John Joyce is our congressman, our U.S. representative to the federal government in Washington, D.C. He is also a genuinely good guy.
He is running unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election.
Joyce is the third generation of his family to be born and raised in Altoona. Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle High School, then attended Penn State Altoona for two years before transferring to Penn State University Park. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and graduated in 1979 with honors. He went on to study and graduate in 1983 from Temple University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine degree. And then he completed his medical residency in internal medicine and dermatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. When he finished, he was chief resident.
With this training and dedication, Joyce became a clinical instructor at Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the top medical organizations in the world. He then worked with the U.S. Navy at Portsmouth Naval Hospital during both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His work was meticulous and he received commendations from U.S. Navy Rear Admiral David B. LeStage.
After many years of study, instructing, leading, contributing to others and service to the Navy, Joyce returned to his hometown of Altoona. There, with his wife, Alice, and their three children, they set up a dermatology practice. More than 25 years passed as they cared for patients.
Even with the responsibilities of his medical practice, Joyce continued to give back to his community. He served on Penn State Altoona Campus advisory board, the American Cancer Society, the United Way, the Goodman Trust, as a mentor to students at the Eberly College of Science at Penn State, and as a volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen. He remains a faithful lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament parish in Altoona.
Then a few years ago, Joyce decided he wanted to act on his political convictions. He is conservative like his friends and neighbors, and he decided it was time to attempt to make a difference in Washington. That led to his hard decision to give up his dermatology medical practice in favor of standing for election to become our U.S. representative. At the time Joyce was a political novice and was stacked against other Republicans in the primary.
Joyce won that first primary for the Republican Party nomination against seven other candidates, and then went on to win the general election against Brent Ottaway with more than 70.5% of the votes. That was a remarkable feat as Joyce garnered more votes than Donald Trump’s 69% in the congressional district during his first and successful campaign for president.
Joyce followed in the footsteps of former nine-term Republican incumbent Congressman Bud Shuster, followed by his son, former nine-term Republican incumbent Congressman Bill Shuster. Together they represented us for a combined 36 years. They had become bigger than life based on their positions on the House Transportation Committee. That gave them the leverage to land projects for Pennsylvania and specifically for our congressional district.
Yet, Joyce has filled the position admirably particularly with his growing seniority on the Energy and Commerce Committee and its subcommittees on health as well as oversight and investigations.
Prior to 2018, our congressional district was the 9th and contained all of Blair, Huntingdon, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin and Adams counties. It also included most of Somerset and parts of Westmoreland, Cambria, and Cumberland counties. That has changed, and we now live in the 13th Congressional District, which is the most solidly Republican district in Pennsylvania, and one of the most solidly Republican districts in the country.
Today, Joyce has developed into a congressman with whom to be reckoned and a strong but reasoned conservative voice in Congress. Joyce is not a withering violet. He is clear on his positions on issues that are important to his constituents. He is not wishy-washy, which is a good thing. He is who he is. And when he tells you something, you can take it to the bank. In Washington that is called a breath of fresh air. Although Joyce is a stalwart Republican, he is not afraid to talk with anyone. And in today’s political world, that is a major asset.
Joyce is staunchly pro-life, anti-abortion and has received a 100% rating by the National Right to Life Committee. He believes that what matters to Americans is lowering health care costs, cutting taxes, standing up for life and securing our border. He is a fierce advocate for the Second Amendment and is rated 92% by the National Rifle Association. He is firm in his support for the protection of Social Security and Medicare to make sure they are around for future generations. And he is an unfailing supporter of jobs for Pennsylvanians, particularly for his constituents in the 13th Congressional District.
As Joyce settled into his position the last number of years, he did not neglect constituent services. He has a reputation for excellence.
Joyce is very much in tune with the vast majority of his constituents and as a result has a safe seat and will continue to represent our district for years to come.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, Shippensburg University Trustee, and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx software coordinates and drives communication, specifying, approval, procurement or production, reporting and activities necessary to obtaining direct mail, marketing materials, promo and all other printing. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at [email protected]
