Charlton, Solomon Bill to Establish Commission to Plan America’s 250th Birthday Passes Senate
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Alex Charlton (R-Springfield) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) today announced their bill to establish the Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial Commission passed the Senate.
“It’s extremely important for us to recognize Pennsylvania’s integral role in the founding of the United States,” Charlton said. “The semiquincentennial in 2026 is a chance for all Pennsylvanians to engage in a shared undertaking of national unity, as well as remembering the Pennsylvanians who had an enormous impact in the past, present and future of our great nation.”
House Bill 1793 would establish a commission to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The commission would submit a comprehensive report that includes the specific recommendations of the commission to the governor and the General Assembly by September 2018.
“By our Commonwealth playing host to the nation’s 250th birthday, we hope for an extensive, expansive, and exciting dialogue in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, a dialogue that brings together all Pennsylvanians and all state and local governments to plan how we welcome the world to our state for this yearlong celebration,” Solomon said. “I thank Rep. Charlton for his leadership and partnership on this bill, and I look forward to exploring together what infrastructure investments are needed throughout our Commonwealth to prepare us for this historic and memorable celebration.”
The passage comes after Solomon and Charlton held a news conference in October to introduce their bipartisan effort.
To view Charlton and Solomon’s press conference, visit here.
The commission will consist of the following members:
• One Republican and Democratic member of the Senate.
• One Republican and Democratic member of the House.
• Twenty private citizens who will be appointed by the governor, Senate and House.
• Non-voting members including the Secretary of the Commonwealth; the attorney general; the auditor general; the chair of PA Historical and Museum Commission; the secretary of transportation, Education, and Conservation and Natural Resources; the adjutant general, and the chairman of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
The Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial Commission would meet at points throughout the Commonwealth at times and locations determined by the chairperson, whom the governor would appoint.
House Bill 1793 now goes to the governor for his signature.
Representative Alexander Charlton
165th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Madry
717.260.6587
mmadry@pahousegop.com
RepCharlton.com /
Facebook.com/RepCharlton
Representative Jared Solomon
202nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ben Turner
717.787.7895
Bturner@pahouse.net
Pahouse.com/Solomon /
Facebook.com/RepJaredSolomon