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Hello Pennsylvania

Hello Pennsylvania

Hello

A QUICK TOUR OF THE

There is much to be proud of in Pennsylvania. Magnificent land, steadfast citizens, lasting traditions, resilient spirit — and a system of that has sustained Pennsylvania and the nation for over 300 years. Hello Pennsylvania is one of a series of booklets we at the House of Representatives have prepared to make our and the everyday workings of our government more understandable to its citizens. As your representatives, this is both our responsibility and our pleasure.

Copies of this booklet may be obtained from your State Representative or from:

The Office of the Chief Clerk House of Representatives Room 129, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120-2220

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA • HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a hello Pennsylv marvelous mix

A PENNSYLVANIA PROFILE

A Quick Tour of the If you wanted to draw a 7 NORTHERN TIER , fishing, hardwood, Commonwealth picture of Pennsylvania and agriculture The largest open space in the Three hundred years ago, Chances are you studied the you would need some facts. northeastern , this region houses the Little Like the size of the state Grand and more deer, was known as Penn’s Woods Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bear, and trout than . and the kind of land and : Bradford, Cameron, (Penn’s Sylvania) – and in a classroom years ago – or as Clinton, , Forest, Lycoming, waterways that mark its McKean, Potter, Sullivan, owned it all! No recently as yesterday. But few Susquehanna, Tioga, surface. You might want of us have Pennsylvania facts at 1 PENNSYLVANIA 4 AREA 8 STEEL KINGDOM commoner in history, before or to show major industries Historic attractions, high-tech, Recreation, , Manufacturing, coal, high-tech, If you’ve got a good ear, education, and banking and coal and banking since, personally possessed our fingertips. This booklet offers and natural resources. The birthplace of the nation A distinct culture and Once the exclusive domain you can tell where in the – where independence was proud heritage mark this of smiths, masons, and some basic and not-so-basic Indicate how many people declared and the American mountainous region, which, millworkers, the region so much land. Unfortunately, state Pennsylvanians Constitution received. in its prime, mined more hard now attracts programmers, information about our state – live in Pennsylvania and come from just by offering Counties: Bucks, Chester, coal than anywhere else in professors, and corporate early forms of transportation , Montgomery, the world. executives. along with a quick review of who what kinds of work they do. them a soft drink. Western Counties: Carbon, Counties: Allegheny, never permitted Penn Lackawanna, Luzerne, Fayette, Greene, , Or show how the counties Pennsylvanians are sure 2 DUTCH HEARTLAND Schuylkill Westmoreland we are, what we stand for, where to ask for “pop” while their Agriculture, tourism, and (illustrated here and on cover) divide the state into all manufacturing 5 9 we came from, and what keeps neighbors in the eastern A magnet for tourists AND THE POCONOS Manufacturing, shipping, to see more than a tiny fraction manner of odd shapes. attracted to the appealing Tourism, recreation, recreation, oil and grapes part of the state call it rural landscape and lifestyle agriculture, and The gateway to and us going. These pages won’t manufacturing of his estate. On the other hand, you of the . the American West, this “soda.” And although Counties: Berks, Lancaster, Cultural events in a mountain productive region was first cover our state from corner to may never have reason to Pennsylvanians have various Lebanon landscape blend with German known as the “.” lager by the lakefront in the Counties: Armstrong, Beaver, corner, past and present. There draw Pennsylvania on a ways of pronouncing water, 3 fast-growing of diverse Butler, Crawford, Erie, Commerce, agriculture, and interests and opportunities. Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, urbanites always take are wonderful books in your piece of paper. But as an chocolate Counties: Lehigh, Monroe, Warren theirs from a “faucet,” while Considered frontier in 1776, Northampton, Pike, Wayne informed citizen of any age, this river valley region housed local library for that. Reading upstaters fill a glass at the the seat of state government 6 THE HIGHLANDS it’s useful to carry a mental by 1812 and thrives today as Education, recreation, A POLITICAL TAPESTRY Hello Pennsylvania is more like “spigot.” Isolated river valley a center of commerce. agriculture, and coal It took 130 years to create picture of the state in your Counties: Adams, Columbia, Site of the historic Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, communities and deep ethnic Appalachian Divide and shaking hands with an old friend. Cumberland, Dauphin, populated by hundreds of head. The following facts roots led to the richly diverse Juniata, Mifflin (partial), location of the state’s precise Montour, Northumberland, geographical center. The communities with scores It’s sure to refresh your memory and figures will help you do language, economies, and Perry, Snyder, Union, York Highlands are home to Penn of separate identities and State’s Nittany Lions and interests. Today, they are of what you learned in school. customs of Pennsylvania. , the just that. visionary who further subdivided into Despite this marvelous mix, nd 203 districts, each served And it just might spark your appears February 2 to groups of Pennsylvania forecast spring. by a legislator who must Counties: Bedford, Blair, represent citizens whose curiosity about a few things the counties do share certain Cambria, Centre, Clarion, economic circumstances, Clearfield, Franklin, Fulton, textbooks never taught you. regional characteristics, as Huntington, , social fabric, and cultural the map depicts. Jefferson, Mifflin (partial), heritage are uniquely their Somerset own. With key assistance from With House-approved funding for the Virus Research Pennsylvania, America has Laboratory at the University of , Dr. Jonas made its way from covered Salk was able to develop the vaccine in 1954 that wagons to computer chips. In effectively ended the polio epidemic in America. ania many ways, our Commonwealth remains an important trailblazer Travel and Tourism for the nation. Our state and its people are mastering a “new Visitors quickly discover what Pennsylvanians enjoy year- world” where the required skills, round – a Commonwealth of ways of doing business, even great appeal to leisure-time the industries themselves, (continued from page 13) travelers. From corner to corner, are different from the past. variety is key. Visitors can heart-liver tandem transplant in Secure in its long history of experience the traditional beach 1984. vacation at Presque Isle on Lake accomplishment, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania currently houses Erie, explore the slopes of the welcomes this climate of 280 hospitals and eight nationally Alleghenies, meander the canal respected medical schools. The change as a transition to paths along the , great number of research-oriented another century of opportunity. or relive American history from medical schools and centers in its beginnings at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania has made the state . Indeed, particularly attractive to the numerous landmarks linked pharmaceutical industry. Eight to the birth of our nation A Snapshot of major pharmaceutical companies Heritage Parks in Pennsylvania. have helped make travel and Pennsylvania are located here and 10% of Additional state attractions tourism a $15 billion industry On the map, Pennsylvania is all pharmaceutical workers include amusement parks, in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania a torn rectangle with a ragged in the nation are employed cultural events and festivals, is also strongly committed Population eastern border. If you ran your in Pennsylvania. Today, the professional and collegiate sports, to preserving our industrial Although Pennsylvania is hand over a surface map of the Commonwealth employs over shopping outlets, over 100 state heritage through initiatives such Pennsylvania’s Size comparatively small, only four state you would feel a wide range 500,000 trained physicians, parks, and Pennsylvania’s as the Heritage Parks Projects. U.S. states have more people. of textures – smooth coastal dentists, pharmacists, nurses, country – the most popular tourist Pennsylvania is 309 miles long, Originated in the House of On the first Independence Day, lowlands around Philadelphia and other health-care workers destination in the Commonwealth. 