COMMONWEALTH OF

LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008

FIRST SPECIAL SESSION OF 2007-2008 No. 57

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JOURNAL APPROVED The House convened at 11 a.m., e.s.t. The SPEAKER. The Journal of Monday, June 2, 2008, is now in print. Will the House approve the Journal? THE SPEAKER (DENNIS M. O'BRIEN) PRESIDING On the question, Will the House agree to the motion? PRAYER Motion was agreed to.

The SPEAKER. The prayer today will be offered by a good JOURNAL APPROVAL POSTPONED friend of the Speaker and this House, Pastor Troy Howell. The SPEAKER. Without objection, approval of the Journal PASTOR TROY HOWELL, Guest Chaplain of the House of of Tuesday, November 18, 2008, will be postponed until Representatives, offered the following prayer: printed. The Chair hears no objection.

Let us pray: Almighty God, to You our hearts are open, all desires LEAVES OF ABSENCE known, and from You no secrets are hidden. You meet us where The SPEAKER. The Chair turns to requests for leaves of we are to take the open mind and the willing heart to where You absence and recognizes the majority whip, who requests that would have us be. Every season of life is Your gift to us, a gift Representative TANGRETTI of Westmoreland County be to be trusted and engaged by our living and our loving for a placed on leave for the day. The Chair hears no objection. The purpose much larger than our individual journeys. So in the gift leave will be granted. of this day, grant us Your wisdom and peace for a State and her The Chair turns to the minority whip, who requests that people, for a nation and its citizens caught in the challenges of Representative BASTIAN of Somerset County; Representative these times. MACKERETH of York County; Representative PERRY of In the gift of this day, grant wisdom for those in public York County; and Representative PERZEL of be office, that they might serve in ways that embrace the spirit of placed on leave for the day. The Chair hears no objection. These commonwealth. And, O God, today we thank You for the leaves will be granted. season of service, for this representative body draws to a close.

And we ask Your blessing on each one who concludes this Members will report to the floor. elected term of office. For that which this body has accomplished on behalf of the people, we give You praise, O God, as the source of all things good. For that which remains MASTER undone and which should be done, we yield it into Your holy hands and into the able hands of those who in January will The SPEAKER. The Chair is about to take the master roll. assemble here. Members will proceed to vote. For every constituent represented in these halls, young and old, student and teacher, parent and child, with work and The following roll call was recorded: without work, in health and in sickness, serving on American soil or in foreign lands, we pray Your hand upon them. For this PRESENT–196 representative body, its great heritage and its hope, for its Speaker and his passion and his advocacy on behalf of the most Adolph Gabig Marshall Ross Argall Galloway Marsico Rubley vulnerable among us, for the privilege of lifting our eyes to Baker Geist McCall Sabatina You, O God, this day, we give You thanks. Amen. Barrar George McGeehan Sainato Bear Gerber McI. Smith Samuelson Belfanti Gergely McIlhattan Santoni PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Benninghoff Gillespie Melio Saylor Beyer Gingrich Mensch Scavello (The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by members and Biancucci Godshall Metcalfe Schroder Bishop Goodman Micozzie Seip visitors.) Blackwell Grell Millard Shapiro 182 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Boback Grucela Miller Shimkus Maria Melchiorre, who are seated in the gallery. Would you Boyd Haluska Milne Siptroth please stand and be recognized. Brennan Hanna Moul Smith, K. Brooks Harhai Moyer Smith, M. Please welcome Anne Smith and her daughter, Jordan Smith. Buxton Harhart Mundy Smith, S. They are the guests of Representative Marguerite Quinn and Caltagirone Harkins Murt Solobay constituents of Representative Scott Petri. They are here today Cappelli Harper Mustio Sonney visiting the Capitol. They are seated in the gallery. Would you Carroll Harris Myers Staback Casorio Helm Nailor Stairs please stand and be recognized. Causer Hennessey Nickol Steil Civera Hershey O'Brien, M. Stern Clymer Hess O'Neill Stevenson CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION Cohen Hickernell Oliver Sturla Conklin Hornaman Pallone Surra The SPEAKER. Members and guests will please take their Costa Hutchinson Parker Swanger seats. We are about to take up a condolence resolution of a Cox James Pashinski Taylor, J. Creighton Josephs Payne Taylor, R. former member. The Sergeants at Arms will close the doors of Cruz Kauffman Payton Thomas the House. Curry Keller, M.K. Peifer True The clerk will read a summary of the resolution. Cutler Keller, W. Petrarca Turzai Daley Kenney Petri Vereb Dally Kessler Petrone Vitali The following resolution was read: DeLuca Killion Phillips Vulakovich Denlinger King Pickett Wagner COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DePasquale Kirkland Preston Walko THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dermody Kortz Pyle Wansacz CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION DeWeese Kotik Quigley Waters DiGirolamo Kula Quinn Watson WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania notes Donatucci Leach Ramaley Wheatley Eachus Lentz Rapp White with deepest regret that the Honorable Joseph C. Manmiller, a former Ellis Levdansky Raymond Williams member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania who served Evans, D. Longietti Readshaw Wojnaroski the 105th Legislative District, passed away on October 13, 2008; and Evans, J. Maher Reed Yewcic WHEREAS, Representative Manmiller was a veteran of Everett Mahoney Reichley Youngblood World War II and a graduate of Steelton High School, Lock Haven Fabrizio Major Roae Yudichak Teachers College and The Pennsylvania State University. He was an Fairchild Manderino Rock educator and coach for twenty-six years, and he also dedicated his time Fleck Mann Roebuck O'Brien, D., and energy as a PIAA football and wrestling official for thirty years. Frankel Mantz Rohrer Speaker Freeman Markosek For his service, he received the Lock Haven College Alumni Achievement Award and was inducted into the Central Penn Football ADDITIONS–0 Officials Hall of Fame and the District III Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Representative Manmiller was a former NOT VOTING–0 Republican Committeeman and Vice Chairman of the Dauphin County Republican Committee. He was elected to the House of EXCUSED–7 Representatives of Pennsylvania in 1970 and served with distinction for fourteen years. During his tenure, he served on the Appropriations Bastian Gibbons Perry Tangretti and Military Affairs Committees and chaired the Capital Budget and Bennington Mackereth Perzel Liquor Control Committees. Representative Manmiller also served on the Board of Directors of the former Farmers Bank and Trust of Hummelstown and the Advisory Board of Dauphin Deposit Bank; now therefore be it The SPEAKER. A quorum being present, the House will RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the proceed to conduct business. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proclaim with enduring sorrow the passing of the Honorable Joseph C. Manmiller, who served his GUESTS INTRODUCED community and this Commonwealth in a way most befitting the highest ideals of public service; and extend heartfelt condolences to The SPEAKER. Joining us today, as a guest page his wife, Nada Mircheff Manmiller; daughters, Constance Valentine, Nadine Hoover, JoLynn Stoy and Nada Coup; and four grandchildren; and job shadower of Representative , is and be it further Jeffrey Phillips. Please join me in welcoming him today. Would RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, sponsored by the you please stand and be recognized. Honorable Ronald S. Marsico on November 19, 2008, be transmitted to What would a day in the House of Representatives be if we Nada Mircheff Manmiller. did not have guests of Representative Mario Scavello? Please welcome, as the guests of Representative Scavello, Ronald S. Marsico, Sponsor Donald LeCompte and Thomas Melchiorre from Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the House East Stroudsburg. Donald and Thomas are both students at ATTEST: Resica Elementary School and played on the East Stroudsburg Roger Nick, Chief Clerk of the House North All Star Little League Team. Donald was the student ambassador for the Veterans Day assembly program at his On the question, school. Thomas placed second in snowboarding at Will the House adopt the resolution? Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort. Also, please welcome Donald's parents, Don and Patricia LeCompte, and Thomas's mother, 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 183

REMARKS BY MAJORITY LEADER On the question recurring, Will the House adopt the resolution? The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the majority leader, Representative DeWeese. The SPEAKER. Those in favor of the resolution will rise and Mr. DeWEESE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. remain standing as a mark of respect for deceased former When I arrived here, Joe had been here 6 years. He was a member Joe Manmiller. Guests will also rise. tough, scrappy, happy character. He was a World War II veteran, and he was an archdeacon of bipartisanship. My (Whereupon, the members of the House and all visitors stood recollections of him are as vivid after hearing the clerk read his in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of the obituary as anything. He was one of my favorite characters, Honorable Joseph C. Manmiller.) and although he left our chamber in 1984, I am sure that Frank Oliver and Mark Cohen and Bud George and several The SPEAKER. The resolution has been unanimously Republicans, Art Hershey and others who are waving at me, adopted. some who have not waved at me for a long time, are remembering the inimitable Joe Manmiller. Thank you. CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the majority leader. The SPEAKER. We have a condolence resolution on the REMARKS BY SPEAKER death of a former member. The clerk will read the summary of the resolution. The SPEAKER. If the House would indulge the Speaker on a reflection of Joe Manmiller, when I arrived in the election of The following resolution was read: 1976 and was sworn in in 1977, I had the good fortune of sharing my first office space with Joe Manmiller and three COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA others; Tony Cimini, Jeff Piccola, and myself. I am not going to THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES get into the budget battle of 1977, but it suffices to say that CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION I was somewhat controversial even back then. Every interest group, whether it was the unions or whatever, would come WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania wishes to honor the memory of the Honorable James J. Rhoades, a member of down to the basement complex and they would infiltrate our the Senate of Pennsylvania who served the 29th Senatorial District with offices. Joe Manmiller one time stood up on his desk and said, honor and distinction and passed away at the age of sixty-six on Denny O'Brien is not here, but we are doing the right thing. But October 18, 2008; and he would always, he would always comfort me as that WHEREAS, Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on December 5, 23-year-old freshman, and educate me on the value of patience 1941, Senator Rhoades was a graduate of Mahanoy City High School, and the value of remembering the people back home and being East Stroudsburg University and Lehigh University. He served as a very proud, not only of the people that he represented, but the teacher and coach in the Pottsville and Mahanoy City schools and as a people he coached, as you heard from the reflection and the Principal at Mahanoy Area Junior High School, prior to beginning reading of this wonderful resolution. Joe was, indeed, as the his tenure as State Senator of the 29th Senatorial District in 1980. Senator Rhoades was Chairman of the Education Committee and a majority leader said, a scrappy man, but a man of family values member of the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and a man dedicated to this institution and the people that he Environmental Resources and Energy Committees. A member of the served. He will be missed. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Senator Rhoades was also affiliated with the Lion's Club, REMARKS BY MINORITY LEADER the Humane Fire Company, the Schuylkill County Sportsmans Association, Phi Delta Kappa, the Schuylkill County Chapter National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, the Jerry Wolman The SPEAKER. Representative Sam Smith. Chapter Sports Hall of Fame and the National Rifle Association. Mr. S. SMITH. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senator Rhoades was an exemplary member of the Senate of Not to dispute – my memory is not as good as some others – Pennsylvania with a long and distinguished career of service to the but my recollection is Joe was here when I got here in 1986. citizens of Schuylkill, Carbon, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and I was thinking he was here until 1988, because I seem to Monroe Counties, and his loss will be sorely felt by the citizens of his remember a story about Joe walking across the parkway, the district and the entire Commonwealth; now therefore be it park area going over towards Strawberry Square, and he told a RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the couple of the younger members, he said something to the effect Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proclaim with enduring sorrow the – I may not have this exactly accurate, but you will get the gist passing of the Honorable James J. Rhoades; and extend heartfelt condolences to his wife, Mary Edith Rhoades; sons, James J. Jr., and of it – something to the effect that when he was a little kid, his Michael D.; daughter, Alisa Rhoades Hobbs; seven grandchildren; and grandfather used to bring him into the park and they would sit many other family members, friends and colleagues; and be it further there feeding the squirrels nuts and he never dreamed that one RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, sponsored by the day he would be one of the nuts walking through the park. But Honorable Neal P. Goodman on November 19, 2008, be transmitted to that is the type of guy Joe was; he was quiet and solid and just Mary Edith Rhoades, 1000 East Centre Street, Mahanoy City, one of those unflappable kinds of people. We want to add to our Pennsylvania 17948. reflection on his contribution to this legislature and to the community of Pennsylvania. Neal P. Goodman, Sponsor Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the House ATTEST: The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the minority leader. Roger Nick, Chief Clerk of the House 184 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

