[4:24] think you guys are feeding us on
[5:18] Mike Che from the podium. Mike
[5:21] Che 123. mic check 12345 from
[5:21] the podium.
[5:24] 123
[14:03] Testing members could we please
[14:03] be seated?
[14:04] thank you.
[14:48] To of 5:45 having arrived, the
[14:49] house will come to order. M
[14:50] members, please take your seats.
[14:52] Sergeants at Ars, please close
[14:53] the doors of the house.
[14:57] M members today is a special
[14:57] day.
[15:02] Today we celebrate the 250th
[15:04] anniversary of the United States
[15:06] Declaration of Independence and
[15:10] the 250th anniversary of the
[15:11] constitution of this
[15:11] commonwealth.
[15:14] As you know, our commononwealth
[15:16] of Pennsylvania was founded as a
[15:17] holy experiment.
[15:25] In the charter of privileges
[15:27] granted by our founder, William
[15:27] Penn
[15:30] to the inhabitants of
[15:33] Pennsylvania and territories in
[15:34] 1701, Penn wrote
[15:38] Because no people can be truly
[15:42] happy though under the greatest
[15:44] enjoyment of civil liberties if
[15:46] abridged of the freedom of their
[15:50] consciences as to their
[15:51] religious profession and
[15:51] worship.
[15:56] I do hereby grant and declare
[16:00] that no person or persons
[16:02] inhabiting this province or
[16:04] territories shall be in any case
[16:08] molested or prejudiced in his or
[16:11] their opinion or state because
[16:14] of his or their conscientious
[16:15] persuasion or practice.
[16:19] In honor of our legacy of
[16:22] religious tolerance. Prayer
[16:24] today will be offered by 6 of
[16:26] our colleagues. 3, during this
[16:30] first session and there will be
[16:32] 3 after recess in our second
[16:34] session. All three members
[16:36] praying today in each session
[16:39] will be highlighting their
[16:42] various faiths and highlighting
[16:44] the rich religious diversity
[16:45] that exists in our great
[16:47] commonwealth.
[16:52] At this time, prayer will first
[16:53] be offered by our colleague,
[16:53] Representative Freeman
[16:57] followed by our colleague
[16:59] Representative Brown and
[17:00] followed by our colleague
[17:01] Representativehan.
[17:04] Immedily after the prayer, we
[17:06] will recite the pledge of
[17:08] allegiance and today we will
[17:08] also s
[17:13] M members and guests, please
[17:13] rise asabbel.
[17:26] Thank you madam Speaker
[17:33] Please join me in a moment of
[17:33] prayer and reflection
[17:37] The pursuit of freedom inspires
[17:37] the soul.
[17:40] and its attainment empowers the
[17:41] most ordinary of people.
[17:44] We convene in special session in
[17:46] this most historic of places to
[17:48] commemorate and celebrate the
[17:50] 250th anniversary of the
[17:52] declaration of Independence and
[17:53] the birth of our nation
[17:56] a moment in time that marks the
[17:57] beginning of our long journey in
[17:57] the attainment of freedom.
[18:01] We cannot help but be moved by
[18:02] the inspiring civic prose of the
[18:03] declaration
[18:06] which imparted to all of
[18:08] humanity the self-evident and
[18:09] universal value of equality.
[18:12] that all are created equal
[18:16] The subsequent expansion of the
[18:18] right to vote and of civil
[18:19] rights in the course of American
[18:20] history would even give fuller
[18:22] meaning to our concept of
[18:22] equality over time.
[18:28] This magnificent document
[18:30] proclaims that we have endowed
[18:32] by our Creator with certain
[18:34] unalienable rights and that
[18:35] among these are life, liberty
[18:36] and the pursuit of happiness
[18:38] which are the defining
[18:40] aspirations of every member of
[18:42] the human race in their quest
[18:43] for a better
[18:46] It is written, and I have taken
[18:49] this from a passage in my
[18:49] Hebrew Union prayer book.
[18:52] It is written that when justice
[18:53] burns within us like a flaming
[18:54] fire.
[18:56] when love evokes willing
[18:57] sacrifice from us
[19:00] when to the last full measure of
[19:01] selfless devotion
[19:03] we demonstrate our belief in the
[19:04] ultimate triumph of truth and of
[19:05] righteousness.
[19:08] then goodness enters our lives,
[19:09] and we can begin to change the
[19:10] world.
[19:13] There is no denying that the
[19:14] declaration of Independence
[19:15] changed the world
[19:18] and set in motion the long and
[19:20] steady march of society toward
[19:21] the realization of democracy and
[19:22] equality.
[19:25] May God bless the United States
[19:26] of America and this
[19:26] commononwealth of Pennsy
[19:46] Let us bow our heads in prayer
[19:50] Heavenly Father
[19:54] we come before you with grateful
[19:57] hearts, mindful of the great
[19:59] blessings you have bestowed upon
[20:00] our nation and our commonwealth.
[20:03] As we gather here
[20:06] in historic Congress Hall to
[20:09] mark the 250th anniversary of
[20:09] the United States.
[20:13] We remember with gratitude those
[20:16] who came before us and had the
[20:18] courage to establish a nation
[20:22] founded on liberty, justice, and
[20:23] the dignity of every person.
[20:27] Lord, for 250 years you have
[20:29] blessed this nation through
[20:31] times of triumph and times of
[20:31] trial.
[20:35] We thank you for the freedoms we
[20:35] enjoy.
[20:40] For those who have sacrificed to
[20:41] protect them.
[20:44] and for the opportunity to carry
[20:45] this great American story
[20:45] forward.
[20:49] We ask your blessing upon this
[20:52] historic gathering and upon all
[20:53] those who serve the people of
[20:53] Pennsylvania.
[20:56] Grant us wisdom
[21:00] to make decisions with courage
[21:00] and humility.
[21:03] strength to stand for what is
[21:04] right.
[21:08] and compassion to remember the
[21:09] people and communities.
[21:11] we have been entrusted to serve.
[21:15] Help us to be good stewards of
[21:16] our freedoms and blessings.
[21:21] May we honor the sacrifices of
[21:22] those who came before us
[21:26] and worked together to leave our
[21:28] commonwealth and our nation
[21:30] stronger for the generations yet
[21:31] to come.
[21:34] We ask you to bless our elected
[21:35] officials.
[21:37] our families, our communities
[21:40] and all who call Pennsylvania
[21:41] home.
[21:44] May your guidance lead us
[21:46] Your truth unite us.
[21:49] and your peace remain with us.
[21:52] We ask this throughrt our Lord.
[21:53] Amen.
[22:07] Let us pray
[22:10] Bismmil LaakmaniRahim.
[22:13] Alhamtalilarabiaramin.
[22:15] irraman e Rahim.
[22:17] Maliki Yomeddin
[22:21] Iyakinabbaduwa Iyakins stayin
[22:22] Edina serratal Mutikim.
[22:26] Seratal ladina and amta arahi
[22:30] Wari Makdobi Alihimwa aling.
[22:31] Amen
[22:34] In the name of God
[22:38] the most beneficent, the most
[22:39] merciful
[22:40] Praise be to God
[22:43] Lord of all worlds
[22:46] Guide us on the right path.
[22:49] The holy Qoran which Thomas
[22:49] Jefferson
[22:51] owned a copied and studied
[22:55] teaches us that God made people
[22:55] and tribes.
[22:59] so that we may better understand
[23:00] each other.
[23:04] Lord, we are grateful to gather
[23:06] in this historic hall where the
[23:07] values of our nation were
[23:07] shaped.
[23:11] Lord, just as you blessed so
[23:13] many of the founders of our
[23:16] nation with a vision, courage
[23:18] and inspiration to shape the
[23:20] lives of generations to come.
[23:22] Bless this chamber so that we
[23:24] too may have a profound and
[23:26] lasting impact on the lives of
[23:27] Pennsylvanians.
[23:30] and Lord, just as the founding
[23:32] fathers concluded the
[23:32] declaration of inndependence
[23:36] with a firm reliance on the
[23:38] protection of divine
[23:40] provideence. May you continue to
[23:43] grant us that protection and may
[23:44] we carry on with that same
[23:47] commitment to mutually pledge to
[23:49] each other our lives, our
[23:52] fortune, and our sacred honor so
[23:52] that we may best serve the
[23:53] commonwealth.
[23:55] In your name we pray
[23:55] Amen.
[24:02] To lead us in the singing of the
[24:04] Star Spangled Banner, the chair
[24:06] recognizes the gentleman from
[24:06] Luzerne County, Representative
[24:07] Pashin
[24:16] I'd like to invite everyone
[24:20] to demonstrate your love for
[24:21] this country and sing with me.
[24:29] Oh say, can you see by the
[24:34] dawn's early light what so
[24:38] proudly we haveil at the
[24:43] twilight last gleing whose broad
[24:48] stripes and bright stars through
[24:50] the perilless fight
[24:52] or the
[24:55] m par t tree
[24:58] were so gallantly stre.
[25:02] and the rockets
[25:03] re la
[25:09] the bobsting in
[25:14] gave proof through the night
[25:19] that our flag was still there.
[25:26] Oh say does that star spangle
[25:30] yet
[25:33] or the and of the
[25:39] free and the
[25:42] of
[25:44] the bra
[25:49] a,
[25:49] America.
[25:55] God bless all Marr.
[26:12] Sergeants at arms will open the
[26:14] doors of the house. M members
[26:15] and guests, please take your
[26:15] seats.
[26:33] M memberers and guests please
[26:34] rise.
[26:38] I pledge allegiance to the flag
[26:44] of the United States of America
[26:49] ice for all.
[26:55] M members and guests please take
[26:55] your seats.
[27:04] Without objection, the approval
[27:06] of the journal from Tuesday,
[27:08] September 8hth, 2026 will be
[27:09] postponed until printed.
[27:15] Are there requests for leaves of
[27:15] absence?
[27:17] The chair recognizes the
[27:17] majorrity whip
[27:20] who indicates there are none.
[27:21] The chair recognizes the
[27:23] minority whip who indicates
[27:24] there are none. The chair's
[27:26] about to take the master roll
[27:27] call. M members will proceed to
[27:27] vote.
[28:03] Have all the members voted? Have
[28:04] all the members voted? The clerk
[28:05] will record the vote.
[28:09] 203 members having voted on the
[28:10] master roll call. a quorum is
[28:11] present.
[28:14] Colleagues, it is both an honor
[28:16] and a privilege to welcome you
[28:17] to my hometown.
[28:20] the city of brotherly love and
[28:22] sisterly affection. The
[28:25] birthplace of America's
[28:28] democracy. A democracy that we
[28:30] all cherish and we strive every
[28:34] day to uphold. I'd also like to
[28:36] welcome our special guests in
[28:38] our chamber for the day. We've
[28:39] been joined by the gentle lady
[28:40] from the first date of the
[28:44] United States, the madam Speaker
[28:46] from Delaware, Speer Melissa
[28:47] Minorbrown. Wel.
[28:56] We've also been joined it will
[28:58] soon hear from the chair of
[29:02] America 250 PA Pat Burns and
[29:04] Cassandra Coleman, the executive
[29:07] director for America 250PA of
[29:10] course Pat and Cassandra along
[29:12] with their entire America 250 PA
[29:15] team has been so instrumental in
[29:18] making today's historic session
[29:19] possible. Thank you.
[29:30] I'd also like to s extend a
[29:32] special welcome to the more than
[29:34] 80 students who have spent the
[29:36] entire day here with us,
[29:38] participating in a civic
[29:39] education program that was
[29:40] offered by our partners at
[29:43] America 250 pA and it was
[29:44] designed to deepen their
[29:46] understanding of our democracy
[29:49] and Pennsylvania's unique role
[29:51] in shaping it. They're watching
[29:52] our historical session just a
[29:54] few blocks away at the National
[29:56] Constitution Center. Today
[29:59] I'm doing some personal
[29:59] reflecting of my own.
[30:04] I'm thinking about the first
[30:07] time I visited these sacred
[30:10] spaces as a child.alking across
[30:12] Independence Mall, seeing the
[30:14] Liberty Bell as a little girl
[30:16] learning about history. My
[30:19] grannny, God rest her soul, was
[30:20] the first person to bring me
[30:22] here. and what I remember the
[30:24] most about that day, I was in
[30:27] about 2nd grade was the Betsy
[30:28] Ross House. That was something I
[30:30] could say easily, came right off
[30:31] the tongue. She played an in
[30:34] s tru ment al role and I learned
[30:38] all about her. After our tour
[30:40] for the day, we went to Rrietts
[30:41] and I remember her friend with
[30:43] us saying, why would you order
[30:44] spaghetti? It's a rib place
[30:45] Well
[30:46] needless to say
[30:50] I could never have imagined
[30:54] that 35 years later,
[30:59] I would ever be hereresiding
[31:01] over legislative session in this
[31:01] hoallowed hall.
[31:12] I am hopeful that so many of our
[31:13] students from across the
[31:14] commononwealth who are watching
[31:16] right now and participated in
[31:18] our programs today. Some who
[31:20] it's literally their first time
[31:22] I met with Paige fromres
[31:24] representative Anderson's
[31:26] district. She's in the 12fth
[31:28] grade and it was her first time
[31:29] here. She's here with her
[31:31] parents and here until tomorrow.
[31:33] and we talked about what the day
[31:34] has been like for her and Paige
[31:36] I will let the members of the
[31:38] judiciary know that they talked
[31:39] a little too long today.
[31:43] But seriously, the truth of the
[31:45] matter is for everyone who's
[31:46] watching our live stream or
[31:48] watching it on PCn. Thank you
[31:50] also for being a part of this
[31:52] special event and sharing in our
[31:54] celebration of democracy.
[31:56] Special shout out to mama
[31:58] McClinton who is watching. Hi
[31:59] mom.
[32:07] I also wanna to thank the good
[32:08] lady from Philadelphia for
[32:10] welcoming us into her district.
[32:12] she reminds most of us on a
[32:15] regular basis that she serves
[32:18] the same community and sits in
[32:19] the same legislative seat as Ben
[32:21] Franklin. Representative Mary
[32:22] Isacson. thank you.
[32:23] for the warm welcome
[32:31] We also wanna to thank our
[32:33] friends at the National Park
[32:34] Service for hosting us today.
[32:36] The National Park Service has
[32:38] been very generous in their time
[32:40] and made sure not only that are
[32:42] we welcome to this national
[32:44] treasure right here in
[32:46] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that
[32:47] they are sworn to protect and
[32:49] uphold its rich legacy, but they
[32:51] have been very accommodating. So
[32:53] let's thank all of our friends,
[32:54] most of them in green from the
[32:55] National Park Service.
[33:04] Many people don't realize what
[33:08] else happened in 1776. We know
[33:10] about the 4urth of July. we
[33:12] celebrated in every corner of
[33:13] the commonwealth fromeriee to
[33:15] Philadelphia. But what some
[33:16] don't know is that it was on
[33:22] September 9th, 1776 when we got
[33:24] a big change here in this great
[33:25] nation. It was on the September
[33:28] 9th that we changed our name
[33:30] officially from the colonies,
[33:31] the United coonies of America.
[33:34] to the United States of America.
[33:38] So it's exciting to know 250
[33:41] years later on September 9,
[33:43] 2026, aren't we blessed thanks
[33:44] to our good neighbors and
[33:46] constituents for providing us
[33:49] this space to serve, represent
[34:02] Today, we have this privilege of
[34:03] being here in Congress Hall due
[34:05] to the work of the Pennsylvania
[34:06] Commission for the United States
[34:08] Semi-quincentennial. otherwise
[34:12] known as America 250PA. America
[34:14] 250 pa was established by the
[34:15] General Assembly. Some of us
[34:17] were here and by our governor at
[34:20] the time Tom Wolf in 2018, it
[34:22] was established to plan,
[34:23] encourage, develop and
[34:26] coordinate the commemoration of
[34:27] our 250th anniversary of the
[34:28] founding
[34:30] of the United States.
