Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/13/2024 15:43
Gold Star Families Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk, Kerwin Says
Nov. 13, 2024
HARRISBURG - An initiative to create a new memorial on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds took a significant step forward today when legislation authorizing the monument passed the Senate, according to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin).
Kerwin's House Bill 71 would create a memorial for Gold Star families, who are the ones left behind when a service member dies. The memorial would be erected by the Woody Williams Foundation and MI Charitable Foundation at no cost to taxpayers.
The Senate passed House Bill 71 on a 48-0 vote and sent the measure to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk to be signed into law.
"It is important these grieving families have a place to gather, reflect, pray and share in fellowship with one another. The memorial would be a permanent fixture honoring the sacrifices of not only our fallen men and women in uniform, but also their loved ones," Kerwin said.
Kerwin's bill passed the House on a unanimous vote in April while the representative was deployed to eastern Africa with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's Task Force Paxton, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry.
"I've been working on this memorial project for several years and am thankful my fellow lawmakers saw the importance of permanently installing this monument on Capitol grounds," Kerwin said.
If the bill becomes law, the monument, formed with four granite slabs, will be placed east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street.
Representative Joseph Kerwin
125th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
[email protected]
RepJoeKerwin.com / Facebook.com/RepJoeKerwin
Kerwin's House Bill 71 would create a memorial for Gold Star families, who are the ones left behind when a service member dies. The memorial would be erected by the Woody Williams Foundation and MI Charitable Foundation at no cost to taxpayers.
The Senate passed House Bill 71 on a 48-0 vote and sent the measure to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk to be signed into law.
"It is important these grieving families have a place to gather, reflect, pray and share in fellowship with one another. The memorial would be a permanent fixture honoring the sacrifices of not only our fallen men and women in uniform, but also their loved ones," Kerwin said.
Kerwin's bill passed the House on a unanimous vote in April while the representative was deployed to eastern Africa with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's Task Force Paxton, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry.
"I've been working on this memorial project for several years and am thankful my fellow lawmakers saw the importance of permanently installing this monument on Capitol grounds," Kerwin said.
If the bill becomes law, the monument, formed with four granite slabs, will be placed east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street.
Representative Joseph Kerwin
125th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
[email protected]
RepJoeKerwin.com / Facebook.com/RepJoeKerwin
Share