On the question, son; and his daughter, Ali. He will be missed by all who knew Will the House adopt the resolution? him. We have lessons to learn from those who go before us, but Jimmy Rhoades truly was a man who put honor in honorable. REMARKS BY MR. GOODMAN I ask those in the House today to remember him and to vote unanimously on this resolution. The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the prime sponsor of Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the resolution, Representative Neal Goodman. Mr. GOODMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. REMARKS BY MINORITY WHIP Mr. Speaker, I can stand here today and rattle off many of the legislative accomplishments of Senator James Rhoades. The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the minority whip, I can also take you to my legislative district and point out many Representative Argall. of the projects that Jim Rhoades made come to fruition, but if Mr. ARGALL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pause for just a moment to Mr. Speaker, when I first started receiving phone calls that remember the man himself. Jim was an extraordinary man. He dreadful Friday night, I had convinced myself that our longtime was more than just a State Senator to the people of the friend and colleague, Jim Rhoades, was going to be okay. As 29th District and especially those of northern Schuylkill Representative Goodman has noted, this was one tough, County; he was more of a father figure. He was my junior high old-time football coach, teacher, principal, Senator; and those of school principal. He was my high school coach. His family sat us who knew him well will tell you that those different roles behind mine in church for decades. We may never see his likes merged into each other a long time ago. Tragically for Jim and again. Jimmy had an odd way about him – he spoke the truth. his loving family and staff, he did not survive the effects of that When you went to see Jimmy, he once told me he thought of terrible accident. So within a few hours, the reporters began to himself more of a father confessor than a State Senator. People call the members of the local delegation, and soon I found a would come to him with all kinds of problems and you never TV crew surprising my neighbors by pulling into my driveway. knew what you were going to get. You did not know if you On that terrible day I tried to speak of Jim's incredible were going to get the big bear hug or if you were going to get a passion for education, his family, and the people that he boot in the pants. And believe me, I have gotten both. But represented so well for 28 years, but sometimes those of us I would like to share just a very short story of the very last time privileged to serve in this General Assembly fear that we fail to that the Senator and I were together. It was in Minersville at the communicate the real, actual facts of a situation and that, Minersville Spirit Day. This is a big event in my legislative subsequently, our local media fail to understand. Fortunately, district; hundreds of people show up. They have all kinds of that is not always the case. In the sad days after that wonderful rides and food and entertainment. It is a big event. And on the tribute, which the people of our region paid to Jim— I mean, last day of that event, they always pause for a moment to you should have seen the line stretched around that school in recognize someone in the community for something Mahanoy City, the fire trucks and the signs and the people outstanding. This year was a special year because they were waving goodbye from their front porches. I mailed to every recognizing the State championship 11- and 12-year-old girls. member of this chamber and the Senate an editorial from the Through a mix-up of the Legislative Reference Bureau and my Pottsville Republican & Herald. The writer of that editorial so district office, I ended up without a citation to give to the correctly summed up the reality of our jobs here as well as, coaches and to the individual girls. I think more importantly, the essence of Jim Rhoades. Let me Of course, Jimmy took this as an opportunity to tease me. He just read you the most important paragraph from that editorial: said, you would have forgotten your helmet if I would not have "Then there are all those public appearances, and dealing with told you to put it on. So the Congressman got up and gave his the media, and having to stop and listen to every man, woman citation, all the local officials did, and then they recognized and child who stops you on the street. Why would anyone want Senator Rhoades. When he stood up, he put that big bear-like such a horrible job?" hand around my neck and he led me up to the microphone and In Rhoades's case, we know it was not the money. He did it he said, on behalf of the Senate and the House of to be of service to the people. I have called the editor; I have Representatives, I would like to present these citations. told him that that editorial is going to be hanging on the wall of Everyone that was there thought that this was the way it was my Tamaqua office for as long as I serve to remind me of Jim. supposed to be. To those watching on PCN (Pennsylvania Cable In 1980 I helped a little bit with his first campaign as a Network) that may not sound like a big thing, but everyone 21-year-old Young Republican. I later campaigned with him on sitting in these chairs knows that we have found ourselves in the same ballot, attending the same rallies in seven subsequent very uncomfortable situations over the years. Jimmy could have reelection campaigns. I think it began that I could predict what left me sitting there like a bum at the bus, but he did not do that. he was going to say on those speech topics and I suspect after He took that moment to make me feel at ease and he made the same, he could have given my speeches as well. I mention a very nice event for everyone that was there. That was this because I recently looked at the election results from Jimmy Rhoades. 2 weeks ago – that wonderful posthumous tribute paid by the Jimmy was my principal; he was my coach; he was my voters of the 29th District to Jim – and I was pleased to see that friend; and he was my adversary. We banged heads on many 2 weeks after his death in a three-way race, he received almost occasions – not legislatively, but politically. But Jimmy never as many votes as he had in his two-way race in 2004. made it personal, and I think that speaks volumes for the man. I wondered what Jim Rhoades would have said about that. I am There is a lesson to be learned by all of us. My heart goes out to not exactly sure, but I can confidently predict two things: his wife, Mary Edith; to his son, James Jr.; Michael, his other 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 185

One, it would have been funny. And two, it would have had On the question recurring, something to do with football. Will the House adopt the resolution? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. God bless you, Jim. The SPEAKER. Those in favor of the resolution will rise and remain standing as a mark of respect for our friend and REMARKS BY MR. SEIP colleague, Senator Jim Rhoades. Guests will also rise.

The SPEAKER. Representative Seip. (Whereupon, the members of the House and all visitors stood Mr. SEIP. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of the Mr. Speaker, I also rise to speak on the tragic and Honorable James J. Rhoades.) unexpected passing of Senator Jim Rhoades. Mr. Speaker, I served in the General Assembly with Senator Rhoades for a The SPEAKER. The resolution has been unanimously brief time, but I have also been his constituent for 28 of my adopted. 39 years. One of the qualities of Senator Rhoades that I admired and identified with most was his powerful advocacy for CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION vulnerable people. I have heard him say many, many times at events that we were at together: clothes on your back, food in The SPEAKER. We have a condolence resolution for a State your mouth, and a roof over your head. official. He had a passion for helping people, and particularly for The clerk will read the resolution. helping vulnerable people. His tenacious advocacy resulted in the helping of many of his constituents through his work The following resolution was read: here in the General Assembly. The untimely passing of Senator Rhoades has left an incredible void in the General COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Assembly, and the people of the 29th Senatorial District have THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lost a great advocate, particularly those very, very vulnerable CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION people that I spoke of. Mr. Speaker, may we all have the WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania wishes courage to be such tenacious advocates for our constituents, to honor the memory of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, particularly those most vulnerable, just as Senator Rhoades did who passed away at the age of seventy-eight on November 12, 2008; for those 28 years. and Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS, Born in McKees Rocks, Lieutenant Governor Knoll The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the gentleman. was the daughter of Nick Baker and Teresa May. A graduate of Saint Mary's High School in McKees Rocks, she furthered her education at Duquesne University, Harvard University's Kennedy REMARKS BY MR. SCAVELLO School of Government and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Governor Knoll began her The SPEAKER. Representative Scavello. political career as a campaign worker for local and Statewide Mr. SCAVELLO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Democratic candidates, including for her father's campaign. She was I do not have any prepared remarks, but I do want to elected State Treasurer of Pennsylvania in 1988, a position she held for echo the words of the three legislators that spoke before me. eight years. During her tenure as State Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor Senator Rhoades was my Senator when I was mayor of the Knoll is lauded for establishing the Pennsylvania Tuition Account Borough of Mount Pocono for 8 years. Any time that I had a Program and the partnership between the Pennsylvania Home Builders problem in Mount Pocono, I would pick up the phone and the Association and Pennsylvania Community Banks. Lieutenant Governor Knoll became the first woman to hold the office of Lieutenant Senator was there to help. I just want to point out a couple of Governor upon her election in 2002 and swearing in on January 21, things since I joined the legislature. He was, to me, when I dealt 2003. In addition to her longstanding service to politics, she dedicated with education, he was my mentor. I would go to him on her time and efforts to numerous community organizations, including education issues and there is no one out there who cared more the Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy, the Golden Triangle, about the students of our Commonwealth, the children of our the YMCA, Angel's Place, Boys and Girls Clubs and Elder Care, Inc. Commonwealth than he did as far as education. Also – and Lieutenant Governor Knoll exemplified the finest virtues of the human I have to tell this because this is a classic James Rhoades, experience and she will be sadly missed by all those who knew and Senator James Rhoades – a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) in loved her. Her shining torch of compassion and community spirit will our area, not in his district, honored veterans the last few years burn brightly in the hearts and minds of all those who knew this remarkable woman; now therefore be it and invited Senators. He was one of the Senators who was there RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the at every one of those events for our veterans, made a point of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proclaim with enduring sorrow the traveling. It was not in his district, but he went there to be with passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll; and extend those veterans and thank them for their service. He is going to heartfelt condolences to her sons, Charles A. Knoll, Jr., Esq., sorely be missed. In my mind, he was a gentle giant because he Albert Baker Knoll, Esq., and Dr. Kim Eric Knoll; daughter, had a heart of gold and any time you needed something he was Mina Baker Knoll; and many other family members, friends and there to help. colleagues; and be it further Thank you, Mr. Speaker. RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, sponsored by the The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the gentleman. Honorable Dennis M. O'Brien on November 17, 2008, be transmitted to the family of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

186 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the House rule 35s, and their guests are in the chamber that we generally ATTEST: dispose of those issues so that the members and their guests are Roger Nick, Chief Clerk of the House not inconvenienced. The motion to adjourn takes precedence over any other business. On the question, The Chair recognizes the majority leader on that motion. Will the House adopt the resolution? Mr. DeWEESE. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Respectfully, we have an opportunity to listen to The SPEAKER. Those in favor of the resolution will rise Representative Rubley, Representative Stairs, Representative and remain standing as a mark of respect for our beloved Kenney, Representative Mantz, Representative James, Lieutenant Governor. Guests will also rise. Representative Wojnaroski, and it is the desire of the majority that we do it in the special session mode that we are in right (Whereupon, the members of the House and all visitors stood now. There is a scheduling prerogative that the majority in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of the sometimes is able to enjoy, and this is one of those times. Honorable Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.) So I would ask for a negative vote, and I would like to continue on with the matters of the day. But I would repeat, The SPEAKER. The resolution has been unanimously respectfully – and I would like some Republican help on this so adopted. that we are not stymied for hours and hours of parliamentary The Sergeants at Arms will open the doors of the House. machinations. We have families who have come a long way, and to expedite the session, I would ask for a negative vote ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. KAUFFMAN against my honorable colleague's motion. Thank you very much. The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman, The SPEAKER. The Chair was remiss in not announcing and Representative Rob Kauffman, rise? formally putting that motion on the board. The Chair will do so Mr. KAUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, just for a point of personal at this time. privilege. The gentleman, Representative Schroder, moves to adjourn The SPEAKER. The gentleman is in order and may proceed. special session of the House. Mr. KAUFFMAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we have risen for many situations – unfortunately, the On the question, untimely deaths of many great Pennsylvanians – but I rise today Will the House agree to the motion? to celebrate new life in my home and to announce the birth of my son, Kaleb Robert Kauffman, last Thursday evening at The SPEAKER. On that motion, the minority leader, 11:33 in the Chambersburg Hospital. He is home and with the Representative Smith. exception of a little bit of jaundice, he is doing well. We are just Mr. S. SMITH. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. passing sickness through the household now, all four children. I rise equally as respectfully. Certainly, no one's desire is to So thank you, Mr. Speaker. shortchange or shortcut a member who is retiring from this body of their opportunity to make their farewell remarks. I would The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman, note, Mr. Speaker, that it is very traditional that that would Representative Schroder, rise? be done in the regular session as opposed to a particular Mr. SCHRODER. Mr. Speaker, just a brief point of personal special session that may have run concurrent to the end of the privilege and then a motion. session period. Mr. Speaker, when I attempted to be recognized earlier, I just Mr. Speaker, let us just be clear, without being wanted to explain it was not my intent to in any way stop or extraordinarily confrontational about it, that the purpose for impede the ability of the House to consider the condolence doing these speeches in special session is because the resolutions for the three great Pennsylvanians who have served majority leader does not want to subject the body to a vote on a our Commonwealth so well. bill that could go directly to the Governor's desk with really just two steps that would address the Mcare issue. It is something, MOTION TO ADJOURN Mr. Speaker, that it is not so much about doctors and hospitals but it is about people of Pennsylvania having access to quality Mr. SCHRODER. With that said, Mr. Speaker, I do rise at health care. I would say, Mr. Speaker, that I just want the record this moment to move that the House immediately adjourn to reflect that a vote against this motion is arguably a motion to special session so that we can go into and be gaveled into avoid a vote, once again, on dealing with an issue that is very regular session for purposes of the farewell speeches as well as important to the people of Pennsylvania – average, middle-class any other business such as Mcare (Medical Care Availability people; poor people; rich people. It has to do with their access and Reduction of Error) that could come before the House to quality doctors and quality health care within Pennsylvania. today. Thank you. So I would ask the members to support the motion and allow The SPEAKER. The Chair will remind, as the gentleman us to go into regular session where we could still continue with identified, that there are several members – Representative the retirement speeches, as is tradition, in a traditional manner Rubley, Representative Wojnaroski, Representative James, but also allow us to wind up this session doing something for Representative Stairs, Representative Mantz, Representative the people of Pennsylvania as it wraps up. Kenney, and others – that have remarks. It has traditionally been Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the practice of the Chair that when members have resolutions, The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the majority leader, Representative DeWeese. 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 187