[34:32] Pennsylvania's integral role in
[34:35] that event and the impact of its
[34:37] people on the nation's past,
[34:40] present, and future. Joining us
[34:43] today are Pat Burns, chairman of
[34:45] America 250 PA as well as the
[34:47] executive director Cassandra
[34:49] Coleman, a many members of the
[34:50] commission and staff including
[34:52] our colleagues who have served
[34:54] very well. To everyone at
[34:57] Americari 250PA. We thank you
[34:58] for all that you've done to mark
[34:58] this
[35:00] historical milestone for this
[35:02] commononwealth and our nation,
[35:04] the clerk will include the names
[35:06] of the commissioners, the entire
[35:08] staff of America 250 pA in the
[35:10] journal of today's proceedings.
[35:13] At this time, the chair invites
[35:14] Chairman Burns to address the
[35:17] House and following Chairman
[35:18] Burns, we will hear from
[35:21] Executive Direor Cassandra
[35:21] Coleman. Let's welcome them
[35:22] colleagues.
[35:34] Well, good evening, everyone. My
[35:35] name is Pat Burns. I'm the
[35:36] chairman of America 250 PA
[35:40] This is just awesome to be
[35:40] with each and every one of you
[35:41] tonight in this historic place.
[35:45] I spent most of my career uh, in
[35:46] business doi building grocery
[35:48] stores, restaurants and hotels
[35:50] in our community I really truly
[35:51] love and care about.
[35:53] And I learned a few things along
[35:54] the way
[35:56] If you want something important
[35:57] to come together,
[35:59] youre you gotta to be willing to
[36:00] think big
[36:02] work hard and surround yourself
[36:03] with great people.
[36:06] That's why I wanna to start by
[36:07] recognizing my fellow
[36:07] commissioners.
[36:11] here today and also the
[36:12] leadership of Cassandra Coleman
[36:15] and her entire team from merca
[36:15] 250 pA.
[36:24] I'd also like to thank you
[36:26] the Pennsylvania House of
[36:28] Representatives and my friend
[36:30] Joanna McClinton, for your
[36:34] supports in 2018 because of your
[36:36] partnership, we were able to
[36:37] make a real impact in 67
[36:38] counties and over 400
[36:39] municipalities.
[36:44] A big part of 250th is honoring
[36:46] our past today
[36:48] we also have a chance to think
[36:48] about what comes next
[36:50] as a father and a grandfather
[36:52] I take that seriously
[36:56] The students joining us today
[36:56] and watching for the
[36:58] constitutional Center tonight
[36:59] will help us shape
[37:02] what that Pennsylvania looks
[37:03] like in decades to come.
[37:06] Our responsibility is to give
[37:07] them a strong foundation
[37:07] to build on
[37:11] That's what America 250 PA is
[37:11] all about.
[37:13] bringing generations together
[37:16] sharing our heritage and our
[37:19] values and putting together
[37:20] young people in Pennsylvania in
[37:22] a position to succeed to be like
[37:23] one of you today.
[37:25] We've got a strong team
[37:26] We've got great partners
[37:30] and we're building a bridge
[37:31] together for the future.
[37:32] and I'd like to thank each and
[37:33] every one of you for being part
[37:34] of that.
[37:34] God bless you
[37:46] Good evening everyone. Speaker
[37:48] McClinton, members of the house,
[37:50] thank you for your partnership
[37:52] and for giving America to 50PA
[37:54] the opportunity to be part of
[37:55] this remarkable day.
[37:58] I wanna also recognize our
[38:00] America to50PA chairman Pat
[38:02] Burns and our commissioners your
[38:04] leadership and support have
[38:06] helped transform an anniversary
[38:08] into a shared experience for
[38:09] Pennsylvanians across all 67
[38:09] counties.
[38:12] When we started planning for
[38:16] America's 250th anniversary. We
[38:17] knew our commonwealth had an
[38:18] extraordinary history to
[38:20] celebrate. This nation was born
[38:23] here. The ideas debated and
[38:24] decisions made in places like
[38:26] this help change the course of
[38:27] human events.
[38:30] but from the beginning we also
[38:32] knew this anniversary could not
[38:33] only be about looking backward.
[38:36] It had to belong to our young
[38:38] people that's why having
[38:40] students from across
[38:42] Pennsylvania here with us today
[38:43] means so much to us.
[38:46] The voices matter, their ideas
[38:48] matter their communities matter
[38:50] and they do not need to wait
[38:52] until they have a title, a
[38:54] degree, or decades of experience
[38:56] before they begin making a
[38:56] difference in each of their
[38:58] communities I know that
[39:00] personally. I was just 20 years
[39:02] old when I became mayor of
[39:04] Exeter Borough. I certainly
[39:06] didn't have all the answers, but
[39:08] I had people who believed in me
[39:10] who gave me an opportunity to
[39:12] serve and who trusted that I
[39:13] could learn.
[39:15] Sometimes that's all you need as
[39:18] a young person to succeed
[39:20] someone who is willing to open a
[39:22] door for you and beli and let
[39:24] you know that you belong and
[39:26] that's what all of you did today
[39:27] by bringing students here.
[39:29] to the audience watching from
[39:30] the National Constitution
[39:32] Center. I wanna speak to you
[39:34] directly for one moment. We need
[39:36] your energy. We need your ideas.
[39:38] We need your compassion, your
[39:39] creativity and your willingness
[39:40] to lead.
[39:42] 5ft0 years ago the Women for
[39:44] Greater Philadelphia created a
[39:46] time capsule and invited
[39:48] Pennsylvanians to leave messages
[39:49] for the semi-quincentennial
[39:49] generation.
[39:52] The students who joined us today
[39:55] have sent their own messages
[39:58] forward to the Pennsylvanians
[40:00] who will come together in 2076.
[40:03] That's the responsibility each
[40:05] generation inherits. We received
[40:06] something from the people who
[40:08] came before us. We take care of
[40:09] it
[40:12] we make it better and then we
[40:14] place it in the hands of those
[40:15] who come next.
[40:17] I'm a mother. I think about that
[40:19] responsibility every single day
[40:20] and when I think about the young
[40:22] Pennsylvanians I've encountered
[40:24] over the last 8 years of this
[40:27] work. I am extremely hopeful.
[40:30] Pennsylvania's future is sitting
[40:32] just down the street tonight and
[40:33] across the Commonwealth in each
[40:36] of your districts. Our job is to
[40:38] make sure that they know that
[40:40] what that we believe in them and
[40:41] then give them the opportunity
[40:42] to show us what they can do. I
[40:44] wanna thank you all again for
[40:45] your continued partnership
[40:45] and support. thank you
[40:55] The chair recognizes the
[40:56] majority leader who calls up
[41:00] House resolution 589 printer's
[41:04] number 3790 on page 5 of today's
[41:05] house calendar. The clerk will
[41:05] read the resolution.
[41:08] A resolution celebrating the
[41:10] momentous and historic occasion
[41:12] of the United States semi
[41:13] quincentennial.
[41:16] whereas the Commonwealth of
[41:18] Pennsylvania joins the rest of
[41:19] the nation in celebrating the
[41:21] momentous 250th anniversary of
[41:22] the signing of the Declaration
[41:24] of Independence and whereas
[41:26] following the passage of the
[41:28] Stamp Act in 1765, a series of
[41:30] unpopular British laws met with
[41:31] stiff opposition in the
[41:32] colonies, feeling a bitter
[41:34] struggle over whether Parliament
[41:36] had the right to tax colonists
[41:37] without the consent of the
[41:37] representative colonial
[41:38] governments.
[41:40] and whereas this struggle
[41:42] erupted into violence in 1770
[41:44] when British troops killed five
[41:46] colonists and injured 6 others
[41:47] in the Boston massacre.
[41:49] and whereas three years later
[41:52] outrage over the Tea Act of 1773
[41:54] prompted colonists to board an
[41:55] East India Company ship in
[41:57] Bostonharbor and dump its cargo
[41:58] into the sea and the now
[41:59] infamous Boston Tea Party.
[42:02] and whereas in response Britain
[42:04] cracked down further with the
[42:06] coercive acts going so far as to
[42:07] revoke the colonial charter of
[42:08] Massachusetts and close the port
[42:09] of Boston.
[42:12] and whereas resistance to the
[42:13] intolerable acts as they became
[42:14] known led to the formation of
[42:16] the first continental Congress
[42:19] in Philadelphia in 1774 which
[42:23] denounced taxation without
[42:23] represent
[42:26] and whereas when the first
[42:28] skirmishes of the Revolutionary
[42:29] War broke out in Massachusetts
[42:32] in April 1775. Fe people in the
[42:33] American colonies wanted to
[42:34] separate from Great Britain
[42:36] entirely. but as the war
[42:37] continued and Britain called out
[42:38] massive armed forces to enforce
[42:40] its will. More and more
[42:41] colonists came to accept that
[42:42] asserting independence was the
[42:43] only way forward.
[42:46] and whereas on June 7th, 1776,
[42:49] Congress meeting in Philadelphia
[42:50] received a resolution from
[42:52] Richard Henry Lee urging
[42:52] Congress to declare independence
[42:53] from Britain.
[42:56] and whereas Congress appointed
[42:58] Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
[43:00] Benjamin Franklin, Roger
[43:01] Sherman, and Robert R.
[43:03] Livingston Jnior. to theite of
[43:06] ive on June 11th, 1776 to draft
[43:07] a declaration of independence
[43:07] for the colonies.
[43:10] and whereas from June 12th
[43:13] through 27th, 1776, Thomas
[43:14] Jefferson drafted the original
[43:16] rough draft of the Declaration
[43:17] of Independence, which was read
[43:21] in Congress on June 28, 1776 and
[43:23] whereas from July1st through
[43:25] July 4th, 1776, Congress debated
[43:26] and revised the declaration of
[43:28] Independence and finally signed
[43:30] the document on the morning of
[43:34] July 4th, 1776 to formerly sever
[43:35] political ties between the 13
[43:36] American colonies and Great
[43:37] Britain unite the colonies and
[43:38] ann
[43:40] ounce their sovereignty and gain
[43:41] support from foreign nations,
[43:41] particularly France.
[43:44] and whereas the delegates from
[43:46] Pennsylvania who signed the
[43:46] Declaration of Independence
[43:48] where George Clymer, Benjamin
[43:50] Franklin, Robert Morris, John
[43:53] Morton, George Ross, Benjamin
[43:56] Rush, James Smith, George
[43:56] Taylor, and James Wilson.
[44:00] and whereas Mister Morton broke
[44:02] the tie in the Pennsylvania
[44:02] delegation ensuring that
[44:04] Pennsylvania voted for the
[44:04] declaration of Independence.
[44:07] and whereas the declaration of
[44:08] Independence was not intended to
[44:10] be a legal framework for
[44:12] government which was later done
[44:13] by the Constitution of the
[44:14] United States but rather a
[44:16] declaration of intent to break
[44:16] away and a justification for
[44:17] doing so.
[44:20] And whereas after passage of the
[44:21] Declaration of Independence,
[44:22] copies were distributed to
[44:24] neighboring states and on July
[44:26] 6th, the Pennsylvania Evening
[44:27] Post printed the first newspaper
[44:28] rendition of the declaration.
[44:30] and whereas the first public
[44:32] reading of the Declaration of
[44:32] Independence occurred in
[44:36] Philadelphia on July 8, 1776 at
[44:38] noon when Colonel John Nixon
[44:38] read the document to a large
[44:40] crowd of people in the state
[44:41] house yard which is now
[44:43] Independence Square and whereas
[44:46] 250 years later this country
[44:47] unites to celebrate the creation
[44:47] of our nation's founding
[44:50] document and the intrepid men
[44:50] who rose up against the great
[44:52] power of Britain to assert their
[44:53] independence.
[44:55] and whereas from fireworks and
[44:56] concerts to unforgettable
[44:58] gatherings across the country,
[44:59] the United States
[45:00] semi-quincentennial Commission
[45:03] and America 250 sparked five
[45:04] days of shared moments from July
[45:07] 1st through 5th, and whereas on
[45:10] July 2nd, 2026, the official
[45:12] America 250 time capsule was
[45:12] dedicated at Independence Hall
[45:13] in Philadelphia.
[45:16] and whereas the capsule contains
[45:18] items that help tell the story
[45:20] of America at 250 and will be
[45:22] open during America's 500th
[45:25] birthday year in 2276 and
[45:26] whereas on July 3rd and 4th
[45:28] residents were encouraged to
[45:28] participate in the largest
[45:30] synchronized 4urth of July
[45:32] celebration in the United States
[45:34] history, America's block Party.
[45:36] and whereas communities across
[45:37] the country gathered for live
[45:38] music, shared moments, and local
[45:40] celebrations that reflect the
[45:41] spirit of Independence Day.
[45:43] and whereas residents are also
[45:46] encouraged to make 2026 a record
[45:47] setting year of volunteer
[45:48] service by giving back whether
[45:50] performing service projects or
[45:52] providing donations and whereas
[45:55] on July 5, 2026, the country
[45:56] entered the after the fireworks
[45:58] phase of the national
[45:59] celebration continuing through
[46:02] the end of 2026 and whereas
[46:04] residents are encouraged to
[46:04] reflect on what the journey to
[46:07] the 250th anniversary has meant
[46:08] to you through prayer, continued
[46:10] celebrations and convenings or
[46:11] other traditions such as sharing
[46:11] a meal.
[46:14] and whereas rosi Rios, chair of
[46:15] the United States
[46:16] Semi-quincentennial Commission
[46:20] said America's 250th anniversary
[46:21] is about more than reflecting on
[46:22] our past. It's about honoring
[46:24] the contributions of individuals
[46:25] who built this country, the
[46:26] innovations that put this
[46:28] country on the map and a man on
[46:29] the moon and imagining what the
[46:32] next 250 years might look like
[46:32] for our children and the
[46:33] generations to come
[46:36] Therefore be it resolved that
[46:36] the House of Representatives of
[46:38] the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[46:40] celebrate the momentous and
[46:41] historic occasion of the United
[46:43] States semi-quincentennial and
[46:44] be it further resolved that the
[46:46] House of Representatives of the
[46:47] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[46:48] strongly encourage all residents
[46:50] to celebrate this once in a
[46:52] lifefetime event and participate
[46:53] in local activities and
[46:54] volunteer efforts and be it
[46:55] further resolved that the House
[46:56] of Representatives of the
[46:58] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[46:58] hope that all residents pause
[47:00] and reflect on the meanings of
[47:02] freedom, democracy, and
[47:03] citizenship during this
[47:03] historically significant
[47:06] time and be it further resolved
[47:08] that a copy of this resolution
[47:10] be transmitted to Patrick Burns,
[47:11] chairman of the Pennsylvania
[47:12] Commission for the United States
[47:13] Semi-quincentennial America 250
[47:13] P.
[47:20] Chair thanks the gentle lady on
[47:22] that question, chair recognized
[47:23] the good gentleman from
[47:24] Philadelphia, Representative
[47:25] Kenyatta.
[47:44] Thank you madam S speaker
[47:48] For all that she is
[47:52] America is at her core a
[47:52] promise.
[47:56] One of limitless possibility and
[47:57] certainly generationally
[47:59] inherited responsibility. It's a
[48:00] promise that was first made on
[48:01] these very grounds.
[48:03] We know the words
[48:06] We hold these truths to be
[48:07] self-evident.
[48:10] that all men are created equal
[48:11] and that they are endowed by
[48:12] their Creator with certain
[48:13] inalienable rights, and among
[48:13] them life.
[48:14] liberty
[48:16] and the pursuit of happiness
[48:18] Keeping that promise
[48:24] and making it real has always
[48:25] required something.
[48:28] 250 years ago it required
[48:30] farmers and tradesmen and
[48:32] lawyers with no military
[48:33] training to stand against
[48:35] the greatest and largest empire
[48:35] on arth.
[48:40] It required black men denied the
[48:41] very freedom they were fighting
[48:41] for.
[48:44] to pick up arms at Bunker Hill
[48:46] and beyond for a promise not
[48:47] even yet extended to them.
[48:50] It required women wholly
[48:51] excluded from the promissary
[48:52] note.
[48:55] to see themselves there anyway
[48:55] and work for its fulfillment.
[48:59] and now it demands something of
[48:59] us.
[49:03] A demand as simple as it is
[49:03] revolutionary.
