The History of Education and the Pennsylvania House Of

PRSRT STD 469 Forum Building U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF Harrisburg, PA 17120 HARRISBURG, PA REPRESENTATIVES Ar chi v es PERMIT NO. 529

REPRESENTING THE PAST WinterSUMMER 2016 2013 BackArAr to School: The chi chi History v v esof es Education and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives lpo.jil.1116 In the early nineteenth century repeatedly expressed his support in schools, as well as laws relating to United States, rudimentary education of establishing public schools in child labor. Recent additions to our collections was hard to come by. Most schools the Commonwealth in each of his The world-renowned Thaddeus charged tuitions that generally Annual Messages to the Assembly Stevens was an outspoken advocate Framed photograph, Members of the House of Representatives, 1879 limited attendance to families with since his induction in 1829. In his of free childhood education. He is Framed print, Bird’s Eye view of Harrisburg, 1881 the resources to send their children 1830 message, Wolf proclaimed, credited with casting a deciding vote Personal Papers of Ken Brandt (R) 1973-1990, 5 boxes to school. In Pennsylvania, some “What an incalculable loss has not in the House in favor of free public Personal Papers of Tom Usiadek, Executive Director of House Transportation Committee, circa 1978 legislators had promoted greater this Commonwealth sustained... in education in 1834. Framed art work, Gift of His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) the Ooni of Ife access to education in various the ingenuity and skill that would (Nigeria) to the Speaker of the House, Mike Turzai fashions since the formation of the have been imparted to labour Photographs of 125th anniversary celebration of Battle of Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address, 1988 General Assembly, but no measures and science; and in the moral and taken were far reaching enough to Materials from the 200th Session including speeches, photographs and video. intellectual endowments that would benefit all classes of Pennsylvanians. have been engrafted and matured, George Wolf, seventh Governor had a judicious, well arranged of Pennsylvania (1829-1835), system of universal education been Longest Serving Representative in Pennsylvania House History early adopted.” Many supporters of free public The longest-serving Representative Caucus Chair and Majority Whip. He schools were motivated by a desire in the Pennsylvania House, Mark served on many committees, including for social and economic opportunity B. Cohen, has spent more than 42 leadership roles as the Democratic for all Pennsylvanians. This issue years serving the people of the 202nd Chair of the State Government, was naturally deeply connected with District in Philadelphia and the state Human Services and Labor Relations the issue of child labor—many, if of Pennsylvania, supporting workers’ Committees. While in office, Cohen not most, families among the lower rights, seniors and victims of abuse. received praise for his work on a and middle classes needed the When reflecting on his time in office, special task force that worked to solve wages that children could earn in Thaddeus Stevens, pictured here circa Cohen noted being fortunate to have an unemployment crisis and preserve order to make ends meet. Education 1863, represented Adams County in friendships with both Republicans and benefits for unemployed workers. and employment were at odds, and the Pennsylvania House from 1833 to Democrats, as well as enjoying the Cohen took the mantle as legislators were especially concerned 1839, and again in 1842, before going challenge of working on individual the longest-serving Member in on to serve in the United States Congress, about the situation of child workers. constituent concerns in his district 2016, serving for a total of 42 where he championed the rights of Into the early 20th century, and addressing statewide and even years, 5 months and 21 days. The freedmen during and after the Civil George Wolf, pictured here around the legislators were fine-tuning laws War. National Archives, Washington, national issues in Harrisburg. previous longest-serving Member, 1830s, was Pennsylvania’s Seventh regarding the attendance of children D.C. Cohen was 25 years old when he Representative Norman Wood of Governor from 1829 to 1835). “During my tenure in the House of took office as a Democrat on June 10, Lancaster, served 42 years (1922- Representatives, I am pleased that 1974, after winning a special election 1964), and former Speaker Matthew we have done a lot to expand the PO Box 202220, 469 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2220, definition of who a human being is.” in May of that year. During his tenure, J. Ryan was in office for 40 years, 4 Cohen was elected as Democratic months and 29 days (1963-2003). 