PRINTER'S NO. 4230
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
960
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY FRANKEL, BURNS, SONNEY, HICKERNELL, HOHENSTEIN,
COX, PASHINSKI, DALEY, SAINATO, CALTAGIRONE, VITALI, MERSKI,
WILLIAMS, BRIGGS, MARSHALL, MILLARD, McNEILL, READSHAW,
KINSEY, GALLOWAY, DONATUCCI, ROZZI, HOWARD, HARKINS, HILL-
EVANS, ROEBUCK, MADDEN, SAMUELSON, DEASY, NEILSON, DeLUCA,
KORTZ, KULIK, A. DAVIS, YOUNGBLOOD, McCLINTON AND DERMODY,
AUGUST 7, 2020
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
AUGUST 7, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Ivan Itkin and
expressing condolences on his passing.
WHEREAS, After a long and healthy life as a nuclear
scientist, public servant, father and husband, Dr. Ivan Itkin
passed away on April 5, 2020, survived by his wife, Joyce, sons,
Marc and Max, and daughter, Laurie; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin began his illustrious professional life as
a nuclear scientist, applied mathematician and reactor physicist
at the Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in Pittsburgh
before applying his intellect to public service; and
WHEREAS, His expertise in nuclear science not only informed
the General Assembly during the tragedy of Three Mile Island but
earned him a place in the Clinton administration as head of the
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management at the United
States Department of Energy; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin's passion for politics endured throughout
his adult life; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin was a member of the 14th Ward Independent
Democratic Club in Pittsburgh's East End in the 1960s, ran for
State Senate in 1968, served as House majority leader, majority
and minority whip and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
during his 26 years as a Pennsylvania State representative; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin ran against incumbent governor Tom Ridge
in 1998 and later became president of the GO-GO Democrats during
his retirement in Florida; and
WHEREAS, His dedication to the constituents of the 23rd
Legislative District and the strong policy that served them was
met with respect by his colleagues who described him as "one of
the smartest and hardest-working people in Harrisburg"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin was generous with his knowledge, and
colleagues have lauded his humility, fraternity and respect
toward others; and
WHEREAS, These qualities extended to his policy initiatives,
which showed his respect for individuals; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin fought ceaselessly to protect the civil
rights and economic security of the underserved; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin did this by helping pass a bill in 1974
prohibiting discrimination against the disabled and sponsoring
early prescription affordability legislation which allowed
doctors to prescribe generic medications; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Itkin also led the charge of environmental
stewardship through the Building Energy Conservation Act which
established energy efficiency standards on commercial
properties; and
WHEREAS, Described by his daughter as a "consumer advocate,"
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Dr. Itkin also worked to ensure that a new airport would not
gouge consumers, that credit card companies could not charge
exorbitant interest rates and that low-income individuals had
access to education and health care; and
WHEREAS, His daughter states that Dr. Itkin's legacy of
service to the residents of this Commonwealth had given him
"such a sense of purpose," that "[i]t was important to him that
he was able to positively affect the life of others"; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life
and achievements of Dr. Ivan Itkin and express condolences on
his passing; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Dr. Ivan Itkin.
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