COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA i &Lafiir j nurnal FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 SESSION OF 2008 192ND OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 66 SENATE The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair thanks Reverend Bachman, who is the guest today of Senator Folmer and Senator FRIDAY, November 21, 2008 Robbins. The Senate met at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The PRESIDENT pro tempore (Joseph B. Scarnati III) in the (The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those assembled.) Chair. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS PRAYER FAREWELL TO MEMBERS The Chaplain, Reverend RONALD BACHMAN, of Rexmont The PRESIDENT pro tempore. As a special order of business, E.C. Evangelical Congregational Church, Rexmont, offered the the Senate will now proceed with our tributes to our retiring following prayer: Members. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware, Senator Let us pray. Pileggi. Leading into my prayer, I want to just mention two pieces of Senator PILEGGI. Mr. President, today we are honoring a Scripture. From Matthew 12:35, it says, "A good man out of the remarkable group of people. They come from different back- treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things." From Proverbs grounds, including a dairy farmer, a surveyor, and veterans of 12:25, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good military service. But they all have one thing in common: a pas- word maketh it glad." sion for serving the residents of their districts in this Common- Father God, we want to thank You for this day that You have wealth. All seven Members have made their districts better provided for us. We also, Father God, before we go on with the places to work, to live, and to raise a family. Mr. President, I will prayer, want to remember Senator Armstrong, Senator Fumo, speak briefly about each of the departing Republican Members, Senator LaValle, Senator Madigan, Senator Punt, Senator although I am sure that the same is true about the departing Dem- Regola, and Senator Connie Williams for their efforts here in this ocratic Members as well. State Senate and for all the good work they have done, Father As chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Senator God, and we wish and pray that You will grant them a great re- Armstrong helped change the entire budget process in Pennsylva- tirement of many years. nia. Last year, for the first time under the current administration, Father God, our Creator and our Redeemer and the giver of the final budget contained less spending than the original pro- life abundantly, You tell us in Your word that it is good to give posal. He also insisted that we save the entire Rainy Day Fund. thanks. So we thank You for the safety You have provided Gib's work has put us in a much better position to deal with the through the night past in bringing us to this new day. We thank tough economic times we are now facing. You for these Senators whom You have called to these positions Senator Madigan has been a tremendous leader as chairman of authority, and we ask, Father, that You would grant them wis- of the Committee on Transportation, and before that as chairman dom as they do the business of the State. We also pray, Father of the Committee on Labor and Industry. Roger has also been God, and ask that You would bless the families that they repre- long recognized as a statewide leader on agricultural issues. With sent. less than 2 weeks remaining in his term as a Senator, after many We pray, Father, that if we can do some good today, if we can years of service, Roger did not relax. Instead, earlier this week, serve someone along life's way today, if we can say something he convened a daylong public hearing to collect ideas on how helpful today, Lord, show us how. Father, if we can right a hu- Pennsylvania can properly fund our transportation needs in the man wrong today, if we can help to make someone strong today, future. if we can cheer someone with a smile or a song, Lord, show us Senator Punt has been incredibly effective in bringing eco- how. Father, if we can aid someone in distress today, if we can nomic development to his district. Terry is not someone who make one's burden a little less today, if we can spread more love seeks attention or glory. Instead, he is quietly effective, and the and happiness today, Lord, show us how. And, Father, I ask this people in the 33rd Senatorial District recognize that. He has also prayer in the name of He who said, "Come unto me, all who are been a valuable member of our leadership team. weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Amen. Senator Regola came to Harrisburg 4 short years ago and quickly made his mark. In his first year, he was the prime spon- 2670 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL - SENATE NOVEMBER 21, sor of legislation that allows homeschooled children to partici- This is a sad day, it really is, but it is not a sad day because I pate in extracurricular activities at public schools. Bob was also am retiring or my good friends are retiring with me, but we have a strong advocate for State support of volunteer fire companies been through a pretty tough week here with Senator Rhoades, his and emergency service providers. service, and Catherine Baker Knoll, and that is really sad. But, I consider all the retiring Members, Republicans and Demo- you know, most days up here have been really good days. A lot crats, to be my good friends. I am confident the seven men and of fun days. women elected to fill the seats of the departing Members will be I look back with fond memories of many important days we outstanding Senators also. But to you, Gib, Roger, Terry, Bob, had up here. Perhaps the most memorable day of all days up here Vince, Jerry, and Connie, all of us here in the Senate and your was seeing Tina Tartaglione walk through that door, of all the constituents will miss you very much. Thank you for the years days I have been here. She said she would do it, and she did it. you have dedicated to the service of your constituents and the It is an honor, we all know that, to serve up here. It is an Commonwealth, and thank you all for your friendship. honor and a privilege, and the people of Lancaster and York who Thank you, Mr. President. sent me here, I truly appreciate what they have done. Being The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the elected by the Caucus as the chairman of the Committee on Ap- gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Hughes. propriations was really an honor. Senator HUGHES. Mr. President, these are always difficult When I first came to Harrisburg, things were a whole lot dif- moments, when we arrive at this point to see not just our col- ferent. We were over on the other side in a basement, and the leagues but our friends about to move on with the rest of their basement was not fixed up. It had linoleum floors. There were six lives. The Majority Leader has spoken about the significant com- Representatives in the room. We had three secretaries whom we mitments that each of these individuals has made to the course of shared. We had half a secretary. At that time, Representative affairs of the people of Pennsylvania. Wenger and I shared a secretary. We had one WATS line, one We know and have served with Senator Connie Williams, and long-distance phone line, and the people who were there several when she came to the Pennsylvania Senate, she was clearly a years before us said, you are really lucky, before that, we had pay force as soon as she got here, making her mark and lifting up the phones. With us in that group was Senator Madigan. He and I issues that are important and relevant, not just to her own senato- have started and ended at the same time and came to the Senate rial district but to every Pennsylvanian, and having that unique at the same time, and what a true friend he is. Senator Greenleaf, capacity to reach around the country to provide resources and another true friend. It has just been a delight being with Stew and support for our folks here in Pennsylvania. Kelly at different events. And also Senator Piccola, Senator Jerry LaValle we just love. We just love Jerry LaValle be- Wenger, Senator Helfrick, and Senator Mowery are all in that cause of who he is and how he carries himself and the commit- same class together. We came from the House over to the Senate. ment that he made to make a difference for his constituents, but You know, a lot has changed over the years, but a lot is still also to see beyond his own particular region to reach east and the same. We still seal deals up here with a handshake, and I like west, north and south in this Commonwealth, to bridge all kinds that. You know, as a group we are constantly in the arena, kind of differences to forge common good. of like football, a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking. We are And then, of course, there is Senator Fumo. And what do you criticized for taking action or not taking action. We are criticized say after that? Vince Fumo has been a force unto himself, has for doing too little or not going far enough.