717-783-3866, [email protected], www.house.state.pa.us/bmc/archives 4 Back to School: The History of Education and the Pennsylvania Average Age of a Member in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Continued from Page 1) Legislature: 1965-2016 In that session, the Assembly prepared to act well his part in this the Compulsory Attendance Law considered a piece of legislation land of freedom.” (Act 53), which “required children In the current 2015-2016 session, When comparing the number parallel with the ages of members that would establish school districts But the effectiveness of offering between eight and thirteen to attend the average age of a Member of bills introduced per Member in the Pennsylvania House of throughout the state, as well as education for poor children was school for at least sixteen weeks,” in the Pennsylvania House of according to average age of the Representatives. Both houses have require and make provisions for the offset by the demands for the labor with punishable noncompliance. Representatives is 55 years old. This legislature, there was no relation. seen an increase in the average age rudimentary instruction for children. and wages of even the youngest Farr was also responsible for Act 51 represents a 50-year high in the This could suggest that issues over the past 50 years and similar children in the Commonwealth. of 1893, which mandated that the average age for House Members. The faced by the legislature transcend increases and decreases in average Sixty-one years after the passage state provide free textbooks for all average age of Members has been generational differences. age over the years. The United States of the Free Public School Act, schoolchildren. Heated debate on slowly increasing since the 1973- Nationwide, the ages of the House average age, as of 2015, is 57 Pennsylvania became the 28th state the House floor accompanied the 1974 session, when the average age Members in the United States years old. in the U.S. to legislate compulsory passage of the compulsory education was 47 years old. House of Representatives run education for its young citizens. legislation and the amendments A closer analysis of the data shows Leading up to the 1895 law, a united which followed, but Farr cited that the percentage of Members who Percentage of Pennsylvania House Members Under 35 Years Old and front for education activism in the high illiteracy rates as a barrier to are under the age of 35 has been on 65 Years Old and Older, by Session, 1965-66 to 2015-16. Commonwealth was largely the effective citizenship and argued that a rollercoaster ride since the 1970s. result of advocacy against child if immigrants were going to arrive in The peak percentage of those 35 labor. Early victories by groups such Pennsylvania, then the state at least years old and under was during the as the Public Education Association “wish[ed] to insist that they must 1977-1978 session, when 23 percent and the Pennsylvania Society to educate their children.” of Members were under 35 years of Protect Children from Cruelty Farr himself had been employed age. This high percentage could be included an 1887 law which banned from a young age, working attributed to a host of factors that industrial employment for children as a newsboy in northeastern were occurring in the early 1970s, under the age of 12. Pennsylvania. As a legislator, such as the 26th Amendment giving John R. Farr, pictured here circa Pennsylvania Representative John however, he expressed the view 18-year-olds the right to vote, fallout 1908, represented Lackawanna R. Farr, who served as Speaker of that the state had a responsibility to from the Watergate investigation, County from 1891 to 1900. Photo the House from 1899 to 1900, was educate its children, stating, “It is and the troubling economic times courtesy of the Scranton Times- instrumental in sponsoring legislation unfair to the little boys and girls of Tribune. (oil crisis and high inflation). After to improve access to education this Commonwealth that the State the 1977-1978 session there was a As provisions were debated and and quality of instruction in the does not assert its authority, not only steep decline in Members under 35 tweaked, and the bill was considered Commonwealth. In 1895, he was for the State’s welfare, but for the years old. and reconsidered in committees by the author of the bill which became future welfare of these children.” In this current session, 10 percent both the House and by the Senate, a of Members are under 35 years old, majority were set to vote it down. In while 16 percent of Members are 65 the eleventh hour, Stevens delivered years of age and older. a powerful address on the floor of Data source: Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives the Pennsylvania House, enjoining all of the Members present to cast their votes “that the blessing of education...shall be carried home Did you know the House Archives to the poorest child of the poorest DID YOU inhabitant of the meanest hut of your recently launched an official KNOW? mountains, so that even they may be Facebook page? Visit our page and follow us to stay up to date on archive Postcard from John R. Farr’s events, ongoing projects, new acquisitions, our internship congressional campaign, circa 1908. program, information on archiving, and much more. Find us by searching Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives.

