THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ROBBINS, EICHELBERGER, BLAKE, ALLOWAY, BRUBAKER, ERICKSON, TARTAGLIONE, PILEGGI, COSTA, BAKER, BROWNE, DINNIMAN, EARLL, FERLO, FONTANA, GORDNER, GREENLEAF, KASUNIC, MENSCH, ORIE, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, WARD, D. WHITE AND YAW, FEBRUARY 23, 2011

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 23, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of April 10 through 16, 2011, as "Local

Government Week" and April 15, 2011, as "Local Government

Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Local government is the backbone of our democracy

and the bedrock of our political system; and

WHEREAS, More than 12 million Pennsylvania 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; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of April 10

through 16, 2011, as "Local Government Week" and April 15, 2011,

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.