[49:08] We must ensure that in our
[49:10] lifetime, that life, liberty and
[49:12] the pursuit of happiness are
[49:13] promises kept
[49:16] to every single Pennsylvanian in
[49:17] every American, that it means
[49:18] something for the mom at 10th
[49:19] and Lehig.
[49:21] that it means something for the
[49:23] farmer in Mercer County, that it
[49:24] means something for the factory
[49:26] worker in Lehigh that it means
[49:27] something real for all of us.
[49:30] No matter who we are or where
[49:32] we're from or what we look like
[49:33] or who we love or how we pray.
[49:38] 250 years later, may we breathe
[49:41] new life into this American
[49:44] promise. May we turn to and not
[49:45] turn on our neighbors.
[49:48] May we take up the heavy mantle
[49:50] of ensuring our declaration in
[49:51] practice, not just in principle.
[49:55] May we give no harbor to the
[49:57] defeatism that says our best
[49:59] days are behind, or that the
[49:59] promise is irreparably broken.
[50:04] As every generation of Americans
[50:05] must.
[50:08] Let's recommit ourselves to this
[50:09] great inheritance.
[50:10] here and now
[50:13] Let us proclaim with renewed
[50:13] hope
[50:15] and unshhaable faith
[50:17] our march forward.
[50:21] forward toward the future where
[50:21] all of us truly
[50:22] live free
[50:24] This is a promise
[50:26] we must keep. Thank you, madam
[50:27] Speaker.
[50:36] Chair, thanks to gentlemen.
[50:38] chair recognizes the good
[50:38] gentleman from Dalphin,
[50:39] Representative Mehafffe.
[50:56] Thank you, madam Speaker
[51:00] I should have compared notes
[51:02] with a good gentleman from
[51:03] Philadelphia.
[51:04] He stole some of my line
[51:11] Thank you. and I and I
[51:11] appreciate that, sir
[51:15] But Madam Speaker, thank you
[51:16] again for allowing us to do this
[51:18] today. It gives me chills to
[51:22] think that 250 years ago, the
[51:24] men that sat in this in this
[51:26] beautiful building accomplished
[51:27] something that no one could ever
[51:28] think could be accomplished.
[51:29] So today
[51:32] thank you for allowing me the
[51:33] opportunity to speak
[51:36] about today's resolution
[51:37] recognizing the importance of
[51:39] the declaration of Independence,
[51:40] not just for a nation's founding
[51:44] before its continued role in
[51:45] shaping civic life today.
[51:49] We're gathered here in
[51:50] Philadelphia on the same track
[51:51] of land
[51:56] where 250 years ago, our
[51:57] founding fathers signed an
[51:57] incredibly important document
[52:01] They debate they debated and
[52:01] disagreed.
[52:02] often bitterly
[52:07] but ultimately came together for
[52:08] the good of their newborn
[52:09] country.
[52:14] We should all take note in the
[52:15] way that the ultimately reach
[52:15] consensus.
[52:21] Too often we are divided, if not
[52:21] more now than ever.
[52:28] Then the men who boldly sought
[52:29] sovereignty for the United
[52:31] Came together
[52:35] with the consensus and a modeled
[52:36] way
[52:38] for the life of America
[52:42] Our founding fathers were
[52:43] divided overentation
[52:48] forms of government, economics,
[52:50] and the proper balance between
[52:51] liberty and order.
[52:53] These were weighty issues
[52:55] We still struggle with them
[52:55] today.
[52:59] Yet at critical moments
[53:03] those who came before us 250
[53:05] years ago recognized the need
[53:06] for a common ground.
[53:12] Consensus is not the absence of
[53:13] disagreement.
[53:16] It is the discipline to remain
[53:17] committed to a shared purpose.
[53:22] we'd be wise to remember that
[53:23] ourselves.
[53:26] The declaration Independent was
[53:28] the Keystone document upon this
[53:29] great country was founded.
[53:32] and was written right here in
[53:33] the Keystone
[53:36] Today we walk the same ground
[53:40] that those that served this
[53:42] physical and symbolic birthplace
[53:43] of indep
[53:47] More than a historic document,
[53:49] the declaration continues to
[53:51] serve as a living foundation for
[53:54] principles upon which our nation
[53:55] was built and everything that
[53:55] followed.
[54:00] Each and every one of us is
[54:00] privileged to celebrate the
[54:03] 250th anniversary of this
[54:04] country in our lifetime.
[54:08] we are making memories with our
[54:09] families. Today with our
[54:09] constituents
[54:11] and lawmakers
[54:12] this year
[54:14] It's an incredible time
[54:18] Crafting another segment in our
[54:20] country's unparalled story.
[54:22] Today we add our own page in
[54:23] history.
[54:25] and we do so just feet away
[54:27] from where the first draft was
[54:27] written.
[54:31] Let's use this opportunity today
[54:35] and those that presented by
[54:35] America 250
[54:38] as a whole to recommit ourselves
[54:41] in the ideals put on the paper
[54:42] by Thomas Jefferson.
[54:44] that all men are created equal.
[54:48] that they are endowed by
[54:49] theirreator
[54:50] with certain unaliable rights
[54:55] that among these are life,
[54:56] liberty, and the pursuit of
[54:57] happiness.
[55:00] God bless this country. God
[55:02] bless God bless this
[55:05] commonwealth and God bless the
[55:06] house of Representatives. Thank
[55:07] you Madam Speaker.
[55:16] Chair, thanks to gentlemen.
[55:18] Chair recognizes the gentle lady
[55:19] from Philadelphia,
[55:20] Representativeceasce on that
[55:39] Thank you madam Speaker
[55:43] madam Speaker, I rise in support
[55:47] of House resolution 589 honoring
[55:50] 250 years of our nation's
[55:51] independence and the American
[55:51] experiment.
[55:55] That's what I wanna talk about
[55:56] this afternoon. that word
[55:57] experiment.
[56:00] We must remember not to treat
[56:02] this anniversary like a
[56:03] celebration of something
[56:05] finished, something complete,
[56:07] but be reminded that our
[56:08] founders themselves called it an
[56:09] experiment.
[56:12] They were testing a radical idea
[56:16] that that we could govern
[56:18] ourselves under the banner of
[56:19] freedom that you didn't need a
[56:22] king, an emperor or a church
[56:23] hierarchy to hold a society
[56:23] together.
[56:26] We know the Constitution was
[56:28] written next door but here in
[56:30] Congress Hall is where it was
[56:32] put to the test. The Bill of
[56:34] Rights was ratified in this
[56:35] building. The first peaceful
[56:35] peaceful
[56:40] transfer of presidential power
[56:41] happened on this floor.
[56:43] This is where the experiment
[56:43] actually ran
[56:47] and it is no small thing that I
[56:47] am standing here today
[56:50] because the founders wrote all
[56:51] men.
[56:52] are created equal
[56:56] and then we spent the next 250
[56:57] years figuring out the who.
[56:59] they actually meant
[57:02] And here's what I've come to
[57:04] understand. There has always
[57:07] been a lag, a gap between when
[57:09] freedom is promised and when it
[57:12] actually reaches people's lives
[57:14] and that lag runs through our
[57:14] entire history of this country.
[57:18] Leg 1, 1776, the declaration of
[57:20] Independence. the founders wrote
[57:22] again all men are created equal
[57:25] while roughly 500,000 black
[57:26] people were enslaved in this
[57:28] country. Wom could not vote.
[57:30] Indigenous people were excluded
[57:32] entirely. and if you weren't a
[57:33] white man that owned property.
[57:36] you did not have a seat at the
[57:37] table.
[57:38] The promise existed. The reality
[57:39] did not.
[57:43] Leg 2, 1865 Juneteenth enslaved
[57:44] people in Galveston, Texas
[57:46] finally heard the news they were
[57:47] free.
[57:49] 2.5 years after Lincoln signed
[57:50] into law.
[57:50] Fredom was legal
[57:53] but it took years to arrive.
[57:58] Lag 3 1920, the 19th ammendment
[58:00] after 70 years of a suffrage
[58:02] movement, women get the right to
[58:03] vote simply on paper.
[58:08] Lag 4 1965, the Voting Rights
[58:10] Act nearly 100 years after the
[58:12] 1fteenth ammendment. Black
[58:14] Americans could finally vote
[58:15] with real federal protections.
[58:18] The experiment was moving.
[58:22] likeg 5, 2015 marriage equality,
[58:24] the Supreme Court finally says
[58:26] the promise of equal protection
[58:28] applies to the LGBTQIA Americans
[58:29] too.
[58:32] And just when you think the arc
[58:33] is bending.
[58:36] just when the experiment feels
[58:37] like it might be catching up.
[58:38] Lag 6
[58:41] the Supreme Court guts the
[58:41] Voting Rights Act.
[58:44] The experiment keeps running.
[58:47] but the lag keeps happening.
[58:49] but so does resistance
[58:54] Every generation has confronted
[58:56] those lags and refused to accept
[58:57] them as permanent.
[59:00] all of them holding America to
[59:01] its own standard and now it is
[59:01] our turn.
[59:04] There was a time again when
[59:07] someone who looked like me, who
[59:08] could not vote for the people
[59:10] who sat in these seats must,
[59:12] much less stand here as one of
[59:13] them
[59:15] like so many in this room, we
[59:16] are all experiencing the same
[59:17] thing.
[59:19] I'm here because generations
[59:20] before me believe this
[59:21] experiment could become more
[59:21] faithful
[59:23] to its own ideals
[59:26] So as we vote on House
[59:27] resolution 589.
[59:30] Let us celebrate how far we have
[59:31] come
[59:34] and let us be honest about the
[59:35] work that remains.
[59:38] That is the freedom to access
[59:40] the ballot box, the freedom to
[59:41] access quality healthcare, the
[59:42] freedom to a living wage, the
[59:45] freedom to breathe clean air and
[59:46] drink clean water, the freedom
[59:47] to a quality education the
[59:47] freedom
[59:49] to give birth in a country.
[59:52] that does not treat it as a
[59:53] death sentence.
[59:56] 250 years later, madam
[59:57] Secretary, that is the
[59:57] assignment.
[1:00:00] to ensure the promises of the
[1:00:01] experiment
[1:00:02] are kept and expanded
[1:00:15] The chair thanks the gentle
[1:00:17] lady. Those in favor of the
[1:00:18] resolution will be voting ay
[1:00:22] Those opposed will be voting no.
[1:00:23] M members will proceed to vote.
[1:00:28] Have all the members voted? Have
[1:00:29] all the members voted?
[1:00:32] The clerk will record the vote
[1:00:38] on the resolution, the ays are
[1:00:40] 203. The resolution is adopted.
[1:00:52] To conclude our first session of
[1:00:54] this historic meeting of the
[1:00:55] House of Representatives, the
[1:00:57] chair turns to our leaders. The
[1:00:58] chair recognizes the gentleman
[1:01:00] from Washington, Minority Whip,
[1:01:01] Representative O'Nealll.
[1:01:10] Thank you madam Speaker
[1:01:14] It's truly a privilege to stand
[1:01:16] here today on behalf of the
[1:01:17] House Republican caucus.
[1:01:19] in a place where the history of
[1:01:20] Pennsylvania
[1:01:20] and the history of America
[1:01:23] are impossible to separate.
[1:01:27] Just steps from this chamber
[1:01:28] stands the Pennsylvania State
[1:01:29] House.
[1:01:30] What the world knows as
[1:01:31] Independence Hall.
[1:01:34] In 1729, the Pennsylvania
[1:01:36] assembly appropriated 2000
[1:01:37] pounds
[1:01:40] in the currency of the time to
[1:01:41] build a house for the assembly.
[1:01:46] Construction began in 1732 and
[1:01:48] by 1735 before the building was
[1:01:50] even finished. the assembly was
[1:01:51] already meeting there.
[1:01:54] For decades, Pennsylvania
[1:01:56] lawmakers met in the first floor
[1:01:57] assembly room.
[1:02:01] in 1775 when the second
[1:02:02] continental Congress needed a
[1:02:05] room to conduct the work that
[1:02:08] would lead to the de declaration
[1:02:09] of inndependence they moved
[1:02:09] upstairs
[1:02:11] t2 years later
[1:02:12] when the constitutional
[1:02:13] convention needed it.
[1:02:16] We again moved upstairs.
[1:02:22] on September 17, 1789, 39
[1:02:24] delegates signed the United
[1:02:26] States Constitution on the first
[1:02:27] floor of that building.
[1:02:29] uppstairs that day
[1:02:30] our house journal
[1:02:34] shows that the Pennsylvania
[1:02:35] assembly
[1:02:36] was dealing with the tax dispute
[1:02:38] a bridge bill.
[1:02:46] And and and of course the newly
[1:02:47] proposed constitution of the
[1:02:47] United States.
[1:02:48] So think about that
[1:02:53] you know, u ow our chamber was
[1:02:53] meeting upstairs
[1:02:56] Downstairs they had just signed
[1:02:57] the constitution.
[1:02:58] and
[1:03:02] apparently some things never
[1:03:03] change because were debating a
[1:03:03] bridge
[1:03:08] Decades earlier, the assembly
[1:03:08] ordered a bell for its state
[1:03:09] house.
[1:03:11] orn, made as it was.
[1:03:14] bell cracked and had to be
[1:03:15] recast.
[1:03:18] As we know, as we now know the
[1:03:19] Liberty Bell, as it later
[1:03:20] became,
[1:03:21] it it became a symbol
[1:03:24] of the idea of liberty.
[1:03:28] and that the liberty is not
[1:03:30] something that is granted by a
[1:03:31] king across an ocean.
[1:03:35] Although 25 years before
[1:03:35] independence
[1:03:40] Pennsylvania had already forged
[1:03:41] the concept of liberty
[1:03:42] into our history.
[1:03:48] when Leviticus 25:10 was cast
[1:03:49] onto the bell.
[1:03:51] pro proclaimed liberty
[1:03:51] throughout all the land
[1:03:54] onto all the inhabitants
[1:03:55] thereof.
[1:03:57] And here in Congress Hall,
[1:04:01] where the United States House of
[1:04:02] Representatives met for a decade
[1:04:06] we returned this building to the
[1:04:07] legislative purpose that made it
[1:04:07] famous
[1:04:11] On again a representative body
[1:04:11] sits in this chamber.
[1:04:14] Citizens from different places
[1:04:16] with different interests
[1:04:20] and different opinions have sent
[1:04:21] us their representatives.
[1:04:23] to speak for on their behalf.
[1:04:27] That history gives us more than
[1:04:27] something to celebrate.
[1:04:31] as we heard before, it gives us
[1:04:31] an obligation.
[1:04:34] We come from different
[1:04:36] communities and political
[1:04:36] parties. We disagree
[1:04:37] often loudly
[1:04:42] that that is not a failure of
[1:04:44] representative government. That
[1:04:45] is representative government.
[1:04:49] But before we are Republicans
[1:04:50] andmo Democrats, we are
[1:04:51] Pennsylvanians.
[1:04:54] and all of us have been
[1:04:55] entrusted
[1:04:55] for a time
[1:05:00] with a place in the same long
[1:05:02] tradition of representative
[1:05:04] government that has unfolded on
[1:05:06] this square for nearly 3
[1:05:07] centuries.
[1:05:12] The story of A America cannot be
[1:05:13] told without the buildings in
[1:05:13] this square.
[1:05:16] This is where Pennsylvania
[1:05:18] governed. this is where America
[1:05:19] declared itself free.
[1:05:22] and this is where the
[1:05:23] constitution was written.
[1:05:24] and signed
[1:05:28] The ordinary people who did
[1:05:30] those things had no guarantee
[1:05:31] that this experimentment would
[1:05:31] last 250 years.
[1:05:33] They simply did their part
[1:05:34] to make sure that it could
[1:05:39] And now that responsibility
[1:05:39] belongs to us.
[1:05:44] Let us humbly stand here today
[1:05:45] and continue what they started.
[1:05:47] Let us continue to protect the
[1:05:47] life
[1:05:51] liberty, property, and
[1:05:52] reputation of the people who
[1:05:53] sent us.
[1:05:55] Finally, I'd like to close with
[1:05:56] some remarks
[1:05:57] from President Ronald Reagan.