174 miles wide, and covers 29 Representatives, the program about 300,000 Pennsylvanians and Erie; spiny ridges and along with the country’s finest Promoting tourism is a priority million acres. We’re dwarfed encourages local and state were around to celebrate. Today, clefts in central Pennsylvania; corps of emergency paramedics. item on Pennsylvania’s agenda, by (1/12 the size) but to join with private and the state ranks fifth in the nearly 38 times larger than our numbers have ballooned rocky plateaus rising in the investors to restore and redevelop nation in dollars committed . Compared to other to over 12,281,050, most of western and northern portions former industrial sites. Visitors to that effort. Part of that states, Pennsylvania ranks 33rd. whom were born here. In fact, of the state; and the scratch of now enjoy the funding comes from the Pennsylvanians are more likely Pennsylvania forests scattered and Ironworks and Scranton Assembly, which allocates to stay in the state where through more than half of the Steam , two of the first promotional funds to be matched they were born than residents Commonwealth. by private and local dollars from anywhere else in the nation. regional agencies. Tourism continues to thrive in One-third of Pennsylvania’s Pennsylvanians live Pennsylvania. More than 200,000 residents live in rural in one of only three of our citizens currently work in states with more than surroundings, representing one major orchestra the field, attracting nearly 1.3 the largest non-urban and art museum, and million U.S. and foreign visitors to population in the nation. more than one team in the state each year. , football and hockey. Do you remember why Why can the Commonwealth Which Pennsylvania is called take credit for American can we thank for daylight 14 “The Keystone State”? driving habits? savings time? 3 Students Pennsylvania Nature Pennsylvania children were Climate DIRECTIONS FOR A NEW CENTURY the first in the nation to attend Although the average climate a state-supported free public of Pennsylvania is usually ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE school system. Although free, described as 70° F in summer education was not compulsory and 30° F in winter, a true in the state until passage of the average climate for the state When it comes to economic Pennsylvania’s House-sponsored Farr Bill in does not exist. This is because opportunity, Pennsylvania likes high technology 1895 required children to attend Pennsylvania actually has to “seize the day.” Our earliest industry is school. Today, over 2 million five temperature zones from legislators began a longstanding flourishing — advancing today Pennsylvania elementary and the border north to tradition of support for innovative at twice the secondary school pupils hit the industrial development. Although Canada via . So the national average. Workforce books across the state — with average temperature in one part industry’s smokestacks have Approximately 5.5 million more students earning their of the state may be considered cooled across the state in Pennsylvanians are employed high school diplomas than the an extreme a few mountains and recent years, Pennsylvania in the Commonwealth. national average. Centuries of valleys away. again has seized the day. While Although millions still work in leadership in higher education is working to optimize its existing manufacturing and industrial manufacturing and industry, expressed in Pennsylvania’s 225 Wildlife employment opportunities in colleges and universities. base, the state is also aggressively Pennsylvania wood and wetlands developing its service-related the state have shifted in recent are home to an abundance of industries. Here are some years toward high technology, wildlife. and ponds prominent examples of industries health care, and tourism. A teem with , salmon Approximately 1.1 million on the rise. strong work tradition has helped and walleyed pike. The state’s Pennsylvanians to make that Whitetail deer – our state animal – flourish in varied habitat also supports switch in impressive numbers. woodchuck and waterfowl, rabbit Most of our workers are Pennsylvania’s forests, High Technology far more than in the and fox, and beaver, Pennsylvania Hardwood employed less than 25 minutes time of William Penn. redwinged blackbird and Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres The term “high technology” was oriented companies already do from home. As a result, downy woodpecker, and of commercial forest are among certainly unknown in the days business in the state — ranking Pennsylvanians record the third- hundreds of other bird the state’s most cherished and of Ben Franklin, whose inventive Pennsylvania third in the nation lowest automobile mileage in and animal species. valuable natural resources. mind gave us bifocals, the — and close to half a million of the nation, adding an average of The hardwood forest in upstate almanac, daylight savings time, our citizens are skilled in high- only 6,900 miles a year to their Pennsylvania is the most volunteer fire companies, and technology specialties. odometers. productive in the nation — the first lightning rod, installed producing $5 billion annually atop Independence Hall in 1752. and ranking as the seventh Yet, Pennsylvania has nurtured Health-care Industry largest industry in the state. advanced achievement for the In 1751, the House of Pennsylvania is eager to protect centuries. Representatives helped found these forests, and has spent Today, companies with teams America’s first public medical outstanding more than $60 million over 20 of specialists dominate the high- facility, known as Pennsylvania years to rid them of the technology arena. The House is Hospital. More than a decade Pennsyl moths and other pests. Nearly helping to attract these firms to later, the nation’s oldest medical Nowhere are Pennsylvania’s riches 1,400 companies now participate Pennsylvania with seed money school — the University of Pennsylvania — was chartered more apparent than in its people. in preserving, managing, and funds that match what by the House of Representatives. Remarkable Pennsylvania men and and marketing Pennsylvania companies are able to raise on Now, pioneering medical, surgical, women have improved our lives in hardwood. Pennsylvania’s timber their own. Pennsylvania has industry will soon incorporate also created the Ben Franklin and organ transplant techniques countless ways by sharing their are used at Pennsylvania medical talent and intelligence with the rest the use of highly efficient “laser Partnership, a cooperative saws” able to salvage more usable program that shares the cost of centers throughout the state, of the country and the world. Here wood from each valuable tree. In business development. In just a attracting physicians and patients are a handful of the thousands who addition to trading in timber, few years, over a billion dollars from all over the world. One well- represent the pride of Pennsylvania. future plans call for the state to has been invested in projects known example is the University craft and export more finished that promote new developments of Pittsburgh Medical Center, site products made from Pennsylvania in recycling, manufacturing, and of the world’s first human liver 4 hardwood. science. Over 2,000 technology- transplant in 1967 and the first 13 (continued on page 14) Water The Philadelphia Regional Port Pennsylvania is cooled by is the largest industrial port in the United States and the THE ARSENAL OF 739,200 acres of lakes, ponds, reservoirs and largest fresh-water port in the COAL AND STEEL streams; key seaports at world. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie; and four major river Coal Ignited America’s Industrial first blast furnace appeared on systems — the Allegheny, the Revolution and steel was the Pittsburgh’s Southside in 1851. Susquehanna, the Delaware, muscle that drove it forward. Soon afterwards, with the help of and the . With waterways Together, they provided the tools entrepreneurs such as Andrew so abundant, it is no surprise and rails of progress and the Carnegie and , that Pennsylvania found it guns and armor to defend it. 350 mills lit the night skies of necessary to build 57,000 From the post-Civil War period . Pittsburgh efforts are paying off now in — more than any until the end of the Korean became known nationwide as leaner, more competitive coal area on earth its size. Conflict, America appeared a “the .” And western and steel industries. Advanced invincible, and most of the raw Pennsylvania as a whole methods have made Land power came from Pennsylvania. continued to dominate American today’s 16,000 mineworkers four More than half of Seen as a source of strength steelmaking for over a century. times more productive than their Pennsylvania consists of that kept our nation free, Coal and steel production predecessors were at their peak. green space, woodlands, Pennsylvania became known as reached record highs during Pennsylvania’s contemporary and state parks, which the Arsenal for World War I as nearly 400,000 steel industry employs 35,300, attract 35 million visitors Democracy. miners fed 277 million tons of coal many of whom are customizing each year. Valley Forge was Although a year to the defense