2 3 Back to School: The History of Education and the Pennsylvania Average Age of a Member in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Continued from Page 1) Legislature: 1965-2016 In that session, the Assembly prepared to act well his part in this the Compulsory Attendance Law considered a piece of legislation land of freedom.” (Act 53), which “required children In the current 2015-2016 session, When comparing the number parallel with the ages of members that would establish school districts But the effectiveness of offering between eight and thirteen to attend the average age of a Member of bills introduced per Member in the Pennsylvania House of throughout the state, as well as education for poor children was school for at least sixteen weeks,” in the Pennsylvania House of according to average age of the Representatives. Both houses have require and make provisions for the offset by the demands for the labor with punishable noncompliance. Representatives is 55 years old. This legislature, there was no relation. seen an increase in the average age rudimentary instruction for children. and wages of even the youngest Farr was also responsible for Act 51 represents a 50-year high in the This could suggest that issues over the past 50 years and similar children in the Commonwealth. of 1893, which mandated that the average age for House Members. The faced by the legislature transcend increases and decreases in average Sixty-one years after the passage state provide free textbooks for all average age of Members has been generational differences. age over the years. The United States of the Free Public School Act, schoolchildren. Heated debate on slowly increasing since the 1973- Nationwide, the ages of the House average age, as of 2015, is 57 Pennsylvania became the 28th state the House floor accompanied the 1974 session, when the average age Members in the United States years old. in the U.S. to legislate compulsory passage of the compulsory education was 47 years old. House of Representatives run education for its young citizens. legislation and the amendments A closer analysis of the data shows Leading up to the 1895 law, a united which followed, but Farr cited that the percentage of Members who Percentage of Pennsylvania House Members Under 35 Years Old and front for education activism in the high illiteracy rates as a barrier to are under the age of 35 has been on 65 Years Old and Older, by Session, 1965-66 to 2015-16. Commonwealth was largely the effective citizenship and argued that a rollercoaster ride since the 1970s. result of advocacy against child if immigrants were going to arrive in The peak percentage of those 35 labor. Early victories by groups such Pennsylvania, then the state at least years old and under was during the as the Public Education Association “wish[ed] to insist that they must 1977-1978 session, when 23 percent and the Pennsylvania Society to educate their children.” of Members were under 35 years of Protect Children from Cruelty Farr himself had been employed age. This high percentage could be included an 1887 law which banned from a young age, working attributed to a host of factors that industrial employment for children as a newsboy in northeastern were occurring in the early 1970s, under the age of 12. Pennsylvania. As a legislator, such as the 26th Amendment giving John R. Farr, pictured here circa Pennsylvania Representative John however, he expressed the view 18-year-olds the right to vote, fallout 1908, represented Lackawanna R. Farr, who served as Speaker of that the state had a responsibility to from the Watergate investigation, County from 1891 to 1900. Photo the House from 1899 to 1900, was educate its children, stating, “It is and the troubling economic times courtesy of the Scranton Times- instrumental in sponsoring legislation unfair to the little boys and girls of Tribune. (oil crisis and high inflation). After to improve access to education this Commonwealth that the State the 1977-1978 session there was a As provisions were debated and and quality of instruction in the does not assert its authority, not only steep decline in Members under 35 tweaked, and the bill was considered Commonwealth. In 1895, he was for the State’s welfare, but for the years old. and reconsidered in committees by the author of the bill which became future welfare of these children.” In this current session, 10 percent both the House and by the Senate, a of Members are under 35 years old, majority were set to vote it down. In while 16 percent of Members are 65 the eleventh hour, Stevens delivered years of age and older. a powerful address on the floor of Data source: Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives the Pennsylvania House, enjoining all of the Members present to cast their votes “that the blessing of education...shall be carried home Did you know the House Archives to the poorest child of the poorest DID YOU inhabitant of the meanest hut of your recently launched an official KNOW? mountains, so that even they may be Facebook page? Visit our page and follow us to stay up to date on archive Postcard from John R. Farr’s events, ongoing projects, new acquisitions, our internship congressional campaign, circa 1908. program, information on archiving, and much more. Find us by searching Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives.

2 3 PRSRT STD 469 Forum Building U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF Harrisburg, PA 17120 HARRISBURG, PA REPRESENTATIVES Ar chi v es PERMIT NO. 529