[1:05:58] My fellow Americans
[1:06:02] if all is to us to keep the
[1:06:04] faith with all the great
[1:06:05] Americans, Americans of our
[1:06:05] past.
[1:06:08] the things that unite us.
[1:06:10] America's past of which we're so
[1:06:12] proud, our hopes and s
[1:06:14] aspirations for the future of
[1:06:15] the world. In this much loved
[1:06:15] country.
[1:06:18] These things far outweigh
[1:06:20] what the little divides us
[1:06:26] And so tonight, we reaffirm that
[1:06:27] Jew and Gentile
[1:06:28] we are one nation under God.
[1:06:30] That black and white
[1:06:34] we are one nation indivisible.
[1:06:38] that Republican andmo Democrat,
[1:06:39] we are all Americans.
[1:06:41] Tonight with heart in hand.
[1:06:43] through whatever row and re
[1:06:46] we pledge ourselves to each
[1:06:48] other and to the cause of human
[1:06:49] freedom.
[1:06:51] the cause that has given light
[1:06:52] to this land.
[1:06:52] and hope.
[1:06:52] to the world
[1:07:06] here thanks to gentlemen. chair
[1:07:07] recognizes the gentleman from
[1:07:08] Montgomery County, the majority
[1:07:09] leader, Repres representative
[1:07:09] Bradford.
[1:07:16] Thank you Madam Speaker
[1:07:18] and thank you Madam Speaker, not
[1:07:20] just for the recognition, but
[1:07:22] for the long hard work that your
[1:07:24] office and Nina Carter, your
[1:07:25] chief of staff has put in to
[1:07:25] make this possible.
[1:07:32] Additionally, we want to thank
[1:07:33] the National Park Service and
[1:07:34] all the folks who are working
[1:07:36] late into the evening to make
[1:07:38] this possible and I know it's a
[1:07:40] a a lot of work to put up with
[1:07:41] this many prima donnas and we
[1:07:41] thank you for putting up with
[1:07:42] us.
[1:07:48] I also wanna to thank the young
[1:07:50] people and by that I don't mean
[1:07:51] Joe Kerwin, I mean the actual
[1:07:51] young people we have.
[1:07:53] who are with us this evening
[1:07:57] who are hopefully seeing the
[1:07:58] best of our colleagues,
[1:08:00] Democrats and Republicans
[1:08:00] reflecting on
[1:08:04] our great experiment, our 250
[1:08:06] year old country. a littlew
[1:08:06] warn sometimes
[1:08:08] and some challenges in front
[1:08:09] of us.
[1:08:10] but it's a country worth
[1:08:11] fighting for.
[1:08:14] and to my caucus I would only
[1:08:15] say that the idea that
[1:08:16] slaveolding Southern states
[1:08:20] and mercantile northern states
[1:08:21] throwing in
[1:08:22] against the greatest
[1:08:25] army the world had ever known at
[1:08:26] that time, the greatest naval
[1:08:27] power.
[1:08:28] is the ultimate act of audacity.
[1:08:30] that is audacious
[1:08:33] and how we wind up here today.
[1:08:34] is quite a story
[1:08:38] And you look around this room,
[1:08:40] you recognize this is not what
[1:08:40] it would looked like 250 years
[1:08:41] ago.
[1:08:43] The prayers would have been
[1:08:44] different, the faces would have
[1:08:45] been a different color. and
[1:08:46] there would have been no women
[1:08:46] That isn't
[1:08:48] to diminish
[1:08:50] our founding fathers
[1:08:53] That is to recognize the
[1:08:53] greatness of our reality.
[1:08:56] that we have come so very far.
[1:09:00] It is why we love our country
[1:09:00] and it's why we fight so hard.
[1:09:05] It is why this country is worth
[1:09:07] continuing to fight for, and
[1:09:09] it's why we recognize that 250
[1:09:09] years later.
[1:09:12] It's why it is the standard for
[1:09:14] the world and we have an
[1:09:16] obligation to make sure that it
[1:09:17] never falls into discredit.
[1:09:20] It is often quoted
[1:09:24] from Franklin, where he's asked,
[1:09:25] Will it be a monarchy or
[1:09:26] republican, he says. a republic
[1:09:27] if we can keep it.
[1:09:31] Some days that seems more in
[1:09:31] doubt.
[1:09:32] than others
[1:09:36] And that is a sad reality that
[1:09:37] we find ourselves in.
[1:09:38] It is also the challenge of our
[1:09:39] time.
[1:09:44] twentyy years after the events
[1:09:45] that we talk about 250 years
[1:09:45] ago.
[1:09:46] Washington
[1:09:50] left office. He decided two
[1:09:52] terms was enough for anyone with
[1:09:53] executive power.
[1:09:55] and he recognized that the
[1:09:57] greatest challenge for any
[1:09:58] republic, any democracy,
[1:09:59] was the peaceful
[1:10:00] passing of power
[1:10:04] And so Madison, Hamilton
[1:10:05] and himself
[1:10:08] wrote their farewell address, of
[1:10:09] valedictory speech.
[1:10:11] and they talked about the need
[1:10:11] for national unity.
[1:10:13] and the rise of partisanship
[1:10:16] the time they called it faction.
[1:10:17] and that was the rise of the two
[1:10:18] parties.
[1:10:20] At the time it was not the GOP
[1:10:21] and the Democrats.
[1:10:24] but sadly there were those who
[1:10:26] continued to play on those
[1:10:27] differences and failed to
[1:10:27] recognize
[1:10:30] that at the end of the day the
[1:10:31] votes get counted.
[1:10:31] but the country must be won
[1:10:34] Now,
[1:10:37] we face that sameme division
[1:10:37] today.
[1:10:40] And some of us fear that the
[1:10:42] voices of division have gotten
[1:10:44] too loud that the demagogues
[1:10:45] have taken too large of a role.
[1:10:48] I am one who worries about that
[1:10:49] sincerely.
[1:10:51] I love my Republican friends and
[1:10:51] you make me crazy.
[1:10:54] and you know I'm a passionatemo
[1:10:55] Democrat
[1:10:57] and you know we fight hard on
[1:10:59] election day and the days up to
[1:10:59] it through our campaigns.
[1:11:02] but the admonition of Washington
[1:11:03] should ring in our ears today
[1:11:05] that when the elections are over
[1:11:08] we have an obligation to govern
[1:11:10] wisely and for the good of all
[1:11:17] We stand on hoallowed ground.
[1:11:20] and we should recognize the
[1:11:21] obligation and the inheritance
[1:11:21] in front of us.
[1:11:22] We have an obligation
[1:11:26] We are not in the US Congress
[1:11:28] I think that's why we get a
[1:11:30] little more done. I think it's
[1:11:31] also why I get more done in the
[1:11:31] Senate truth, you know.
[1:11:32] But let me tell you something.
[1:11:37] we must raise our game and be
[1:11:38] mindful of the errors that we
[1:11:39] are.
[1:11:41] We have an obligation to do
[1:11:41] better.
[1:11:44] and hopefully today we recommit
[1:11:45] ourselves to that.
[1:11:46] Thank you, Madam Speaker
[1:11:56] The chair thanks the good
[1:11:57] gentleman.
[1:12:01] 250 years ago, these in fact
[1:12:03] were the hoalowed grounds where
[1:12:04] our beacon of liberty was lit
[1:12:07] from the city of Philadelphia,
[1:12:08] Pennsylvania came our
[1:12:10] Declaration of inndependence
[1:12:12] that changed the course of human
[1:12:14] history. And here at what is now
[1:12:16] known as inndependence National
[1:12:17] Historic Park
[1:12:20] Our Young Republic began the
[1:12:21] difficult work of governing.
[1:12:24] Looking backward from 250 years
[1:12:25] away.
[1:12:28] It is a temptation to believe
[1:12:28] that what happened here was
[1:12:29] inevitable.
[1:12:32] that liberty was destined to
[1:12:34] triumph, but the truth be told,
[1:12:35] it was not.
[1:12:38] The men and women of that
[1:12:39] generation had at least
[1:12:42] as much that divided them as
[1:12:43] united them.
[1:12:45] They are from the North and some
[1:12:46] were from the south
[1:12:49] They were farmers and some were
[1:12:49] business owners.
[1:12:52] They lived in the country and
[1:12:53] some live in cities.
[1:12:56] They were Anglicans and
[1:12:59] Catholics, Baptists, Jews,
[1:13:01] Puritans, Quakers,
[1:13:02] congregationalists,
[1:13:04] Presbyterians. They had
[1:13:06] different interests and
[1:13:08] different backgrounds and very
[1:13:10] different ideas about the future
[1:13:11] of this great nation.
[1:13:13] But they found something that
[1:13:14] was much greater than all of
[1:13:16] their differences. They found a
[1:13:18] common belief in
[1:13:19] self-determination and liberty.
[1:13:22] They were willing to sacrifice
[1:13:24] for it. They risk their
[1:13:26] property, their livelihoods,
[1:13:26] their freedom and their lives.
[1:13:31] Not only for themselves but for
[1:13:33] one another and of course for
[1:13:34] all the generations that
[1:13:35] followed
[1:13:38] But winning independence did not
[1:13:39] end the struggle for liberty.
[1:13:42] Our story here in America is one
[1:13:46] of a constant effort to make the
[1:13:48] promise of liberty more complete
[1:13:49] each and every day.
[1:13:50] 250 years ago
[1:13:54] human beings that looked just
[1:13:56] like the chair in this room
[1:13:58] right now. We're still property,
[1:14:02] enslaved by other human beings.
[1:14:04] People were denied the right of
[1:14:06] self-government because of the
[1:14:08] color of their skin. Others were
[1:14:10] denied the right to vote because
[1:14:11] they did not own enough
[1:14:15] property. Others were denied the
[1:14:18] right to vote because they were
[1:14:19] women. It was as recently
[1:14:22] as 1974.
[1:14:26] when women in this nation gain
[1:14:27] the right to sign for a
[1:14:27] mortgage.
[1:14:28] to own a home
[1:14:33] The lesson is clear that the
[1:14:33] work of liberty, it's
[1:14:38] never finished. Today people
[1:14:39] around the world
[1:14:42] still risk their lives, their
[1:14:45] property, their freedom, their
[1:14:48] livelihood to escape press
[1:14:50] oppression with the hopes of
[1:14:52] coming here and determining
[1:14:54] their own destiny. They look to
[1:14:56] us and they look to the light
[1:14:57] that was first kindled right
[1:14:58] here in Philadelphia.
[1:15:02] So let us all make that light
[1:15:02] shine brighter.
[1:15:06] Let us remember that we can
[1:15:08] disagree without being
[1:15:08] disagreeable.
[1:15:12] Let us put aside the labels that
[1:15:13] often divide us
[1:15:15] And remember that we are
[1:15:18] Pennsylvanians and we are
[1:15:21] Americans. Our founders did not
[1:15:23] agree on everything and they of
[1:15:25] course did not have to. They
[1:15:27] simply understood their
[1:15:28] assignment, which is that their
[1:15:32] differences were not more
[1:15:33] important than their mission.
[1:15:38] 250 years later let us continue
[1:15:40] to carry our mission in that
[1:15:42] spirit. Let us continue the work
[1:15:45] of being we the people to form a
[1:15:48] more perfect union, one that
[1:15:51] protects our liberty expands
[1:15:53] opportunity and recognizes the
[1:15:55] dignity and the rights of every
[1:15:58] person. Let that beacon of
[1:16:00] liberty, the one that first
[1:16:03] shone here in Philadelphia 250
[1:16:03] years ago continued
[1:16:05] to illuminate our commonwealth
[1:16:10] our nation, and our world. May
[1:16:10] it shine for two
[1:16:14] 50 more years so that those who
[1:16:15] look back
[1:16:17] on this semi-quincentennial
[1:16:20] say look at them. They chose to
[1:16:22] put their differences aside.
[1:16:25] They chose to work together to
[1:16:25] have a freer
[1:16:28] and more perfect union.
[1:16:31] Thank you all. Thank you for
[1:16:31] being here
[1:16:34] We are so appreciative for your
[1:16:37] time and as the leader took out
[1:16:39] of my talking points, I must
[1:16:41] thank my team that worked so
[1:16:43] very hard for many months
[1:16:44] throughout the summer to make
[1:16:47] this possible, led by Nina
[1:16:47] Carter, Esquire. Thank you.
[1:16:58] Special thanks to my district
[1:16:59] staff. They've been hanging out
[1:17:00] for the afternoon but we're back
[1:17:02] to 60th Street tomorrow, guys.
[1:17:04] Don't you forget that. We're on
[1:17:05] a tight schedule so when we
[1:17:08] recess please have a timely exit
[1:17:10] making your way to the national
[1:17:12] Constitution Center for Dinner.
[1:17:14] please exit through the doors on
[1:17:16] my left and the house will stand
[1:17:18] in recess. It should be until
[1:17:19] 6:45 p.m.
[1:17:22] but we are over time unless
[1:17:24] sooner recalled by this speaker.
[1:17:25] thank you all and God bless
[1:31:13] Ho of 6:45 having arrived, the
[1:31:13] house will come to order.
[1:31:18] as we noted at our early earlier
[1:31:20] meeting this evening to honor
[1:31:22] Pennsylvania's legacy of
[1:31:23] religious tolerance
[1:31:25] prayer today will be offered
[1:31:26] from multiple perspectives of
[1:31:27] faith.
[1:31:30] At this time, prayer will be
[1:31:31] offered by our colleague
[1:31:34] Representative Vinettt, followed
[1:31:35] by our colleague Representative
[1:31:37] Dawkins, followed by our
[1:31:37] colleague Representative Barton.
[1:31:40] Immediately after prayer, we
[1:31:42] will recite the pledge of
[1:31:44] allegiance and then we will sing
[1:31:45] God Bless America.
[1:31:48] M members and guests, please
[1:31:49] rise asabbel.
[1:32:18] Good evening. I will be reciting
[1:32:20] a Hindu prayer based on the
[1:32:22] Vedic principle of Vasaeva
[1:32:23] utombuum.
[1:32:26] which is a philosophy of that
[1:32:28] the whole world is one family,
[1:32:30] which I think has appropriate
[1:32:32] purpose when we're here meeting
[1:32:34] where our country was founded
[1:32:35] and even with the differences
[1:32:36] among our founders they were
[1:32:37] able to find unity
[1:32:39] please pray or contemplate as
[1:32:39] appropriate.
[1:32:45] O surve baanthusunaha.
[1:32:48] ve Santu iramaya.
[1:32:52] arve Badranni Pashianu
[1:32:55] macaia dua Bawavi.
[1:33:00] shantishanti Shati he.
[1:33:02] in translation
[1:33:05] home may all be happy.
[1:33:08] may all be free from illness and
[1:33:09] disease.
[1:33:12] may all see and experience what
[1:33:13] is auspicious and good.
[1:33:16] May no one suffer from sorrow or
[1:33:17] pain.
[1:33:17] O.
[1:33:38] Good evening all and welcome
[1:33:40] let us pray
[1:33:44] internal God, God of Abraham and
[1:33:45] Sarah
[1:33:49] of Hagar and Moses, of prophets,
[1:33:51] peacemakers, and all who hunger
[1:33:52] for righteousness
[1:33:54] we gather before you in
[1:33:55] humility.
[1:33:55] Today
[1:33:58] we meet no in Harrisburg but in
[1:33:59] Philadelphia.
[1:34:02] the city where a young nation
[1:34:03] declared that all people are
[1:34:04] created equal
[1:34:06] The city where liberty was
[1:34:07] written
[1:34:08] into the American imagination
[1:34:12] even while freedom was withheld
[1:34:13] for millions of enslaved men,
[1:34:13] women, and children.
[1:34:17] 250 years later we come not
[1:34:20] merely to praise our history but
[1:34:21] to tell the truth about it.
[1:34:22] the promise of America was
[1:34:23] written in ink.
[1:34:26] but the price of America was too
[1:34:27] often written upon the less
[1:34:27] fortunate.
[1:34:30] Yet the descendants of this
[1:34:31] enslaved did not abandon this
[1:34:31] nation.
