PRINTER'S NO. 1996
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
419
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SCARNATI, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Stephen C. MacNett.
WHEREAS, Stephen C. MacNett (Steve), who dedicated more than
44 years of public service to the Senate, the General Assembly
and the government and residents of our great Commonwealth, died
on September 18, 2018, at 71 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Born in Troy, Pennsylvania, to the late Stephen D.
and Huldah B. MacNett, and raised on his family's farm in
Bradford County, Steve learned the value of hard, honest work;
and
WHEREAS, Steve graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania, where he served as the vice chairman of the campus
Young Republicans; and
WHEREAS, Steve began to work in the Senate on November 1,
1966, as a page and continued in that position until his
graduation in 1971 from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle;
and
WHEREAS, Upon admission to the bar of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, Steve began a long career as an attorney with the
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Senate Republican Caucus as Assistant Counsel, Deputy Chief
Counsel and Chief Counsel; and
WHEREAS, Steve was named to the position of General Counsel
for the Senate Republican Caucus in 1977 and held that position
until his retirement on January 7, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Steve's legislative career spanned the
administrations of Governors William Scranton, Raymond Shafer,
Milton Shapp, Dick Thornburgh, Bob Casey, Tom Ridge, Mark
Schweiker and Ed Rendell; and
WHEREAS, Steve worked for Senate Republican leaders Robert D.
Fleming, Richard Frame, Henry G. Hager, Robert C. Jubelirer,
John Stauffer, F. Joseph Loeper, David J. "Chip" Brightbill and
Dominic F. Pileggi; and
WHEREAS, Steve was responsible for the supervision of legal
services to the Republican members of the Senate, including
drafting, review and analysis of legislation; and
WHEREAS, Steve's knowledge of legislative and parliamentary
procedure was exceptional and his uncanny ability to remember
legislative history was legendary; and
WHEREAS, Steve's skill in developing legislative strategy was
second to none; and
WHEREAS, Steve oversaw litigation involving the Senate
Republican Caucus, the Senate as an institution and, from time
to time, the entire General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, Steve was at the center of every major legislative
accomplishment during his career in the Senate; and
WHEREAS, Steve served as a teacher and mentor to countless
other staff members in the Senate, sharing his knowledge
generously and becoming known as "Master Jedi"; and
WHEREAS, Steve's counsel was sought out by legislators and
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other public officers and public employees from all branches of
State and local government and all political parties, as well as
by lobbyists and members of the media because of his incredible
knowledge of the Senate, the Constitution of Pennsylvania,
statutory law and important dates and historical milestones in
Pennsylvania State Government; and
WHEREAS, Steve earned the respect of all who participated in
the legislative process, regardless of their political
affiliation, their ideological principles or their advocated
positions; and
WHEREAS, Since his passing, Steve has been described by those
who knew him as "brilliant," "dedicated," "a scholar," "a true
giant," "an icon," "one of the most powerful people in State
government," "a good and fair man," "honorable," "honest" and "a
legend," among many other complimentary superlatives; and
WHEREAS, Steve was the recipient of the William E. Zeiter
Award for Exceptional Contributions to Statutory Law in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, presented by the Statutory Law
Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Through his knowledge and counsel, Steve earned the
title as "The 51st Senator"; and
WHEREAS, Steve's record of service in the Senate is
unparallelled and may never be matched again; therefore be it
RESOLVED (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
General Assembly express profound sorrow over the loss of
Stephen C. MacNett, an outstanding and dedicated public servant;
and be it further
RESOLVED (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
General Assembly express gratitude for Mr. MacNett's influence
and devotion to the Senate, the General Assembly, State
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Government and the residents of Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED (the House of Representative concurring), That the
General Assembly extend condolences to the family of a cherished
former staff person, Stephen C. MacNett; and be it further
RESOLVED (the House of Representative concurring), That a
copy of this resolution be transmitted to the family of Stephen
C. MacNett.
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