industry and recycled and specialty steel at the nation’s first state park, our state an equal number of steelworkers prices which can compete on established by the House of contains only toiled at roaring hearths around the world market. As we enter Representatives in 1893. The 7 percent of the clock. For the next 50 years the new century, government rest of Pennsylvania’s green the nation’s of war and peace, the mines and and industry continue working space — more than 8 million coal reserves, mills of Pennsylvania labored day together to apply the great acres — consists of field and Pennsylvania and night to supply America with mining and steelmaking power pasture. has supplied steel. of Pennsylvania to our new 20 percent of The House of Representatives industrial future. At up to 800 pounds, the Pennsylvania coal the “soft” coal has participated in the Elk is the largest mammal in is a vast energy No matter where you are Pennsylvania’s forests. Our resource which, and nearly 100 magnificent saga of Pennsylvania in the state, you are never smallest is the pygmy shrew, at the present rate percent of the coal and steel from the outset, more than 25 miles from THE INFRASTRUCTURE about 3 inches long and the of production, will “hard” coal funding scientific studies, OF AMERICA a state park. last another 300 used in the chartering companies, and weight of a dime. years. If we were United States passing regulations to protect Pennsylvania steel toughened the infrastructure of America and to pile all the coal over the last both the worker and the beneath our feet played a supporting role in much of two centuries. environment. During the 1970s American history. It is found in: into a one-square- Over 275 years, and the 1980s, the House also mile area, it would Pennsylvania formed the Legislative Steel The Pennsylvania State Capitol reach five miles Most of the country’s locomotives has also and Coal Caucuses to promote vanians into the sky. More than half of the nation’s rail produced favorable national trade policies and trolley tracks 65 percent of the nation’s iron and programs, seek helpful The I-beams of America’s and steel. The histories of federal legislation, and earliest skyscrapers, including Pennsylvania coal and steel came encourage public- the State Building together in the 19th century. private regional roadbeds Coal replaced wood as the fuel partnerships to create and tunnel foundations of choice in the early 1800s, jobs and develop The steam shovels that and its higher temperatures former industrial excavated the Panama Canal and greater burning efficiency sites. The first natural gas line and seamless tubing absolutely exploded the These and Half of the helmets used in World possibilities for steelmaking. The similar War I The and Golden Gate 12 bridges 5 A MOVING FORCE state symbols TRANSPORTATION Part of knowing our state The State Flag an unparalleled commercial and is understanding what In 1799, Assembly public transportation network. makes it special. Many of authorized the official In 1909, railroads hauled 500 the symbols associated with Pennsylvania State Flag, a banner million tons of freight and 280 Pennsylvania are rooted in fringed in gold with the Coat of million passengers down 11,200 history or pay tribute to a Arms embroidered on a field of State Aircraft miles of track. Twenty-two native species or product blue. During the Civil War, some Piper J-3 Cub different railroads crisscrossed of great importance to the Commonwealth at the turn of Pennsylvania regiments carried With its trademark yellow fuselage Pennsylvania’s economy. battle flags modeled after the the century, making Pennsylvania and black trim, the Piper J-3 Cub Some of our state symbols American flag, but with our Coat Modern Americans owe their the state where “almost any hour is an easily identifiable airplane. were originally suggested to of Arms in place of the block of driving habits to Pennsylvania you can take a train for almost Between 1937 and 1947, almost the House of Representatives stars in the corner. This kind German carpenters who never anywhere.” Trolley travel peaked 20,000 Piper Cubs were built by private citizens. of creative license was Convoys of Conestoga wagons saw an automobile. Starting in the in 1923, covering 4,600 miles in Lock Haven, Clinton . 1730s, these workmen originated discouraged in 1907 heading west is the image for and carrying over 580 million and built more than 7,000 when the General Leading up to World War II, a most us call up when we think commuters on wicker seats. new Piper Cub was being built in of early American transportation. Conestoga wagons with the “lazy Pennsylvania railroading is The Commonwealth Assembly acted board” at the front left where the Clinton County every 20 minutes. Indeed, it was a staple of frontier modest today by comparison Pennsylvania is officially to standardize the driver stood to handle the reins. Eighty percent of all American travel in Pennsylvania for a with its glorious past. Just nine a Commonwealth, a word State Flag. Ever since, American vehicles World War II pilots received their hundred years. But a 2½ ton have been manufactured with the rail companies carry 5 million which comes from Old initial flight training in Piper Cubs, Conestoga was slow-going, and driver’s seat on the left, requiring passengers and 65 million English and means “the The State Coat of Arms and the plane was a workhorse loads were limited by what the traffic to keep to the right. tons of freight over 6,000 miles common wealth” or well- Pennsylvania’s Coat of Arms is for the military during the war. Its horsepower could handle on of track. But a revival of rail being of the public. In probably the state’s most familiar small and light but durable design difficult terrain. By the early travel is under way. The House- Pennsylvania, all legal symbol. Based on a 1778 design 1800s, Pennsylvania saw an as railroads roared into appointed High Speed Inter-City is still admired to this day. processes are carried by Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia, alternative. With a vast network Pennsylvania. Actually, the Rail Passenger Commission out in the name of the it features a shield crested by an Designated June 26, 2014 of waterways coursing through earliest rail cars in Pennsylvania studied and recommended a Commonwealth, although American , flanked by the state, canals seemed like were horse drawn and more likely magnetic levitation train system the word does not appear horses and adorned with symbols State Firearm an efficient way to people whinnied than roared. But things for western Pennsylvania. Current on the State Seal. of Pennsylvania’s strengths – a Pennsylvania and products where they needed progressed quickly. In 1846, plans now call for the system ship carrying state commerce to go. On July 4, 1826, the the House of Representatives to carry passengers between First made in Lancaster County The Keystone State to all parts of the world; a Pennsylvania Canal opened for chartered the Pennsylvania the International Airport and in the 1700s, the Pennsylvania clay-red plough, signifying our travel just one block from the Railroad. Eight years later, . Maglev, A “keystone” is a central, long rifle was one of the first rich natural resources; and Capitol. Over the next 75 years, rail passengers zipped from as the system is known, just -shaped stone which American made firearms. It was holds all the other stones of three golden sheaves of wheat, 1,200 miles of these narrow, Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, may be the first milestone in the one of the first firearms to include a structure in place to form suggesting fertile fields and watery passages floated paying careening around the famous next century of Pennsylvania’s spiral grooves in the bore, which Horseshoe Curve along the way. an arch. In early America, Pennsylvania’s wealth of human travelers and tradesmen to their innovative transportation history. increased the stability of the destinations at 10 miles per The grew Pennsylvania played a vital thought and action. An olive trajectory, resulting in exceptional hour. Among them was Charles to the largest in the nation, geographic and strategic branch and cornstalk cross limbs accuracy and range. The long Dickens, who purchased a $7 employing greater numbers than role in holding together the beneath it – a message of peace Magnetic Levitation Train System ticket in 1842 for the weekend the U.S. Army and, for , states of the newly formed and prosperity. The state motto is rifle was used in the American run between Harrisburg and spending 40 times more than the Union. Today, Pennsylvania festooned below. Revolution and became the rifle Pittsburgh. Commonwealth itself. continues to be of key of choice for sharpshooters in the Canal boat travel met stiff In the century between 1825- importance to the social, . competition by the 1840s 1925, Pennsylvania developed economic, and political Designated June 26, 2014 development of the United States.