Mr. DeWEESE. Again, Mr. Speaker, in a more aggressive The SPEAKER. The Chair will ask all members to please tone; I would ask for a negative vote. The honorable gentleman take their seats. Members will please take their seats. Allow me from the southeast is trying to intercede against the prerogatives to do this one more time. Members will please take their seats. of the majority, and that is acceptable in a parliamentary setting. Is there any member seeking recognition before the Chair However, apropos of the minority leader's recent remarks recognizes— about doctors and health care, the Mcare mechanism has Representative Reichley. injected $250 million a year into our doctors, and that has been Mr. REICHLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. a helpful dynamic and it has kept many, many doctors in our Would the current majority leader stand for brief State. Almost $1 billion collectively has been forwarded to our interrogation? medical professionals and that is appropriate and helpful, and The SPEAKER. The gentleman, Representative DeWeese, this General Assembly has been in the vanguard of that effort. indicates he will stand for interrogation. Representative However, the honorable gentleman, the minority leader, did not, Reichley is in order and may proceed. did not refer to the fact that we are in perilous economic times, Mr. REICHLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and it is possible, it is at least possible – and this debate should Mr. Speaker, did I just hear the current majority leader state not take place today – it is possible that a $500 million hole in that the funds which are available in the physician retention next year's budget might be attended to with some of these account may be utilized to fill the proposed budget gap that has dollars. That is just speculation; that is a possibility, but that is a been the subject of discussion even this morning at the very, very inclusive debate. Appropriations hearing? So to make Mr. Schroder's motion would certainly allow for Mr. DeWEESE. Mr. Speaker, there are innumerable hours and hours and hours of debate. This special session variations on the theme. You would have to be a soothsayer of calendar was designed in many ways so that Mrs. Rubley, special talent to prognosticate what is going to happen in Mr. Stairs, Mr. Kenney, Mr. Mantz, and others, and their Mr. Evans's chairmen meetings and in the full committee families are able to go forward with today's events. I do not meetings in late February, early March, and in our collective think it is helpful for us, especially when we have a budget deliberations in April and May and June, but I think that those deficit of substantial hundreds of millions of dollars, to get into senior members among us will speculate that this will be the this debate today. This is, at this moment, a very politically toughest budget since 1991, and I think that all avenues for inspired political maneuver by my honorable friend from the additional revenue should be kept open. I would hope that we southeast and is being advocated politically by my very could do it with other measures. I would hope that we would not honorable friend, the minority leader. use these dollars for regular budgeteering, but I would certainly I ask for a negative vote, a negative vote, a negative vote not foreclose that as a potential option. Nothing should be against Mr. Schroder's motion. foreclosed, including this. The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes Representative Maher. Mr. REICHLEY. Well, Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman Mr. MAHER. Mr. Speaker, last week we heard a solemn from Greene County then acknowledge that the Governor's pledge from the Democratic leader that the Mcare legislation, health-care plan as passed by this chamber, which would add which Mr. Schroder seeks to have us consider, would be voted additional spending onto the budgetary situation, would not on yesterday. have the money available from the physician retention account Now, in one of the three-card Monte schemes, a bit of then to pay for that program? skulduggery, yesterday's scheduled votes were erased from the Mr. DeWEESE. Mr. Speaker, I did accede to interrogation, calendar. The gentleman, Mr. Schroder, is left with no but this is on the motion to adjourn, and the honorable alternative in seeking to have the Democrats honor their pledge gentleman's interrogation seems wide of the mark. I would like to at least allow a vote on whether or not physicians should be to have a vote on the motion to adjourn. driven out of Pennsylvania. If you are for driving them out of Again, we can debate this ad infinitum all afternoon, but it is Pennsylvania, fine; put up the vote. But you promised a vote. pure whimsy; it is pure speculation. I have no idea what the Let us have the vote. Let us be honorable. Let us set a new tone revenue yields will be, whether the economy will bounce back, for the new session and not end this session with skulduggery. and I am certainly not going to get into a detailed debate on The SPEAKER. The majority leader, Representative Mcare unless it is absolutely part of the agenda. I came up here DeWeese. today working on a special session calendar which would allow Mr. DeWEESE. To my good friend from Upper St. Clair, the our membership to celebrate the final moments on the floor of Senate could come back into session and forward a bill that they Representative Rubley and Representative Stairs and have on their calendar. Representative Mantz and others. Number two, we put it on the calendar, but that is not So I am going to demur, politely, from further interrogation inherently a complete commitment to a vote. At least I do not on the intricacies of the Mcare debate. recall as majority leader making that motion or making that Mr. REICHLEY. Well, Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman statement that I would promise to bring it up for a vote. So from Greene also, as he has politely and courteously informed I wanted to set the record straight. us, would he also be willing to clarify his last statement in that Again, I would like to avoid what could become a 2-, 3-, 4-, tax increases are also on the table next year to fill in the budget 5-, 6-hour debate, which would be a precursor to next spring's gap? budget deliberations. This has a substantial, if not stupendous, Mr. DeWEESE. Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the happy and impact upon Pennsylvania's fiscal good health, and rather than engaging colloquy of my colleague from the Lehigh Valley, interject it into the middle of the dialogue for today as we say I would like to make sure that we go forward with the motion to goodbye to our retiring members, I would ask for a negative adjourn, and I would like a negative vote on the motion to vote on Mr. Schroder's motion. Thank you. adjourn. 188 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Mr. REICHLEY. Mr. Speaker, that concludes my one of equal voice on this floor did agree to move the bill into interrogation. May I speak to the motion to adjourn? position and to schedule it for a vote on Monday. That would The SPEAKER. The gentleman is in order and may proceed. have been 2 days ago. Mr. REICHLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The fact that we somehow avoided session on Monday and The gentleman from Greene County is exactly right that Tuesday, in the proper sense, and now we come here on today is the end of the session, but this is the ultimate in Wednesday and attempt to close out this legislative session in gamesmanship that is being played with the health care of the special session venue clearly is a case of sidestepping the thousands of Pennsylvanians. The bill which the gentleman intention and what was given to us as a word that we would from Chester County would like the House to address was have our chance to at least try to call this bill up for a vote. We available on the calendar last Monday, and I think it should be know, Mr. Speaker, it is not that far away; it would require a noted on the record that at roughly 3 p.m. on Monday the 17th, couple of votes as well as a suspension of the rules. So there is this House went into recess – not adjournment but recess – and still a lot of leeway on the majority party's prerogative to control never returned. Yesterday was converted, on Monday afternoon, the events of that regular session debate, but let it reflect that into a nonvoting session so again we would not be in regular that was something that was agreed to, and that is why I would voting session to bring up the legislation which could provide ask the Republican members to vote to adjourn, to allow us to relief to doctors to ensure high-quality health care for enter into the regular session and continue with the process that Pennsylvanians, not just in the southeast where the health-care was promised us last week. crisis is critical but throughout Pennsylvania. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And frankly, Mr. Speaker, the side on the other part of the The SPEAKER. Representative DeWeese. chamber here is playing games with the health care of every Mr. DeWEESE. Thank you. Pennsylvanian. They have chosen to stiff-arm the doctors ever Finally, I believe, the voting calendar is a menu, and since they jammed through their health-care plan, when you put obviously, we try to do as many of those votes as possible, but a gun to the head of doctors saying that if you do not see the there were other legislative actions relative to meth labs and patients on our new wholly created bureaucratic program called landscape architects and death registrations – there were a ABC (Access to Basic Care), we are not going to allow you to variety of other measures that were not taken up. have any reduction in your medical malpractice insurance and The scheduling of our leadership elections yesterday and the plus you have got to see patients at this undesignated press of business was such that— Again, I do not want to be compensation rate. smug; our majority is razor thin, as has been the case in this The gentleman from Chester County is attempting to bring chamber for most of my career. We respect the minority; we this issue fully in front of the people of Pennsylvania. It is respect the Republicans, but right now we have an agenda. wrong for the other side to deny the people of Pennsylvania the It is primarily focused on our retiring members. What would opportunity to discuss this in an open way, and I think it is a bad be the use to take 2, 3, 4, or 5 hours and debate Mcare when omen for the rest of Pennsylvania that the House Democrat Mr. Rendell said he would veto the proposal? The Senate could leadership is refusing to acknowledge the crisis faced by doctors come back and send their own bill to the Governor's Office. and patients by seeking to defeat this motion to adjourn and This is just, God bless America, a political maneuver of the first letting us go to regular session where the bill could properly be order, and again, I ask for its rejection. addressed. The SPEAKER. Is there any member seeking recognition Thank you, Mr. Speaker. before the Chair recognizes the prime sponsor of the motion? The SPEAKER. The majority leader, Representative The Chair recognizes Representative Schroder for the second DeWeese. time on the motion. Mr. DeWEESE. My honorable Republican colleagues are Mr. SCHRODER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. requesting an exercise in futility; Governor Rendell said he Mr. Speaker, just a few comments are in order here before would veto this measure if it arrived at his desk. the vote. Let us get on with our celebrations for our retiring members. Let us just understand what we are asking to do here. We are I ask for a negative vote. not asking for farewell speeches to be interrupted or unduly The SPEAKER. Is there any member seeking recognition delayed or even canceled, as the implied threat has been made. before the Chair recognizes the prime sponsor of the— Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I have enough faith in the goodness and Mr. S. SMITH. Mr. Speaker? the intent of both the Speaker and the majority leader that they The SPEAKER. The minority leader, Representative Smith. would not pull such a heartless and really depraved act as to not Mr. S. SMITH. Briefly, Mr. Speaker. I will not belabor this. take us into regular session just for the sake of avoiding the I did want to correct a comment that the majority leader Mcare issue. made, and that is referring to the transcript of the House Mr. Speaker, I do not want my colleague and good friend proceedings last week when the gentleman, the current whip from Chester County, Representative Rubley, who has her and the majority nominee for Speaker, was asked about the family up here; her husband, Ron, another good friend, who I schedule, this bill. Just to be clear to the majority leader, the virtually almost ran into today coming into the garage; her staff Democrat nominee for Speaker said, "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. is here; her family; friends. We have a lot of that. We want to "Mr. Speaker, we would agree to the motion and will also get on with the farewells for our members on this very add that we will have HB 489 added to the voting schedule for emotional last day, but we do have a very important piece of Monday." work to address first, and it should not take us that long to do it. So clearly, Mr. Speaker, the leadership team of the majority Mr. Speaker, the eyes of the medical community as well as party did in fact— I understand, Mr. Speaker, that the their patients are on us today. This Mcare legislation has been gentleman from Greene County did not personally say this, but used as a pawn. Mr. Speaker, it has been used— First of all, the 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 189 doctors have been used as pawns in this. The medical One more time, Democrat audacity, Democrat integrity. community has been used as pawns in order to advance some Raise the money for the Mcare proposal to be implemented, not issues that the Governor has put forward. Today we are actually Republican money. I am tired of all this hypocrisy. using the members of individuals' families as pawns who are Vote "no." here with us to make the argument that we should not address The SPEAKER. Representative Maher. Mcare. Mr. Speaker, that is just not right. Mr. MAHER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It should send a chill down all of our spines, particularly I am impressed that my Democratic friend believes that the those in the medical community, that in response to Governor will do what he says. I seem to remember the interrogation by Representative Reichley, the concept or the Governor, then candidate Rendell, pledging to enact tort reform. suggestion of raiding the Mcare fund for purposes of balancing The bill, as prescribed by aforesaid Governor, reached his desk, the budget this year has been squarely put on the table. and guess what? He vetoed it. So I am guessing that just Mr. Speaker, that is truly frightening when you consider that perhaps, since it seems as likely as not that the Governor will do this fund has been used to stabilize health care in this the opposite of what he promises, that if we go ahead and Commonwealth in response to the medical malpractice crisis of deliver this bill to the Governor's desk, he may just go ahead a few years ago. Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow it to be used like and sign it. that, and this should be a warning shot that should be heard all Now, to shrug your shoulders and say, put it on the backs of across the State that this issue has even reared its head today. people who are not in the building when this body, when this Mr. Speaker— chamber promised the gentleman that this bill would be on the Mr. DeWEESE. Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker? voting calendar; come on. This is about simply honoring a Mr. SCHRODER. Mr. Speaker, I am almost finished, and commitment. We should do what is right and keep our word, at I do not know why I would be interrupted at this point. least in this chamber, regardless of whether the Governor keeps Mr. DeWEESE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to interrupt one of his. my favorite Chester Countians— MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION The SPEAKER. Representative DeWeese. Mr. DeWEESE. —and ask the honorable gentleman to The SPEAKER. Representative Oliver. please, please, please stay on the motion to adjourn. Mr. OLIVER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The SPEAKER. Representative Schroder. Mr. Speaker, I call for the previous question. Mr. SCHRODER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The SPEAKER. The gentleman may consider withdrawing So, Mr. Speaker, let us vote "yes" on the motion to adjourn. that motion to move the previous question. I believe there is no All we have to do then is gavel into regular session. We can one else seeking recognition. have our farewell speeches, do the ceremonial portion of the Does the gentleman, Representative Oliver, wish to day, and all I would ask is to be recognized to make a motion on withdraw that motion? HB 489 at the appropriate time. The House will be at ease. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The SPEAKER. Representative DeWeese. The House will come to order. Mr. DeWEESE. I cannot let those remarks go without rebuttal. MOTION WITHDRAWN The honorable gentleman called this maneuver heartless and depraved. He talked about the eyes of the medical community The SPEAKER. Representative Oliver. being upon us. He talked about us using people as pawns. He Mr. OLIVER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the previous talked about sending a chill down people's backs. Well, what question. sends a chill down my back is that 70 percent of the The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the gentleman. Republicans voted against the increase in the cigarette tax that pays these doctors. Seventy percent of you people voted against On the motion to adjourn special session of the House, those those dollars coming in. You want to spend it but you do not in favor of the motion will vote "aye"; those opposed, "nay." have the guts to raise it. That sends a chill down my back; that sends a chill down my back. That is incredible hypocrisy. We On the question recurring, raise the money for the doctors. We help the doctors – Will the House agree to the motion? $250 million a year, year after year after year. This is a very complex debate. The Governor said he will not The following roll call was recorded: sign the bill that Mr. Schroder wants to talk about all afternoon. The Senate could send a proposal to the Governor if they would YEAS–96 come back, but they do not believe in lameduck sessions anymore, even for good ideas. The Republicans who control the Adolph Fleck Marsico Raymond Senate Republican Caucus, they do not want to come back and Argall Gabig McIlhattan Reed Baker Geist Mensch Reichley deal with Mcare. So here, on the final day, in the penultimate Barrar Gillespie Metcalfe Roae hours of our session, as we try to celebrate the lady Rubley and Bear Gingrich Micozzie Rock the gentle Stairs, et cetera, we are having this debate. If we are Benninghoff Godshall Millard Rohrer going to have a debate for a half hour or 45 minutes on Beyer Grell Miller Ross Boback Harhart Milne Rubley adjournment, you can imagine what Mcare would be. Boyd Harper Moul Saylor Brooks Harris Moyer Scavello Cappelli Helm Murt Schroder 190 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Causer Hennessey Mustio Smith, S. State gathered in the Capitol in Hartford for a weekend where Civera Hershey Nailor Sonney we introduced, debated, and passed bills. Never did I dream or Clymer Hess Nickol Stairs Cox Hickernell O'Neill Steil believe that someday I would actually have the privilege of Creighton Hutchinson Payne Stern serving in a legislature. Cutler Kauffman Peifer Stevenson There have been both positive and negative aspects to this Dally Keller, M.K. Petri Swanger job, as you all know. Some things I will not miss include: trips Denlinger Kenney Phillips Taylor, J. DiGirolamo Killion Pickett True back and forth on the , especially in the Ellis Maher Pyle Turzai snow and ice; climbing our marble steps and walking on our Evans, J. Major Quigley Vereb beautiful Mercer tile hallways in high heels; the constant and Everett Mantz Quinn Vulakovich ever-growing barrage of e-mails; and spending parts or all of the Fairchild Marshall Rapp Watson last five Fourth of Julys here in Harrisburg working on the NAYS–96 budget. Some of the highlights of my career include: having had the Belfanti George Mann Siptroth opportunity to serve under Matt Ryan; participating in Governor Biancucci Gerber Markosek Smith, K. Ridge's 21st Century Environment Commission; serving on Bishop Gergely McCall Smith, M. various legislative reform task forces, including being a member Blackwell Goodman McGeehan Solobay Brennan Grucela McI. Smith Staback of the Speaker's Reform Commission; spearheading local tax Buxton Haluska Melio Sturla reform initiatives with Dave Steil and other able House Caltagirone Hanna Mundy Surra members – unfortunately, we were not successful with that Carroll Harhai Myers Taylor, R. venture, but I do hope others will continue to work on this Casorio Harkins O'Brien, M. Thomas Cohen Hornaman Oliver Vitali difficult topic – having 14 bills signed into law; and finally, Conklin James Parker Wagner having the opportunity to interact with so many wonderful local Costa Josephs Pashinski Walko community groups and individuals. Cruz Keller, W. Payton Wansacz There are so many people to thank, and unfortunately, in the Curry Kessler Petrone Waters Daley King Preston Wheatley interest of time, I cannot name you individually. I would like to DeLuca Kirkland Ramaley White start with our terrific research staff. Without their help, DePasquale Kortz Readshaw Williams many of my bills would not have become law. Also, to the Dermody Kotik Roebuck Wojnaroski Chester County delegation for your friendship and support over DeWeese Kula Sabatina Yewcic Donatucci Leach Sainato Youngblood the years. A special thanks goes to for his Evans, D. Lentz Samuelson Yudichak wonderful sense of humor and his good and not so good jokes. Fabrizio Levdansky Santoni To the Montgomery County delegation for your warm reception Frankel Longietti Seip O'Brien, D., and inclusion of me after I was redistricted into a portion of the Freeman Mahoney Shapiro Speaker Galloway Manderino county in 2002. And to my colleagues from York County, with whom I have been sitting in the House chamber these past NOT VOTING–4 2 years, for your humor and your introduction of York County coffee to me. Eachus Pallone Petrarca Shimkus Next I would like to thank and introduce the greatest staff in the State who, without their help and support, my success in the EXCUSED–7 157th District would not have been possible. Starting with Marian Mills, who served as my legislative aide in Harrisburg Bastian Gibbons Perry Tangretti Bennington Mackereth Perzel for 14 years until her retirement 2 years ago. I thank you, Marian, for your integrity, hard work, ethical standards, and good advice over the years. To Michele Warren, who stepped in Less than the majority having voted in the affirmative, the as my administrative assistant, and to Linda Gascoigne as my question was determined in the negative and the motion was not legislative aide for the past 2 years, the transition could not have agreed to. been easier, and you both have done a superb job and have been terrific to work with. In my district offices, I have had Mary Carr, a long-term FAREWELL ADDRESS friend, who has been my office manager for the past 16 years. BY MRS. RUBLEY Thank you for your patience and wonderful demeanor in working with thousands of constituents. The SPEAKER. The Chair invites Representative Rubley to Also present today is Lauren Longenecker, who came to my the rostrum. office as a recent college graduate 3 years ago and adjusted to Mrs. RUBLEY. All right. After all that, as the old saying the challenges of our district office with professionalism, goes, all good things must come to an end. This is my time enthusiasm, and initiative. And to Janet Barry, who has headed to move on to new endeavors. It has been a wonderful our part-time satellite office in Montgomery County. Thank opportunity to represent the people of the 157th District for the you, Janet, for your wonderful service and help in involving me past 16 years. in the new part of my district. For the most part, my legislative career memories are I have to express my appreciation to Janelle Lynch, the wonderful. Growing up in a small town in Connecticut, I was a Republican executive director of the House Children and Youth member of the Connecticut Intercollegiate Student Legislature, Committee, for your in-depth understanding of and passion for where once a year a group of students from colleges across the issues affecting our children. 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 191