[1:34:35] We helped build his roads ilted
[1:34:37] its soil, defended its flag,
[1:34:39] raised his children, and
[1:34:40] strengthened its churches,
[1:34:42] organized it communities and
[1:34:44] called America again and again
[1:34:47] to become the faithful to hiss
[1:34:50] own creed. We are not a footnote
[1:34:51] to this American story. We are
[1:34:52] among the authors of its
[1:34:53] redemption
[1:34:55] aretorah commands us justice
[1:34:57] Justice shall you pursue
[1:35:01] Our Bible teaches us to do
[1:35:02] justice, love mercy, and walk
[1:35:03] humbly.
[1:35:04] Our Qoran reminds us
[1:35:08] you created us as a people and
[1:35:10] tribes, not that we might
[1:35:12] despise one another, but that we
[1:35:13] might know one another.
[1:35:15] write these truths upon our
[1:35:15] hearts.
[1:35:18] William Penn called this
[1:35:18] Commwealth a holy experiment
[1:35:22] Make us worthy of this
[1:35:24] experiment. Give us the courage
[1:35:25] to disturb complacency
[1:35:27] the wisdom to speak the truth
[1:35:28] without hatred.
[1:35:30] and humanity to remember that
[1:35:33] public office is not athrone but
[1:35:33] a trust that we all should seek.
[1:35:38] Let our laws become the shields
[1:35:40] for the vulnerable and never the
[1:35:42] chains for the powerless. Let
[1:35:44] our debates sharpen our judgment
[1:35:45] without harden our hearts.
[1:35:47] Let our differences become
[1:35:49] instruments in understanding
[1:35:50] rather than weapons of division
[1:35:51] as America
[1:35:52] seeks its 250th anniversary
[1:35:56] Do not permit us to celebrate
[1:35:58] only what has been founded. some
[1:36:00] of us to finish what remains
[1:36:01] unfinished.
[1:36:02] May the child in Frankfurt
[1:36:05] the worker ineriee, the farmer
[1:36:07] in Lancaster, the immigrants
[1:36:09] seeking belonging, the veterans
[1:36:11] seeking dignity in every family
[1:36:12] seeking opportunity find
[1:36:14] themselves with America's
[1:36:14] promise.
[1:36:17] May Philadelphia be remembered
[1:36:18] not only as the birthplace of
[1:36:20] American liberty but as a place
[1:36:22] where liberty was renewed and
[1:36:24] made justice rode through this
[1:36:26] commonwealth like mighty waters
[1:36:28] until freedom is no longer
[1:36:30] merely declared but fully lived
[1:36:32] and the name of the one who is
[1:36:35] just, merciful, compassionate,
[1:36:35] and the creative of all.
[1:36:38] let us pray. Amen and ami.
[1:36:54] Let us pray
[1:36:57] Heavenly Father
[1:37:01] we come before you now with
[1:37:02] great joy and thanksgiving for
[1:37:05] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
[1:37:06] the United States of America as
[1:37:07] we mark
[1:37:08] 250 years
[1:37:11] since the declaration of
[1:37:12] inndependence was penned and
[1:37:13] signed.
[1:37:14] right here in these very cham
[1:37:18] We remember that this nation's
[1:37:19] story began in Pennsylvania.
[1:37:24] with a bold declaration that we
[1:37:25] are endowed by our Creator.
[1:37:27] with certain unaliable rights of
[1:37:28] life.
[1:37:30] liberty
[1:37:31] and the pursuit of happiness
[1:37:34] Lord, we recognize that these
[1:37:35] words point
[1:37:38] us beyond ourselves. These words
[1:37:39] point us
[1:37:40] beyond government
[1:37:44] These words point us to you.
[1:37:48] Blessed is a nation whose God is
[1:37:49] the Lord
[1:37:53] And the signers of that bold
[1:37:53] declaration
[1:37:56] look to you
[1:37:58] for protection, Lord, when they
[1:37:59] mutually pledgeed to each other.
[1:38:00] their lives
[1:38:02] fortunes
[1:38:03] and sacred honor
[1:38:08] Ma Pennsylvania and this nation
[1:38:11] continue to seek your
[1:38:11] protection, your wisdom
[1:38:12] your ways
[1:38:14] Tthhy will.
[1:38:18] You have blessed us with much
[1:38:22] and as legislators, Lord, we
[1:38:23] have been entrusted with much.
[1:38:25] Book of Luke we're told from
[1:38:28] everyone who's been giving much,
[1:38:29] much will be demanded.
[1:38:32] and from the one who has been
[1:38:33] entrusted with much.
[1:38:35] much more will be asked.
[1:38:38] Grant us wisdom
[1:38:42] and courage to do what is right,
[1:38:43] hummility to listen.
[1:38:45] integrity in all our decisions
[1:38:48] in a genuine concern
[1:38:54] Remind us, Lord, the public
[1:38:54] office is not
[1:38:57] is a responsibility and a trust,
[1:38:58] not merely
[1:38:58] position of power
[1:39:05] and as we look back across 250
[1:39:05] years of American history.
[1:39:08] we give thanks for the
[1:39:10] sacrifices of generations who
[1:39:12] defended liberty, preserved our
[1:39:13] institutions, built our
[1:39:14] communities
[1:39:17] and sought to form a more
[1:39:17] perfect union.
[1:39:22] Lord, we also acknowledge the
[1:39:22] places where our nation has
[1:39:23] fallen short.
[1:39:24] of its high ideals
[1:39:28] Help us to learn from our
[1:39:29] history and move forward with
[1:39:29] wisdom
[1:39:31] justice, and grace
[1:39:34] For the reality, Father, whether
[1:39:35] we succeed or stumble.
[1:39:38] we know the power comes with
[1:39:39] from within each of us.
[1:39:40] Jesus said
[1:39:42] behold
[1:39:45] kingdom of God is within you.
[1:39:49] If with all your hearts you
[1:39:49] truly seek me
[1:39:51] you shall ever find me.
[1:39:55] Lord, let Pennsylvania continue
[1:39:56] to be a place where liberty is
[1:39:57] protected.
[1:39:59] Families and communities
[1:39:59] flourish.
[1:40:02] Justice is pursued and our
[1:40:03] differences
[1:40:04] do not destroy
[1:40:06] our common purpose
[1:40:10] and may the next 250 years of
[1:40:11] America's story
[1:40:12] be marked by faithfulness
[1:40:14] service, freedom
[1:40:16] and a renewed recognition
[1:40:19] at our ultimate hope
[1:40:20] rest in you, Lord
[1:40:24] God bless the United States of
[1:40:25] America. God bless
[1:40:28] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
[1:40:29] we ask all this and all things
[1:40:30] in Jesus' name.
[1:40:30] Amen.
[1:40:34] I pledge allegiance
[1:40:52] And singing God Bless America,
[1:40:53] the
[1:41:08] Thank you madam Speaker
[1:41:11] I'm going to begin with the
[1:41:12] verse and then I'll all ask you
[1:41:13] to join in the chorus.
[1:41:18] as the storm clouds gathered far
[1:41:19] across the sea
[1:41:21] let us pledge ouregiance.
[1:41:23] to a land that's free.
[1:41:27] Let us all be grateful for land
[1:41:27] so fair
[1:41:32] as we raise our voices in this
[1:41:33] solemn p
[1:41:34] pray.
[1:41:38] the last
[1:41:38] America.
[1:41:40] land
[1:41:43] that I
[1:41:44] love.
[1:41:47] and beside her.
[1:41:48] and guide her
[1:41:54] through the night with the light
[1:41:55] from a allve.
[1:41:56] from the mountain
[1:41:59] to the prairie
[1:42:02] to the oceans
[1:42:03] white with
[1:42:04] fo am
[1:42:09] God less America.
[1:42:10] I
[1:42:12] home sweet.
[1:42:14] home
[1:42:18] God bless America.
[1:42:20] my
[1:42:22] home
[1:42:26] sweet home.
[1:42:38] Sergeant at armms will open the
[1:42:39] doors of the house. M members
[1:42:39] and guests, please take your
[1:42:40] seats.
[1:42:52] Colleagues
[1:42:54] colleagueleas
[1:42:58] second session isci.
[1:43:01] 1st session complete silence.
[1:43:04] 2cond session's been in line too
[1:43:05] long.
[1:43:08] Colleagues, I'd like to welcome
[1:43:09] you.
[1:43:11] to the venerable and the
[1:43:11] charming Congress hall
[1:43:12] a site
[1:43:14] steeped in history
[1:43:17] and symbolism for today's
[1:43:17] session.
[1:43:20] As you know, it is uncommon
[1:43:24] for our institution to meet
[1:43:28] outside of our very beautiful
[1:43:30] state capital and only a few
[1:43:32] such convenings have taken place
[1:43:34] since the capitalol moved to
[1:43:34] Harrisburg in 1812.
[1:43:38] However, today we are gathered
[1:43:41] to reaffirm our commitment and
[1:43:43] to celebrate our nation's
[1:43:44] representative democracy which
[1:43:45] was envisioned
[1:43:46] just steps
[1:43:49] from where each of us are
[1:43:49] seated.
[1:43:53] First, please join me in
[1:43:54] welcoming our special guest this
[1:43:55] evening.
[1:43:58] We have Philadelphia's
[1:44:02] phenomenal 100th mayor. She is a
[1:44:05] history maker trailblazer and a
[1:44:06] Pennsylvania House of
[1:44:08] Representatives alumna but of
[1:44:09] course she left here.
[1:44:10] after serving her neighbors in
[1:44:13] the 200th district and served
[1:44:14] faithfully in the inth Councilil
[1:44:16] District. Please welcome Madam
[1:44:18] Mayor Sherelle L. Parker.
[1:44:31] Thank you, thank you, thank you.
[1:44:36] let me start by saying a
[1:44:37] very special
[1:44:42] thank you to our very own
[1:44:43] Philadelphia's own
[1:44:44] trailblazing
[1:44:46] and historyma.
[1:44:49] Pennsylvaniapeer
[1:44:54] of the house Joanna McClinton,
[1:44:55] you make us proud, madam
[1:44:55] Speaker.
[1:44:56] thank you
[1:44:59] thank you so very much.
[1:45:04] When I learned from Speaker
[1:45:04] McClinton's team that
[1:45:07] the Pennsylvania House will be
[1:45:08] meeting here
[1:45:11] at Congresshall to
[1:45:11] commemorate
[1:45:14] our semiquincentennial.
[1:45:16] 2
[1:45:18] 50 th anniversary
[1:45:22] of our US declaration of
[1:45:24] Independence right here in
[1:45:25] Philadelphia.
[1:45:28] the birthplace of that democracy
[1:45:31] I began to take a stroll
[1:45:34] through my time in the
[1:45:36] Pennsylvania House and it is
[1:45:38] with that in mind and you'll
[1:45:39] have to forgive me because
[1:45:39] the decorum
[1:45:42] and the institution of the
[1:45:43] Pennsylvania House of
[1:45:46] Representatives is something
[1:45:46] that I will never forget. so
[1:45:50] please bear with me as I say
[1:45:53] a special thank you again to you
[1:45:54] Speaker McClinton, to you Lea
[1:45:55] Bradford
[1:45:57] to s Repp Slossberg the whip.
[1:46:02] Aropriations' chairman Harris
[1:46:04] caucus chair Repp Mancy,
[1:46:07] policylic chairbazario Kruker,
[1:46:10] the caucusdministrator and the
[1:46:11] secretary of the caucus on the
[1:46:14] majority side, Davis.
[1:46:20] to our minority colleagues on
[1:46:21] the Republican side.
[1:46:21] Leer Topper
[1:46:22] Whip O'Nealll
[1:46:24] pp pro Struzzi
[1:46:26] caucus chair, white
[1:46:28] policy chair rowe
[1:46:32] caucus administrator Delozier
[1:46:36] and caucus secretary Olett. I
[1:46:38] hope I said that last name
[1:46:40] rightowlet because I misspelled
[1:46:41] eagles and went viral so I'm
[1:46:42] sensitive about pronouncing
[1:46:43] things.
[1:46:46] but I but I but I also need to
[1:46:47] affirm
[1:46:49] for the record that our
[1:46:50] parliamentarian
[1:46:52] Grobram
[1:46:56] Brooke Wheeler, the chief clerk,
[1:46:59] and Jennifer Benko, the
[1:47:00] comptrolller. give a round of
[1:47:02] applause for the people who make
[1:47:03] this place.
[1:47:03] work
[1:47:10] She was actually in the first
[1:47:11] session but I do wanna say
[1:47:16] a special thank you to the chair
[1:47:18] of the Philadelphia delegation
[1:47:20] of the Pennsylvania House, um, a
[1:47:22] role that I have a great deal of
[1:47:24] respect and admiration for that
[1:47:26] is chairwomanorgan Sias,
[1:47:27] please give her a round of
[1:47:28] applause.
[1:47:33] madam Speaker and members, I
[1:47:35] want you to know that tonight is
[1:47:36] historic
[1:47:38] in more ways than one.
[1:47:40] this moment
[1:47:42] reminds us that
[1:47:42] history
[1:47:47] doesn't always get it right on
[1:47:47] the first try.
[1:47:53] but we get to play our part in
[1:47:56] making it better for those who
[1:47:57] come next.
[1:47:59] as mayor of the city of
[1:48:02] Philadelphia. I've had lots
[1:48:04] of people over the past year ask
[1:48:05] me what does it feel like?
[1:48:10] to be mayor of the city during
[1:48:14] the most amazing historic time
[1:48:16] in America's history. I mean
[1:48:18] this moment and the the only
[1:48:20] thing I could liken it two
[1:48:22] colleagues is that it is like a
[1:48:23] a married couple
[1:48:25] celebrating a milestone
[1:48:30] in their in their marriage 25
[1:48:33] years, 50 years and they make a
[1:48:35] determination that they want to
[1:48:38] renew their vows to renew their
[1:48:40] commitment to their love and
[1:48:41] their dedication to one another.
[1:48:44] For me this year
[1:48:48] gives each of us an opportunity
[1:48:50] to renew our vows
[1:48:52] too and I want you to hear me
[1:48:53] clearly
[1:48:56] no matter how challenging what
[1:48:59] we see happening in the world no
[1:49:00] matter how challenging what we
[1:49:04] see happening in our nation this
[1:49:06] is a time for us to remember we
[1:49:10] still live in the greatest
[1:49:11] nation in the world, in the
[1:49:14] world, no matter the challenges,
[1:49:16] no matter the challenges this
[1:49:18] year 250 years.
[1:49:21] It's a chance for us to remember
[1:49:22] who we are
[1:49:23] unless we
[1:49:24] never forget it
[1:49:26] I want to
[1:49:31] I want to affirm that what makes
[1:49:32] this gathering here at
[1:49:34] Independence Hall, the
[1:49:36] birthplace of American democracy
[1:49:39] so powerful is that democracy
[1:49:41] is not only our history, it is
[1:49:41] in fact
[1:49:46] our responsibility. So what a
[1:49:48] moment this is for the people of
[1:49:50] our commonwealth for the people
[1:49:52] of Philadelphia and for every
[1:49:54] legislator who is assembled
[1:49:56] in this room because our
[1:50:00] responsibility is not simply to
[1:50:03] honor the past, but it is for us
[1:50:06] to help shape what really does
[1:50:08] come next and so let me share
[1:50:10] one thing I've learned from
[1:50:11] from this historic year.
[1:50:13] That is that Philadelphia
[1:50:18] does not have to choose between
[1:50:19] being America's birthplace.
[1:50:22] and America's future.
[1:50:26] We can in fact and we should be
[1:50:27] both. We
[1:50:29] are proving that we can be both
[1:50:32] and you with this historic
[1:50:34] session, madam Speaker, you have
[1:50:38] helped us prove that we can be
[1:50:40] both. So I want to say a special
[1:50:43] thank you to each of you today
[1:50:46] because I also want to affirm
[1:50:47] because I don't think
[1:50:50] and maybe this has been a chip
[1:50:51] on my shoulder for a long, long
[1:50:51] time.
[1:50:55] I would often get frustrated
[1:50:55] when I sat in your seat.
