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Robert J. Mellow (D)
Senate District 22 Lackawanna, Luzerne (part) and Monroe (part) Counties. |
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| ADDRESS: |
Senate Box 203022
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3022 |
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| ROOM: | 535 Main Capitol Building | |
| TELEPHONE: |
(717) 787-6481 |
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| D.O. ADDRESS: |
524 Main Street
Post Office Box B Peckville, PA 18452 (570) 489-0336 |
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| E-MAIL ADDRESS: | ||
| INDIVIDUAL HOMEPAGE: | http://www.senator-mellow.com | |
| DISTRICT NEWS: | District Newsletters | |
| PARTY: | Democrat |
| TERM EXPIRES: | 2010 |
| OCCUPATION: | State Senator |
| PARENTS: | James J. and Alice Mellow (both deceased) |
| ATTENDED: |
Bethel Coll., B.S. in Accounting, 1965; Graduate school at Marywood Coll. |
| CAREER: | One of the most respected and accomplished members of the Pennsylvania Senate, Mellow's distinguished career includes two terms as Senate President Pro Tempore - the third-highest constitutional office in the Commonwealth. He remains the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate. Among his most celebrated accomplishments so far are the passage of the landmark Children's Health Insurance Bill, now emulated throughout the nation; historic workers' compensation reform, which halted spiraling insurance costs for employers by eliminating abuses while safeguarding protection for injured workers; and the well-known "Mellow Window," which helped to restore fiscal stability to the Commonwealth after the 1991-92 national recession with an early retirement incentive legislation for public employees, resulting in tremendous payroll savings for the commonwealth and local school districts. He remains one of the General Assembly's leading advocates for accessible, affordable health care, quality public education, and fair property tax reform. He is a strong and consistent voice for the rights of working families and senior citizens. Among his many honors and awards are the Distinguished Public Service Award by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the "Guardian of Small Business Award" from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Adler Friend of Education Award by the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and "Man of the Year" by the Northeast Alliance of Pennsylvania Retirees, AFL-CIO. Mellow received the prestigious "Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion" from the Chapel of Four Chaplains, signifying outstanding contributions toward national or international peace and interfaith and interethnic understanding. The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters presented Mellow with the Gold Medal Award, recognizing contributions to the state and nation in government, sports, business, education and entertainment. Previous winners include the late Gov. Milton Shapp, Roy Campanella, James Michener, Shirley Jones, Joe Paterno, and Dick Clark. He holds honorary doctoral degrees from Keystone College, Lackawanna College, the Widener University School of Law, the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine and Marywood University. Both Marywood University and Lackawanna College have paid a lasting tribute to Mellow in dedicating facilities to his name. The Mellow Theater at Lackawanna and the Robert J. Mellow Center for Athletics and Wellness are named in his honor. Kentucky Gov. Paul E. Patton conferred upon Mellow the state's highest honor, commissioning him as a "Kentucky Colonel" in recognition of his public service. Previous honorees include President Lyndon B. Johnson, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and astronaut John Glenn. A lifelong resident of Peckville, Mellow holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Bethel College, Tennessee. He also attended Lackawanna College and the University of Scranton, and graduate school at Marywood University. He is a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He has two daughters and one granddaughter; Member of Senate 1971 to date. |
| CO-SPONSORSHIP MEMORANDA: | View my 2009-2010 session co-sponsorship memoranda |
| COMMITTEES: |
APPROPRIATIONS , ex-officio Game & Fisheries Rules & Executive Nominations , Minority Chair |