THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WAGNER, KORTZ, BENNINGHOFF, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, D. COSTA, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, HESS, KIRKLAND, KULA, MAHER, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MATZIE, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MOUL, MURT, NEUMAN, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, K. SMITH, M. SMITH, SONNEY, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH AND WHEATLEY, APRIL 6, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 6, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and contributions of Mrs. Rita Wilson Kane and

extending condolences to her family and colleagues.

WHEREAS, Serving as a pioneer on behalf of women in politics,

Rita Wilson Kane dedicated her life to public service in a time

when very few women participated in politics; and

WHEREAS, Rita Wilson Kane was born on October 1, 1915, in

Brookline; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of the former South Hills High School,

she began her career at the Allegheny County Office of Property

Assessment seated next to Sophie Masloff, the future mayor of

Pittsburgh; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Kane found an interest in politics in her early

years when she accompanied her father during a door-to-door

campaign for Al Smith, a presidential candidate in 1928; and

WHEREAS, Involvement in the 1932 and 1936 presidential

campaigns of Franklin D. Roosevelt served to temper Mrs. Kane's

commitment and inherent desire to serve as an agent of the

public; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, she took a job as secretary to Elinor Kane,

president of the Allegheny County Democratic Women's Guild, the

wife of County Commissioner John J. Kane, and the mother of John

J. Kane, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Rita Kane and John J. Kane,Jr. were married in

December of 1940 after dating during the 1940 presidential

campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt; and

WHEREAS, In 1959, she was elected to the Office of Register

of Wills of Allegheny County, a position she held for 32 years;

and

WHEREAS, A strong advocate for women in politics and other

areas of life, Mrs. Kane was involved in various Democratic

women's groups and organized luncheons that drew in hundreds of

female voters; and

WHEREAS, Her integrity and diligence garnered Mrs. Kane the

distinguished privilege of serving as both a delegate and

alternate delegate to Democratic National Conventions; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Mrs. Kane was named Distinguished Daughter

of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, she received the Art Rooney Award for

contributions to Pittsburgh; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Kane was honored and respected by many

dignitaries whom she called friends, including Eleanor

Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy and Ted

Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2011, Rita Wilson Kane passed away at

the age of 95, leaving a legacy of public service that shall

live on for many years to come; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its

profound sorrow over the passing of Mrs. Rita Wilson Kane and

extend its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and

colleagues.