[1:50:58] because I don't think that
[1:50:59] people
[1:51:00] in townships
[1:51:02] and counties
[1:51:06] and cities and municipalities
[1:51:07] across the commononwealth
[1:51:10] we don't acknowledge that the
[1:51:13] most important work that is done
[1:51:15] to move the commonwealth of
[1:51:17] Pennsylvania forward to touch
[1:51:20] each and every one of our 13
[1:51:23] million+ constituents, it is
[1:51:25] done in the Pennsylvania General
[1:51:26] Assembly as mayor of this city.
[1:51:29] I want to affirm to each of you
[1:51:32] that I don't care about your
[1:51:34] race, your class, your
[1:51:36] socioeconomic status, your zip
[1:51:38] code, your religion, your sexual
[1:51:40] orientation or identity as mayor
[1:51:41] of this city.
[1:51:42] der ral ll L Parker
[1:51:47] respects you. I appreciate you.
[1:51:50] I am grateful to you. My work as
[1:51:52] mayor cannot be done without the
[1:51:53] work that you do
[1:51:57] on a daily basis. It's with that
[1:51:59] in mind that I want you to know
[1:52:02] I am grateful that you came here
[1:52:04] today. I am hoping madam
[1:52:06] Speaker that whomever it was who
[1:52:08] put together the schedule that
[1:52:11] you were able to plug in a great
[1:52:11] deal of free
[1:52:16] time for some walks on Walnut
[1:52:18] Street to walk by our jewelry
[1:52:20] stores and clothing stores and
[1:52:21] restaurants and
[1:52:21] any way you can
[1:52:22] to contribute
[1:52:30] to nowic vitality of the city of
[1:52:32] Philadelphia. I do thank you so
[1:52:33] much and I want you to know I do
[1:52:34] get the honor and privilege
[1:52:38] of serving as mayor of this city
[1:52:39] today but I want you to know for
[1:52:40] those of you in here who I have
[1:52:41] served with
[1:52:44] and some of you you just
[1:52:46] bring back so many good memories
[1:52:48] seeing your faces. Yes, that
[1:52:49] means debate when we were
[1:52:52] fighting over a whole lot of
[1:52:52] things but it also represent
[1:52:56] good times and so for the few
[1:52:58] years I spent in the
[1:52:59] Pennsylvania house, people ask
[1:53:00] me what did I learn? I said it
[1:53:02] took me 10 years to find my way
[1:53:04] to the bathroom. It seems that's
[1:53:06] that's the only thing I got out
[1:53:08] of the process, but when my
[1:53:09] mentor sent me there
[1:53:12] Marian Tasco and Dwight Evans.
[1:53:13] they kicked me out the nest
[1:53:14] and they said, go to Harrisburg.
[1:53:18] to the Pennsylvania House, to
[1:53:19] the General Assembly. It is
[1:53:19] there
[1:53:20] we want you to learn
[1:53:24] how to be a legislator.
[1:53:25] You all were my teachers
[1:53:26] you all are my friends
[1:53:31] and as mayors, I want you to
[1:53:32] know and I'm speaking for all
[1:53:33] mayors in the commononwealth.
[1:53:34] you
[1:53:38] are our anchor. Welcome to
[1:53:40] Philadelphia and thank you for
[1:53:42] being here a part of living
[1:53:43] history thank you Madam
[1:53:59] The chair thanks the gentle lady
[1:54:01] that leads Philadelphia and the
[1:54:03] chair acts the colleagues to
[1:54:04] acknowledge that the gentle lady
[1:54:06] is here on this great day in
[1:54:08] history when she was born. Happy
[1:54:12] birthday, madam Mayor Cherelle L
[1:54:14] Parker. thank you for spending
[1:54:15] your evening with us.
[1:54:21] To all of the students who've
[1:54:22] been celebrating democracy all
[1:54:24] day who are watching what's
[1:54:26] happening here at Independence
[1:54:29] Hall who took the time to tour
[1:54:31] Carpenter's Hall and the museum
[1:54:34] of American Revolution where
[1:54:35] they have met with members of
[1:54:38] our judiciary and so many
[1:54:40] leaders locally to all of our
[1:54:41] neighbors who are watching at
[1:54:43] home. Thank you for joining us
[1:54:45] and to those who are watching on
[1:54:48] TV. Thank you for watching and
[1:54:49] thank you all for
[1:54:51] working every day to celebrate
[1:54:53] democracy with us while we're
[1:54:56] preserving our rich history into
[1:54:57] the national Park Service.
[1:55:00] Thank you for being so gracious
[1:55:02] and sharing these historical
[1:55:04] treasures with us and helping to
[1:55:07] make this evening's event
[1:55:08] possible. And before the chair
[1:55:10] goes any further, I must thank
[1:55:13] my office led by Nina Carter,
[1:55:15] Esquire, who have worked around
[1:55:17] the clock for months to make
[1:55:17] this possible. thank you.
[1:55:26] The chair recognizes the
[1:55:28] majority leader who calls the
[1:55:29] House resolution 590.
[1:55:34] Priter's number 3791 on page
[1:55:35] five of today's House calendar,
[1:55:35] the clerk will be
[1:55:38] or the clerk will read the
[1:55:39] resolution.
[1:55:42] A resolution celebrating the
[1:55:44] momentous occasion of the 250th
[1:55:45] anniversary of the Constitution
[1:55:46] of Pennsylvania.
[1:55:49] whereas the first Constitution
[1:55:50] of Pennsylvania was drafted by
[1:55:52] the Pennsylvania Provincial
[1:55:53] Conference at Carpenter's Hall
[1:55:56] in Philadelphia and adopted on
[1:55:57] September 28, 1776
[1:56:00] and whereas this historic
[1:56:02] document was created during the
[1:56:03] dawn of American independence
[1:56:04] and stood as one of the most
[1:56:06] radically democratic and
[1:56:08] progressive state constitutions
[1:56:09] of the revolutionary era.
[1:56:12] and whereas by 1776 many
[1:56:14] Pennsylvanians supported
[1:56:16] overthrow of elite control of
[1:56:17] the Pennsylvania General
[1:56:18] Assembly for a more democratic
[1:56:19] body
[1:56:24] and whereas on May 15, 1776, the
[1:56:25] Continental Congress, which
[1:56:26] served as the provincial
[1:56:27] government and legislative body
[1:56:28] that coordinated the 13teen
[1:56:29] colonies' resistance
[1:56:32] to British rule and led the
[1:56:33] United States through the
[1:56:35] American Revolutionary War
[1:56:36] issued a resolution to the
[1:56:38] colonies to call constitutional
[1:56:39] conventions and write new
[1:56:39] constitutions.
[1:56:44] and whereas on June 18th, 1776
[1:56:46] in Carpenter's Hall,
[1:56:47] Philadelphia. There was a call
[1:56:48] for a constitutional convention
[1:56:50] to form a government for the
[1:56:52] province of Pennsylvania under
[1:56:53] the authority of the people.
[1:56:57] and whereas on July 15, 1776, a
[1:56:58] constitutional convention was
[1:57:00] formed in Philadelphia with
[1:57:02] Benjamin Franklin serving as
[1:57:04] president, George Ross serving
[1:57:05] as vice president and John
[1:57:05] Morris serving as secretary.
[1:57:08] and whereas as one Pennsylvania
[1:57:10] delegate explained, the
[1:57:12] Constitution was determined not
[1:57:14] to pay the least regard to
[1:57:15] former constitutions and was
[1:57:17] resolved to reject everything,
[1:57:18] to clear away every part of the
[1:57:20] old rubbish and begin upon a
[1:57:21] clean foundation
[1:57:24] and whereas the constitution of
[1:57:26] Pennsylvania of 1776 established
[1:57:28] a profound precedent by
[1:57:29] expanding voting rights to all
[1:57:30] taxpaying free men.
[1:57:32] eliminating restrictive property
[1:57:34] ownership requirements and
[1:57:36] creating a strong declaration of
[1:57:37] Rights that predated the United
[1:57:38] States Bill of Rights.
[1:57:41] and whereas the foundational
[1:57:42] principles of freedom, equality,
[1:57:45] self-governance laid down in
[1:57:47] 1776 served as a vital template
[1:57:47] for other states.
[1:57:51] and whereas the 1776
[1:57:52] Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:57:54] featured a unicamerral
[1:57:56] legislature, a supreme executive
[1:57:57] council instead of a governor
[1:57:58] and expanded voting rights.
[1:58:01] and whereas it also established
[1:58:03] a unique council of censors
[1:58:04] meant to monitor government
[1:58:05] adherence to the constitution.
[1:58:10] and whereas by 1790 this system
[1:58:11] proved too chaotic and
[1:58:12] unbalanced, leading to calls for
[1:58:13] a more structured government and
[1:58:15] the first of 5 revisions of the
[1:58:15] Constitution of Pennsylvania.
[1:58:19] and whereas there have been 5
[1:58:20] revisions of the Constitution of
[1:58:24] Pennsylvania in 1776 1790, 1838,
[1:58:26] 1874, and 1968.
[1:58:30] and whereas the 1790
[1:58:32] Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:58:33] established a bicameral
[1:58:34] legislature created a strong
[1:58:36] governor with veto power and
[1:58:38] instituted an independent
[1:58:39] judiciary appointed by the
[1:58:39] governor.
[1:58:42] and whereas as the population
[1:58:43] grew and Jacksonian demo
[1:58:45] Democrattic ideals spread and
[1:58:46] new constitutional convention
[1:58:48] was called in 1838 to make
[1:58:49] government more directly
[1:58:49] accountable to the public
[1:58:54] and whereas the 1838 version of
[1:58:55] the Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:58:56] limited the governor's power by
[1:58:58] making many formerly appointed
[1:59:00] officers, including judges and
[1:59:01] county officials elective.
[1:59:04] and whereas following the Civil
[1:59:06] War, industrialization and rapid
[1:59:08] corporate growth led to
[1:59:10] widespread corruption within
[1:59:12] state government which the 1874
[1:59:13] Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:59:14] aimed to curb
[1:59:17] and whereas the 1874
[1:59:18] Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:59:20] lengthened the governor's term,
[1:59:22] established strict regulations
[1:59:24] against legislative corruption
[1:59:25] and corporate favoritism and
[1:59:26] created the office oflieutenant
[1:59:27] governor
[1:59:30] and whereas as society
[1:59:32] modernized the 1874 Constitution
[1:59:33] of Pennsylvania became heavily
[1:59:33] cluttered and outdated.
[1:59:37] and whereas the 1968
[1:59:38] Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:59:40] streamlined government and
[1:59:40] vastly improved structural
[1:59:41] clarity.
[1:59:44] and whereas it reorganizeds the
[1:59:45] court system into a unified
[1:59:45] judicial system
[1:59:48] allowed the governor to serve
[1:59:50] consecutive terms and gave the
[1:59:51] General Assembly more
[1:59:51] organizational flexibility.
[1:59:55] and whereas the 1968 version of
[1:59:56] the Constitution of Pennsylvania
[1:59:58] remains the active constitution
[2:00:00] of the commononwealth today,
[2:00:01] though it has been updated
[2:00:02] through various amendments over
[2:00:03] the years.
[2:00:06] and whereas the enduring legacy
[2:00:08] of Pennsylvania's constitutional
[2:00:09] history continues to protect the
[2:00:09] inherent rights
[2:00:12] public education, and free
[2:00:12] elections of all residents of
[2:00:13] this commonwealth.
[2:00:16] Therefore, be it resolved that
[2:00:17] the House of Representatives
[2:00:19] celebrate the 250th anniversary
[2:00:20] of the Constitution of
[2:00:20] Pennsylvania.
[2:00:22] and be it further resolved that
[2:00:24] the House of Representatives
[2:00:26] honor the monumental impact of
[2:00:27] the Constitution of Pennsylvania
[2:00:28] on American democracy during
[2:00:29] this historic milestone.
[2:00:32] and be it further resolved that
[2:00:33] copies of this resolution be
[2:00:34] transmitted to the Pennsylvania
[2:00:35] Historical and Museum
[2:00:35] Commission.
[2:00:44] The question is, will the House
[2:00:45] agree to the resolution on that
[2:00:47] question, the chair recognizes
[2:00:48] the gentle lady from Burks,
[2:00:49] representatives toped of rati.
[2:01:06] Thank you madam Speaker
[2:01:10] Colleagues standing here in
[2:01:12] Congress hall this evening is
[2:01:13] deeply personal.
[2:01:15] We're in a place where history
[2:01:15] was made.
[2:01:18] where ideas about freedom
[2:01:23] ent ation and selfgovern helped
[2:01:23] shape the commonwealth we
[2:01:24] inherited.
[2:01:24] and tonight
[2:01:28] through House Resolution 590
[2:01:32] we commemorate the 250th
[2:01:34] anniversary of Pennsylvania's
[2:01:36] constitution and the bold idea
[2:01:37] at its foundation.
[2:01:37] that government
[2:01:38] belongs to the people
[2:01:42] I keep coming back to three
[2:01:43] words.
[2:01:44] that have echoed throughout
[2:01:45] generations.
[2:01:47] We the people
[2:01:50] the Sotros el pueblo.
[2:01:52] beautiful words
[2:01:53] powerful words
[2:01:58] and we're going to honor 250
[2:01:59] years of history.
[2:02:02] we must also be honest about
[2:02:03] that history.
[2:02:06] because 250 years ago that we
[2:02:08] did not include everyone.
[2:02:12] om were denied a voice.
[2:02:16] Black people were forcibly
[2:02:17] brought to this country laved
[2:02:21] denied their freedom and
[2:02:21] humanity.
[2:02:23] Indigenous people.
[2:02:24] who were here long
[2:02:28] before any constitution was
[2:02:29] written. were displaced
[2:02:30] exploited
[2:02:32] stripped
[2:02:34] of their lands and rights.
[2:02:37] and as our commonwealth grew
[2:02:42] generations of immigrants would
[2:02:42] come to these shores to work
[2:02:47] sacrifice, build communities and
[2:02:47] add their stories.
[2:02:48] Pennsylvania story
[2:02:50] families like mine
[2:02:56] and that is what makes standing
[2:02:56] here tonight so powerful.
[2:02:58] madam Speaker
[2:03:01] you stand before us as the first
[2:03:02] woman and first
[2:03:07] black woman to lead the
[2:03:07] Pennsylvania house.
[2:03:11] I stand here as a woman of
[2:03:14] color, a Latina, and the proud
[2:03:15] daughter of immigrants.
[2:03:17] and when I look around this
[2:03:17] chamber
[2:03:20] I see women
[2:03:21] many women
[2:03:24] I see black and brown
[2:03:25] colleagues.
[2:03:25] I see people
[2:03:26] so
[2:03:31] s and lives experiences would
[2:03:31] have been un
[2:03:35] im ag in able in the halls of
[2:03:36] government 250 years ago.
[2:03:38] Look at us now
[2:03:39] key
[2:03:40] ta mo s
[2:03:42] here we
[2:03:44] are
[2:03:49] not simply witnessing history we
[2:03:49] are helping write it.
[2:03:51] and I know I'm not s
[2:03:52] t ding long.
[2:03:54] I carry my parents
[2:03:58] and the sacrifices with me and
[2:03:59] their sacrifices with me.
[2:04:01] I carry my community
[2:04:04] and I carry every little girl
[2:04:07] who has ever looked at a room
[2:04:07] like this and wondered.
[2:04:08] is there a place
[2:04:09] for someone
[2:04:10] like me
[2:04:10] where
[2:04:15] Ciiuluar parati.
[2:04:18] Yes, there is a place for you.
[2:04:19] because democracy
[2:04:21] s hummus is not that we
[2:04:22] were pricked
[2:04:24] 250 years ago
[2:04:25] Were not
[2:04:26] It's promise
[2:04:31] is that each generation has the
[2:04:34] power and the responsibility to
[2:04:35] widen the circle
[2:04:36] bring more voices to the table.
[2:04:38] and make
[2:04:41] we the people more true than it
[2:04:42] ever was before
[2:04:46] That is why House resolution
[2:04:47] 590
[2:04:50] is more than a commemoration of
[2:04:51] our past.
[2:04:53] It is a charge for our future.
[2:04:56] as we honor these 250 years.
[2:04:58] question before us
[2:05:01] is not only where we have been
[2:05:05] but what will we do with the
[2:05:05] next 250.