And two spouses who are here today deserve recognition for My wife, will you please stand – Sandy. Second, to the residents their hard work and support of me over the years: Jim Mills and of the 71st District, who have given me this golden opportunity Chuck Carr. I ask you all to stand for recognition. to represent them. Last but not least, I wish to thank my husband, Ron, of Next, I would like to thank my staff here in Harrisburg: my 46 years. He has been with me through the arduous campaigns L.A. (legislative assistant), Wendy Shearer, who is simply the with his support and his understanding and acceptance of my best – Wendy, please. From my Johnstown office: Jinny Horner, many absences on weekends, evenings, and family events. Tony Perry, Gloria Chulick. All of them have not only been Fortunately, he does not mind eating leftovers since they have very competent, but they also have been very trusted friends. been plentiful in our house over these past years. Although our At this time I would like to mention the great people on the three children and eight grandchildren were not able to be here plaza level of the East Wing, especially Kelly, Carla, Candy, today since they reside out of State, I am so appreciative to and Britte. I have always believed that family, friends, plus staff them for their help and support over the years and their equals success. understanding of my absences from so many events of the Now, part of my regret for leaving this House is not working grandchildren. Ron, I ask that you stand for recognition. with my good friend, Representative Harry Readshaw. He It has been a pleasure to know and work with many of the started off as my trusted mentor, but it was not long before we women in the House. Although our numbers are few, our became close friends. We shared many humorous moments dedication and commitment is strong. Please, to the women, together, as I am sure that many of you here this morning can continue to work on recruiting able female members in the attest to. Harry, I will really, truly miss our times together. future. I have no shame in saying that I eagerly look forward to I will miss so much about this career, especially having the retirement, spending time with my family, the occasional opportunity to become educated on so many different subjects. hunting trip, and naturally, more time on the streams. I do have It has been so stimulating and informative. I hope to be able to to admit though, I think that in time I will look back and recall continue working on environmental issues and on energy fond memories of my time spent here in this magnificent conservation and efficiency to help seniors on fixed incomes building. I have met a lot of good people, some tremendous remain in their homes as the price of electricity increases as rate people here, too numerous to mention. I also have seen a lot of caps come off. people come and go, and now I just know that it is simply my In conclusion, it has been a privilege to work with members time to go. For me, it is great to know that the best things in life on both sides of the aisle. I hope we will experience more are the people we love, the places we have been, and the nonpartisan cooperation in the future to work together to memories we have made along the way. address the many serious problems facing our Commonwealth. I want to wish all of my colleagues the best. To those leaving Thank you for your friendship, and best wishes to all of you. as well, enjoy your time and reflect back on these days with Thank you. smiles. To those staying and those coming in, keep good judgment and always think of the Commonwealth's fine citizens COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED who depend on us to make their lives a little better. In closing, I have this quote, "…many are called, but few are The SPEAKER. On behalf of the members of the chosen." You, my friends in the House of Representatives, are General Assembly, I would like to present this ceremonial gavel Pennsylvania's chosen ones. to Representative Rubley and thank her personally for taking up Thank you. God bless you, and God bless the the cause of my kids in Tredyffrin Township. of America. Mrs. RUBLEY. Thank you. The SPEAKER. Thank you very much. COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED

FAREWELL ADDRESS The SPEAKER. Again, on behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to present Representative Wojnaroski with this BY MR. WOJNAROSKI ceremonial gavel and announce to the members his suggestion, The SPEAKER. The Chair now would invite Representative when we enact new rules for this chamber, that members have a Wojnaroski to come up to the rostrum for some remarks. uniform. Mr. WOJNAROSKI. I want to get in character here. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. WOJNAROSKI. Thank you, and thank you, It is with mixed emotions that I stand here before you today. Mr. Speaker, for pronouncing my name correctly. On one hand, I am sad to say goodbye to all of you here, my colleagues; but on the other hand, I am thrilled to be starting a FAREWELL ADDRESS new chapter in my life, a chapter that focuses on my family. BY MR. JAMES When my term ends later this month, I will have spent 12 years in this awesome chamber representing the members of The SPEAKER. The Chair welcomes Representative James the 71st District. to the rostrum for remarks. As I reflect back on my time in the Pennsylvania House of Mr. JAMES. First of all, give honor to God, and thank you, Representatives, it is important that I give thanks to all for their Mr. Speaker. cooperation and efforts on my behalf. First, most important to Exactly sevenscore and 5 years ago today, President me is my wife, Sandy. She believed in my dreams, encouraged Abraham Lincoln dedicated the national cemetery at Gettysburg my hopes, and inspired me with immeasurable confidence. 192 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19 as a testament that those who died to make men free shall not Miss Rhodes, Imani Badie, Charlene Ryant, Marvin Watson, have died in vain. and Dr. Linda Evans. My former staff, especially my Before I begin, I want to take a moment to recognize volunteers; you have helped the people of south Philadelphia someone. I stand here before you and have the honor and and southwest Philadelphia and Point Breeze in ways that you privilege of being able to do something I never thought I would will never know. Whether it was providing a teenager with the be able to do in my lifetime, and that is to stand here on the Driver's Manual as they prepared to take the test for their floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and learner's permit or helping a single dad who just lost his job say that I would like to recognize and congratulate the first make sure that he can still feed his family, you all have been an African-American to be elected President of the greatest asset to our community, and I know that you will continue to country our world has ever known. Forty-three years after help people as you have in these past years. But I urge our L.B.J. (Lyndon Baines Johnson) signed the Voting Rights Act Democratic leadership to ensure that those who help us assist and 145 years after that famous address at Gettysburg, it is a our constituents in our district offices are given health benefits testament to the American dream that a skinny kid with a funny and retirement benefits, especially those who have served in our name, born to an African father, raised by a single mother from district offices and community after a certain amount of time. Kansas, and anchored by little more than a belief that America I want to thank my Harrisburg staff: my legislative assistant, might have a place for him, too, grew up to be elected to the Ms. Christa Vinson; as many of you will, I am sure, agree, highest office in this great land. Congratulations, President-elect sometimes we wonder how we will ever get through the day Barack Obama. without somebody like Christa. She is one of my biggest My generation, educated at schools that were still segregated, cheerleaders and also the one who is willing to tell it to me like eating from restaurants where there was a colored section, living it is. our daily lives separate but equal; I never thought the day would I also want to thank my committee staff from the come. I told all of my seven children that by pursuing their Gaming Oversight Committee: Dr. Terrence Alladin, who will, education, following their dreams, and through participation in finally, formally graduate with his Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) the process of our sacred democracy, that they could do in December. I cannot begin to tell you how proud anything. I stand here before you today to tell you that now I am of all those accomplishments and for his never-ending hard I believe that for the first time I can truly say that our children, work on behalf of the people of our Commonwealth. men and women, Black and White, can soar with the eagles and Ms. LaTasha Williams, who has truly put her heart into be whatever they want to be. everything she does, most especially on behalf of those who It is so important to me though not only to recognize reach out to our office who believe themselves to be wrongfully President-elect Barack Obama but those who ran before him, convicted, and Becca Sammon, who has spread her enthusiasm because as a young gentleman from St. Louis so eloquently put for thoroughbred horses and horse racing throughout the it, "Rosa sat so that Martin could walk. Martin walked so that Gaming Oversight Committee. Without her, I would not know Barack could run. Barack ran so that our children can fly." Barbaro from Smarty Jones. I would be remiss if I did not also Then Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson paved the road upon mention Jeannie Porter, my very first legislative assistant here which President-elect Obama ultimately ran, and in 1988 in Harrisburg. I would just like my staff in Harrisburg and those Jesse Jackson also paved the way for me. He was at the top of from Philly, if they would, just stand and be recognized, and the ticket as I ran and elected numerous African-Americans also one of my daughters, Shelina. throughout the country. Also, Akera Espejo, who started out as a volunteer in my My career as a Representative began as a result of two tragic office, and I have always told people to volunteer because events in my life. In 1987 I was the campaign coordinator of my volunteering leads to jobs, and she is now employed as a best friend, John Green, who was running for sheriff in legislative assistant here. Philadelphia. He won that election, and I was extremely happy Also, the many men and women who over the years have for him. He was the first African-American elected to that volunteered in my office after their release from incarceration, office. However, just before the primary election, my many who have gone on to meaningful jobs. Please let that be a pregnant 24-year-old daughter was brutally murdered, and in lesson to everyone here on the value of giving everyone a January 1988 my sister was also brutally murdered. These second chance. events helped to convince me to get directly involved in politics I would also like to thank everyone in our Capitol who has to effect change in policies as they relate to criminal justice. assisted me in helping the people of the 186th District. It was on a cold day in 1989 when I stepped onto this I would like to take this time to thank Reizdan Moore, the beautiful floor of this hallowed chamber for the first time. I was first African-American Parliamentarian of the Pennsylvania a young man then, but one with a career as a police officer House of Representatives, for his insightful knowledge. Let us already behind me. I remember Bill DeWeese calling me and give Reizdan a round of applause. telling me, we young guys have to stick together. And I said, And to the messengers, DIT (Democratic Information but, Bill, do you know that I retired from the Philadelphia Technologies), graphic artists, print shop, photographers – oh Police Department? He said, oh; no. I did not know that you are boy, I love those photographers – media specialists, retired. But I was ready to embark upon a new service to my LRO (Legislative Research Office), LORL (Legislative Office community, ready to serve the neighborhood where I had spent for Research Liaison). Thank you for always helping me look the better part of my life, and the Commonwealth where I had good to my constituents. lived my whole life. I would like to thank those with whom I have served. Please I need to thank those who have helped me provide services know that I will forever call most of you my friend. to the people of the 186th Legislative District and to the people I would like to acknowledge our leadership – of this Commonwealth: my district office staff, Shirley Wing, Representatives DeWeese, McCall, Cohen, Evans, Dermody, 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 193

