When Rep. Houlahan announced her vote supporting an impeachment inquiry at the beginning of the week, the House of Representatives had only 167 votes out of 218 votes necessary to start the inquiry. By the end of the weekend, word had spread that the seven freshman congresspeople had announced their intent to vote for an impeachment inquiry. The number of votes then ballooned beyond 218 votes, to 224 votes, more than enough votes to start the process. The announcement by these seven moderate Democrats was the signal that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was waiting for. She promptly announced that the impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump will begin..

Rep Chrissy Houlahan is offering us a courageous life lesson here. Her actions translate to me as follows: One must always be prepared to defend and preserve our democracy, our Constitution and our unique way of life. There are principles of ethics, law, justice and morality to stand up for in life. As our forefathers urged, stand up and speak out for what’s right, even if there are naysayers, and realize that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Above all, remember this: if not your voice, then whose; and if not now, then when? One voice can make a difference. © Eric D. Gerst , Esq. 10/3/19

– – – Eric D Gerst is an attorney residing in Chester County PA, and is an award-winning published author. Mr. Gerst is a military veteran, having served as an officer in the U.S. Army Adjutant General Corps, holding the position of Post Adjutant Camp Drum, Watertown New York (now Fort Drum). Gerst holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards). He is a member of the Philadelphia PA, NYC and Washington DC Bar Associations. He has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He currently serves as Vice-Chair and Newsletter Editor of the American Bar Association Tort Trial And Insurance Practices Section (TIPS) Insurance Regulation Committee. Mr. Gerst has supported Rep. Houlahan throughout her campaign for election, but is not actively involved in her political or legislative activities. Locally, Mr. Gerst serves as Chairman of the Bartram Bridge Joint Preservation Board, and has been involved for more than 25 years with the maintenance & preservation of the historic wooden bridge (built 1860), located at Boot & Goshen Roads, Newtown Square, PA. The opinions set forth in this article are solely those of the author, and are not necessarily the opinions of the ABA, or any association, individual client, or other entity.