[2:05:08] Pennsylvania story is
[2:05:10] still being written
[2:05:14] and all of us in this room are
[2:05:15] holding the pen.
[2:05:17] So let us write a
[2:05:18] cha p ter where
[2:05:20] every voice matters
[2:05:24] We child can see themselves in
[2:05:27] our democracy and where we the
[2:05:27] people
[2:05:28] and
[2:05:30] fully means
[2:05:30] all of us
[2:05:32] aorro
[2:05:36] sos tenemos vos
[2:05:38] hos pertene emos
[2:05:42] all of us we all have a voice
[2:05:43] and we all
[2:05:43] belong.
[2:05:46] That is the promise we
[2:05:46] inherited.
[2:05:48] that is the responsibility we
[2:05:49] carry
[2:05:52] and that is the Pennsylvania we
[2:05:53] must continue building together
[2:05:54] I am proud
[2:05:57] to support House resolution 590
[2:05:58] and I
[2:06:02] respectfully ask my colleagues
[2:06:04] for an affirmative voice. excuse
[2:06:05] me, for an affirmative vote.
[2:06:06] Gracias, madam Speer.
[2:06:22] Denada
[2:06:28] on the question the chair
[2:06:28] recognizes the gentleman from
[2:06:30] Center County, Representative
[2:06:31] Benninghall.
[2:06:42] Now I know how the little
[2:06:43] drummer boy felt.
[2:06:50] Sorry madam Speaker, that wasn't
[2:06:51] in my notes.
[2:06:54] Colleagues, Madam Speaker
[2:06:58] I want to thank you personally
[2:06:58] for the honor to share a few
[2:06:59] comments on this historic
[2:07:01] evening and visit to this
[2:07:02] chamber
[2:07:04] For those of us are history
[2:07:06] buffs and those who are not and
[2:07:07] those who have served in office.
[2:07:08] you know that we stand on some
[2:07:09] pretty broad shoulders.
[2:07:11] as a young lady that went before
[2:07:11] me spoke.
[2:07:14] we are paving a path for future
[2:07:16] generations and as my hope. so
[2:07:17] I'll share a couple thoughts
[2:07:18] with you.
[2:07:22] Maampeer 250 years ago, I would
[2:07:23] suspect no one expected both
[2:07:24] men.
[2:07:27] and women to be serving in
[2:07:28] similar chambers across this
[2:07:29] country.
[2:07:30] this great country of ours
[2:07:33] and you, as mentioned before,
[2:07:33] madam Speaker.
[2:07:36] Pennsylvania's first female
[2:07:37] speaker.
[2:07:38] I personally congratulate you on
[2:07:39] that
[2:07:40] not to mention you knocked me
[2:07:41] out of the way
[2:07:52] We come here today not only to
[2:07:54] sell frate America's 250th
[2:07:56] birthday in a very chamber that
[2:07:57] so many representatives
[2:07:59] the original 13 colonies.
[2:08:03] labored to draft that
[2:08:03] declaration of Independence.
[2:08:06] and eventually a constitutional
[2:08:07] framework.
[2:08:08] that we use even here today.
[2:08:10] Think of the enormity of that
[2:08:12] hi nk of all they went through
[2:08:17] and we're also here to honor
[2:08:17] those brave men.
[2:08:18] but their wise
[2:08:22] their families who stood by
[2:08:23] them.
[2:08:23] in the name of liberty
[2:08:27] Some of these wives provided
[2:08:27] great counsel.
[2:08:28] and wisdom
[2:08:30] after her deleate husbands
[2:08:32] while also maintaining home
[2:08:33] front.
[2:08:35] Such courage
[2:08:37] under heavy knowledge.
[2:08:38] they might be arrested
[2:08:42] possibly hung for treason.
[2:08:46] We think our days at work are
[2:08:47] tough.
[2:08:48] madam Speaker
[2:08:50] stand here in complete all
[2:08:52] total respect
[2:08:56] and admiration for the main
[2:08:57] challenges that were laid before
[2:08:58] them.
[2:09:00] An angry king
[2:09:02] a scared public
[2:09:06] lousy weather conditions at
[2:09:06] times. longng traveling.
[2:09:09] and much time separated from
[2:09:09] their families.
[2:09:10] and surely
[2:09:12] lack of air conditioning
[2:09:16] and no hot shower waiting at the
[2:09:17] end of the day.
[2:09:20] We can laugh at that, but these
[2:09:22] people travel long, hard, wet,
[2:09:23] dirty.
[2:09:26] and had terrible challenges
[2:09:27] before them. In addition,
[2:09:28] to legislative
[2:09:32] Through much deliberation and I
[2:09:33] suspect heated debate
[2:09:36] S several principles prevailed.
[2:09:37] Number one
[2:09:38] they must not fail
[2:09:40] Nor two
[2:09:44] though there were 13 different
[2:09:47] colonies, they must unite around
[2:09:47] their similarries and thought.
[2:09:48] and goals
[2:09:52] not be divided by their
[2:09:53] differences.
[2:09:54] special interests for their own
[2:09:55] colony.
[2:09:56] Most importantly
[2:10:00] they needed to remember and not
[2:10:01] forget
[2:10:04] it was through prayer and God's
[2:10:06] divine guidance that's got them
[2:10:07] that far.
[2:10:07] and only
[2:10:10] by humbling themselves and
[2:10:12] asking for his guidance and
[2:10:13] wisdom.
[2:10:14] sermon and thought
[2:10:16] would they succeed
[2:10:18] Ultimately
[2:10:22] the desire for that wisdom was
[2:10:23] of self-governance as a new
[2:10:23] nation
[2:10:25] not a mon monarchy
[2:10:27] hads ensured their success
[2:10:31] in one day that you and I got to
[2:10:31] serve in similar government.
[2:10:32] 250 years later
[2:10:36] it may not be perfect
[2:10:40] but I challenge anyone to show
[2:10:41] me a form of government.
[2:10:44] like our constitutional republic
[2:10:46] in a world that people would
[2:10:47] risk all that they have, leave
[2:10:48] what they have.
[2:10:49] travel to another country
[2:10:53] Madam Speaker, appreciate your
[2:10:54] patience. It's one of the
[2:10:55] reasons I rise to support House
[2:10:56] regist in 590.
[2:10:58] but I also want to leave you
[2:11:00] with two questions, not just
[2:11:01] thepeer but all of us.
[2:11:04] What would our founding fathers
[2:11:05] have to say about our desire to
[2:11:05] protect.
[2:11:07] our former self-governs
[2:11:08] of her governing document
[2:11:12] Nber 2, are you willing to
[2:11:13] compromise when needed
[2:11:15] to ensure its wisdom
[2:11:17] discernment, and good reasoning.
[2:11:22] that are implored to bestent
[2:11:23] those who elected us.
[2:11:24] to this august body of service
[2:11:28] that my friends will guarantee
[2:11:29] future generations.
[2:11:30] That is a responsibility and I
[2:11:31] ask my colleagues
[2:11:34] or House Resident 590. Madam
[2:11:35] Speaker, thank you.
[2:11:44] Chair, thanks the gentlemen.
[2:11:46] chair recognizes the gentle lady
[2:11:47] from Allegheny County,
[2:11:47] Representative Benham.
[2:12:08] Thank you, madam Speaker. It's a
[2:12:10] a profound honor to speak in
[2:12:12] support of House Resolution 590
[2:12:14] recognizing the 250th
[2:12:16] anniversary of the Constitution
[2:12:17] of Pennsylvania.
[2:12:20] 150 years ago, Pennsylvanians
[2:12:20] were engaged in a remarkable
[2:12:21] experiment.
[2:12:25] and what made our constitution
[2:12:26] that remarkable experiment was
[2:12:28] that it was an argument about
[2:12:29] what government itself should
[2:12:29] look like
[2:12:32] It was as this resolution
[2:12:34] recognizes one of the most
[2:12:36] radically democratic and
[2:12:37] progressive constitutions of the
[2:12:37] revolutionary era.
[2:12:40] but we also know, as other
[2:12:42] speakers have discussed this
[2:12:43] evening that that's not the
[2:12:43] entire story
[2:12:47] that many of the people whose
[2:12:49] descendants would ultimately
[2:12:50] expand our understanding of
[2:12:51] equality
[2:12:54] of progress, of what democracy
[2:12:55] can look like.
[2:12:56] that they were absent from the
[2:12:57] room.
[2:13:00] and I think that that tension is
[2:13:02] one of the important lessons of
[2:13:03] this anniversary.
[2:13:06] because constitutional democracy
[2:13:07] asks us
[2:13:10] to continue to adapt this
[2:13:11] experiment
[2:13:13] to make it better and to ask
[2:13:13] what we have to change
[2:13:16] to ensure that all of us can
[2:13:17] find belonging
[2:13:18] in spaces like this
[2:13:22] And I think that question of
[2:13:24] what we must continue to change
[2:13:25] has particular meaning for me.
[2:13:28] I have the privilege of serving
[2:13:30] in this chamber as a queer woman
[2:13:31] and as an autistic
[2:13:31] Pennsylvanian.
[2:13:36] and 250 years ago I think like
[2:13:37] many of the folks when I look
[2:13:40] around this room they're was not
[2:13:42] a place for me in political life
[2:13:44] and envisioned by the people
[2:13:45] that wrote that first
[2:13:45] constitution.
[2:13:48] There was no expectation that
[2:13:49] someone who experienced the
[2:13:50] world the way that I do would
[2:13:51] sit in this chamber.
[2:13:54] that someone like me would help
[2:13:55] write our laws
[2:13:58] but so many of us who were not
[2:14:00] descendants of people originally
[2:14:02] in that room would get to debate
[2:14:04] our priorities and
[2:14:04] representativeands of
[2:14:05] Pennsylvanians and yet
[2:14:06] here we all are
[2:14:10] Now I don't see this as evidence
[2:14:12] that our founding ideals were
[2:14:14] wrong, but I do see it as
[2:14:17] evidence of what happens when we
[2:14:18] continue to talk about how
[2:14:22] that constitutional democracy,
[2:14:23] that experiment must change.
[2:14:26] because we have to acknowledge
[2:14:27] that the story of Pennsylvania.
[2:14:30] is about expanding who can
[2:14:32] participate in that democracy
[2:14:33] and that that only happens
[2:14:33] because people
[2:14:34] fought for it
[2:14:37] Women fought for a vote. Black
[2:14:38] Pennsylvanians fought for equal
[2:14:39] citizenship.
[2:14:42] Disabilities fought to be seen
[2:14:43] as objects not of charity
[2:14:46] but as people with rights,
[2:14:47] autonomy, and political power.
[2:14:51] LGbtq plus Pennsylvanians fought
[2:14:53] to live openly and safely to
[2:14:55] form families and to participate
[2:14:55] fully in public life.
[2:14:58] and autistic people and other
[2:15:00] disabled people continue to
[2:15:01] fight against the assumption
[2:15:02] that our differences make us
[2:15:03] less capable of contributing
[2:15:04] to our communities
[2:15:10] Now those assumptions I know are
[2:15:12] assumptions that many of us face
[2:15:13] when we walk in our districts.
[2:15:16] that people will look at us and
[2:15:17] based off of the way that we
[2:15:17] look
[2:15:20] talk, the way that our brain
[2:15:21] might work differently.
[2:15:23] but make assumptions about what
[2:15:23] we're capable of.
[2:15:28] and yet all of us in this room
[2:15:30] are proof of what happens when
[2:15:31] we defy those assumptions.
[2:15:34] So today we're commemorating
[2:15:35] that experiment that's still
[2:15:35] underway.
[2:15:38] and I hope that 250 years from
[2:15:39] now
[2:15:41] the people that are looking back
[2:15:41] at us
[2:15:44] will say that we did not just
[2:15:46] preserve this democracy that we
[2:15:47] inherited.
[2:15:48] that we made it more accessible
[2:15:50] and that we listened to people
[2:15:51] who have been excluded
[2:15:55] and that the promise of this
[2:15:57] constitutional experiment is
[2:15:58] that we are going to keep
[2:15:58] experimenting.
[2:16:02] We're going to keep building.
[2:16:03] We're going to keep refining it.
[2:16:04] I urge my colleagues to
[2:16:20] Those in favor of the resolution
[2:16:21] will be voting aye
[2:16:24] Those opposed know
[2:16:26] M members will proceed to vote
[2:16:28] Have all the members voted
[2:16:31] Have all the members voted
[2:16:33] The clerk will record the vote
[2:16:36] on the resolution, the as are
[2:16:39] 203 and the nays are 0ro, the
[2:16:39] resolution is adopted.
[2:16:50] At this time, the chair turns to
[2:16:51] our legislative leaders for
[2:16:51] closing remarks
[2:16:53] The chair first recognizes the
[2:16:54] gentleman from Washington,
[2:16:56] Representative O'Nealll, the
[2:16:56] minority whip.
[2:17:05] Thank you again. thank you,
[2:17:05] madam Speaker once again.
[2:17:10] it really is a privilege to
[2:17:11] stand here this evening on
[2:17:12] behalf of the House Republican
[2:17:13] caucus.
[2:17:15] in a place where the history of
[2:17:16] Pennsylvania and the history of
[2:17:18] America are almost impossible to
[2:17:19] separate.
[2:17:22] Just steps from this chamber
[2:17:22] stands the Pennsylvania State
[2:17:23] House.
[2:17:25] What the world knows as
[2:17:25] Independence Hall.
[2:17:26] In 1729
[2:17:30] Pennsylvania Assembly
[2:17:31] appropriated 2000 pounds
[2:17:34] in the current in the currency
[2:17:36] of the time to build a house for
[2:17:37] the assembly.
[2:17:40] Construction began in 1732 and
[2:17:41] by 1735
[2:17:42] before the building was even
[2:17:43] finished
[2:17:45] assembly was already meeting
[2:17:45] inside.
[2:17:48] For decades, Pennsylvania
[2:17:50] lawmakers met in the first floor
[2:17:51] assembly room.
[2:17:54] In 1775 when the Secon
[2:17:56] Continental Congress needed that
[2:17:58] room to conduct the work that
[2:17:59] would lead to the declaration of
[2:17:59] inndependence.
[2:18:03] Pennsylvania lawmakakers moved
[2:18:03] upstairs.
[2:18:06] 12 years later, when the
[2:18:07] Constitutional Convention needed
[2:18:08] it.
[2:18:10] Pennsylvania again moved
[2:18:11] upstairs.
[2:18:14] and on 17 8 and excuse me on
[2:18:15] September 17th
[2:18:16] 1787
[2:18:21] 39 delegates signed the United
[2:18:23] States Constitution on the first
[2:18:23] floor of that building.
[2:18:26] upstairs that day
[2:18:27] our house journal
[2:18:30] shows that the Pennsylvania
[2:18:32] Assembly was dealing with a tax
[2:18:33] dispute
[2:18:33] a bridge bill
[2:18:36] and the newly proposed
[2:18:38] US Constitution
[2:18:39] Think about that
[2:18:42] Downstairs they had just
[2:18:46] delegates of Pennsylvania just
[2:18:47] signed the constitution
[2:18:51] and upstairs there was a dispute
[2:18:51] over taxes.
[2:18:52] and brids.
[2:18:56] Apparently some things never
[2:19:02] Decades earlier, the assembly
[2:19:02] ordered a bell for its state
[2:19:03] house.
[2:19:06] foreign made as it was, the bell
[2:19:07] cracked and had to be recast.
[2:19:11] as we know, the Liberty Bell
[2:19:11] later became a symbol
[2:19:15] of the idea that liberty is not
[2:19:15] something
[2:19:18] granted by a king across an
[2:19:19] ocean.
[2:19:21] Although 25 years before,
[2:19:24] before independence,
[2:19:27] Pennsylvania had already forged
[2:19:28] the concept of liberty into our
[2:19:29] history.
[2:19:34] when Leviticus 25:10 was cast
[2:19:35] onto the bell.
[2:19:38] Proclaim proclaim liberty
[2:19:40] throughout all the lands unto
[2:19:40] all inhabitants thereof.
[2:19:43] and here in Congress hall
[2:19:46] where the US House met for
[2:19:47] decades.