Surra, and Eachus – and congratulate the newly elected Governor of Texas, Ann Richards, she said, quote, "He can't leadership team. help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Talk about Our delegation chair, my great friend, Representative déjà vu. Jewell Williams; thank you for your friendship and your Today we still have someone named "Bush" in the assistance. White House, although thankfully the voters have rectified that The chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, situation. For those of you who are upset about it, the rest of us Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, for furthering the dialogue understand that feeling. We lived with it in 2000; we lived with on the issues important to African-Americans throughout it in 2004. In fact, we have been living with it for the past Pennsylvania. I also would like to congratulate the newly 8 years, and I have three words for you: you "live with it," or elected chair of the Black Caucus, Representative Ron Waters, get over it. and his team. In the last 20 years we have made incredible strides in our I need to give a shout-out to Representative Dwight Evans. Commonwealth, but there is still much work to be done. The Thank you, Dwight, for being a mentor to me when I was people of Pennsylvania are still good people and they still elected way back in 1988, and most of all, for helping me to deserve good government. The people of Pennsylvania are still strengthen our community by helping community-based hardworking and they still deserve better wages. The people of organizations who really provide tremendous services to people Pennsylvania are still tough as nails and still deserve quality, in our neighborhoods. I will never forget the thrill, Dwight, low-cost health care. when you were elected to the chair of the House Appropriations The people of Pennsylvania are still dying from gun violence Committee, the first African-American to accomplish this. – 665 Philadelphians alone in the 2 years since the beginning of I would like to thank Philadelphia Council President this legislative session – and we still need responsible, Anna Verna, who was also my ward leader, who has always commonsense gun policies. reached out with me and assisted alongside me when the people This is my last speech before this body as the Representative of the 186th District needed services. of the people of the 186th Legislative District, but by no means Finally, I would like to remember the late K. Leroy Irvis, does this mean that I plan to stop helping people. I spent the last whose words of wisdom which he imparted upon me all those 42 years helping others – as a soldier, as a police officer, and years I will never forget. then as a State Representative, and now as a private citizen. I would especially like to thank my family and friends. To And as we stand on the brink of these uncertain times, my children – Veranica, Karen, Shelina, Jamhar, Dawn, and I would like to remember that throughout these last 20 years, we Ebony – you are the best children that any father could ever ask have debated vigorously and sometimes heatedly. Please note for. I am so grateful to God for giving me these children, my that it was always only the issues upon which we diverged. five grandchildren, my six great-grandchildren. I am so proud of I have been here when both sides of the aisle have been in each and every one of them. charge, and recently when we, for the first time, elected a To my daughter, Veranica, who is with the Lord; I know she Speaker who was a Republican with a Democratic majority. is looking down on me, and I hope that I made her proud. I am grateful that we in Pennsylvania were truly able to operate Finally and most importantly, I would like to thank the this way, for it is the very essence of bipartisanship. people of the 186th District for giving me the honor of I want all of my colleagues to know that while I may have representing them for the past 20 years. I am so honored that disagreed with many of you, some more often than others, they allowed me to serve as their Representative. I have always known that most of you have done what you truly When I was sworn in, my son, Jamhar, was only a baby. believe was the right thing to do. I hope that we will continue to Now he is defending our country as a United States Marine. My work together to serve the people of our great Commonwealth, youngest child, my daughter Ebony, was not yet even born, but and I charge you with the task of improving race relations and now she is 17 and preparing to graduate from high school in the working vigorously to ensure that today's children grow up spring. without the terrible stigma of racism and bigotry. So much has changed since 1989. No one really heard of this Even today, in 2008, after all the work by Martin Luther thing called the Internet, where now it is hard to imagine life King and others like that of the late State Representatives without it. Very few people had cell phones, but they were big Alphonso Deal and Dave Richardson, and even after the compared to the phones everyone uses today, and usually a lot election of Barak Obama as President of the United States, we of us had beepers. Letters were sent through the mail at are still not free from the terrible shadow of oppression, whether 25 cents, and MTV (Music Television) still played music. it be in the form of being prejudiced against someone because Though things have changed so much in some ways in the of their faith, their color, or their ethnicity. past 20 years in our Commonwealth, in some of the most Throughout our history, after all the periods of strife that we important ways, things remain the same. have endured both as a Commonwealth and as a nation, we have Just a few weeks after I was sworn in, a man named emerged stronger, like a phoenix of liberty and prosperity rising George Bush was sworn in as our 41st President, having uttered from the ashes of despair. We are not just a nation of Blacks and his now famous, "Read my lips, no new taxes" quote during his Whites, Democrats and Republicans, North and South, men and campaign. women; we are a nation by the people and for the people and of In late 1988 talk began about a recession. In the period that the people. followed, 1989 to 1992, the country plunged into a recession Today and always we remain one nation under God and, in that exceeded expectations, both in severity and length. And the words of Mr. Lincoln spoken a few short miles from here midway through that recession in 1990, President Bush went and more than a century ago, conceived in liberty and dedicated, back on his promise and raised taxes. But to quote the late

194 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are First of all, I would like to thank my family. They are all in created equal. It is upon this principle that the Founding Fathers the back – my mom, my sisters, my husband, my daughters, my created this country, and it is only with this principle that we brother-in-law, and some dear friends. Please rise. will decide our success or failure. I know a lot of you members say over the years the family There were always 10 two-letter words that I would like to functions you have missed. Well, I can actually say I was part of leave with young people when I addressed them in the missing all of that, too. I missed birthdays, family gatherings, different schools, and I would like to leave this body with those get-togethers, but the Fourth of July party is at my house this 10 two-letter words, and those 10 two-letter words are "If it is to year and I will be able to make it. be, it is up to me." Yes we can, and yes we did. I would also like to thank Clancy Myer, for whom I have Have a great day, and God bless. worked for for 22 years. Without him, I would not have been able to be up here. He was not only my boss, but he was a very COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED dear friend to me. Thank you, Clancy. I will treasure all the friendships with all the members up The SPEAKER. Representative James, please accept this here, and especially staff. Please remember your staff, the front ceremonial gavel, and Godspeed. row here and then all the girls in the offices, all your secretaries. They have helped me so much over the years, and it was a pleasure meeting all of them. SUSAN MALEHORN PRESENTED Speaker DeWeese; Speaker Perzel is not here; Sam, you have been a true friend; Keith; all the members, a lot of you, The SPEAKER. Ladies and gentlemen, one of our key floor and if I have missed one of you— So I cannot go through the staffers will also be retiring in the near future. Susan Malehorn whole names. But I will find somebody to push the elevator will be retiring in January after 35 years of service. button for you, Sam. Keith, I was here with your dad, and Suzie began her employment with the House of I know he would be proud of all of this, and I am proud of you, Representatives on January 16, 1974. For 6 years she worked too. in the Democratic stenographic pool and worked for And then finally, it has been an honor and a blessing to have various members and committees, including Representative been the Speaker's macebearer for the last 2 years. Thank you Jim Gallagher in the Education Committee. In 1980 she became for giving me that opportunity. You are a wonderful person. secretary to the committee chairman, Jim Barber. Thank you. Beginning in 1986 and until January 2007, she served as the assistant to the Parliamentarian, where she performed numerous duties, including handling floor seating for guests, citation FAREWELL ADDRESS presentations, scheduling of Chaplains, coordination of joint BY MR. LEACH sessions, preparation of all the rule 35 resolutions in final format, and served as backup to the Parliamentarian. The SPEAKER. The Chair would now like to invite From 2007 to the present, in addition to retaining many of Representative to the rostrum for some remarks. the other mentioned duties, she served as the macebearer and Mr. LEACH. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. assistant to the Speaker. I would start out by saying that since Representative Bastian's remarks yesterday, there has been a ground swell of demand that I also remove my clothing. I just want you to know COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED I have not decided yet; it could go either way. Shortly after I was elected to the House 6 years ago, I came The SPEAKER. One of Suzie's many duties included up to Harrisburg for the day to pick out my office space and to ordering the gavels for retiring members and she has done this hire some staff. I was brought to the House floor as part of my ever since the practice was started over 20 years ago. Of course, tour of the Capitol, and the first thing I saw was a she did not order her own gavel, and we are not certain we Representative giving his farewell address. As I watched, handled the order correctly, but, Suzie, here is your gavel I thought, barring some freak windsurfing accident, I will be at presented by Clancy Myer, and we thank you for the 35 years of the same dais giving the same address someday. dedicated service to this House of Representatives. What would I say? Would I be proud of a job well done or filled with regrets at missed opportunities? Would I feel I kept REMARKS BY MRS. MALEHORN my integrity or would I lament selling out when the going got tough? I knew one thing for sure on that November day in 2003: The SPEAKER. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you it was going to be a long, strange journey. Suzie Malehorn. I remember my first swearing in. I was very nervous that Mrs. MALEHORN. Okay; yeah me. day. Would I fit in here? Would I be smart enough? Would I be, Oh, bang it? Okay. Wow. (Banged the gavel.) The House frankly, too odd to succeed here? will come to order. Then I met my seatmate, L.B.-J. (Linda Bebko-Jones). I had I always wanted to say that, because I always stood up here to crawl over her to get to my assigned seat, and I asked if she and waited for you guys to all be quiet for a minute. would mind moving in a little bit, and she suggested that It is going to be short, because I did not even know if I could I "reproduce without assistance" – although she did not use do this. Gale suggested I say I would submit them for the those words. record, but now that you have me up here, I am not. Before I had a chance to fully consider the biological difficulties inherent in her suggestion, we broke for our first 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 195 caucus. When I got there, my very first caucus, Ken Ruffing and I also want to thank Bob Freeman, whom I consider my best Frank Pistella were in the middle of a fistfight. When we friend in the House. I have known Bob for 22 years. Bob is returned to the floor, we voted to dedicate a week to the perhaps the most decent person I have met in politics, and awareness of fudge, and then Bill DeWeese announced that we I hope our friendship continues, although with me being a were adjourning using the words "abraciate," "testicular," and member of the Senate and you being a member of the House, "commonweal" all in one sentence. I began to think, I am going I will not be allowed to speak with you directly, but— to be okay here. Some people asked me if I will be different as a Senator. Eventually I realized that the secret of this place and the Not at all. I was arrogant and aloof when I was elected to the secret of democracy in general is the people who serve. We are House, and there is no reason that has to change just because a representative body. We are a cross section and a fair I am going over to the Senate. representation of our constituents, and as such, we represent all Some people asked me if I will remember the little people, of the personality and genius and all of the flaws and but why single them out? shortcomings of Pennsylvanians as a whole. I also want to thank my amazing staff, some of whom are We have all kinds here, and I have enjoyed getting to know here today: Zach, M.P.— That one will hit you on the way all of you. There were the brains who impressed me with their home, trust me. Zach Hoover, M.P. Tomei, Hally Marrazzo, intelligence and wit, people like Jim Roebuck, Josh Shapiro, Jon Tew, Samantha Shrauder, and Kathy Burke; they are Eugene DePasquale, and Mark Cohen – good Jewish men. terrific. They would always joke with me that it was their job to There were those I admired because they were just great get me reelected despite my personality and voting record. At people and fun to be around, including Democrats Rick Taylor, least, you know, I think they were joking. Mike Carroll, and Frank Shimkus, and Republicans Katie True Also, the staff here in the Capitol. You welcomed me like a and Mike Fleck and Carole Rubley. family member when I was new here, and you have been a There were the movers and shakers who practiced the art of pleasure to work with ever since. You do your jobs brilliantly, politics, in the best sense of the word, with amazing deftness and without you, this place cannot function. and skill, like Mike Gerber and Todd Eachus and . And, of course, my family: Jennifer, Brennan, and Justin. My And there were those who were on the opposite side of me only regret in choosing this career is the amount of time I have on almost everything, but whom I grew to respect and admire had to spend away from you. greatly because their convictions were sincere and their Sometimes people ask me what I have learned in my 6 years arguments thoughtful and civil, including the heretofore in the House. Well, I have learned a lot. mentioned Katie, Scott Boyd, RoseMarie Swanger, and I have learned if you wear loud shirts and tacky ties that do Gordon Denlinger. not match, people will get really jealous, and they mask their Now, some of these folks are crazy, barking mad, but they jealousy with ridicule. are sincere and personable about it – I mean Scott, specifically; I have learned that "informal discussions" can be far more yes – and I feel richer for having known them. nourishing than the term suggests. There are a few people I want to mention specifically. First, I have learned that when you think that "no one could former Representative Melissa Murphy Weber, because possibly oppose this," you are probably going to lose the vote in I promised that if she mentioned me in her farewell address, committee. I would mention her in mine. Promise kept, Melissa. I have learned that changing the world all at once is rarely Second, former Speaker for taking such an done, and that incremental progress is a victory. interest in my district when I first ran for this seat and working I have learned that the perfect can be the enemy of the good, so hard to convince the people of the 149th District to elect the and sometimes stopping bad laws is as important as passing "right kind of man," not the "wrong kind of man," to this seat. good ones. In that effort, the former Speaker sent about 25 mailings to my I have learned that your political opponents are going to say district telling people where I fit on that continuum, with each bad things about you when you run against them no matter how one making me more popular. I can honestly say if it were not you vote, so you might as well vote your conscience. for the former Speaker, I would never have been elected to the And something I have learned a thousand times, but it still House in the first place. jars me every time I learn it anew, and that is that I can be Third, I want to thank my predecessor, Senator wrong and that the ability to open and change one's mind is Connie Williams, and former Representative Connie Williams. evidence of character and not weakness. She has been a mentor and an inspiration to me. I followed her And I have learned one thing above all others, and it is into the House, I am following her into the Senate, and someday something the press does not print and the public sometimes I hope to follow her into obscenely affluent retirement. does not want to believe, but it is true nonetheless. You see, we I want to give a shout-out to the people in the anteroom, the are politicians, and politicians are easy to make fun of. We are lobbyists in the back, who were always helpful in providing me often timid and pandering. We can be self-aggrandizing and with information and were, frankly, some of the most fun self-promotional. All of that is fair enough. people to hang out with that I met in Harrisburg. They do a But the other side of the story is that almost everyone who great job, and they are often given a bad rap, and I am very serves in this chamber on both sides of the aisle is a fine, grateful for all the help they have been to me. honorable person. Each of you is smart, hardworking, honest, I want to thank a couple of longtime friends. I want to thank and dedicated to improving this State. Most of you spend far too , whom I have known for 20 years, and he much time away from your families, and you could make a lot never got over the fact that he lost an election for president of more money at almost any other job. Maybe someday a young, the Young Democrats to someone who owned a waterbed. intrepid reporter will write that story. And there is no group of Steve, we both got to do what we dreamed of doing. 196 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19 people with whom I would rather be associated than the people the building and the activity being debated at the time. So it in this room. gives you a full view of what is happening. Albert Einstein said, try not to be a person of success but a I remember very fondly my first session in 1977, the year of person of value. Like many of you, I have a nostalgic streak. a tremendous tax battle, and I really thought to myself, my first Being as I will be working right down the hall, I am sure there year is going to be my last year. Having been a farmer coming will be times when the House chamber is empty and I will sneak to Harrisburg, you get things done on time or you are out of back in and sit in my old seat – not the one next to L.B.-J., I am business, and so it was difficult to drag on and to continue and still traumatized, but the other one – and I will sit back and seem like there was no progress. But it was a unique experience recall how I spent my Shakespearean hour on the stage. I will in the first years of my service. close my eyes and hear the random and dissembled fragments of As I go back, there were six legislators and three secretaries the thousands of hours of arguments and debates I sat through in one room in the basement. It seemed like we were in a as a member. I will remember the wins and losses, the passion fraternity house, so close together, so crammed in. We had our and the exasperation, the exhilaration and the tedium, and most late-night sessions. Just like in school where you would study of all, the friendships. for an exam the next day and pull an all-nighter, we would be in I will remember the small, small part I played in our endless session all night, so to speak. A lot of common bonds were able and noble quest for a more perfect Union, and I will count these to be molded, and we had a little fun on the side, too. You have last three terms as 6 years well lived. Thank you all for sharing to say those were the good old days in that way. those years with me. But once we passed the budget, we moved on. And I really thought that when we made these tough votes and we did these COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED important things that we would run out of issues and problems to solve, but I soon found out that this is a nonstop process. The SPEAKER. As I present this ceremonial gavel on behalf Lesson number two: It does not matter how many things we of all your colleagues, and I think I speak for your colleagues in solve, there always seems to be something to come in to replace the House, God bless the Senate. it in short order. But in the 32 years of things that I have done, probably the most gratifying is serving as chairman of the Education FAREWELL ADDRESS Committee, and I want to recognize a few of our people who BY MR. STAIRS helped me, as I served as chairman, on my staff and on the research staff, and I will just quickly go over their names and The SPEAKER. Now I would like to welcome a gentleman maybe they can stand in the back of the House floor: Sandi and that I came into this House with in the class of 1977, my good Rita and Pat and Bob; and one of my first secretaries, Dixie; friend, Jess Stairs. Ray, my PR (public relations) writer; and of course, I want to Mr. STAIRS. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. remember Eleanor and Michele and Dave, who served before Thirty-two years; 5 minutes. with me. On staff, Patty and Dustin and Kathleen, Ashley and In a way, this chamber is like school: the Speaker trying to Tracey and Chris from the Democrat side. And Jim Roebuck, keep order, decorum, maybe solve some spats that are going on my counterpart, is the chairman of the committee. And, you on the floor. So I guess my first lesson was, keep it short. If you know, the staff, sometimes we would get into a little contest or are speaking, most people have their minds made up. And two, discussion and not get along with each other, but staff was we have somewhat of a short attention span, so do not try to always kind of an enabling body to bring us together to get over speak too long. our fights of the day. But I am very grateful for this opportunity to stand before I am quite proud of the accomplishments of education in this you today to thank you for all those wonderful years I have been Commonwealth, a bipartisan effort with the Governor and my able to spend with you, and there are many memories that go colleagues. I think we are graduating more kids and better with me. educated kids, and the hard efforts that we have put in are First, I would like to say that when I came in in 1977, two of starting to certainly pay off with a workforce that we are going my classmates, Tom Caltagirone and Denny O'Brien, we are the to have in the Keystone State that will be better than ever. only ones left from probably a class of 35 people. So there is I have served on a couple other committees, certainly on some turnover in the legislature. Transportation with Rick Geist when he was chairman. We As I recall the many times in session, as I do today, I am did a whirlwind tour of high-speed transportation in Europe, sitting in the back row and I want to say a word to my seatmates both day and night. Serving with Bob Godshall on the in the back row: Bob Godshall, who I tried to outtalk and Consumer Affairs Committee. I give Bob credit; we had five or outperform, but Bob always has one up on me. But it was a six chairmen on that one committee under his leadership, and he pleasure to serve with him. Sitting next to me, Jay Moyer, a guy was able to keep us going in the right direction. I thought I trained, and unfortunately, he is not coming back, Lesson three is mentors. I can happily say I was smart but he is a tremendous legislator and a fine individual. And enough to listen to what some of the old-timers were telling me. finishing off the back row is Kate Harper, whom I refer to as I will go over the names real quickly: Roy Wilt, Marv Miller, "Mother Harper," and she kind of serves as the mother hen with Roger Fischer and Lee Taddonio, Rick Cessar, and some of you all her little peeps running around and directing us and making older members remember those. And also Amos Hutchinson sure we are doing the right thing. and Joe Petrarca – the real Joe Petrarca, I might say. But as I Why do I sit in the back row? It is very easy to be up front have come to get to know the young Joe Petrarca, he is pretty and see everything going on from the front row, but in the back good, too. row we get a full perspective of the House floor, the grandeur of 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 197

