1Designating April 2014 as "Community Banking Month" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, For more than 200 years, Pennsylvania's community
4financial institutions have provided the local support that
5Commonwealth communities need to prosper and grow; and

6WHEREAS, Today, more than 190 community banks in this
7Commonwealth continue the tradition of giving back to their
8local communities through nearly 1,200 banking offices; and

9WHEREAS, With more than $120 billion in assets, community
10banks know that when money stays in a town it becomes a
11renewable resource, creating an economic cycle that constantly
12revitalizes and stimulates local communities; and

13WHEREAS, Community banks have made significant contributions
14to the economic well-being of this Commonwealth through their

1financial support, dedication as good neighbors and, above all,
2service as financially sound and reliable sources of economic
3lifeblood in our communities; and

4WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's community banks focus on the
5prosperity of individuals and small businesses in their
6hometowns and enjoy the trust of their customers; and

7WHEREAS, Community banks have reinvested, on average, 95% of
8their loan portfolios into their own communities through
9residential mortgages and commercial and agricultural loans; and

10WHEREAS, Community banks play a significant role in local
11economic development efforts, stimulating the economy to produce
12jobs and new opportunities and, as a group, constitute an
13important and strong part of this Commonwealth's economic
14fabric; and

15WHEREAS, Neighbors are helping neighbors build their homes,
16save for higher education, plan for retirement and fulfill other
17dreams through community banks; and

18WHEREAS, Community banks have continued their strong
19tradition of small business lending, in spite of difficult
20economic conditions, so that they may strengthen and support
21this Commonwealth's economy; and

22WHEREAS, Community banks have long helped in the development
23of our communities and this Commonwealth as a whole, and we look
24forward to many more contributions; therefore be it

25RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
26month of April 2014 as "Community Banking Month" in
27Pennsylvania.