6 11 The State Seal State Flower pounds. Whitetail Deer continue to flourish today in Pennsylvania Authorized by Mountain Laurel forests. PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS the General In mid-June, Designated October 2, 1959 HIGHWAYS Assembly in every sunny 1791, the Seal of mountainside in the Commonwealth Pennsylvania is a State Fish of Pennsylvania still-life in pink pastels — a sight In the 17th century, overland travel Brook Trout is a symbol of which delighted members of the There is nothing more beautiful meant raising dust on a few dirt- authenticity covered streets, clattering along Pennsylvania House and Senate than the flash of a Brook Trout which verifies that rutted wagon paths, or picking as well as the wife of Pennsylvania beneath the bubbling current — proclamations, your way down an Indian trail on governor . especially for Pennsylvania’s 1.1 the back of a horse. But William commissions, and other papers Together, they prevailed over million anglers. Over 4,000 miles Penn understood that a growing of state are legal and official. The Pinchot’s preference for the of cold water streams form the state makes faster progress on face of the Seal displays symbols to name the Mountain Laurel as natural habitat of this fish, the better roads. identical to the Coat of Arms, the official state flower. only trout native to Pennsylvania. without the supporting horses, During its first session, Designated May 5, 1933 Designated March 9, 1970 Penn made the House of and is used most frequently as Representatives responsible for an imprint. The reverse side, “all necessary roads and highways or counterseal, pictures Liberty State Dog State Insect in the province.” Early road- dominating Tyranny in the form Great Dane Firefly building consisted of widening of a lion, along with the warning The next time you visit the Pennsylvanians know fireflies as existing trails. The 1784 House “Both Can’t Survive.” Governor’s Reception Room in “lightning bugs” that brighten a of Representatives approved Harrisburg, look for a portrait of still summer night. That may be a $42,000 to build the William Penn with his Great Dane. Forbes Road to Pittsburgh, one of Clifford S. Patterson sponsored Pennsylvania’s State Bird why some Pennsylvania citizens Now a popular pet, the Great the first log and gravel highways the Pennsylvania Turnpike immense road heard the word “firefly,” and authorization, launching the system equals Dane was a hunting and working confused it with “blackfly” a pest in America. The first Settlers relied on this plump, followed a decade later. By the nation’s first superhighway. As all New England breed in frontier Pennsylvania. that plagued the Commonwealth and red-brown bird with the feathery 1830s, 3,000 toll roads and of October 1, 1940, motorists The choice of State Dog is also in 1988. To clarify the identity highways, local legs as part of their food supply. 220 turnpike companies guided paid a penny a mile to shuttle unique in the vote that approved of the State Insect, the General roads and city Sometimes called a partridge, travelers to all parts of the state. between Middlesex and Irwin. it. When the Speaker of the House Assembly rewrote the law later streets combined. the Ruffed Representatives agreed that Since 1950, the House has called for a voice vote to designate that year singling out the Firefly Grouse is still in a central agency was needed to sponsored six extensions to the the Great Dane, yips, growls by its name — “Poturis original 160-mile Turnpike, which Pennsylvania’s support this growing network, and barks assaulted his Pensylvanica De Geer.” now runs over 500 miles from forests. and the House acted in 1903 to ears from every part of end to end. In the late 1950s, Designated April 10, 1974 create one. The Department of Designated June the chamber! With a rap Pennsylvania helped promote the Highways immediately charged 22, 1931 of his gavel, the Speaker interstate highway program. Now motorists a fee to register their Better connections to our confirmed that the “arfs have in its sixth decade of service, the interstate and superhighway vehicles. License plates came into it,” and the “Barking Dog use in 1909 and drivers’ permits Pennsylvania Turnpike carries systems continue to be a priority State Tree Vote” entered the annals of in 1924. A penny tax on gasoline 156 million vehicles a year at a today as a means of encouraging Hemlock legislative history. appeared in 1921, when the state toll of just 4.1 cents a mile. new and expanded industry The Hemlock was a sturdy ally speed limit was 20 miles per hour. in the state. Pennsylvania is to the state’s first settlers. Many Designated August 15, 1965 The next milestone occurred meeting the challenge with a families felt in 1937 when Representative $1 billion highway maintenance better protected from State Animal State Beverage program, the largest in state the elements and history. Massive programs of The Whitetail Deer their enemies inside This designation is a replacement and repair Indians and settlers depended Pennsylvania applies log cabins made 5,640 “paint-miles” every are under way, as well as road on the Whitetail Deer to feed, fitting tribute to one of from the patriarch year when it re-lines the reconstruction and resurfacing clothe, and shelter them year- the Commonwealth’s leading Pennsylvania Turnpike. to smooth the journey along of Pennsylvania’s round, The Pennsylvania House products. It also salutes the Pennsylvania’s pathways to forests. of Representatives passed the state’s gentle dairy cows, which progress. Designated June nation’s first game laws in 1721 each produce a generous 22 23, 1931 to protect these valuable animals, quarts of milk a day. 10 7 some of which grew to 350 Designated April 29, 1982 State Beautification Plant Crownvetch Since the late 1950s, a profusion of white and lavender powering blossoms has trimmed the edges of Pennsylvania State Electric Locomotive Pennsylvania highways. Scientists at Penn GGI 4859 Electric State University developed the The GGI 4859 Electric Locomotive H.J. hearty Crownvetch to use as a is one of the 138 sleek and shiny THE VERY GOOD EARTH began his food groundcover for erosion control. bullets that smoked the rails at processing AGRICULTURE business in The versatile plant is also a value speeds above 100 miles per hour. State Song 1869 by bottling to agribusiness as a Built in 1937, the GGI 4859 pulled From earliest pioneer horseradish in feed for livestock. Pennsylvania troop trains to military destinations has always been good rural landscape. the basement of The official state song of the days, Pennsylvania’s The earth Designated during World War II and continued to Pennsylvania farmers. In The House of his Sharpsburg Commonwealth was written and home. June 17, 1982 powering coal and passenger cars rivers, mountains, and Colonial days, the region was Representatives composed by Eddie Khoury and until retirement in 1979. The State lush farmland offered the already a prosperous agricultural acted decisively, Ronnie Bonner and is the official Electric Locomotive is displayed in area. Later, it was the fertile passing 16 key song for all public purposes. state a running start on Harrisburg. promise of the land that lured bills to protect farmland, a Designated November 29, 1990 Designated December 18, 1987 growth and prosperity. settlers to farm and develop the constitutional amendment for Pennsylvania land western and northern parts of fair farmland taxes, and a $100 VERSE 1 the state. Farm methods and million bond issue to help family Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, rewarded hard-working machinery improved during the farmers. Mighty is your name, settlers with abundant 1800s as farmers came together Pennsylvania’s agribusiness Steeped in glory and tradition, at county fairs and shared now employs one of every five Object of acclaim. harvests and fueled knowledge through organizations Pennsylvanians. The state Where brave men fought the foe steelmaking and other State Steam Locomotive like the Society for the Promotion ranks among the top ten in the of freedom, industrial development with of Agriculture and the Grange. production of mushrooms (our K4s Steam Tyranny decried. The support for agriculture leading crop) and many other The K4s Steam Locomotive is ‘Til the of independence ton after ton of precious State Ship enterprises grew as groups products, including sweet corn, everyone’s idea of a typical train filled our countryside. coal. A steady flow of engine. The boxy, black cylinder United States Brig formed to promote specific foods milk, poultry, eggs, ice cream, The Niagara, under Commodore travel and trade busied or interests of Pennsylvania cherries, , apples, potato with the short stack on top was CHORUS farmers. Farm expertise chips, , cheese, the main passenger locomotive of Oliver Hazard Perry, was decisive in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania’s waterways, increased further with the , Christmas trees, the Pennsylvania railroad for 30 the war of 1812. On September 10, May your future be, filled with with railroads soon running founding of agriculture schools. sausage, wheat flour and bakery years. At one time, 425 of these 1813, it defeated a British squadron honor everlasting as your alongside with passengers One was Penn State University, products. powerful coal-burners steamed in the . The history. across the state – every one Niagara is displayed in Erie. and cargo of their own. chartered by the General Today, Pennsylvania is widely Assembly in 1854 as Farmer’s recognized as the nation’s leader built in Pennsylvania. The State Designated May 26, 1988 VERSE 2 Through a fortunate High School. in conserving farmland, fostering Steam Locomotive is