But a couple of comments. We do a lot of good things here, Karen Coates; John Ryan; and others who likewise have and sometimes we do things not so good. We are not quite as generously advised and assisted me along the path these past bad as the critics and the media make us out to be, but maybe 2 years. we are not quite as good as our press releases either. And the incomparable, exceptionally capable, and very I see a lot of changes taking place and also probably more to patient Patty Hippler, writer extraordinaire and public relations come in the future. I think lesson number five is, as long as we supervisor of the House Republican Public Relations keep focused as servants, no matter what changes, this is going Department, who incidentally, must not share any blame for the to be a great body. political sacrilege I may commit as I wind up this statement. Like all of you, I have done a lot of constituent service and My gratitude I express as well to the invaluable assistance made that my thing that I probably enjoy doing the most and provided to me here in Harrisburg by my secretary, probably put most of my effort into it. My district office with Ms. Gina Buffington; my most capable and experienced district Kim and Rachel and Jean and Connie, I think we made a office staff members, JoAnne Foering and Royal Furer; and for difference in the 59th District. Lesson number six: hard work, a shorter period of time, Ms. Karen Richardson. you will keep your job. My thanks as well for their patience, indulgence, guidance, One thing I would like to mention as I drive the turnpike and toleration to the chairmen – and in Representative through rural Pennsylvania, through Somerset and Bedford and Babette Josephs's case, chairwoman – of the committees to Fulton and Huntingdon and Franklin Counties, you have a which I was assigned and to which I have been privileged to choice to make as you are driving on that long trip. You can serve, all those committees: Representatives, particularly either listen to talk radio or listen to country music, so I have Tom Caltagirone, my fellow Berks Countian; and Ron Marsico become somewhat of a fan of country music. I would like to of the Judiciary Committee and its Democratic and paraphrase Randy Travis in "Three Wooden Crosses," to Republican staff members; Representative Babette Josephs's paraphrase it this way: It is not what you take with you when and Matt Baker of the State Government Committee; you leave, it is what you leave behind when you go, and I hope Representatives Bob Belfanti and Gene DiGirolamo, the I gave my best effort – at least I tried. Labor Relations Committee; and Representatives Curt Thomas So I am grateful for all of your friendship and all your best and Dave Steil, who on many, many occasions have generously wishes as I move on, and I guess that tells me lesson number provided me with sage advice and assistance as to seven; you do not do it all by yourself. This is a cooperative Pennsylvania's legislative process when I asked them for that, effort to do things. both of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee; and the After 32 years of traveling a one-way road to Harrisburg on capable and dedicated staff members, both Democrat and the turnpike, my wife, Joan, and I are maybe going to travel Republican, of each of these standing House committees. some different roads and enjoy life in a different way. So I will And of course, for the same indulgence, assistance, and miss your friendship, but I do hope to keep in touch. Lesson toleration, the leaders of my own Republican Caucus: number eight is, I am just going to remember the good things. Minority Leader Sam Smith; Minority Whip , and Thank you again, and God bless all of you, and it was great his ultraknowledgeable and right-hand man, Dave Reddecliff; to serve with you. Chairman Sandy Major; Secretary Jerry Stern; Policy Chairman ; administrator and fellow Pennsylvania Dutchman, COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED the incomparable Merle Phillips; and Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera and his executive director, the erudite The SPEAKER. I would like to present this ceremonial gavel Ed Nolan, and their staff members; and to the Speaker of the to my good friend, and all of our good friend, Jess Stairs, and House of Representatives, Denny O'Brien, and his office staff thank him for his service to our kids. for their ongoing indulgence and counsel and assistance as well. Mr. STAIRS. Thank you. Thank you, Denny. In particular, I also want to thank Representatives/Chairmen The SPEAKER. Thank you. Tony Melio and Russ Fairchild, Chairmen Dwight Evans and Mario Civera, and Majority Whip Keith McCall for their invaluable and essential aid in bringing HB 2289, the bill FAREWELL ADDRESS addressing the desecration of veterans' graves, out of committee BY MR. MANTZ and onto the floor for a unanimous and favorable patriotic vote on, appropriately enough, this Fourth of July, our Independence The SPEAKER. And at this moment, I would invite Day. Representative Carl Mantz to the rostrum for some remarks. During the progress of HB 2289, Keith came over to our side Mr. MANTZ. Well, I, too, would like to express my deep of the aisle to offer his assistance to facilitate the movement of appreciation and thanks to all of those colleagues and staff that bill onto the floor of the House for an up-or-down vote. members who have generously shared their perceptive advice I was impressed, I was impressed by that gesture to cross the and guidance as to the application of the legislative process to a aisle by Keith. number of the proposals – harebrained, misguided, guided, and My gratitude as well to both chairmen, Jim Roebuck otherwise – that I, as a legislative novice, have not only thought and Jess Stairs, of the House Education Committee and of but in several instances actually introduced in bill or Bob Freeman and of the House Local Government amendment form during the past 2 years. Committee for bringing up my municipal service grants Remarkable people all: Dr. Paula Hess; Sean Harris; legislation, HB 2235 and HB 2271 – one as an amendment to Don Grell; Rick O'Leary; Laura Evans, who has since departed the Public School Code and the other separately as a stand-alone the Republican research staff; Karen Dalton; Bruce Hanson; bill, respectively in their separate committees for discussion and Susan Boyle; Vicki DiLeo; Dave McGlaughlin; Bill Andring; 198 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19 ultimately unanimously favorable votes and rereferral in turn to since in fact we see that avarice, anger, envy, pride, sloth, lust the Appropriations and Rules Committees. and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility, chastity, In addition to expressing my heartfelt thanks and fortitude, justice and thought, and have to choose, to be human appreciation for their patient assistance and support, above all, I at all…why then, perhaps we must stand fast a little – even at want to thank each of you whom I have come to meet, know, the risk of being heroes." and like personally, Democrats and Republicans, members and When we all took the oath of office nearly 2 years ago, we staff alike, for your warm reception, your friendship, and quite swore our primary allegiance or loyalty to the Constitution and often your companionship. the people of Pennsylvania and the United States, not to our I do as well have several observations about running for and respective political caucuses or county political party holding public office today and about how we go about committees and their hierarchies, indispensable though they conducting the people's business here in Harrisburg. I would may or may not be to win election or reelection. Given critical like to take several minutes more to share those thoughts with comments about the legislature, not only appearing almost you. continually in the press but often frequently leveled during Running for political office today, particularly at the State meetings with individual citizens, the public is pretty fed up and national level and even countywide and within with the prevailing contentious state of partisan affairs. municipalities and school districts in many cases, it seems For the press, this, of course, is a feeding frenzy, and it has all too often become simply a spectacle of selfish appears that this is what has happened. Power seems to have ambition, for power for power's sake alone, for lucrative, greedy become an end in itself. Differing ideas, differing approaches or self-enrichment, for personal distinction or recognition, a sort of proposals to address public policy problems and issues, self-valued validation, a sort of self-fulfillment, a search for common to all of us, become self-righteous ideologies. As a extraordinary significance, even popular adulation. result, a great and bitter division has taken place in our politics. In addition, both of our major parties, I am sure, have their Cynicism within the citizenry has been the result of the public's share of panderers, toadies, servile flatterers, and false friends; perception of a seeking of power for power's sake alone. disloyal, insincere supporters; the self-seeking; the ambitiously Frequently, especially during the campaign season preceding self-serving; the disingenuous, the envious, the resentful, the elections, we have lost sight of civility in government and crafty, and the spiteful. politics, debate and dialogue. Thoughtful and civil discussion The seeming abundance of such rascals is why, quite between people of differing views all too often has taken a back understandably, many of the more ethical and principled seat to the politics of destruction, anger, and control. We cannot members of my own profession, as well as members of the hear each other; we have marked our territory instead. public at large, eschew or avoid direct personal or political In this context, public service has unfortunately been reduced involvement, particularly as elective office seekers. to a blood sport. Is all hope lost? I do not think so, but if it is to This is the seamier side of politics. It is left to the electorate, change for the better, we must abandon the harsh rhetoric and hopefully with the aid or assistance of the objective reportage the politics of anger. from an unbiased free press – insofar as one may be able to find We have heard some of that today. It will take leaders who that these days – to sort them out, to distinguish them from the know the limits and pitfalls of the quest for absolute, unbridled principled, the honest, the fair-minded, the trustworthy, and the power, immune from any moderating control. This does not predominately selfless candidates for public service and high mean leaders without conviction, but leaders who understand office. that they may be wrong; leaders who have a sense of their own It was Plato who more than 2300 years ago instructed that limited perception and understanding; wise leaders who have the overriding concern with one's self is the business neither of the humility and the courage to doubt a little of their own citizenship nor leadership. That overriding concern was infallibility. unmistakably demonstrated by our legislature in the public's eye As an 81-year-old Ben Franklin told the assembled at the by what it regarded as the legislature's ignominious, exorbitant, close of the convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1789, near unanimous July 7, 2005, early-morning pay-raise vote, in a speech that James Wilson of Carlisle delivered on his ostensibly at least, or reportedly by our friends in the press, behalf, he knew, Ben Franklin knew how, of course, to sweetly without prior opportunity for public comment or floor debate, a woo not only the women in his life but also the recalcitrant political transgression only underscored or exacerbated by the colleagues of his in the Constitutional Convention, to put their measure's apparently begrudging revocation 4 months later. names on the document which he confessed himself to have In the lines of the stage play by Robert Bolt entitled "A Man some misgivings of. For All Seasons," even more poignantly, Sir Thomas More, or I am certain in his address entitled "The Man in the Arena" St. Thomas More after his fall from Henry VIII's royal grace speech on April 23, 1910, at the Sorbonne, the Liberal Arts and favor, while awaiting execution in the Tower of London for College of the University of Paris, Theodore Roosevelt treason in 1535, for remaining silent and so declining to take the commented that "In a republic, to be successful we must learn to prescribed oath recognizing Henry as the supreme head of the combine intensity of conviction with a broad tolerance of Catholic Church in England, responded to his daughter difference of conviction. Wide differences of opinion in matters Margaret's pleas to save himself rather than die by the of religious, political, and social belief must exist if conscience executioner's ax a hero by telling her that "If we lived in a State and intellect alike are not to be stunted, if there is to be room for where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us healthy growth. Bitter internecine hatreds, based on such good, and greed would make us saintly. And we'd live like differences, are signs, not of earnestness of belief, but of that animals or angels in the happy land that needs no heroes. But fanaticism which, whether religious or antireligious, democratic or antidemocratic, is itself but a manifestation of the gloomy 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 199 bigotry which has been the chief factor in the downfall of so COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED many…” States and "nations.…" This is the exercise that I have preferred to call "muscular The SPEAKER. On behalf of the members, let me present, moderation" in my conversations with many of our colleagues, Carl, this ceremonial gavel to you. Although your service was including members on both sides of the aisle. In any event, brief, it was very meaningful. whether we like it or not, we are, it seems, taking part in a God bless you. discussion that began long before any of us were born and will doubtless continue long after we are gone. It is a discussion that FAREWELL ADDRESS spanned 250 years of American history and literature. The BY MR. KENNEY discussion courses on in a mixture of histories, biographies, social history, cultural history, and business and industry The SPEAKER. The Chair will now welcome Representative history. Its dominant theme is the persistence, even more than George Kenney to the rostrum for remarks. over two centuries, of a struggle between opposing views of Mr. KENNEY. Are you still out there? American enterprise, an affirming tradition that celebrates As I was listening to Carl, I was tempted to go off script, business values and business success and a dissenting tradition especially with my wife here. I was tempted not to give a that questions business values and business success. farewell speech at all, to be honest, until I heard my classmate These opposing traditions of thought and advocacy have and colleague, Ron Raymond, say he was going to give a persisted throughout a background of dramatic change, from speech. I thought to myself, Raymond and I have given 48 years the age of Colonial enterprise to the age of empire builders, of service to this House – Ron Raymond and I – and I do not from there the age of organization, from the work ethic of think we have delivered 48 minutes of speeches. So I was the 18th and 19th centuries to the consumption ethic of the tempted to, as Bill DeWeese always reminded those of us 20th century, from the affirmation of character and the success in the Grand Old Party of our loyal obedience and those literature of the 18th and 19th centuries to the revolt against back-benchers of the Grand Old Party, I thought I would give character and the success literature of the 20th century, from the my speech from the back, but I decided to come forward and affirmation of thrift in the 18th and 19th centuries to the face all of you. I do not recognize many of you because I only— triumph of "buy now and pay later" ideology practiced in the I only know you from behind. 20th century, from a time when Americans worried about But I was first given this opportunity in 1984 to seek public affluence and the power of big business to a time when office, and the first gentleman I spoke to was my dad, who was Americans worry about billion-dollar deficits and the declining political in nature. He had a city job in Philly and I am a competitiveness of big business, humanism and applied 26-year-old bachelor working for a division of Johnson & morality versus the will to power, greed, and ambition. Johnson, making money, and I said, dad, what do you think if I will add a word about the prejudices I have brought to this I run for the State House? And I think he used a term similar to House. I am a conservative in my tastes and my temperament whatever L.B.-J. said to— He said, are you out of your mind? but somewhat liberal in my social and political views, but not I listened to him carefully, but I decided to run anyway and extremely so. I am also liberal in my economic views, provided I have never regretted it since and I was successful. I always you consider a belief in the free enterprise and the free market took the view from the back row, where I now sit, for the past to be classic liberal as I do. But despite my conservative tastes, 24 years; it has certainly been an education, and it has held great I sympathize with the gadflies and the skeptics of the dissenting reward for me, and for that I thank each and every one of you. tradition. "I like the gypsies of dissent" – to quote a phrase from As I said, I started here, I was 26, single. Today I am happily the head of General Motors once applied to Ralph Nader – married, 6 children later. I was fortunate to meet thousands of "even if I find myself quarreling with them from time to time." wonderful people. I have experienced a lot while hopefully People who want to comfort the afflicted and afflict the having helped those who sent me here. Did you say— Who comfortable always have my vote and will win my vote and my said, "wow," when I said six? Somebody? But it has certainly heart over people who seem content to comfort the comfortable been a great time. And I have been successful; I have won and afflict the afflicted. 12 straight elections. I recall my first one, which was an Finally, I would say, as I remarked to Tony Payton and education. I defeated a nice guy, Dave Kaplan. He and I were Rick Taylor and Mike O'Brien, and earlier in the morning, both – our first runs for public office. Dave was a schoolteacher. , at the top of the East Wing Rotunda escalator He is now doing – I actually helped him out – he is actually last Tuesday, November the 12th, after a session day adjourned, making a lot more money than I ever made as a schoolteacher. although 50 of us zealously entered this venerable House last Now he is a school administrator in the city of Philadelphia. year, I am sufficiently precocious to have accelerated my I remember seeing Dave after I won my victory in 1984, and he learning experience and my progress so as to graduate with my said, you know, George, you know what the problem was – and peers in terms of their chronological age, at least at the end of I did not think there was any problem, I won – so he says, you this month, and leave it to the rest of you slower learners to know what the problem was? Your parish was larger than my advance to our level of achievement this day, and you are up by synagogue. I said, yeah, you are absolutely right. So I want to what your own talents and abilities and election fortunes may thank the members and my neighbors from St. Christopher allow. Parish, where I still live and reside, and the residents of the So now I will join the procession of members who have 170th Legislative District for their love and support, the passed before me and those of you who will inevitably follow. residents of , Abington, and Rockledge. I salute each one of you and bid you a fond farewell. God bless I certainly have enjoyed representing them. you all, and goodbye. 200 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

