THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN, BAKER, BOBACK, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FREEMAN, GABLER, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARKINS, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MASSER, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, QUINN, READSHAW, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STABACK, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 20, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 20, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing April 2011 as "National County Government Month" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, "National County Government Month" serves to raise

public awareness and understanding about the roles and

responsibilities of the nation's counties to meet the needs of

the community; and

WHEREAS, During this month, county officials will initiate

outreach activities to assembled groups at high schools,

libraries, malls, shopping centers and colleges to educate

residents about county services and will meet with members of

the Congress of the United States to discuss county government;

and

WHEREAS, First held in 1991 as "National County Government

Week" and changed in 2010 to "National County Government Month,"

the observance is sponsored annually by the National Association

of Counties (NACo), which is the only national organization that

represents county governments in the United States; and

WHEREAS, There are 67 counties in this Commonwealth and 3,068

counties nationwide, serving 300 million Americans; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania counties serve a vital function in

providing law enforcement, judicial administration, corrections

and criminal justice programs; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania counties are involved in the conduct

and oversight of elections, which are the foundation of our

democracy; and

WHEREAS, To improve Pennsylvania's communities, counties in

this Commonwealth are involved in regional and environmental

planning and economic development and may establish housing and

redevelopment authorities and conduct community development

programs; and

WHEREAS, Counties are involved in public health, as they

provide protective services for children and youth, mental

health and mental retardation programs and drug and alcohol

awareness programs and maintain hospitals and homes for the

aged; and

WHEREAS, Counties are responsible for real estate tax

assessment, are involved in solid waste disposal and may support

local libraries and community colleges; and

WHEREAS, Counties take seriously the responsibility of

protecting and enhancing the health, welfare and safety of

residents in sensible and cost-effective ways; and

WHEREAS, Many county government initiatives and programs

involve the protection of valuable and vulnerable environmental

resources in communities; and

WHEREAS, This year's theme is "Serving Our Veterans, Armed

Forces and Their Families," which highlights initiatives by

counties to recognize, honor and thank veterans and military

personnel for their service and assist them in their ongoing

needs associated with serving the nation; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

month of April 2011 as "National County Government Month" in

Pennsylvania, and commend the counties in this Commonwealth for

sponsoring events to help residents better understand how

counties serve the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the

employees and members of the National Association of Counties

for their work in increasing the public's awareness about

counties and for their initiatives to honor veterans and serve

their needs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on the

citizens of this Commonwealth to participate in this month's

activities and encourage them to reflect upon the variety of

essential public services provided by the counties in this

Commonwealth and the nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the National Association of Counties at this address: 25

Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001; and that a copy

be transmitted to: the County Commissioners Association of

Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 60769, Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769.