on display in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, combination of natural By the turn of the century, the food supply and supporting railroad museums in Altoona and Blessed by God’s own hand, State Fossil moving the crop from the field the agricultural way of life. Strasburg. Birthplace of a mighty nation, resources and resourceful Phacops Rana to the table was the new boom Designated December 18, 1987 Keystone of the land. A water animal people, Pennsylvania has industry. Those were the growth Pennsylvania is a world- Where first our country’s flag measuring just one years of the nation’s giant food class producer of potato unfolded, become one of America’s to four inches, the processors. Pennsylvania’s chips, cranking out Freedom to proclaim, agricultural, industrial, 30,500 tasty tons a Phacops Rana lived and H.J. Heinz Company became May the voices of tomorrow year, or enough to left its mark in Pennsylvania and corporate giants. The one of the biggest and Hershey glorify your name. fill over 81 million more than 250 million years ago. following summaries trace Chocolate today operates the 12-ounce A science class of elementary world’s largest chocolate factory. snack bags. CHORUS the developments that school students brought this tiny While agribusiness prospered Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, invertebrate to the attention of the powered Pennsylvania, during the twentieth century, so May your future be, filled with House of Representatives. did Pennsylvania’s cities, which honor everlasting as your then and now. were beginning to overlap the 8 Designated December 5, 1988 history. 9 State Beautification Plant Crownvetch Since the late 1950s, a profusion of white and lavender powering blossoms has trimmed the edges of Pennsylvania State Electric Locomotive Pennsylvania highways. Scientists at Penn GGI 4859 Electric State University developed the The GGI 4859 Electric Locomotive H.J. Heinz hearty Crownvetch to use as a is one of the 138 sleek and shiny THE VERY GOOD EARTH began his food groundcover for erosion control. bullets that smoked the rails at processing AGRICULTURE business in The versatile plant is also a value speeds above 100 miles per hour. State Song 1869 by bottling to agribusiness as a Built in 1937, the GGI 4859 pulled From earliest pioneer horseradish in feed for livestock. Pennsylvania troop trains to military destinations has always been good rural landscape. the basement of The official state song of the days, Pennsylvania’s The earth Designated during World War II and continued to Pennsylvania farmers. In The House of his Sharpsburg Commonwealth was written and home. June 17, 1982 powering coal and passenger cars rivers, mountains, and Colonial days, the region was Representatives composed by Eddie Khoury and until retirement in 1979. The State lush farmland offered the already a prosperous agricultural acted decisively, Ronnie Bonner and is the official Electric Locomotive is displayed in area. Later, it was the fertile passing 16 key song for all public purposes. state a running start on Harrisburg. promise of the land that lured bills to protect farmland, a Designated November 29, 1990 Designated December 18, 1987 growth and prosperity. settlers to farm and develop the constitutional amendment for Pennsylvania land western and northern parts of fair farmland taxes, and a $100 VERSE 1 the state. Farm methods and million bond issue to help family Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, rewarded hard-working machinery improved during the farmers. Mighty is your name, settlers with abundant 1800s as farmers came together Pennsylvania’s agribusiness Steeped in glory and tradition, at county fairs and shared now employs one of every five Object of acclaim. harvests and fueled knowledge through organizations Pennsylvanians. The state Where brave men fought the foe steelmaking and other State Steam Locomotive like the Society for the Promotion ranks among the top ten in the of freedom, industrial development with of Agriculture and the Grange. production of mushrooms (our K4s Steam Tyranny decried. The support for agriculture leading crop) and many other The K4s Steam Locomotive is ‘Til the bell of independence ton after ton of precious State Ship enterprises grew as groups products, including sweet corn, everyone’s idea of a typical train filled our countryside. coal. A steady flow of engine. The boxy, black cylinder United States Brig Niagara formed to promote specific foods milk, poultry, eggs, ice cream, The Niagara, under Commodore travel and trade busied or interests of Pennsylvania cherries, peaches, apples, potato with the short stack on top was CHORUS farmers. Farm expertise chips, maple syrup, cheese, the main passenger locomotive of Oliver Hazard Perry, was decisive in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania’s waterways, increased further with the pretzels, Christmas trees, the Pennsylvania railroad for 30 the war of 1812. On September 10, May your future be, filled with with railroads soon running founding of agriculture schools. sausage, wheat flour and bakery years. At one time, 425 of these 1813, it defeated a British squadron honor everlasting as your alongside with passengers One was Penn State University, products. powerful coal-burners steamed in the Battle of Lake Erie. The history. across the state – every one Niagara is displayed in Erie. and cargo of their own. chartered by the General Today, Pennsylvania is widely Assembly in 1854 as Farmer’s recognized as the nation’s leader built in Pennsylvania. The State Designated May 26, 1988 VERSE 2 Through a fortunate High School. in conserving farmland, fostering Steam Locomotive is on display in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, combination of natural By the turn of the century, the food supply and supporting railroad museums in Altoona and Blessed by God’s own hand, State Fossil moving the crop from the field the agricultural way of life. Strasburg. Birthplace of a mighty nation, resources and resourceful Phacops Rana to the table was the new boom Designated December 18, 1987 Keystone of the land. A water animal people, Pennsylvania has industry. Those were the growth Pennsylvania is a world- Where first our country’s flag measuring just one years of the nation’s giant food class producer of potato unfolded, become one of America’s to four inches, the processors. Pennsylvania’s chips, cranking out Freedom to proclaim, agricultural, industrial, 30,500 tasty tons a Phacops Rana lived and H.J. Heinz Company became May the voices of tomorrow year, or enough to left its mark in Pennsylvania and corporate giants. The one of the biggest and Hershey glorify your name. fill over 81 million more than 250 million years ago. following summaries trace Chocolate today operates the 12-ounce A science class of elementary world’s largest chocolate factory. snack bags. CHORUS the developments that school students brought this tiny While agribusiness prospered Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, invertebrate to the attention of the powered Pennsylvania, during the twentieth century, so May your future be, filled with House of Representatives. did Pennsylvania’s cities, which honor everlasting as your then and now. were beginning to overlap the 8 Designated December 5, 1988 history. 9 The State Seal State Flower pounds. Whitetail Deer continue to flourish today in Pennsylvania Authorized by Mountain Laurel forests. PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS the General In mid-June, Designated October 2, 1959 HIGHWAYS Assembly in every sunny 1791, the Seal of mountainside in the Commonwealth Pennsylvania is a State Fish of Pennsylvania still-life in pink pastels — a sight In the 17th century, overland travel Brook Trout is a symbol of which delighted members of the There is nothing more beautiful meant raising dust on a few dirt- authenticity covered streets, clattering along Pennsylvania House and Senate than the flash of a Brook Trout which verifies that rutted wagon paths, or picking as well as the wife of Pennsylvania beneath the bubbling current — proclamations, your way down an Indian trail on governor Gifford Pinchot. especially for Pennsylvania’s 1.1 the back of a horse. But William commissions, and other papers Together, they prevailed over million anglers. Over 4,000 miles Penn understood that a growing of state are legal and official. The Pinchot’s preference for the azalea of cold water streams form the state makes faster progress on face of the Seal displays symbols to name the Mountain Laurel as natural habitat of this fish, the better roads. identical to the Coat of Arms, the official state flower. only trout native to Pennsylvania. without the supporting horses, During its first session, Designated May 5, 1933 Designated March 9, 1970 Penn made the House of and is used most frequently as Representatives responsible for an imprint. The reverse side, “all necessary roads and highways or counterseal, pictures Liberty State Dog State Insect in the province.” Early road- dominating Tyranny in the form Great Dane Firefly building consisted of widening of a lion, along with the warning The next time you visit the Pennsylvanians know fireflies as existing trails. The 1784 House “Both Can’t Survive.” Governor’s Reception Room in “lightning bugs” that brighten a of Representatives approved Harrisburg, look for a portrait of still summer night. That may be a $42,000 lottery to build the William Penn with his Great Dane. Forbes Road to Pittsburgh, one of Clifford S. Patterson sponsored Pennsylvania’s State Bird why some Pennsylvania citizens Now a popular pet, the Great the first log and gravel highways the Pennsylvania Turnpike immense road Ruffed Grouse heard the word “firefly,” and authorization, launching the system equals Dane was a hunting and working confused it with “blackfly” a pest in America. The first toll road Settlers relied on this plump, followed a decade later. By the nation’s first superhighway. As all New England breed in frontier Pennsylvania. that plagued the Commonwealth and New Jersey red-brown bird with the feathery 1830s, 3,000 toll roads and of October 1, 1940, motorists The choice of State Dog is also in 1988. To clarify the identity highways, local legs as part of their food supply. 