I have spent almost half of my time in the Pennsylvania they are bidding on it; it is up for auction, is it not, Sam? I am House, and it has been a privilege. I leave just as I came; full of sure they will have a good time. John and I are so close they had respect and awe for you and the honorable work that is done a retirement party for me the other night and some people were here every day on behalf of the millions of Pennsylvanians we there, some people even went up to John Taylor and wished him serve. And to do that job we count on many people. The staff the best in his retirement. They thought it was me. here, I just want to say to everyone, you have been generous to To my roommates here in Harrisburg who opened their doors me. You have been respectful; I appreciate it. I do want to just to me and their hospitality, Billy Adolph and Tim Hennessey recognize my Harrisburg staff who is here: Nancy, Nancy, and and Tom Killion, they have been an education in both policy Kelly; thank you for your work in my office. To the Health and and entertainment. Certainly to Tim and Carol and to Tom and Human Services staff on the Republican side: Melanie, Liz, Eileen and to Billy Adolph and Debbie, thank you for Laura, and Valerie; thank you. They are in the rear. Could you everything. Thank you for your friendship and kindness. I will stand up and take a— And to those researchers I have mention that Billy Adolph will be retiring as a St. Francis spent most time calling on: Susan Boyle and Dana Alwine and football coach this year after 32 years of coaching, and he is in Kathy McCormac and Kathy Vranicar; I thank them for their the championship game on Saturday night against my parish, service. I have no doubt that I will miss all this terribly, but also St. Christopher's. I was going to bet a WAM (walking-around I have no doubt that it is time to move on. money) or two in that game, but I forgot I did not have any A lot has changed in the past 24 years, as some have WAMs. I am not sure if Billy has any either, but that is the way mentioned technology. For those old-timers, I think every major it is. family decision for the first 10 years of my years here was made Jimmy Marshall back there; Jimmy is a study in typical at the pay phone at the Maverick Restaurant at about 11 o'clock fashion in the back row. He said to me today, George, you at night. I know Billy Adolph said, do not call after 10 o'clock. almost— Actually, he said, you look good enough to be buried I know he always told me, do not call— I am glad that now by Harry Readshaw today. Then my good friend, John Taylor, with new technology, texting and cell phones, and with the said, you do not even need makeup. But Jimmy, best of luck to arrival of PCN, I want to thank two of my colleagues. As I said, you. It has been fun. Mario Scavello; he just said, mention my I did not go to the microphone too often, but I could always name, George, no one has mentioned it yet. So, Mario, God love count on Curtis Thomas and , at some point in you. To my friends in the Ryan Office Building, to the staff debate, to take that microphone. I would call home and say, get over there in the 100 suites; to Russ Fairchild; Dick Hess, whom ready, I am going to walk past Representative Manderino or I sent to the second floor, he could not take residing next to me Representative Thomas, and that would be my time on PCN. So too long so he moved to the second floor. Stan Saylor moved in Curtis and Kathy, thank you for allowing me to video-parent next to me and I convinced him to run for leadership. He had from Harrisburg. enough of me so he moved up. Congratulations, Stan. It has been a lot of budgets, a lot of votes, a lot of listening, And then there is my dear, dear friend at the end of the hall, and as I said, not too much time at the microphone. I have just Nick Micozzie, one of a kind. Nick and I— I guess it may be tried to observe more than speak. I have tried to be a one-on-one generational; he would always walk down towards the end of guy, but for a minute, I would like to share what I have learned the day and say, George, where will we continue our from the back row. I have learned that to serve your neighbor is discussions this evening? Those discussions were always— as honorable as it gets. What a privilege we have been given to I always called them health-prevention programs and he always serve our communities and neighborhoods back home. We all called them mandates, so you can see he and I always differed know politics is a tough business in the media and beyond, but on that issue. But, Nick, I enjoyed our time spent together. And we are here because, despite the impressions some have of no matter where Nick and I went out to break bread and politicians, we know in our hearts we want to make people's continue our discussion, we always had to drive. It could be a lives better. And I do not care what part of this State you come block away and Nick would drive. The first thing Nick always from – the city, the suburbs, down on the farm – every day you did was call home to June, put her on speakerphone – now, my taught me something. In each, you were always there trying to wife hates speakerphone - but I would listen to their help Pennsylvania. I have learned about our government, and conversation and I would sit there and we would drive along, I remind all the members in this chamber – I do not care if you then he would say, I love you honey, and I would say, I love are a freshman, a committee chair, a leader – I always you, too, June. So, Nick, thank you. understood that my vote always counted as much as anyone To my Republican leadership – to Sam Smith and else's and you should never forget, so does yours. I have learned Mike Turzai and Dave Argall and Mario Civera and all our new about loyalty. My first loyalty has been to those who sent me members, new leadership team – I appreciate everything you here, my city, and my party. have done for me and my constituents back home. You have My most cherished loyalty is that of my colleagues who have been great. Sam looked at me the other day and said, Georgey, guided and taught me as much as anyone could. I will always Georgey, Georgey. I said, what is wrong, Sam? I am still going remember that I could ask my friend, John Perzel, for help with to come up and see you. And he said, that is what I was afraid anything and he did his best to deliver. I will especially miss you were going to say. working with my back-row buddy and my close friend, I have learned that sometimes government needs to speak out John Taylor. John, what can I say to you, Evelyn, and your for people that are not able to speak for themselves, and I am children? Your advice and guidance over the years has certainly most proud of being a part of probably one of the most pro-life been appreciated. You have been a close friend. I just wish you legislatures in the country. I am also proud of the work we have nothing but the best, and as someone said earlier, when done together for those on the margins of society – those with I describe John Taylor, I simply say, he is simply the best. He is disabilities, mental and physical disabilities, for those seeking a great friend. Whoever takes my old seat back there – I think services in our drug and alcohol community. I thank those 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 201 members in this chamber that worked on those issues, and disappoint me today when he said, is your family here? I said I hope you continue to work on those issues because I think they my wife is in the back. He walks up to Claire, my district aide, are important. and he says to her, I guess you will be glad to have George And I have learned a lot from my Democratic colleagues. As home now. I said, not here, Gene, not here. my Republican colleagues know, I often got along with my But in closing, I do want to thank my family. As you know Democrat colleagues. I remember sending my brother Patrick to as well as we do that without our families and support back a— Early in my career— I come from a district in northeast home, none of this works. My wife for the past 23 years; I did Philadelphia, Democratic; I understood the game. But I sent my short her 2 years of per diems, she is still looking for it. I forgot brother Patrick, I said, Pat, you need to go speak for me at this to give her the per diems the first 2 years, she is still asking for meeting. It was down on Castor Avenue; I forget the name of those. But I want to thank Liz, stand up, my wife, my friend. the place. So I called him up later in the day and I said, how did Thank you, Liz. I want to thank my children: Caroline, Taylor, it go? He said, well, George, I did not know what to do. He said, Paige, Devon, Tripp, and Carter, who range in age from a senior a woman yells out after we were finished speaking. She says, in college to a first grader. So you wonder— I have tuition your father was the greatest President since Franklin Roosevelt. payments, so that is one of the reasons I am moving on. But He said, they thought we were Kennedys. I said, well, you did I am indebted to my neighbors and friends who were always not disagree with them, did you? He said, no; my family thanks there for me and I certainly appreciate it. you and wishes you well – Kennedyesque. I think my staff even And just to each and every one of you, be proud every day of answered my phone in my office "Representative Kennedy" what you try to do for the people of Pennsylvania. I certainly once or twice to follow the lead. have enjoyed our work together. I look forward to seeing you. To Billy DeWeese, thank you for the kindness and respect May I just leave you with something a friend of mine back you have shown me. I will miss Keith McCall, not being able to home, Father Florio, when we leave Mass with Father Phil, he work with you as the new Speaker of the House. I wish you well gives a prayer, and I would like to share it with you. May God and to your leadership team with Todd Eachus. I just wish you bless and keep you. May God smile on you. May God show you all the best. I know you will do a great job. Also during my kindness, fill you with grace, and may God bless you with His time, I did reach out; I joined a gang while I was here. It was the gentle spirit. May God dwell within your hearts, and may your Gang of Five, they called us. Representative Evans and lives be rooted in love. Representative – now Senator – Williams, John Perzel, Thank you, and God bless each and every one of you. Thank John Taylor, and I, where we went back to the city of you very much. Philadelphia and fought for better crime-prevention programs and fought for a better school system and we were dubbed the COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED Gang of Five. And working with my good friend Billy Keller and Alan Butkovitz and Marie Lederer in school violence back The SPEAKER. Congratulations, George, for your dedicated home; they were things we reached across the aisle for. I will service in this General Assembly and especially to the people in miss so many of you – Paul Costa and and northeast Philadelphia. Ken Smith and John Galloway and . As John always says, just stay out of the bushwah. So those fellows stay (Commemorative gavel was presented.) out of the bushwah. I certainly have enjoyed our time. But one thing I have learned is that campaigning every 2 years is exhausting, rewarding, and sometimes beyond belief. STATEMENT BY MINORITY LEADER This year I went down and congratulated Representative The SPEAKER. Representative Smith. DeWeese on his victory and he tried to tell me that out of Mr. S. SMITH. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 12 competitive races, how difficult the mail from that Just real quickly, I just wanted to make a comment to my Representative Turzai was to take back home. I said, Bill, you friend from Philadelphia. The other day when I said, Georgey, are talking to me, George Kenney. I said, I have seen the worst, Georgey, Georgey, what are you going to do. He said, I will be but, Bill, in his good-natured way— I said, Billy, I had back, and I did say, that is my problem; I am worried you will Mark Cohen and Mike McGeehan after me for 24 years. And be back. You know I meant that with all the love and respect you should see the mail they sent out about me. I went back to because, George, you have always been one of the guys who look at some— One that stands out the most was from 2002, even when we had differences and had separate tracks of doing and the reason I tell this, we have gotten a little crazy with some things and maybe it did not come your way or my way, you of these mailings, beyond I think where we need to be, and were always one of the people that came back around maybe we need to step back and— But here is a father of six, a immediately and went on with business. You are the husband, and the mailer came out— And I can never watch the embodiment of the grace that we should all seek to deploy in movie "Titanic" since. I actually brought it with me. It says, had our actions in this House, and I wish you the best, my friend. George Kenney been around and aboard the Titanic, it would have been women and children last. Believe it. Do you believe that? I can say I scored my largest victory ever in 2002, so it DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL was— EXECUTIVES INTRODUCED I want to now come to a close, but I want to thank those that have carried me every day on this job and they are my district The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes Representative office staff back home in Philadelphia. Two of my staff Gene DePasquale for an introduction. members are here, Claire Casey and Tom Pomrink. Tom, are you representing everyone? And Gene DiGirolamo did not 202 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Mr. DePASQUALE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. CLYMER. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is not a speech. I just want to recognize three Mr. Speaker, with the advent of the Christmas holiday constituents that are here. We passed a resolution in October season, I just want you to know that the 2008 Capitol commending Dentsply International. They have, basically, Preservation Committee holiday ornament is available. These helped 25,000 underprivileged people with dental products and are wonderful gifts to give to family members and friends. And we passed a resolution unanimously in October commending also, we have a new collectible Mercer tile. The design is a them. I just wanted to welcome them. They are here today and I dragonfly. These are limited edition Mercer tiles. Again, they want to recognize them: Bret Wise, CEO (chief executive also make very fine holiday gifts, and I just wanted to remind officer) of Dentsply; Linda Niessen, who is the vice president, the members and staff that they are available from the chief clinical officer; and Jan Slor, who is the vice president of Capitol Preservation Committee, which is located in room 630 Dentsply Prothetics. And I would just like to personally here in the Capitol Building. Thank you. recognize them for the work they do for the underprivileged The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the gentleman. when it comes to dental care. Thank you very much. FAREWELL ADDRESS BY SPEAKER O'BRIEN GUEST INTRODUCED The SPEAKER. Ladies and gentleman, this is a bittersweet The SPEAKER. The Chair welcomes, to the left of the occasion for me today as I preside at the rostrum for the last Speaker, Brett Sattazin, a senior at Conrad Weiser High School time as Speaker. It is a farewell tempered by the honest in Berks County. Brett is currently an intern in the office of satisfaction that comes from a shared and overarching purpose – Representative Jim Cox. Welcome to the floor. Would you accomplishing the people's business. please stand and be recognized. My election as Speaker was initially greeted with surprise, even shock. Gradually, however, as the term progressed, VINCENT DANILOWICZ PRESENTED I believe this House truly came to order in many different ways. Perhaps the House as an institution began to realize its own The SPEAKER. The Chair invites Representative Payne to potential through honest rules reform, and I thank the podium for a presentation. Representative Shapiro and Representative Steil for that and Mr. PAYNE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. many other members that supported the Speaker's Commission It is my privilege to present a House citation to on Reform. Perhaps the need for legislative results drove Vincent Danilowicz, who is being honored today for over pragmatic compromise. Perhaps there was collective discovery 35 years of service to this House. Now I can tell you, when you that strategic bipartisanship is not always a sign of weakness. put in 25, 30, 35 years of service anywhere, that is a lifetime Perhaps in the end, it was a combination of all of these factors. commitment. I will not bore the members with reading the I know that the success that we achieved over the past 2 years is actual citation, but I want to speak from the heart and tell you a reflection of the will of this institution and the power of that this gentleman works here in the front row, many of us majority rule tempered by questioning and determined minority. would see the face and not be quite sure what they do or who I have also come to know firsthand over the course of this they are, but all those hours that we are here – all those days, all term that the Speaker is the very real symbol of this House, the those nights, weekends, and holidays – they are in the same boat public face and the gatekeeper for fair and orderly flow of the as we are. It is a privilege for me to be here today and to give conduct of the people's business. It is a solemn responsibility: this citation recognizing Vincent on his years of service to both tempering rash decisionmaking, prodding effective debate, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to the House of constantly seeking the proper and appropriate balance between Representatives. the two. To the extent that I accomplished that goal during this May I have a round of applause for Vincent, please. term, I truly thank each of you as members for making it possible. To the extent that I may have fallen short at times, I ask for your indulgence. For always, always in the back of my COMMEMORATIVE GAVEL PRESENTED mind was the realization that my time as Speaker was but a link in an unbroken chain dating back some 326 years. So in many The SPEAKER. Vince, I would also like you to come to the ways, the Speaker serves as a steward of the centuries-old rostrum so I can present you with this ceremonial gavel on traditions, symbols, and above all, honor and respect due this behalf of the members of the General Assembly. House of Representatives. Ultimately, others will judge my legacy, but it is my hope that I was a fair arbiter, honest ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. CLYMER parliamentarian, and effective leader. That, after all, is how the role of the Pennsylvania Speaker was designed, shaped, and The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman, conducted by the vast majority of my predecessors over this Representative Clymer, rise? 300-year-plus history. To my predecessors, I owe a debt of Mr. CLYMER. Mr. Speaker, unanimous consent to make an gratitude for providing a lasting and time-honored blueprint. To announcement about the Capitol Preservation Committee. each of you, my House colleagues, I express my deep The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman is appreciation for the respect afforded this great office over this recognized under the provision of unanimous consent. past term under a unique minority speakership model. When the next session's Speaker holds this gavel, we can all be secure in the knowledge that this great House will once again come to 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 203 order – sometimes fitfully, sometimes belatedly – but always Our schools are safer thanks to Jim Rhoades. Our student athletes with the will of the people as its driving force and true engine of are better protected thanks to Jim Rhoades. Our early education purpose. programs for younger students just starting out are among the best in I am truly grateful for my time in helping direct that driving the nation thanks to Jim Rhoades. Even though Jim Rhoades is no longer with us, I can think of no better legacy than the education force. It has been my great honor to serve as the Speaker of this system he fought so hard to improve. House. Every time a student has the chance to strive and succeed, that student will be honoring the memory of Jim Rhoades. Every time a STATEMENT BY SPEAKER Pennsylvania child is given the tools for a better life and a brighter future, that child will be walking a path cleared by the work of The SPEAKER. There are some other members that it is Jim Rhoades. President James Garfield said, "Next in importance to freedom and appropriate that we recognize for their years of dedicated justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice service: the Honorable Lisa Bennington, the Honorable can be permanently maintained." Jim Rhoades made fighting for that Tommy Blackwell, the Honorable Steven Cappelli, the keystone to freedom and justice his whole life, and his loss will be Honorable Bev Mackereth, the Honorable Fred McIlhattan, the sorely felt by the people of his district and the entire Commonwealth. Honorable Jerry Nailor, the Honorable Steve Nickol, the Please join me in voting for this resolution to honor Senator Honorable Sean Ramaley, the Honorable Tom Tangretti, the James J. Rhoades and with deep sorrow express sincere condolences to Honorable Tom Yewcic, the Honorable Vince Biancucci, the his family. Honorable Chris King, the Honorable Jay Moyer, the Honorable Frank Shimkus. STATEMENT BY MR. GRUCELA It has been my pleasure and all of your colleagues here to serve with you in this distinguished institution. The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman, Representative Grucela, rise? The Chair recognizes the minority leader, Representative The House will come to order. Sam Smith. Mr. GRUCELA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The House will be at ease. If I may have the attention of the members for one quick second. The House will come to order. The SPEAKER. The gentleman is recognized under the provision of unanimous consent. Without objection, the REMARKS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD gentleman is recognized and may proceed. Mr. GRUCELA. Mr. Speaker, there is a condolence The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes Representative resolution on the calendar for today and I thank you, McCall. Mr. Speaker, for that. Mr. McCALL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit some Wayne Grube was laid to rest this past Monday in remarks for the record. I was not on the floor when the Palmer Township, Pennsylvania. Wayne was an excellent resolution honoring the late Senator James Rhoades was voted teacher, an outstanding coach, dedicated public servant. He was on, so I would like to submit my remarks at this time for the one of my best friends for the past 40 years, first as a teaching record. colleague at Easton Area High School and for the past 10 years The SPEAKER. The gentleman's remarks will be spread as my district legislative assistant. He was the first person upon the record. I hired when I was elected in 1998. Wayne was also head football coach at Easton Area Mr. McCALL submitted the following remarks for the and Wilson Area High Schools and an assistant coach at Legislative Journal: Lehigh University. He twice coached the Pennsylvania Big 33 Game as head coach in 1969 and defensive backfield coach in More than 1700 years ago the Greek historian Diogenes Laertius 1979 and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Football Coaches said, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." In Hall of Fame in 1999. many ways, the foundation of modern education in the Commonwealth Wayne was a member of Northampton County Council for is the man we pause to honor today – Senator James Rhoades. the past 19 years and served as president and vice president of Long before he came to the Senate, Jim Rhoades was a public council during his tenure. He was also a veteran of the servant and a man dedicated to improving the future of our young United States Navy. Please join me in a condolence resolution people. He was the high school teacher a struggling student could trust and turn to for help, and the teacher who challenged all his pupils to celebrating the life of Wayne Grube. Thank you. achieve. He was the coach who inspired athletes to reach higher and push themselves to become the best. He exemplified the greatest goal STATEMENT BY MR. BENNINGHOFF of any teacher: not just to teach, but to help students to love to learn – not just in the classroom, but for a lifetime. Eventually, his excellence The SPEAKER. For what purpose does the gentleman, and dedication led to his earning the position of principal so he could Representative Benninghoff, rise? not only lead and inspire his students, but all the teachers he served Mr. BENNINGHOFF. A point of personal privilege, if alongside. When he came to the Senate in 1980, he quickly became one of the I may. most outspoken advocates for better schools this State had ever seen. The SPEAKER. The gentleman wishes to be recognized While his distinguished career saw him fight for all of his constituents under the provision of unanimous consent. Without objection, – and like you, I was proud and honored to fight alongside him – his the gentleman is recognized. first love was always the students and their schools. 204 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE NOVEMBER 19

