Oct. 17, 2017
HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Reps. Alex Charlton (R-Springfield) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) today announced their bill to establish the Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial commission was voted out of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.
The unanimous vote comes one day after Solomon and Charlton held a news conference in Harrisburg to introduce their bipartisan effort. To view Charlton and Solomon’s press conference, visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lm1Mxkx7g0&feature=youtu.be.
“Pennsylvania is truly a state that’s rich in culture and history, and as the home of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, what better way to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday than having Philadelphia play host for this celebration,” Solomon said. “I would like to thank my colleagues in the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee for their quick action on moving this bill forward.”
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.
“The nation’s semiquincentennial is an opportunity for all Pennsylvanians to recognize the American experiment and how it has been sustained by sacrifice and the willingness to stick to it and see it through,” said Charlton. “We hope this celebration will inspire a new generation of Americans to continue to sacrifice when necessary to ensure the process of freedom, liberty and happiness for the next 250 years.”
The commission will consist of the following members:
- One Republican and Democrat member of the Senate.
- One Republican and Democrat 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, the Secretary of Education, the secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources, the adjutant general and the chair 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 full House of Representatives for consideration.
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: Jack Eilber
717.787.7895 x6121
JEilber@pahouse.net
Pahouse.com/Solomon /
Facebook.com/RepJaredSolomon