1Designating the week of April 15 through 20, 2013, as "Local
2Government Week" and April 15, 2013, as "Local Government
3Day" in Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, Local government is the backbone of our democracy
5and the bedrock of our political system; and

6WHEREAS, Every one of Pennsylvania's 12.7 million residents
7rely on the services and facilities provided by local
8government, ranging from the special purpose functions of
9counties, school districts and municipal authorities in the
10areas of judicial administration, social welfare, education and
11provision of water and sewer services, to the more general
12purpose functions of cities, boroughs, towns and townships, such
13as maintenance of roads and streets, police and fire protection
14and enforcement of ordinances and land use controls; and

15WHEREAS, This rich tapestry of local government is
16represented by the Commonwealth's 67 counties, 56 cities, 958

1boroughs, 93 first class townships, 1,454 second class
2townships, one town, 501 school districts and 1,539 active local
3authorities and the thousands of hardworking citizen officials,
4many of whom serve without reward, who staff these local
5governments; and

6WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's residents rely upon the dedication of
7these local officials in meeting many of the residents' most
8fundamental needs in nearly all facets of daily living; and

9WHEREAS, The success of our local officials is a key element
10in the overall quality of life; and

11WHEREAS, Our local governments are a testimony to liberty,
12freedom and the right to elected self-government; and

13WHEREAS, It is only fitting that each year in Pennsylvania
14one week is set aside as "Local Government Week" and one day as
15"Local Government Day"; and

16WHEREAS, "Local Government Week" and "Local Government Day"
17focus attention on the need for strong, independent and active
18local government in this Commonwealth and recognize the valuable
19contributions made by residents serving their communities in
20public office; and

21WHEREAS, Each April, the Department of Community and Economic
22Development presents the Governor's Award for Local Government
23Excellence to exceptional local government officials whose
24efforts have resulted in improved service delivery and whose
25achievements serve as a model for local governance; therefore be
26it

27RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of April 15
28through 20, 2013, as "Local Government Week" and April 15, 2013,
29as "Local Government Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

30RESOLVED, That the Senate commend and thank the

1Commonwealth's local officials for their labor as the unsung
2heroes of government.