Mr. BENNINGHOFF. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. DeWEESE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before we adjourn, I just would ask the members to keep in It has been a long day, and I will conclude very quickly. Just mind our colleague, Lt. Comdr. Scott Perry. He left us yesterday one quick historical reference: In March of 1770, after the and will be shipping out to Iraq in January. We had a moment Boston Massacre, a young lawyer named John Adams with him and his young bride yesterday, and I think that we represented the British soldiers who had shot in self-defense and serve here because he serves there. To him and all his other killed some Boston residents. John Adams's reputation from that military comrades, we just wish Godspeed and blessings. Keep day forward in the Bay State and throughout New England and them safe and return them back to us. I appreciate the members even the East Coast was in great jeopardy, but he did the keeping Scott Perry's wife and their family in our prayers. honorable thing. He did the right thing. He took advantage of a Best wishes to everybody. moment to exercise great authority and ultimate justice. As we leave this chamber and we leave the biennial STATEMENT BY MINORITY LEADER experience that has been so rich and meaningful for all of us, and hopefully for our State, whether it was in advancing The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the minority leader, Representative Dennis O'Brien's autism insurance legislation or Representative Smith. working with Keith McCall on a variety of energy-related Mr. S. SMITH. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. matters, whether working with the Rendell administration and Mr. Speaker, as we wind down the session for these 2 years, Mr. Eachus on health care, we did have some bipartisan I would like to wish the members well, and as we come back opportunities. And I do laud my colleague, Sam Smith, for into session in January of the coming year, know that we will always being civil and engaging and cooperative to the degree have a full plate of issues to address. Clearly, this past session that the minority could be cooperative. I would also like to think has been a trying one for many members. It is one where there that under the aegis of Speaker O'Brien, in a unique moment in were many issues that are important to the people of this Assembly's history with a Democratic majority and a Pennsylvania that have yet to be resolved, and the challenge of Republican Speaker, you, like John Adams, had a chance, a this ensuing, this current budget year with the economic moment in time, to make a big difference. I do not think we downturn and the difficult decisions we have to make on behalf would have had a Speaker's Reform Commission in the same of the people of Pennsylvania. We will come back— The way that we had it. Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Steil did a masterful Republicans will certainly come back ready to move on these job at reforming our internal structures and mechanisms, and it issues, to deal with the issues relative to health care, and we could not have been galvanized without Speaker O'Brien. especially look at the people who are afraid that they cannot I know that the gentleman did so at great political jeopardy afford the health care they have, Mr. Speaker, and that we need to himself, but it was a selfless and positive maneuver from our to keep mindful of all the people of Pennsylvania and their perspective, and I think from the body politic. We represent needs, the issues of transportation and energy that are yet to be 12 million people, and I represent thousands of coal miners who resolved, Mr. Speaker. The list of issues that are in need of have mine-safety legislation, and I do not know that that would attention is more lengthy than I want to recite, but I will say, have happened if it had not been for the dramatic moments of with best of wishes to the majority party as we head into this January '07. next session, that the House Republican Caucus will come back So as I leave this microphone, I want to personally laud the prepared to address these issues. We will come back prepared to integrity of Speaker O'Brien, the bipartisan leadership of put our best foot forward with an agenda that will be aimed at Speaker O'Brien, and the fact that other than an autograph for the middle-class people of Pennsylvania. It will be aimed, his little boy from Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies, he Mr. Speaker, at what is best for Pennsylvania. never asked for anything, that I know of, other than We hope that we will enjoy the bipartisan cooperation that the simple day-to-day civility of his members. So on behalf of the people of this building, the members of this legislature are the Democratic Caucus, I would like to thank Speaker all capable of. It happens from time to time, Mr. Speaker, but it Dennis O'Brien for playing a very important and pivotal is not the rule, and I think that that is something that the people moment in our parliamentary history in this chamber, and for of Pennsylvania would enjoy seeing us do – to set aside some of the substantive successes, whether it was on historic the partisan tactics and antics. I know we are all guilty; I am not investments in education, whether it was on the smoking ban or pointing a finger at one or another. We have all found ourselves the Dog Law or mortgage reform, there were so many things engaged in that from one time to another. I just pledge, that happened under this speakership and it will be remembered Mr. Speaker, that as we regroup and re-form our respective favorably 5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond. organizations that we will all come back committed to that Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Godspeed. mission, to that mission that governing— That is the real The SPEAKER. The Chair thanks the gentleman and thanks challenge we face, Mr. Speaker, is, how do we best govern this all the members. Commonwealth? That is the core mission of the House Are there any announcements? Republican Caucus, and we will come back prepared to take on those challenges. Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, I wish the members JOURNALS APPROVED well. Thank you. The SPEAKER. Without objection, all Journals not now in STATEMENT BY MAJORITY LEADER print will be approved. The Chair hears no objection.

The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the majority leader, Representative DeWeese. 2008 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL—HOUSE 205

CALENDAR

BILLS AND RESOLUTION PASSED OVER

The SPEAKER. Without objection, the bills and resolution on today's calendar will be passed over. The Chair hears no objection.

RECESS

The SPEAKER. This House will now stand in recess until the call of the Chair.

* * *

The House recessed on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, subject to being reconvened at the call of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The House was not reconvened, and the session of the General Assembly expired on November 30, 2008, in accordance with Article II, section 2, of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.