THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY EICHELBERGER, ROBBINS, EARLL, FERLO, PILEGGI, BLAKE, FARNESE, ALLOWAY, YAW, BAKER, GREENLEAF, SCHWANK, KASUNIC, DINNIMAN, RAFFERTY, BRUBAKER, BROWNE, ERICKSON, M. WHITE, ORIE, STACK, COSTA, FONTANA, PIPPY, ARGALL, BREWSTER, YUDICHAK, GORDNER, TARTAGLIONE, BOSCOLA, D. WHITE, HUGHES AND MENSCH, MARCH 26, 2012

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 26, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of April 15 through 21, 2012, as "Local

Government Week" and April 17, 2012, as "Local Government

Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Local government is the backbone of our democracy

and the bedrock of our political system; and

WHEREAS, Every one of Pennsylvania's 12.7 million residents

rely on the services and facilities provided by local

government, ranging from the special purpose functions of

counties, school districts and municipal authorities in the

areas of judicial administration, social welfare, education and

provision of water and sewer services, to the more general

purpose functions of cities, boroughs, towns and townships, such

as maintenance of roads and streets, police and fire protection

and enforcement of ordinances and land use controls; and

WHEREAS, This rich tapestry of local government is

represented by the Commonwealth's 67 counties, 56 cities, 958

boroughs, 93 first class townships, 1,454 second class

townships, one town, 501 school districts and 1,539 active local

authorities and the thousands of hardworking citizen officials,

many of whom serve without reward, who staff these local

governments; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's residents rely upon the dedication of

these local officials in meeting many of the residents' most

fundamental needs in nearly all facets of daily living; and

WHEREAS, The success of our local officials is a key element

in the overall quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Our local governments are a testimony to liberty,

freedom and the right to elected self-government; and

WHEREAS, It is only fitting that each year in Pennsylvania

one week is set aside as "Local Government Week" and one day as

"Local Government Day"; and

WHEREAS, "Local Government Week" and "Local Government Day"

focus attention on the need for strong, independent and active

local government in this Commonwealth and recognize the valuable

contributions made by residents serving their communities in

public office; and

WHEREAS, Each April, the Department of Community and Economic

Development presents the Governor's Award for Local Government

Excellence to exceptional local government officials whose

efforts have resulted in improved service delivery and whose

achievements serve as a model for local governance; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of April 15

through 21, 2012, as "Local Government Week" and April 17, 2012,

as "Local Government Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate commend and thank the

Commonwealth's local officials for their labor as the unsung

heroes of government.