220 turnpike companies guided paid a penny a mile to shuttle unique in the vote that approved of the State Insect, the General roads and city Sometimes called a partridge, travelers to all parts of the state. between Middlesex and Irwin. it. When the Speaker of the House Assembly rewrote the law later streets combined. the Ruffed Representatives agreed that Since 1950, the House has called for a voice vote to designate that year singling out the Firefly Grouse is still in a central agency was needed to sponsored six extensions to the the Great Dane, yips, growls by its Latin name — “Poturis original 160-mile Turnpike, which Pennsylvania’s support this growing network, and barks assaulted his Pensylvanica De Geer.” now runs over 500 miles from forests. and the House acted in 1903 to ears from every part of end to end. In the late 1950s, Designated April 10, 1974 create one. The Department of Designated June the chamber! With a rap Pennsylvania helped promote the Highways immediately charged 22, 1931 of his gavel, the Speaker interstate highway program. Now motorists a fee to register their Better connections to our confirmed that the “arfs have in its sixth decade of service, the interstate and superhighway vehicles. License plates came into it,” and the “Barking Dog use in 1909 and drivers’ permits Pennsylvania Turnpike carries systems continue to be a priority State Tree Vote” entered the annals of in 1924. A penny tax on gasoline 156 million vehicles a year at a today as a means of encouraging Hemlock legislative history. appeared in 1921, when the state toll of just 4.1 cents a mile. new and expanded industry The Hemlock was a sturdy ally speed limit was 20 miles per hour. in the state. Pennsylvania is to the state’s first settlers. Many Designated August 15, 1965 The next milestone occurred meeting the challenge with a pioneer families felt in 1937 when Representative $1 billion highway maintenance better protected from State Animal State Beverage program, the largest in state the elements and Milk history. Massive programs of The Whitetail Deer their enemies inside This designation is a bridge replacement and repair Indians and settlers depended Pennsylvania applies log cabins made 5,640 “paint-miles” every are under way, as well as road on the Whitetail Deer to feed, fitting tribute to one of from the patriarch year when it re-lines the reconstruction and resurfacing clothe, and shelter them year- the Commonwealth’s leading Pennsylvania Turnpike. to smooth the journey along of Pennsylvania’s round, The Pennsylvania House farm products. It also salutes the Pennsylvania’s pathways to forests. of Representatives passed the state’s gentle dairy cows, which progress. Designated June nation’s first game laws in 1721 each produce a generous 22 23, 1931 to protect these valuable animals, quarts of milk a day. 10 7 some of which grew to 350 Designated April 29, 1982 A MOVING FORCE state symbols TRANSPORTATION Part of knowing our state The State Flag an unparalleled commercial and is understanding what In 1799, the General Assembly public transportation network. makes it special. Many of authorized the official In 1909, railroads hauled 500 the symbols associated with Pennsylvania State Flag, a banner million tons of freight and 280 Pennsylvania are rooted in fringed in gold with the Coat of million passengers down 11,200 history or pay tribute to a Arms embroidered on a field of State Aircraft miles of track. Twenty-two native species or product blue. During the Civil War, some Piper J-3 Cub different railroads crisscrossed of great importance to the Commonwealth at the turn of Pennsylvania regiments carried With its trademark yellow fuselage Pennsylvania’s economy. battle flags modeled after the the century, making Pennsylvania and black trim, the Piper J-3 Cub Some of our state symbols American flag, but with our Coat Modern Americans owe their the state where “almost any hour is an easily identifiable airplane. were originally suggested to of Arms in place of the block of driving habits to Pennsylvania you can take a train for almost Between 1937 and 1947, almost the House of Representatives stars in the corner. This kind German carpenters who never anywhere.” Trolley travel peaked 20,000 Piper Cubs were built by private citizens. of creative license was Convoys of Conestoga wagons saw an automobile. Starting in the in 1923, covering 4,600 miles in Lock Haven, Clinton County. 1730s, these workmen originated discouraged in 1907 heading west is the image for and carrying over 580 million and built more than 7,000 when the General Leading up to World War II, a most us call up when we think commuters on wicker seats. new Piper Cub was being built in of early American transportation. Conestoga wagons with the “lazy Pennsylvania railroading is The Commonwealth Assembly acted board” at the front left where the Clinton County every 20 minutes. Indeed, it was a staple of frontier modest today by comparison Pennsylvania is officially to standardize the driver stood to handle the reins. Eighty percent of all American travel in Pennsylvania for a with its glorious past. Just nine a Commonwealth, a word State Flag. Ever since, American vehicles World War II pilots received their hundred years. But a 2½ ton have been manufactured with the rail companies carry 5 million which comes from Old initial flight training in Piper Cubs, Conestoga was slow-going, and driver’s seat on the left, requiring passengers and 65 million English and means “the The State Coat of Arms and the plane was a workhorse loads were limited by what the traffic to keep to the right. tons of freight over 6,000 miles common wealth” or well- Pennsylvania’s Coat of Arms is for the military during the war. Its horsepower could handle on of track. But a revival of rail being of the public. In probably the state’s most familiar small and light but durable design difficult terrain. By the early travel is under way. The House- Pennsylvania, all legal symbol. Based on a 1778 design 1800s, Pennsylvania saw an as railroads roared into appointed High Speed Inter-City is still admired to this day. processes are carried by Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia, alternative. With a vast network Pennsylvania. Actually, the Rail Passenger Commission out in the name of the it features a shield crested by an Designated June 26, 2014 of waterways coursing through earliest rail cars in Pennsylvania studied and recommended a Commonwealth, although American Bald Eagle, flanked by the state, canals seemed like were horse drawn and more likely magnetic levitation train system the word does not appear horses and adorned with symbols State Firearm an efficient way to move people whinnied than roared. But things for western Pennsylvania. Current on the State Seal. of Pennsylvania’s strengths – a Pennsylvania Long Rifle and products where they needed progressed quickly. In 1846, plans now call for the system ship carrying state commerce to go. On July 4, 1826, the the House of Representatives to carry passengers between First made in Lancaster County The Keystone State to all parts of the world; a Pennsylvania Canal opened for chartered the Pennsylvania the International Airport and in the 1700s, the Pennsylvania clay-red plough, signifying our travel just one block from the Railroad. Eight years later, downtown Pittsburgh. Maglev, A “keystone” is a central, long rifle was one of the first rich natural resources; and Capitol. Over the next 75 years, rail passengers zipped from as the system is known, just wedge-shaped stone which American made firearms. It was holds all the other stones of three golden sheaves of wheat, 1,200 miles of these narrow, Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, may be the first milestone in the one of the first firearms to include a structure in place to form suggesting fertile fields and watery passages floated paying careening around the famous next century of Pennsylvania’s spiral grooves in the bore, which Horseshoe Curve along the way. an arch. In early America, Pennsylvania’s wealth of human travelers and tradesmen to their innovative transportation history. increased the stability of the destinations at 10 miles per The Pennsylvania Railroad grew Pennsylvania played a vital thought and action. An olive trajectory, resulting in exceptional hour. Among them was Charles to the largest in the nation, geographic and strategic branch and cornstalk cross limbs accuracy and range. The long Dickens, who purchased a $7 employing greater numbers than role in holding together the beneath it – a message of peace Magnetic Levitation Train System ticket in 1842 for the weekend the U.S. Army and, for decades, states of the newly formed and prosperity. The state motto is rifle was used in the American run between Harrisburg and spending 40 times more than the Union. Today, Pennsylvania festooned below. Revolution and became the rifle Pittsburgh. Commonwealth itself. continues to be of key of choice for sharpshooters in the Canal boat travel met stiff In the century between 1825- importance to the social, War of 1812. competition by the 1840s 1925, Pennsylvania developed economic, and political Designated June 26, 2014 development of the United States.