[2:19:50] We return this building to the
[2:19:52] legislative purpose that made it
[2:19:53] famous.
[2:19:53] once again
[2:19:54] a representative body
[2:19:56] sits in this chamber
[2:20:00] Citizens from different places
[2:20:01] with different interests
[2:20:02] and different opinions
[2:20:04] have sent their representatives
[2:20:06] here here to speak for them
[2:20:11] that history gives us more than
[2:20:11] something to celebrate.
[2:20:13] gives us an obligation
[2:20:17] We come from different
[2:20:18] communities and political
[2:20:19] parties. We disagree.
[2:20:20] often loudly
[2:20:23] That is not a failure of
[2:20:23] representative government.
[2:20:25] that is representative
[2:20:25] government
[2:20:30] But before we are Republicans or
[2:20:31] Democrats, we are Pennsylvanians
[2:20:34] and all of us have been
[2:20:35] entrusted for for a time.
[2:20:36] with a place
[2:20:41] in the same long tradition of
[2:20:42] representative government that
[2:20:46] has unfolded on this square for
[2:20:47] nearly 3 centuries.
[2:20:50] The story of America cannot be
[2:20:51] told
[2:20:52] without the buildings in this
[2:20:53] square.
[2:20:54] This is where Pennsylvania
[2:20:57] governed. This is where America
[2:20:57] de declared itself free.
[2:21:00] This is where the Constitution
[2:21:01] was written.
[2:21:02] The ordinary people
[2:21:06] did those things, had no
[2:21:07] guarantee that this experiment
[2:21:08] would last 250 years.
[2:21:09] They simply did their part
[2:21:10] to make sure it could
[2:21:13] Now that responsibility.
[2:21:14] belongs to us
[2:21:18] Let us humbly stand here today.
[2:21:19] and continue
[2:21:20] what they started
[2:21:23] Let us continue to protect life.
[2:21:24] liberty.
[2:21:28] property, and the reputation of
[2:21:29] the people who sent us.
[2:21:32] Ronald Reagan once said on July
[2:21:33] 4th,
[2:21:34] my fellow Americans
[2:21:38] it falls to us to keep faith
[2:21:38] with all the great Americans of
[2:21:39] our past.
[2:21:41] the things that unite us
[2:21:44] America's past of which we're so
[2:21:45] proud.
[2:21:46] our hopes and aspirations
[2:21:50] for the future of the world in
[2:21:51] this much loved country.
[2:21:54] These things far outweigh what
[2:21:55] little divides us.
[2:21:56] and so tonight
[2:21:58] we reaffirm
[2:22:02] that Jew and Gentta, we are one
[2:22:03] nation under God.
[2:22:04] that black and white
[2:22:07] we are one nation indivisible.
[2:22:12] That Republican andmo Democrat
[2:22:12] we are all Americans.
[2:22:14] Tonight with heartar in Hand
[2:22:18] through whatever row and revel
[2:22:20] we pledge ourselves to each
[2:22:21] other and to the cause of human
[2:22:22] freedom.
[2:22:25] the cause that has given light
[2:22:25] to this land
[2:22:26] and hope to the world
[2:22:28] Thank you,
[2:22:46] Chair, thanks to gentlemen.
[2:22:47] Chair recognizes the gentleman
[2:22:48] from Montgomery County,
[2:22:49] Representative Bradford.
[2:22:52] Good evening, madam Speaker, and
[2:22:54] thank you for the recognition
[2:22:56] and I wanna to repeat what I
[2:22:57] stated earlier. I want to thank
[2:22:59] you especially for putting
[2:23:00] together this very special
[2:23:01] evening in a city that I know is
[2:23:03] close to your heart, but for
[2:23:04] the tremendous work of your
[2:23:06] staff, that of the chiefef clerk
[2:23:08] as well as the National Park
[2:23:10] Service who is working well into
[2:23:11] the evening this evening to make
[2:23:13] this possible. all those
[2:23:14] individuals I know we all
[2:23:15] appreciate the hard work that
[2:23:18] they do every day, not just
[2:23:18] for our commonwealth but in the
[2:23:19] case of our national Par Service
[2:23:20] to keep this
[2:23:22] building in amazing condition
[2:23:23] and everything they do to keep
[2:23:24] us safe and our families and
[2:23:26] friends when they come to visit
[2:23:27] this amazing location.
[2:23:30] I also
[2:23:34] want to mention kind of for
[2:23:34] my caucus's purpose.
[2:23:36] the idea
[2:23:39] that people from 13 continents
[2:23:39] came together.
[2:23:42] 13 continents, 13 colonies came
[2:23:43] together.
[2:23:44] 13 continents, that's a
[2:23:48] that's a George W. Bush line.
[2:23:49] you'requoting Reagan. I'm doing
[2:23:49] George W. Bush.
[2:23:54] 1313 colonies.
[2:23:58] slaveolding colonies in our
[2:24:00] south, mercantile colonies to
[2:24:01] our north.
[2:24:05] people of all different races
[2:24:07] who all put into their common
[2:24:08] fate the idea
[2:24:11] that we could have a United
[2:24:11] States of America.
[2:24:14] that is the very definition of
[2:24:15] audacious.
[2:24:19] That is the most audacious thing
[2:24:19] the world has ever known.
[2:24:22] It is that experiment that is
[2:24:23] our inheritance.
[2:24:24] It is our country
[2:24:28] and it is ours if we have the
[2:24:30] courage and the character and
[2:24:31] the wisdom to keep it.
[2:24:33] I thank
[2:24:34] the young people
[2:24:38] because they are the ones who
[2:24:39] have the most at stake in this
[2:24:39] great experiment
[2:24:43] Earli I may have pointed out Joe
[2:24:44] Kerwin is the one who had the
[2:24:46] most at stake because he's our
[2:24:48] youngest andieegel left us for
[2:24:49] greener pastures as well.
[2:24:52] so it comes to those of us in
[2:24:53] our generation, the governing
[2:24:53] generation, to realize
[2:24:55] that what was done here
[2:24:58] on July 4th, 1776.
[2:25:01] is Aaronheriance. It's what
[2:25:04] Benjamin Franklin when asked,
[2:25:06] shallll it be a monarchy or a
[2:25:08] republic, his answer was a
[2:25:09] republic if you can keep it.
[2:25:13] Well now it is our charge
[2:25:13] whether we can keep it.
[2:25:16] because 20 years
[2:25:18] after that great declaration.
[2:25:22] George Washington after serving
[2:25:23] two terms,
[2:25:25] recognized with the wisdom of
[2:25:25] Madison and Hamilton.
[2:25:28] that to have self-government
[2:25:31] you would have to have a
[2:25:31] peaceful transition of power.
[2:25:34] and so a man who had served his
[2:25:35] country
[2:25:38] faithfully for 20 years gave
[2:25:39] away the power
[2:25:41] and all the prestige that came
[2:25:41] with being the president of the
[2:25:42] United States.
[2:25:44] and he said a peaceful
[2:25:45] transition of power
[2:25:48] was the only way to keep this
[2:25:49] democracy.
[2:25:50] a republic if you can keep it
[2:25:53] and he demonstrated the kind of
[2:25:53] character
[2:25:54] that it would take
[2:25:58] He also in his farewell gave us
[2:25:59] an admonition.
[2:26:02] an admonition about national
[2:26:02] unity that was being torn apart.
[2:26:03] about
[2:26:08] the rise of partisanship, what
[2:26:09] they called faction at the time.
[2:26:12] in d less disputes between party
[2:26:13] that have become too personal,
[2:26:15] too inflamed, the volume too
[2:26:18] loud and frankly the risk of our
[2:26:19] very constitutional order.
[2:26:24] One would argue, and I believe
[2:26:25] they are right that we face
[2:26:26] those same challenges today.
[2:26:28] hopefullypefully they are not
[2:26:31] existential to our democracy but
[2:26:32] the very soul and character of
[2:26:35] our country are in dispute when
[2:26:36] young people think that we no
[2:26:38] longer are defined not by a
[2:26:39] single people.
[2:26:42] but by a party or a region.
[2:26:43] or a faction
[2:26:45] We must come together.
[2:26:46] and we must recognize
[2:26:50] all of the challenges of our
[2:26:52] great history and I thank you
[2:26:53] for recognizing them.
[2:26:53] They are real
[2:26:56] those challenges and those hurt
[2:26:57] is real.
[2:27:00] but our obligation as a great
[2:27:01] United States of America.
[2:27:02] is to be audacious
[2:27:06] is to heal this country.
[2:27:07] and pull together
[2:27:10] We are the heirs
[2:27:12] we have the responsibility
[2:27:16] we have the obligation, we have
[2:27:17] the opportunity.
[2:27:19] in our little part of
[2:27:19] Pennsylvania.
[2:27:20] show that we can be statesmen
[2:27:22] and women
[2:27:24] that we cannot let
[2:27:27] past divisions or elections
[2:27:29] or demagogues or small people.
[2:27:30] tear us apart
[2:27:36] We have too much to lose and so
[2:27:37] much to gain.
[2:27:39] Our country
[2:27:42] our commonwealth, our community
[2:27:43] is at stake.
[2:27:47] good gentleman quoted Reagan and
[2:27:48] I kind of laughed at him both
[2:27:50] times and I said well I'm gonna
[2:27:50] to quote Obama this time.
[2:27:52] because right down the road
[2:27:54] thensenator Obama said
[2:27:56] this union may never be perfect.
[2:28:00] but generation after generation,
[2:28:01] has shown
[2:28:02] that it can always be perfected
[2:28:04] It is great minds
[2:28:06] great men
[2:28:10] yes, regggan of a different
[2:28:10] party and Obama of a different
[2:28:11] than yours.
[2:28:12] who we should heed their wisdom.
[2:28:16] We should come together to work
[2:28:17] for the common cause.
[2:28:18] Thank you, madam Speaker
[2:28:34] Chair, thanks the gentlemen
[2:28:38] As has been said all evening.
[2:28:42] 250 years ago on these hoallowed
[2:28:43] grounds, a beacon of liberty was
[2:28:44] lit.
[2:28:46] from the city of Philadelphia,
[2:28:48] Pennsylvania came a declaration
[2:28:49] of independence
[2:28:51] that changed the course of human
[2:28:52] history.
[2:28:56] Here at what is now known as the
[2:28:58] Independence National Historic
[2:29:00] Park, Our young republic began
[2:29:01] the difficult work of governing.
[2:29:03] Look backward
[2:29:08] from 250 years away. It can be
[2:29:10] tempting to believe that what
[2:29:10] what happened here was
[2:29:13] inevitable, that liberty was
[2:29:13] destined to triumph.
[2:29:15] that it was all going to work
[2:29:16] out.
[2:29:17] except it was not.
[2:29:18] The men
[2:29:20] and women of that generation
[2:29:23] had as much that divided them
[2:29:24] as united them
[2:29:26] They came from the North
[2:29:28] and they came from the south
[2:29:32] They were merchants and they
[2:29:34] were farmers. They lived in
[2:29:35] cities and they lived in the
[2:29:35] countryside.
[2:29:38] They were congregationalists,
[2:29:40] Anglicans, Presbyterians,
[2:29:41] Catholics
[2:29:44] Baptists, Quakers, Puritans and
[2:29:45] Jews.
[2:29:48] They had different interests,
[2:29:51] different backgrounds, very
[2:29:52] different ideas about the
[2:29:54] future, but they found something
[2:29:56] that was much greater than all
[2:29:57] of their differences
[2:30:00] They found a common belief in
[2:30:01] self-determination and liberty.
[2:30:04] They were willing to sacrifice
[2:30:05] all for it.
[2:30:07] They risk they risked their
[2:30:07] property.
[2:30:10] their livelihoods, their
[2:30:11] freedoms.
[2:30:14] and their lives. Not only for
[2:30:15] themselves but for one another.
[2:30:16] and the generations that
[2:30:17] followed.
[2:30:18] in ning independence
[2:30:22] did not end the struggle for
[2:30:23] liberty.
[2:30:26] America's story is a story of
[2:30:27] constant effort
[2:30:29] to make the promise of liberty
[2:30:29] more complete.
[2:30:35] 250 years ago, human beings that
[2:30:36] look like the chair were still
[2:30:38] enslaved by other human beings.
[2:30:42] People were denied their own
[2:30:44] right to self-government because
[2:30:45] of the color of their skin.
[2:30:48] Others were denied their vote
[2:30:50] because they did not own enough
[2:30:51] property.
[2:30:54] Still others were denied their
[2:30:56] right to vote because they were
[2:30:57] women.
[2:31:01] As recently as 1974, women gain
[2:31:02] the right.
[2:31:04] to sign for a mortgage
[2:31:05] to own their own home
[2:31:06] The lessons are clear
[2:31:08] The work for liberty
[2:31:11] is never finished.
[2:31:14] The day people around this world
[2:31:18] still risk their very own
[2:31:19] livelihoods.
[2:31:19] their property
[2:31:20] their freedom
[2:31:26] and their lives in the hopes of
[2:31:27] escaping oppression.
[2:31:28] and determining their own
[2:31:29] destiny.
[2:31:32] and they look to America.
[2:31:36] They look to the light that was
[2:31:37] first kindled here in my
[2:31:39] hometown, the city of brotherly
[2:31:40] love and sisterly affection,
[2:31:41] Philadelphia.
[2:31:43] So it's up to us colleagues
[2:31:47] in 2026 on this
[2:31:50] semi-quincentennial to make the
[2:31:51] lights shine even brighter.
[2:31:53] righter than it ever has.
[2:31:57] We can disagree without being
[2:31:59] disagreeable, we can put aside
[2:32:00] the labels that easily divide us
[2:32:04] Our founders did not agree on
[2:32:06] everything and they did not have
[2:32:08] to, but they understood that
[2:32:10] some things were so much more
[2:32:11] important than their
[2:32:11] differences.
[2:32:15] 250 years later, let us carry
[2:32:15] that spirit forward.
[2:32:19] Let us continue the work of
[2:32:22] forming a more perfect union.
[2:32:23] One that protects liberty
[2:32:25] expands opportunity
[2:32:28] and recognizes the dignity and
[2:32:29] rights of every person.
[2:32:33] Let the beacon of liberty that
[2:32:36] first onen here in Philly, 250
[2:32:38] years ago continued to
[2:32:39] illuminate our commonwealth.
[2:32:40] our nation, and this world.
[2:32:46] mayy it shine for another 250
[2:32:48] years and may those who follow
[2:32:50] all of us look back and say that
[2:32:51] we too
[2:32:52] chose to put our differences
[2:32:53] aside
[2:32:56] work together for a freer and
[2:32:57] better future.
[2:32:58] Thank you colleagues
[2:33:00] God bless
[2:33:10] Thank you
[2:33:16] Finally, before we dismiss and
[2:33:18] conclude our historical session.
[2:33:20] The chair would like to thank
[2:33:22] all the staff that have joined
[2:33:24] us in Philadelphia who have
[2:33:26] worked so hard to make this
[2:33:26] historic day happen.
[2:33:30] that they are appreciated. Let
[2:33:31] us thank all of our staff.
[2:33:44] The chair instructs the clerk to
[2:33:46] include the names of our staff
[2:33:47] and the official journal for
[2:33:47] today's proceedings.
[2:33:50] The chair wants to remind all of
[2:33:52] our members that there is a
[2:33:53] dessert reception.
[2:33:56] in the Philadelphia Visitor
[2:33:58] Center and the chair is looking
[2:33:59] for dinner if anyone can help.
[2:34:01] As the chair's been sitting here
[2:34:01] for a few hours.
[2:34:04] the chairs in receipt of a
[2:34:06] motion from the gentleman from
[2:34:08] Butler, Representative Dukes,
[2:34:10] that the House now adjourn until
[2:34:14] Monday, September 28th, 2026 at
[2:34:17] 12 noon p unless sooner reca by
[2:34:18] the speaker
[2:34:20] Those opposed no
[2:34:23] The ayes have it in the house
[2:34:24] stands adjourned until Monday,
[2:34:28] September twenty8th, 2026 to 12
[2:34:28] noon unless sooner recalled by
[2:34:29] thepeer.