6 11 Water The Philadelphia Regional Port Pennsylvania is cooled by is the largest industrial port in the United States and the THE ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY 739,200 acres of lakes, ponds, reservoirs and largest fresh-water port in the COAL AND STEEL streams; key seaports at world. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie; and four major river Coal Ignited America’s Industrial first blast furnace appeared on systems — the Allegheny, the Revolution and steel was the Pittsburgh’s Southside in 1851. Susquehanna, the Delaware, muscle that drove it forward. Soon afterwards, with the help of and the Ohio. With waterways Together, they provided the tools entrepreneurs such as Andrew so abundant, it is no surprise and rails of progress and the Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, that Pennsylvania found it guns and armor to defend it. 350 mills lit the night skies of necessary to build 57,000 From the post-Civil War period western Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh efforts are paying off now in bridges — more than any until the end of the Korean became known nationwide as leaner, more competitive coal area on earth its size. Conflict, America appeared a “the steel city.” And western and steel industries. Advanced invincible, and most of the raw Pennsylvania as a whole mining methods have made Land power came from Pennsylvania. continued to dominate American today’s 16,000 mineworkers four More than half of Seen as a source of strength steelmaking for over a century. times more productive than their Pennsylvania consists of that kept our nation free, Coal and steel production predecessors were at their peak. green space, woodlands, Pennsylvania became known as reached record highs during Pennsylvania’s contemporary and state parks, which the Arsenal for World War I as nearly 400,000 steel industry employs 35,300, attract 35 million visitors Democracy. miners fed 277 million tons of coal many of whom are customizing each year. Valley Forge was Although a year to the defense industry and recycled and specialty steel at the nation’s first state park, our state an equal number of steelworkers prices which can compete on established by the House of contains only toiled at roaring hearths around the world market. As we enter Representatives in 1893. The 7 percent of the clock. For the next 50 years the new century, government rest of Pennsylvania’s green the nation’s of war and peace, the mines and and industry continue working space — more than 8 million coal reserves, mills of Pennsylvania labored day together to apply the great acres — consists of field and Pennsylvania and night to supply America with mining and steelmaking power pasture. has supplied steel. of Pennsylvania to our new 20 percent of The House of Representatives industrial future. At up to 800 pounds, the Pennsylvania coal the “soft” coal has participated in the Elk is the largest mammal in is a vast energy No matter where you are Pennsylvania’s forests. Our resource which, and nearly 100 magnificent saga of Pennsylvania in the state, you are never smallest is the pygmy shrew, at the present rate percent of the coal and steel from the outset, more than 25 miles from THE INFRASTRUCTURE about 3 inches long and the of production, will “hard” coal funding scientific studies, OF AMERICA a state park. last another 300 used in the chartering companies, and weight of a dime. years. If we were United States passing regulations to protect Pennsylvania steel toughened the infrastructure of America and to pile all the coal over the last both the worker and the beneath our feet played a supporting role in much of two centuries. environment. During the 1970s American history. It is found in: into a one-square- Over 275 years, and the 1980s, the House also mile area, it would Pennsylvania formed the Legislative Steel The Pennsylvania State Capitol reach five miles Most of the country’s locomotives has also and Coal Caucuses to promote vanians into the sky. More than half of the nation’s rail produced favorable national trade policies and trolley tracks 65 percent of the nation’s iron and programs, seek helpful The I-beams of America’s and steel. The histories of federal legislation, and earliest skyscrapers, including Pennsylvania coal and steel came encourage public- the Empire State Building together in the 19th century. private regional Pennsylvania Turnpike roadbeds Coal replaced wood as the fuel partnerships to create and tunnel foundations of choice in the early 1800s, jobs and develop The steam shovels that and its higher temperatures former industrial excavated the Panama Canal and greater burning efficiency sites. The first natural gas line and seamless tubing absolutely exploded the These and Half of the helmets used in World possibilities for steelmaking. The similar War I The Brooklyn and Golden Gate 12 bridges 5 Students Pennsylvania Nature Pennsylvania children were Climate DIRECTIONS FOR A NEW CENTURY the first in the nation to attend Although the average climate a state-supported free public of Pennsylvania is usually ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE school system. Although free, described as 70° F in summer education was not compulsory and 30° F in winter, a true in the state until passage of the average climate for the state When it comes to economic Pennsylvania’s House-sponsored Farr Bill in does not exist. This is because opportunity, Pennsylvania likes high technology 1895 required children to attend Pennsylvania actually has to “seize the day.” Our earliest industry is school. Today, over 2 million five temperature zones from legislators began a longstanding flourishing — advancing today Pennsylvania elementary and the Maryland border north to tradition of support for innovative at twice the secondary school pupils hit the industrial development. Although Canada via Lake Erie. So the national average. Workforce books across the state — with average temperature in one part industry’s smokestacks have Approximately 5.5 million more students earning their of the state may be considered cooled across the state in Pennsylvanians are employed high school diplomas than the an extreme a few mountains and recent years, Pennsylvania in the Commonwealth. national average. Centuries of valleys away. again has seized the day. While Although millions still work in leadership in higher education is working to optimize its existing manufacturing and industrial manufacturing and industry, expressed in Pennsylvania’s 225 Wildlife employment opportunities in colleges and universities. base, the state is also aggressively Pennsylvania wood and wetlands developing its service-related the state have shifted in recent are home to an abundance of industries. Here are some years toward high technology, wildlife. Streams and ponds prominent examples of industries health care, and tourism. A teem with brook trout, salmon Approximately 1.1 million on the rise. strong work tradition has helped and walleyed pike. The state’s Pennsylvanians to make that Whitetail deer – our state animal – flourish in varied habitat also supports switch in impressive numbers. woodchuck and waterfowl, rabbit Most of our workers are Pennsylvania’s forests, High Technology far more than in the and fox, bobcat and beaver, Pennsylvania Hardwood employed less than 25 minutes time of William Penn. redwinged blackbird and Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres The term “high technology” was oriented companies already do from home. As a result, downy woodpecker, and of commercial forest are among certainly unknown in the days business in the state — ranking Pennsylvanians record the third- hundreds of other bird the state’s most cherished and of Ben Franklin, whose inventive Pennsylvania third in the nation lowest automobile mileage in and animal species. valuable natural resources. mind gave us bifocals, the — and close to half a million of the nation, adding an average of The hardwood forest in upstate almanac, daylight savings time, our citizens are skilled in high- only 6,900 miles a year to their Pennsylvania is the most volunteer fire companies, and technology specialties. odometers. productive in the nation — the first lightning rod, installed producing $5 billion annually atop Independence Hall in 1752. and ranking as the seventh Yet, Pennsylvania has nurtured Health-care Industry largest industry in the state. advanced achievement for the In 1751, the House of Pennsylvania is eager to protect centuries. Representatives helped found these forests, and has spent Today, companies with teams America’s first public medical outstanding more than $60 million over 20 of specialists dominate the high- facility, known as Pennsylvania years to rid them of the gypsy technology arena. The House is Hospital. More than a decade Pennsyl moths and other pests. Nearly helping to attract these firms to later, the nation’s oldest medical Nowhere are Pennsylvania’s riches 1,400 companies now participate Pennsylvania with seed money school — the University of Pennsylvania — was chartered more apparent than in its people. in preserving, managing, and funds that match what by the House of Representatives. Remarkable Pennsylvania men and and marketing Pennsylvania companies are able to raise on Now, pioneering medical, surgical, women have improved our lives in hardwood. Pennsylvania’s timber their own. Pennsylvania has industry will soon incorporate also created the Ben Franklin and organ transplant techniques countless ways by sharing their are used at Pennsylvania medical talent and intelligence with the rest the use of highly efficient “laser Partnership, a cooperative saws” able to salvage more usable program that shares the cost of centers throughout the state, of the country and the world. Here wood from each valuable tree. In business development. In just a attracting physicians and patients are a handful of the thousands who addition to trading in raw timber, few years, over a billion dollars from all over the world. One well- represent the pride of Pennsylvania. future plans call for the state to has been invested in projects known example is the University craft and export more finished that promote new developments of Pittsburgh Medical Center, site products made from Pennsylvania in recycling, manufacturing, and of the world’s first human liver 4 hardwood. science. Over 2,000 technology- transplant in 1967 and the first 13 (continued on page 14) With key assistance from With House-approved funding for the Virus Research Pennsylvania, America has Laboratory at the , Dr. Jonas made its way from covered Salk was able to develop the vaccine in 1954 that wagons to computer chips. In effectively ended the polio epidemic in America. ania many ways, our Commonwealth remains an important trailblazer Travel and Tourism for the nation. Our state and its people are mastering a “new Visitors quickly discover what Pennsylvanians enjoy year- world” where the required skills, round – a Commonwealth of ways of doing business, even great appeal to leisure-time the industries themselves, (continued from page 13) travelers. From corner to corner, are different from the past. variety is key. Visitors can heart-liver tandem transplant in Secure in its long history of experience the traditional beach 1984. vacation at Presque Isle on Lake accomplishment, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania currently houses Erie, explore the slopes of the welcomes this climate of 280 hospitals and eight nationally Alleghenies, meander the canal respected medical schools. The change as a transition to paths along the Delaware River, great number of research-oriented another century of opportunity. or relive American history from medical schools and centers in its beginnings at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania has made the state Independence Hall. Indeed, particularly attractive to the numerous landmarks linked pharmaceutical industry. Eight to the birth of our nation A Snapshot of major pharmaceutical companies Heritage Parks in Pennsylvania. have helped make travel and Pennsylvania are located here and 10% of Additional state attractions tourism a $15 billion industry On the map, Pennsylvania is all pharmaceutical workers include amusement parks, in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania a torn rectangle with a ragged in the nation are employed cultural events and festivals, is also strongly committed Population eastern border. If you ran your in Pennsylvania. Today, the professional and collegiate sports, to preserving our industrial Although Pennsylvania is hand over a surface map of the Commonwealth employs over shopping outlets, over 100 state heritage through initiatives such Pennsylvania’s Size comparatively small, only four state you would feel a wide range 500,000 trained physicians, parks, and Pennsylvania’s Amish as the Heritage Parks Projects. U.S. states have more people. of textures – smooth coastal dentists, pharmacists, nurses, country – the most popular tourist Pennsylvania is 309 miles long, Originated in the House of On the first Independence Day, lowlands around Philadelphia and other health-care workers destination in the Commonwealth. 174 miles wide, and covers 29 Representatives, the program about 300,000 Pennsylvanians and Erie; spiny ridges and along with the country’s finest Promoting tourism is a priority million acres. We’re dwarfed encourages local and state were around to celebrate. Today, clefts in central Pennsylvania; corps of emergency paramedics. item on Pennsylvania’s agenda, by Alaska (1/12 the size) but governments to join with private and the state ranks fifth in the nearly 38 times larger than our numbers have ballooned rocky plateaus rising in the investors to restore and redevelop nation in dollars committed Rhode Island. Compared to other to over 12,281,050, most of western and northern portions former industrial sites. Visitors to that effort. Part of that states, Pennsylvania ranks 33rd. whom were born here. In fact, of the state; and the scratch of now enjoy the Johnstown Flood funding comes from the General Pennsylvanians are more likely Pennsylvania forests scattered and Ironworks and Scranton Assembly, which allocates to stay in the state where through more than half of the Steam Town, two of the first promotional funds to be matched they were born than residents Commonwealth. by private and local dollars from anywhere else in the nation. regional agencies. Tourism continues to thrive in One-third of Pennsylvania’s Pennsylvanians live Pennsylvania. More than 200,000 residents live in rural in one of only three of our citizens currently work in states with more than surroundings, representing one major orchestra the field, attracting nearly 1.3 the largest non-urban and art museum, and million U.S. and foreign visitors to population in the nation. more than one team in the state each year. major league baseball, football and hockey. Do you remember why Why can the Commonwealth Which Pennsylvanian Pennsylvania is called take credit for American can we thank for daylight 14 “The Keystone State”? driving habits? savings time? 3 a hello Pennsylv marvelous mix

A PENNSYLVANIA PROFILE

A Quick Tour of the If you wanted to draw a 7 NORTHERN TIER Hunting, fishing, hardwood, Commonwealth picture of Pennsylvania and agriculture The largest open space in the Three hundred years ago, it Chances are you studied the you would need some facts. northeastern United States, this region houses the Little Like the size of the state Grand Canyon and more deer, was known as Penn’s Woods Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bear, and trout than people. and the kind of land and Counties: Bradford, Cameron, (Penn’s Sylvania) – and in a classroom years ago – or as Clinton, Elk, Forest, Lycoming, waterways that mark its McKean, Potter, Sullivan, William Penn owned it all! No recently as yesterday. But few Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming surface. You might want of us have Pennsylvania facts at 1 COLONIAL PENNSYLVANIA 4 ANTHRACITE AREA 8 STEEL KINGDOM commoner in history, before or to show major industries Historic attractions, high-tech, Recreation, manufacturing, Manufacturing, coal, high-tech, If you’ve got a good ear, education, and banking and coal and banking since, personally possessed our fingertips. This booklet offers and natural resources. The birthplace of the nation A distinct culture and Once the exclusive domain you can tell where in the – where independence was proud heritage mark this of smiths, masons, and some basic and not-so-basic Indicate how many people declared and the American mountainous region, which, millworkers, the region so much land. Unfortunately, state Pennsylvanians Constitution received. in its prime, mined more hard now attracts programmers, information about our state – live in Pennsylvania and come from just by offering Counties: Bucks, Chester, coal than anywhere else in professors, and corporate early forms of transportation Delaware, Montgomery, the world. executives. along with a quick review of who what kinds of work they do. them a soft drink. Western Philadelphia Counties: Carbon, Counties: Allegheny, never permitted Penn Lackawanna, Luzerne, Fayette, Greene, Washington, Or show how the counties Pennsylvanians are sure 2 DUTCH HEARTLAND Schuylkill Westmoreland we are, what we stand for, where to ask for “pop” while their Agriculture, tourism, and (illustrated here and on cover) divide the state into all manufacturing 5 LEHIGH VALLEY 9 NORTHWEST TERRITORY we came from, and what keeps neighbors in the eastern A magnet for tourists AND THE POCONOS Manufacturing, shipping, to see more than a tiny fraction manner of odd shapes. attracted to the appealing Tourism, recreation, recreation, oil and grapes part of the state call it rural landscape and lifestyle agriculture, and The gateway to Canada and us going. These pages won’t manufacturing of his estate. On the other hand, you of the Pennsylvania Dutch. the American West, this “soda.” And although Counties: Berks, Lancaster, Cultural events in a mountain productive region was first cover our state from corner to may never have reason to Pennsylvanians have various Lebanon landscape blend with German known as the “Erie Triangle.” lager by the lakefront in the Counties: Armstrong, Beaver, corner, past and present. There draw Pennsylvania on a ways of pronouncing water, 3 SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY fast-growing area of diverse Butler, Crawford, Erie, Commerce, agriculture, and interests and opportunities. Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, urbanites always take are wonderful books in your piece of paper. But as an chocolate Counties: Lehigh, Monroe, Warren theirs from a “faucet,” while Considered frontier in 1776, Northampton, Pike, Wayne informed citizen of any age, this river valley region housed local library for that. Reading upstaters fill a glass at the the seat of state government 6 THE HIGHLANDS it’s useful to carry a mental by 1812 and thrives today as Education, recreation, A POLITICAL TAPESTRY Hello Pennsylvania is more like “spigot.” Isolated river valley a center of commerce. agriculture, and coal It took 130 years to create picture of the state in your Counties: Adams, Columbia, Site of the historic Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, communities and deep ethnic Appalachian Divide and shaking hands with an old friend. Cumberland, Dauphin, populated by hundreds of head. The following facts roots led to the richly diverse Juniata, Mifflin (partial), location of the state’s precise Montour, Northumberland, geographical center. The communities with scores It’s sure to refresh your memory and figures will help you do language, economies, and Perry, Snyder, Union, York Highlands are home to Penn of separate identities and State’s Nittany Lions and interests. Today, they are of what you learned in school. customs of Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney Phil, the just that. visionary groundhog who further subdivided into Despite this marvelous mix, nd 203 districts, each served And it just might spark your appears February 2 to groups of Pennsylvania forecast spring. by a legislator who must Counties: Bedford, Blair, represent citizens whose curiosity about a few things the counties do share certain Cambria, Centre, Clarion, economic circumstances, Clearfield, Franklin, Fulton, textbooks never taught you. regional characteristics, as Huntington, Indiana, social fabric, and cultural the map depicts. Jefferson, Mifflin (partial), heritage are uniquely their Somerset own. Hello Pennsylvania

A QUICK TOUR OF THE COMMONWEALTH

There is much to be proud of in Pennsylvania. Magnificent land, steadfast citizens, lasting traditions, resilient spirit — and a system of government that has sustained Pennsylvania and the nation for over 300 years. Hello Pennsylvania is one of a series of booklets we at the House of Representatives have prepared to make our state and the everyday workings of our government more understandable to its citizens. As your representatives, this is both our responsibility and our pleasure.

Copies of this booklet may be obtained from your State Representative or from:

The Office of the Chief Clerk House of Representatives Room 129, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120-2220

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA • HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES