COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003

Transcription

1 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003 SESSION OF TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 23 SENATE WEDNESDAY, March 26, 2003 The Senate met at 11 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. The PRESIDENT (Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll) in the Chair. PRAYER The Chaplain, Reverend KELLY WYATT-THRALLS, of Market Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Gracious God, we come before You today with many concerns. We pray for our nation at war, for children and young people who are scared, for adults who are conflicted, for soldiers whose lives are at risk, and for government officials called to make difficult decisions. We pray for the Iraqi people, for terrified children, for families desperate for food, for innocent people caught in the crossfire. We pray for our soldiers in harm's way, that You might give them courage and strength over the coming weeks and months. We pray for wisdom for our leaders, that they might lead with compassion and continually work toward peace. But more than anything, O God, we pray that this war may end quickly, sparing as many lives as possible and bringing hope to the Iraqi people. And we pray for ourselves. There is important work to be done today and each day. We ask for Your presence in deliberations, Your courage in decisionmaking, and Your compassion in all we do. Make this body ever mindful of the people it serves, so that their needs are at the forefront of every decision and debate. Give them strength and passion for the work that is before them. All these things we pray in the name of the One who created us all. Amen. The PRESIDENT. The Chair thanks Reverend Wyatt-Thralls, who is the guest today of Senator Piccola. JOURNAL APPROVED The PRESIDENT. A quorum of the Senate being present, the Clerk will read the Journal of the preceding Session of March 25, The Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding Session, when, on motion of Senator BRIGHTBILL, and agreed to by voice vote, further reading was dispensed with and the Journal was approved. APPOINTMENTS BY THE MINORITY LEADER The PRESIDENT. The Chair wishes to announce the Minority Leader has made the following appointments: Arthur Makadon, Esquire, as a member of the Board of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. James J. Mellow, Jr., as a member of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. Mr. Arthur Coccodrilli as a member of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Colonel Ray Angeli as a member of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. LEGISLATIVE LEAVES Berks, Senator O'Pake. Senator O'PAKE. Madam President, I request a legislative leave for Senator Anthony Williams, and a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Stack. The PRESIDENT. Senator O'Pake requests a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Stack, and a legislative leave for Senator Anthony Williams. Without objection, the leaves will be granted. LEAVES OF ABSENCE Senator BRIGHTBILL asked and obtained a leave of absence for Senator HELFRICK, for today's Session, for personal reasons. (On March 24, 2003, a leave of absence for the week, for personal reasons, was granted for Senator PIPPY.) CALENDAR THIRD CONSIDERATION CALENDAR BILL REREPORTED FROM COMMITTEE AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION AND FINAL PASSAGE SB 152 (Pr. No. 597) ~ The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending Titles 12 (Commerce and Trade) and 18 (Crimes and Ofifenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, adding provisions relating to trade secrets; and further providing for the offense of theft of trade secrets.

2 274 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE MARCH 26, Considered the third time and agreed to, And the amendments made thereto having been printed as required by the Constitution, Shall the bill pass finally? The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: Armstrong Boscola Brightbill Conti Corman Costa Dent Earll Erickson Ferlo Fumo Greenleaf Hughes Jubelirer Kasunic Kitchen Kukovich LaValle Lemmond Logan Madigan Mellow Mowery Musto YEA-48 O'Pake Orie Piccola Pileggi Punt Rafferty Rhoades Robbins Scamati Schwartz Stack Stout NAY-0 Tartaglione Thompson Tomlinson Wagner Waugh Wenger White, Donald White, Mary Jo Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Constance Wonderling Wozniak A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate present said bill to the House of Representatives for concurrence. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS GUEST OF SENATOR ALLEN G. KUKOVICH PRESENTED TO THE SENATE Westmoreland, Senator Kukovich. Senator KUKOVICH. Madam President, I have a guest in the gallery today, a young woman, Jillian Weleski, who is in the School of Social Work at Cedarville University, and all this week she has been shadowing Senator Schwartz and me and our staffs. Her family are constituents of Senator Terry Punt, and I respectfully ask my colleagues to welcome her to the hall of the Chamber. The PRESIDENT. Would the guest of Senator Kukovich please rise. GUESTS OF SENATOR ROBERT J. THOMPSON PRESENTED TO THE SENATE Chester, Senator Thompson. Senator THOMPSON. Madam President, it is my privilege to introduce three residents of West Vincent Township, Chester County, who are here this morning. They were successful bidders in a benefit auction which benefitted the French and Pickering Creek Trust in northern Chester County, and they are spending a day with their Senator here in Harrisburg. The second prize was a 2-day visit with their Senator. They are Kate Damsgaard from Birchrunville, Chester County, and her sons David, 17, who attends Owen J. Roberts High School, and Christopher, who is a freshman at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Kate is a former chairman of the French and Pickering Creek Trust in Birchrunville, and that organization is nationally known for the work that it has done in watershed preservation, farmland preservation, and historic preservation in Chester County along the French and Pickering Creeks, and I would like the Senate to give the Damsgaards its usual warm Senate welcome. The PRESIDENT. Would the guests of Senator Thompson please rise. GUEST OF SENATOR MICHAEL A. OTAKE PRESENTED TO THE SENATE Berks, Senator O'Pake. Senator O'PAKE. Madam President, also in the gallery is a very bright, outstanding young man who is presently a college student at Drexel University. He is a resident of Exeter Township in my district and is interning with me. His name is T. J. Huckleberry, and I ask the Senate to extend its usual warm welcome to him. The PRESIDENT. Would the guest of Senator O'Pake please rise. GUESTS OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND SENATOR JANE C. ORIE PRESENTED TO THE SENATE The PRESIDENT. On behalf of Senator Jane Clare Orie and myself, Senator Orie hosted an event this morning, Reach Out and Touch a Hero, and many of you were there. It was a very exciting morning, and we would like to introduce General Bill Schofield from the county of Allegheny, and of course, Michael D. Murphy, his executive assistant for veterans services in Allegheny County. Would our guests please rise. GUEST OF SENATOR MIKE WAUGH PRESENTED TO THE SENATE York, Senator Waugh. Senator WAUGH. Madam President, I have a guest today from York, a young lady by the name of Tammy S. Blymire. She is my guest in the gallery today, and the reason she is here and the reason I am recognizing her is she was inducted recently in the York College Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding accomplishments in basketball and softball, and if I may, I would like to list a few of them. Tammy was a standout player for York College in both basketball and softball, and at the time of her induction, here are a few of the things that were noted. She owns the school record for three-point field goals at 103, and she had a three-point field goal percentage of.375. She is the player who holds the record with the most three-point shots in a game. She was selected to the All-Toumament Team at the Lady Spartan Classic every year during her 4-year career. There are a number of softball accom-

3 2003 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE 275 plishments and records that she has attained, and in addition to all of that, I think this is important, she graduated with honors from York College with a grade point average of 3.47 in accounting and went on to receive a secondary degree in business education. I would like to ask the Senate to give her a warm and rousing welcome here today. Thank you. The PRESIDENT. Will Senator Waugh's guest please stand. GUESTS OF SENATOR CONSTANCE H. WILLIAMS PRESENTED TO THE SENATE The PRESIDENT. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Senator C. Williams. Senator C. WILLIAMS. Madam President, I would like to submit some remarks for the record. We had some guests a few weeks ago who waited. They were the Octagon Club of Upper Merion Area High School, a part of The Valley Forge Optimists. They waited for us to be in Session to be introduced, but we were later than they could stay, so I would like to submit these remarks for the record. Thank you. (The following remarks were made apart of the record at the request of the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Senator C. WIL LIAMS:) The Valley Forge Optimists sponsor the Octagon Club at Upper Merion Area High School, a Junior Optimist Club at Upper Merion Middle School and an Alpha Club at the Roberts Elementary School, all in my district On February 25, 2003, over 60 Junior Optimists came to Harrisburg to tour the Capitol, visit the State Museum, and leam how State government works. Along with the students and parents in the Senate Gallery were Mr. David DeRosa, their faculty advisor, and Mr. John Adiletto, Principal, Upper Merion Middle School, as well as Mr. Robert Krutsick, an Upper Merion Area School Board Director and past president of the Valley Forge Optimists, and Keith Scammahom, another past president. Other members of The Valley Forge Optimists attending were president-elect John Marx, Dr. Eli Pronchick, and Susan Demedio. I was delighted that they came to visit. LEGISLATIVE LEAVE CANCELLED The PRESIDENT. Senator Stack has returned, and his temporary Capitol leave is cancelled. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR RESUMED THIRD CONSIDERATION CALENDAR RESUMED BILL OVER IN ORDER SB 8 - Without objection, the bill was passed over in its order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL ON THIRD CONSIDERATION AND FINAL PASSAGE SB 164 (Pr. No. 169) - The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for criminal victim aid good Samaritan civil immunity. Considered the third time and agreed to, On the question. Shall the bill pass finally? The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: Armstrong Boscola Brightbill Conti Corman Costa Dent Earll Erickson Ferlo Fumo Greenleaf Hughes Jubelirer Kasunic Kitchen Kukovich LaValle Lemmond Logan Madigan Mellow Mowery Musto YEA-48 O'Pake Orie Piccola Pileggi Punt Rafferty Rhoades Robbins Scamati Schwartz Stack Stout NAY-0 Tartaglione Thompson Tomlinson Wagner Waugh Wenger White, Donald White, Mary Jo Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Constance Wonderling Wozniak A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate present said bill to the House of Representatives for concurrence. BILL OVER IN ORDER SB 188 ~ Without objection, the bill was passed over in its order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL AMENDED SB 319 (Pr. No. 334) ~ The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact for Juveniles; providing for the form of the compact; imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Compact; and making a repeal. Will the Senate agree to the bill on third consideration? Senator GREENLEAF offered the following amendment No. A0248: Amend Title, page 1, line 4, by inserting after "Compact;": establishing the State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision; Amend Sec. 4, page 26, line 15, by striking out "Compensation and expenses of r and inserting: State council and Amend Sec. 4, page 26, by inserting between lines 15 and 16: (a) State council.- (1) Consistent with Article IX of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, there is hereby established the State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision. The council shall consist of nine members, seven of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. At least

4 276 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE MARCH 26, two members shall be judges of courts of record of this Commonwealth and at least one shall be a county chief juvenile probation officer, a representativefromthe Executive Branch of Government, a representative of victims groups and the compact administrator. The President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint a member of the General Assembly to serve as a member of the council. (2) The term of a member of the council hereafter appointed, except to fill a vacancy, shall be four years and until a successor has been appointed, but in no event more than 90 days beyond the expiration of the appointed term. The term of a member of the council who is appointed by virtue of serving as a member of the General Assembly, as a judge or as a county chief juvenile probation officer shall continue only as long as the individual remains in that office. (3) A vacancy occurring in an office of a member of the council for any reason shall befilledby the appointing authority for the remainder of the term. (b) Appointment of administrator.-the compact administrator shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve as a member of the State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision and shall serve on the Interstate Commission for Juveniles established pursuant to the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Amend Sec. 4, page 26, line 16, by striking out "The" and inserting: (c) Compensation and expenses of administrator.-the Will the Senate agree to the amendment? It was agreed to. Without objection, the bill, as amended, was passed over in its order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. SECOND CONSIDERATION CALENDAR BILL ON SECOND CONSIDERATION AND REREFERRED HB 44 (Pr. No. 48) - The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No. 175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, exempting certain persons from Federal law relating to public assistance. Considered the second time and agreed to, Ordered, To be printed for third consideration. Upon motion of Senator BRIGHTBILL, and agreed to by voice vote, the bill just considered was rereferred to die Committee on Appropriations. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS GUEST OF SENATOR ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ PRESENTED TO THE SENATE The PRESIDENT. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Philadelphia, Senator Schwartz. Senator SCHWARTZ. Madam President, I am pleased to introduce and have visit with me today my son Daniel. He is a 4th year medical student at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and he will be a resident next year at Mt. Sinai. He visited here a number of years ago when he was in college and has not been here for a while, but he was here at the medical malpractice hearings this morning for the Committee on Banking and Insurance. He has a great resume, but he is also a terrific son, so let me ask you to please welcome my son Daniel. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR RESUMED SECOND CONSIDERATION CALENDAR RESUMED BILL OVER IN ORDER SB 69 ~ Without objection, the bill was passed over in its order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL ON SECOND CONSIDERATION SB 109 (Pr. No. 106) ~ The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for law enforcement records. Considered the second time and agreed to, Ordered, To be printed on the Calendar for third consideration. BILLS OVER IN ORDER SB 137, SB 157, SB 201, SB 218, SB 265, SB 271, SB 276 and SB Without objection, the bills were passed over in their order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL REREFERRED SB 340 (Pr. No. 572) ~ The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act designating the new Livestock Meat Animal Evaluation Center at Pennsylvania State University as the Samuel E. Hayes, Jr., Livestock Meat Animal Evaluation Center. Upon motion of Senator BRIGHTBILL, and agreed to by voice vote, the bill was rereferred to the Committee on Appropriations. BILLS OVER IN ORDER SB 356, SB 379 and SB Without objection, the bills were passed over in their order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, AMENDED AND REREFERRED SB 442 (Pr. No. 573) ~ The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending the act of May 16, 1923 (P.L.207, No. 153), referred to as the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, amending definitions; further providing for municipal claims and liens, for judicial sales, for recovery of judgment and salefreefromclaims, for assignment of claims and for notice requirements; and making a repeal. Will the Senate agree to the bill on second consideration? Senator ORIE offered the following amendment No. A0247: Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 19, lines 9 and 10, by striking out "AND LIENS, TAXES AND TAX CLAIMS AND" and inserting: 1

5 2003 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE 277 municipal liens, taxes, tax claims and tax Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 19, line 19, by inserting after "AND": municipal Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 19, line 26, by striking out "AND TAX CLAIMS AND" and inserting:, tax claims and tax Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 20, lines 2 and 3, by striking out "AND LIENS, TAXES AND TAX CLAIMS AND" and inserting: x municipal liens, taxes, tax claims and tax Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 20, line 5, by inserting brackets before and after "ACTIONS" and inserting immediately thereafter: any actions in law or equity Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 20, line 11, by striking out "AND LIENS, TAXES AND TAX CLAIMS AND" and inserting:, municipal liens, taxes, tax claims and tax Amend Sec. 2 (Sec. 3), page 21, lines 3 and 4, by striking out "AND LIENS, TAXES AND TAX CLAIMS AND" and inserting: x municipal liens, taxes, tax claims and tax Amend Sec. 3 (Sec. 9), page 27, line 29, by inserting after "AND" where it appears the second time: tax Amend Sec. 3 (Sec. 9), page 28, line 1, by inserting after "AND" where it appears the first time: tax Amend Sec. 4 (Sec. 31), page 29, lines 12 through 14, by striking out all of lines 12 and 13, "FOR TAXES" in line 14 and inserting: full; and[, if a municipal claimant other than a municipalitvl if the plaintiff is not a municipality as defined in this act Amend Sec. 4 (Sec. 31), page 30, line 11, by inserting after "TAX": claims Amend Sec. 4 (Sec. 31), page 30, line 12, by striking out "AND LIENS" Amend Sec. 5 (Sec. 31.1), page 33, line 13, by striking out "CLAIMANT OR" Amend Sec. 5 (Sec. 31.1), page 34, line 23, by inserting after "TAX": claims Amend Sec. 5 (Sec. 31.1), page 34, line 23, by striking out "AND LIENS" Will the Senate agree to the amendment? It was agreed to. Will the Senate agree to the bill on second consideration, as amended? It was agreed to. Ordered, To be printed on the Calendar for third consideration. Senator BRIGHTBILL. Madam President, I move that Senate Bill No. 442 be rereferred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion was agreed to by voice vote. The PRESIDENT. Without objection, the bill will be rereferred to the Committee on Appropriations. BILL OVER IN ORDER SB 461 ~ Without objection, the bill was passed over in its order at the request of Senator BRIGHTBILL. BILL ON SECOND CONSIDERATION SB 532 (Pr. No. 595) - The Senate proceeded to consideration An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, adding definitions of "proper supervision" and "social gathering"; and further providing for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores and for permitting undesirable persons or minors to frequent premises. Considered the second time and agreed to, Ordered, To be printed on the Calendar for third consideration. UNFINISHED BUSINESS REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE Senator DENT, from the Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing, reported the following bills: SB 257 (Pr. No. 598) (Amended) An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, further providing for writ of possession. SB 371 (Pr. No. 386) An Act amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), known as the Housing Authorities Law, further providing for award of contracts. SB 508 (Pr. No. 599) (Amended) An Act amending the act of May 16, 1923 (P.L.207, No. 153), referred to as the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, further providing for redemption of vacant property. SENATE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED Senators STACK, WOZNIAK, WAGNER, KUKOVICH, EARLL, CONTI, STOUT, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, MOWERY, LEMMOND, GREENLEAF, RAFFERTY, LO GAN, BRIGHTBILL, THOMPSON, WENGER, DENT, OTAKE, ERICKSON, SCHWARTZ, MUSTO and WAUGH, by unanimous consent, offered Senate Resolution No. 57, entitled: A Resolution designating the week of April 2 through 9, 2003, as "Sleep Awareness Week" and April 9, 2003, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. Will the Senate adopt the resolution? Philadelphia, Senator Stack. Senator STACK. Madam President, I rise to offer a resolution designating the week of April 2 through April 9 as "Sleep Awareness Week," and April 9, 2003, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. This resolution is important for the attention it brings to sleep disorders. Many of us are probably familiar with insomnia, but this is just one of many sleep disorders. A lesser publicized but more dangerous disorder is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening affliction. If left untreated, it can bring about a variety of serious health problems, including depression, heart problems, lung damage, high blood pressure, and possible short-term memory loss. Besides health problems, sleep deprivation also affects public safety and normal daytime activities, such as work.

6 278 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE MARCH 26, According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100,000 accidents are caused by drowsy or fatigued drivers. More than 1,500 people die in these accidents, and another 70,000 are injured. The cost exceeds $12.5 billion. Right here in our Commonwealth, PennDOT has estimated that sleepy drivers cause more than 2,400 accidents each year. There is good news. Once an individual is diagnosed with sleep apnea, the condition can be successfully treated. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea benefits us as a society. More than 21,000 Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Regrettably, nearly 700,000 additional Pennsylvanians may suffer from the disease but are unaware they have it or simply have not sought treatment. The answer is awareness and education. In April, many organizations will host informational seminars to give the general public, policymakers, physicians, and others information on sleep disorders and their impact on our society. I ask that my colleagues unanimously support this resolution and join in the campaign to promote awareness and treatment of sleep disorders. Thank you, Madam President. And the question recurring, Will the Senate adopt the resolution? A voice vote having been taken, the question was determined in the affirmative. Senators ARMSTRONG, MOWERY, WAGNER, KASUNIC, TARTAGLIONE, BRIGHTBILL, PICCOLA, D. WHITE, THOMPSON, O'PAKE, SCARNATI, KUKOVICH, PILEGGI, COSTA, FUMO, SCHWARTZ, ORIE, MELLOW, MUSTO, WENGER, KITCHEN, DENT, ERICKSON, WAUGH, CONTI, CORMAN, LEMMOND, GREENLEAF, RAFFERTY and C. WILLIAMS, by unanimous consent, offered Senate Resolution No. 58, entitled: A Resolution recognizing the month of March 2003 as "National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month." Will the Senate adopt the resolution? Lancaster, Senator Armstrong. Senator ARMSTRONG. Madam President, this resolution designates March 2003 as "National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month." Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. They estimate there are 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year. In 2002, the disease is suspected to have killed 56,000 individuals in this country. Less than 50 percent of individuals over 50 years of age receive annual screenings for colorectal cancer. It is a relatively simple procedure. By having this resolution give more awareness to colorectal cancer screening, a lot of deaths can be prevented. Thank you, Madam President. And the question recurring, Will the Senate pass the resolution? A voice vote having been taken, the question was determined in the aflfirmative. Senators ORIE, M. WHITE, THOMPSON, EARLL, BRIGHTBILL, ARMSTRONG, LAVALLE, KASUNIC, LEMMOND, TARTAGLIONE, HELFRICK, PUNT, KUKOVICH, D. WHITE, O'PAKE, DENT, FUMO, WENGER, WAUGH, ERICKSON, CONTI, CORMAN, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK, SCARNATI and RAFFERTY, by unanimous consent, offered Senate Resolution No. 59, entitled: A Resolution recognizing the bravery and professionalism of the American armed forces personnel serving in the Middle East; and supporting the President and the American armed forces. Will the Senate adopt the resolution? Allegheny, Senator Orie. Senator ORIE. Madam President, I ask for unanimous consent on this resolution. Thousands of Pennsylvanians are among the Armed Forces personnel serving in the Middle East during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are making tremendous sacrifices for each and every one of us across Pennsylvania. Their efforts will continue to keep America free, strong, and safe, and I believe it is important that the Senate recognizes the bravery and the sacrifice of these American armed troops and personnel, and I encourage all Pennsylvanians to support our courageous troops overseas. Westmoreland, Senator Kukovich. Senator KUKOVICH. Madam President, I know the Senate is always willing to look patriotic and will do so on this resolution, but I would like to offer for the record two editorials from newspapers just yesterday that also talk about the budgetary shock and awe that will take place if we do not properly fund not only our efforts in the Persian Gulf, but also our efforts here on the domestic front. I would just like to offer those editorials for the record. (The following editorials were made apart of the record at the request of the gentleman from Westmoreland, Senator KUKOVICH:) THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2003 Budgetary Shock and Awe The American public transfixed by the unfolding invasion of Iraq may some day look up and discover too late what the Republican Congress did while the world's attention was elsewhere. Led by the Bush administration, the House and Senate are about to march under the public's radar screen and lead the country into a decade of budgetary disaster. The country is facing plenty of financial problems: the economy, the cost of the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq. Stunningly, Congress is preparing to make things far, far worse with more than $500 billion in tax cuts for the upper 1 percent of taxpayers. To finance these spoils for the wealthiest Americans, House leaders - who have taken the lead in hammering a budget together- plan deep cuts of $475 billion in vital programs for the bottom 99 percent. These direct hits will range from Medicaid to child care, education to food stamps, environment protection to emergency doles for the poor. This plan, in the form of a budget resolution tied to a firm tax-cut mandate, is moving forward on Capitol Hill even as lawmakers' boilerplate speeches resound with calls for shared wartime sacrifice by all Americans. How an average $90,000 tax cut for each millionaire

7 2003 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE 279 counts as sacrifice is only one of many unexplained mysteries as Republican leaders fiercely protect President Bush's second wave of tax cuts. The gallant troops in Iraq who are being invoked daily in legislators' speeches might be interested to know the array of cuts includes an estimated $14 billion reduction in military veterans' programs. Last week, Senate moderates failed to pass what amounted to an embarrassment-reduction plan to halve President Bush's $726 billion tax cut. Now, they talk of a last-ditch attempt to revive that half-loaf approach this week, before the tax cuts are written in parliamentary stone. But a few key liberals are so far refusing, furious at approving any new tax cuts that will increase the deficits of postwar America. We sadly urge reviving the half-loaf strategy, if only as a symbolic protest to the Republicans' shameful use of the fog of war in their budget scheming. As for shared sacrifice, tell it [to] the Marines. THE PATRIOT-NEWS, MARCH 25, 2003 WAR COSTS It would be irresponsible to pass expenses on to next generation Until yesterday, the Bush administration had refused to offer firm figure on the likely cost of the war in Iraq. But the war's cost was on the minds of those in Congress when they voted last week on a $2.2 trillion budget for 2004 that included President Bush's proposed $726 billion tax cut. The Senate reduced the tax cut by $100 billion to help pay for the war in a budget that doesn't contain a single dollar for it. The House, however, approved the budget in a close vote, 215 to 212. Commendably, Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, and 11 other GOP House members parted company with their party and their president by voting against cutting taxes during a time of war. Rep. Tim Holden, D-Schuylkill County, also voted against the tax cut. Said Plats: "In that environment that we have a deficit going through the roof and we're at war, I just think it was not responsible to pass a budget that includes a proposed $1.4 trillion in tax cuts while also cutting spending for critical domestic programs such as education and agriculture." The $726 billion tax cut would be in addition to the $700 billion cut approved two years ago that would be made permanent after This comes as the White House is projecting a $304 billion deficit, the largest ever, for the full budget year, afigurethat doesn't include the cost of the war, post-war occupation and humanitarian aid. The United States is a wealthy country. It can afford to wage war and help rebuild Iraq, while carrying out its other responsibilities. But the fact is the administration isn't paying for the war and the tax cut with current revenues. It is borrowing these huge sumsfromthe future, so that down the road they will have to be repaid - with interest - through massive tax increases, cuts in spending and possibly reductions in Social Security and Medicare. While the administration and many in Congress have managed to ignore the ultimate consequences of governmentfiscalirresponsibility on this new and never-before-seen scale, eventually Americans are going to have to pay the piper. The disparity between spending and revenues of this magnitude is not sustainable. Both Platts and Holden noted that this would be thefirsttime in history that America went to war and didn't raise taxes. And first estimates of war costs have a way of falling short of matching actual spending, so that subsequent requests for additional funds are virtually a given. Indeed, a Congressional Research Service analysis of the administration's emergency defense spending request of $75 billion, made before it was finalized and presented to Congress, noted "a relatively small occupation force for six months," according to Bloomberg News. Some day, somehow, Americans will pay the cost of the war in Iraq. And just as it is clearfromthe battlefront that there is an unfortunate price to be paid in human lives to remove the Iraqi regime from power, there will be a financial price to be paid as well. The latter is a sacrifice that the president should be no less willing to ask of the American people to make today than the ultimate sacrifice our military forces fighting in Iraq have been asked to make for their country and a better world. And the question recurring, Will the Senate adopt the resolution? A voice vote having been taken, the question was determined in the affirmative. CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTIONS The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the following resolutions, which were read, considered, and adopted by voice vote: Conrad Gast III, Mr. and Mrs. James Pennebaker, Mr. and Mrs. Al Birunas, David Rudy, Matthew M. Sware, Joseph A. Caputo, John Yost, Thomas Weber, William Chalfant, David Brown, Kathy Speitel, Lewis & Clark Partners and to the Sertoma Club of Lancaster by Senator Armstrong. Robert Smullin, Jay William Chamberlin, Jazmin Ospa, Paul Ephraim Schoneveld, John M. Morganelli, Carol J. Simcoe, Ryan Miles Kuchinskas, Pleasant Valley High School, Northampton County Communities That Care, Liberty High School, Swiftwater Elementary Center, Saucon Valley Middle School, Pocono Elementary Center, William Penn Elementary School and to DES ACTION Pennsylvania by Senator Boscola. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Charles Robert Albert and to the Pulaski Committee of the Lehigh Valley by Senators Boscola and Dent. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Tom Gilbert, Aaron Bums, Ronald Bashore, William A. Dissinger, David J. Smith, John Marinkov, Anne Boyer and to the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Lebanon by Senator Brightbill. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Beth Shor by Senators Brightbill and O'Pake. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to William S. Flippin by Senators Brightbill, O'Pake, and Rafferty. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Christopher H. Barley, David Nagib, Amanda Fazekas, Halleh Asadpour, Lisa Rosenblatt, Elizabeth Glinka, Melissa Bargione, Bridget White, Brandon Wolff, Jayne Koellhoffer, Christopher Lewis, Falls Township Senior Citizens Center, Inc., United We Roar Opera Company, Hope-Solebury Elementary School, and to the Roy Ann Diner, Inc., of Sellersville, by Senator Conti. Robert Sierer, Parker Thompson, Robert E. Grassmyer, Sr., Tim Fisher, Ryan Mark Kopp, Mary C. Stine, Lois B. Keller, Joan Nessler, Daniel Martin Karduck, Christie Wiest, John Reed Rodgers, Eric W. Davy and to Melvin R. Romig by Senator Corman. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Wilhelmina Kuberski, Domenic Toretti, Carrick Meals On Wheels of Pittsburgh and to Lutheran Service Society of Pittsburgh by Senator Costa. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Dr. John Altobelli and Jane E. Altobelli, Debi Short, Gregory Emerich, Robert G. Werts, JoAnn Wilchek Basist, Geoff Gehman, Dana Van Horn, Tony lannelli, Loretta Dodson, John P. Page, Joshua Tyler Glueck, Adam Beani, Scott William Coe, Julian Rappaport, Kyle Zwerko, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Allentown, Leonardo da Vinci's Horse, Inc., of Al-

8 280 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE MARCH 26, lentown and to The Rider-Pool Foundation of Allentown by Senator Dent. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Everett Olszewski, Velma Moore, James Scott Richardson, Anthony Harrison Eskew, Douglas Harold McGahen and to Evan Michael Waidley by Senator Earll. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to William Woolston, John Gallagher, Carl Suppa, Clarence M. Martin, Dennis Henry, Joseph O'Keefe and to Brian Thomas by Senator Erickson. John Varley, Amanda S. Milisits, Layton Crytzer, Michael Klein, Justin T. Victor, Anthony McCall, citizens of the Borough of West Leechburg and to the Citizens Hose Fire Department of Natrona Heights by Senator Ferlo. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Jeff Brown, citizens of the City of Ventnor, New Jersey, and to Our Lady Help of Christian Seniors Group by Senator Fumo. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Todd R. Smith, Allura Grant, David Bums, Jr., John L. Rathfon, Clifton H. Hamilton and to Gertrude O. Jackson by Senator Greenleaf. Kermit J. Long, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Shaffer, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Engleman, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Paul Zeisloft, Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Zeager, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne M. Strausser, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie S. VanBlargen, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chervanik, Zachary S. Rauch, Dick Hess, Ryan Andrew James, Loyal Benjamin Liken, Paul Michael Anderson, Daryl Wiest, Dr. William S. Gibson, Jr., Christopher P. Auker, Jennifer Kalinowski, Andrew J. Monkoski, Garrett Patrick Fisher, Bruce Werner, Berwick Christian Church and to the Southern Columbia Area High School Football Team of Catawissa by Senator Helfrick. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to the Barbershop Talk Human Family Day Foundation, Inc., of Philadelphia, by Senators Hughes, Mellow, and Jubelirer. Mahlon Reese, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Imler, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Claar, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stapleton, Mr. and Mrs. John Pannebaker, Sally L. Frear, Sandra A. Kitchens, G. William Ward, Virginia Mae Day, Victoria Thompson, Georgette Ayers, Julie Arthur, Caleb Goodin, Robert E. Eberly, Dr. Athleen Jacobs Stere, Mount Union Fire Department and to the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association by Senator Jubelirer. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Dorothy Kennedy, Ted Villani, Robert Schulz, James Roddey, Keith Jarvis, Vincent C. Silvio, Matthew Ryan Leonard, Jack L. Teichart, Thomas Jefferson High School Junior Varsity Hockey Team of Pittsburgh, Covenant at South Hills of Mount Lebanon, St. James Catholic School Junior Varsity Girls' Basketball Team of Sewickley and to Peters Township High School of McMurray by Senator Jubelirer on behalf of Senator Pippy. Joseph Ranker, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Porterfield, Blaine Brooks, Steven Krzanowski, Kenneth James Hager, Nathan Booher, Chester Warren Hillegass, Randall K. Richterll, Michael DeBerry, George Cable and to Family Health Council, Inc., and the Teen Peer Education Program by Senator Kasunic. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to St. Joseph's Preparatory School Class of 1953, of Philadelphia, by Senator Kitchen. Samuel Testa, Bradford W. Bailey, Joshua Michael Litvik, Lewis B. Barthels, Joseph A. Lester, Mount Pleasant High School Wrestling Team and to DiSalvo's Station of Latrobe by Senator Kukovich. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Ed DeChellis, Dale L. Kryder and to Harry T. Buttermore by Senator LaValle. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Honorable and Mrs. John Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beavers, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Heller, Rachel E. Adams, Mae King, Joshua Guy Johnson, Richard D. Casmus, Declan J. Carroll, Christine Muscavage, Alden Dietz and to Clifford Tinklepaugh by Senator Lemmond. Kenneth C. Cole, Justin Alan Mason, Gerria M. Ballard, Myron Robinson, India Washington, Ashley Pryor, Eugene S. Skerkoski, St. Pius V Church of McKeesport and to the Gateway High School Mock Trial Team by Senator Logan. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Betty Lou Cain by Senators Logan and Piccola. Freeman Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. King, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lundy, Mr. and Mrs. Gene W. Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hassenplug, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Rishel, Philip Joseph De Long, Michael B. Barth, Adam B. Polinski, Isaiah Britton, Chris Engler, Marcus M. Allis, Robert C. Straub, Dr. Domenick N. Ronco and to the Alpine Hiking Club of Williamsport by Senator Madigan. Paul Ubaldini, Stephen B. Lenceski, Paul J. Hubert, David J. Gaul, Ryan P. Helcoski, Melissa Beehler, Brian P. Ross, Mary Cecelia Horshock, Evelyn Moyer, Michelle Fereck, Amy Parente and to Schott Glass Technologies, Inc., of Duryea, by Senator Mellow. Albert F. Clark by Senators Mellow and Musto. Arthur A. Line, Michael George, George F. Grode, Sean McCormick, John Densham, Citizens Fire and Rescue Company No. 2 of Mechanicsburg, Trinity High School Boys' Basketball Team of Camp Hill and to the citizens of the Borough of Mechanicsburg by Senator Mowery. Thomas J. Nardone, Charles Jackson, Alisa K. Michael, Megan A. Blessing, Joseph Warmus, Thomas W. Bonn and to Salvatore C. Battisti by Senator Musto. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Saint Marco Society of Temple, Reading Police Beneficial Association and to the Rising Sun Sunners Softball Team of by Senator O'Pake. William Noland, Joe and Erin Perry, Anita Stright, Jerry Andree, Daniel Robert Bumos, Jaclyn Sokulski, Emily E. Krull, Rena Xu, Rachel L. Orler, Justin Tackett, Sarah Connolly, Jake Herbert, Richland Elementary School of Gibsonia, North Allegheny Se-

9 2003 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE 281 nior High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, Castcon Stone, Inc., of Clinton Township, Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company of Sarver and to the Water Hole of Harmony by Senator Orie. Harry Laman, Mr. and Mrs. Dale S. Rhen, Mary K. Shroy, Harold E. Clark, Jr., and to Boy Scout Troop 11 by Senator Piccola. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Shaunak Kishore, Michael Tobias McCabe, Dr. Joyce E. Scott, Jason Charles Chimchirian, Christopher Prescott Martin, Reliance Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 of Boothwyn and to Lincoln University by Senator Pileggi. Glenn Burkholder, Brian Davis, Sloan Kaas, Dr. Michael D. Cerveris, Cavet Leibensperger and to the Delone Catholic High School Girls' Basketball Team by Senator Punt. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Eric J. K. Muhlenberg, Deborah Turner, Honorable Richard A. Tilghman, James A. Whites, Alexander Paul Louis Hydrean and to Reverend Dr. Frederick O. Lewis by Senator Rafferty. Wayne Schickram, Jessica Greenawalt, Eydie Fenstermacher Reed, Reverend John J. McNamara, Jessica Eiler, Jamie L. Reed, Honorable Charles M. Miller, Edith M. McConnell, Daniel Shollenberger, Dennis Hollman, Robert W. Allem, Jamie Heffelfinger, Kristy Bortz, Rebecca Angstadt, Lindsay A. Miller, George G. Strock, Wagner Industries, Inc., and to the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library by Senator Rhoades. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to John Earl Kremm III, Edgar E. Ives, Matt Dunn, Daniel Edward Fenstermacher, Julie Rebecca Bridge, Lydia Jane Smargiasso, Gary Shelhamer and to the Meadville High School Varsity Hockey Team by Senator Robbins. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Robert C. Esch, Ryan Malburg, Stacy Ogden, Scott Rendos, Ross Omer, Jr., Matthew R. Stookey, John William's European Pastry Shop of Bradford and to Tops Market Inc., of Bradford, by Senator Scamati. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to John Spivak, David Parillo, Marion Silverstein and to Timothy Becker by Senator Stack. Charles Bamo, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas F. Schultz, Mr. and Mrs. Aldo Ropele, Mr. and Mrs. John V. Perunko, Mr. and Mrs. John Eckenrode, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent A. Sargent, Mr. and Mrs. William P. Thomas, Autumn Marisa, Rachel Marie Burack, David L. Keys and to Clara Belle Smith by Senator Stout. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Gerald H. Brennian, Owen O'Connell and to Keriann McNulty by Senator Tartaglione. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Reverend Richard Streeter, James W. Magliano, Michelle Markwith, H. Brent Bamberger, Paul Jones, Lynn Miller, Nancy McLelland, Barry Hoch, Jay G. Fischer, Amina C. Valocchi, Deirdre Gleason, William Peterson, Pamela Dunn, Miriam DeGroff, Emma Valenteen, Mary Jane Riley, Ken Winston, Robert Motzer, Fern Heit, Nicole Moore, Yiwen Zhu, Jason Bland, Ben Bellis, Jarey Wang, Amy Barto, Sally W. Stetson, Joseph McDonough, Shawn David Condon, Michael Ciarlone, Robert J. Gross, Cheshire England Youth Brass Band, Downingtown Keystone Opportunity Zone and to the Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Insurance Company of Exton by Senator Thompson. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Adelaide Bekes by Senator Tomlinson. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Harry Stymiest, Jr., and to Drew A. Phillips by Senators Tomlinson and Conti. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Ann Hyman and to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals by Senator Wagner. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Leo S. Keim, Michael Roberts, Benjamin Boeckel, Virginia Lehr, York County Department of Parks and Recreation and to the Pennsylvania State Grange by Senator Waugh. Andrew Cup, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Elkin, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Dunmire, John Lawrey, Jesse Woodring, Jesse Weichey, Jarrod Bair, Andrew Russell Gibson, Zach Yuschock, Kirk Lorigan, Clara Boyer, Christopher Michael Brown, Michael Scott Greene, Kevin M. Strezo, Jr., and to Reverend John W. Snyder by Senator D. White. Robert Eisenhuth, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth N. Bamett, Mr. and Mrs. William Fink, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hulse, Robert P. SchifHiouer, Kara Brinks, Tasha Mehelich, Marie Grosse, Timothy Kisner, Clinton Orloski and to Eric Ramsey by Senator M.J. White. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Lorraine E. Fleming, Doris Dems, Robert W. Bogle, Dr. Evelyn Graves, Reverend Frank Stephens, Jr., Honorable Jacqueline Bogle Mosley, William W. Neil, Donald Molineux, Gwendolyn Bedford Brightful, Stanley Lindner, Donald C. Brown, Michael P. Dolly, Elmo Daugherty, Craig Jeffries, Phyllis Edwards and to the Villanova University College of Nursing by Senator A.H. Williams. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Daniel J. Hilferty, Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, Main Line Reform Temple, Beth Elohim, and to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur by Senator C. Williams. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Donald Soliday, John Kandel, Victor R. Alderfer, Barry Rahn, Lee Saverio, James J. Flyzik, Paul Goetter, Wendy Frese Irwin, Luther Gideon Roth, Dale Keyser, Dr. Juan R. Baughn, Bradley Carter, Quakertown Business and Professional Women's Organization of East Greenville, North Penn High School of Lansdale and to the Easton Area High School Wrestling Team by Senator Wonderling. James L. Cameron, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cotchen, Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Chappell, Ralph McClarren, Gordon Folmar, Carl Undercofler, Nathan Pallo, Lisa Thomas, Forest Hills Junior High School Cheerleading Squad, Bishop McCort High School Varsity High School Cheerleading Squad, Bishop Carroll High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, North Star High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, Conemaugh Valley Elementary School Pee Wee

10 282 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE MARCH 26, Cheerleading Squad, Forest Hills High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, Conemaugh Valley Middle School Cheerleading Squad and to the Turner's Varsity All-Star Cheerleading Squad by Senator Wozniak. Congratulations of the Senate were extended to Earl L. Neiderhiser by Senators Wozniak, Jubelirer, and Kasunic. CONDOLENCE RESOLUTIONS The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the following resolutions, which were read, considered, and adopted by voice vote: late Christopher Scott Seifert by Senator Boscola. late Donald Bell by Senators Dent and Wonderling. late William H. Crawford by Senator Hughes. late Joseph F. Ertle by Senator Lemmond. late Albert J. Flora, Sr., by Senators Lemmond and Musto. late Alvin G. Turley, to the family of the late Virginia Bender, to the family of the late Christine E. Loverti, to the family of the late Carmelina Stabile Baumgartel and to the family of the late Louis J. Slais by Senator Orie. late Mildred P. Yingst by Senator Wenger. late Adam J. Pagliaro by Senator C. Williams. POSTHUMOUS CITATIONS The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the following citations, which were read, considered, and adopted by voice vote: A posthumous citation honoring the late Viki Lynn Moore Hill was extended to the family by Senator Piccola. A posthumous citation honoring the late Laveme W. Alderfer was extended to the family by Senator Wonderling. BILLS ON FIRST CONSIDERATION Senator RHOADES. Madam President, I move that the Senate do now proceed to consideration of all bills reported from committee for the first time at today's Session. The motion was agreed to by voice vote. The bills were as follows: SB 257, SB 371 and SB 508. And said bills having been considered for the first time, Ordered, To be printed on the Calendar for second consideration. PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES The PRESIDENT. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Northampton, Senator Boscola. Senator BOSCOLA. Madam President, this past week we have all been busy with what we do here at the Capitol, so busy that it is easy to forget that our country is at war and our troops are overseas fighting in Iraq. But for all of us who live in the Lehigh Valley, die war has already hit close to home. One of our own from Easton, Williams Township actually, lost his life earlier this week. Captain Christopher Scott Seifert was among those killed at Camp Pennsylvania by grenades that were thrown by a fellow soldier. Chris Seifert was 27 years old. He was an only child. He leaves behind a wife and a 4-month-old son. Army Captain Chris Seifert served his country in the 101st Airborne Division. He was stationed at the command center in Kuwait City when he was killed. His commanding officer said he was the awesome soldier that everyone wanted. He was a soldier you wanted to lead, and he was a soldier you wanted to follow. Those words are now preserved in the Journal of the Senate in his memory. He was one of us, but he was better. He chose to risk his life to defend us. For that, we will be eternally grateful. Thank you, Madam President. Lebanon, Senator Brightbill. Senator BRIGHTBILL. Madam President, yesterday, during the executive session on nominations, or the process of voting on nominations for the new Secretary of Education, Vicki Phillips, and for the Adjutant General, William Lynch, there was a fire alarm, and we cut the process short as a result of the fire alarm. We voted and confirmed those two highly-qualified individuals to be nominees, but I know some of the Members had comments to make, I know one was Senator Armstrong, and I know that Senator Robbins did not get to complete his comments regarding General Lynch, and I just wanted to put on the record the fact that we believe that both of these nominees are highly qualified, and the lack of more comments does not reflect our lack of enthusiasm for their appointments. Lancaster, Senator Armstrong. Senator ARMSTRONG. Madam President, I was not able to make remarks yesterday because of the fire alarm, but I have known Vicki Phillips for a number of years and I am very pleased that she was confirmed to be Secretary of Education. She came to Lancaster about 5 years ago, and in our school district in downtown Lancaster, we had some problems. We were struggling. Morale was down, our scores were down, and parental involvement was basically nonexistent. When Vicki came to town, she was a breath of fresh air. She really got involved in the community, she got involved with the business leaders, the political leaders, and she rolled up her sleeves and was very, very serious about it. She had tremendous enthusiasm. You could tell right away she wanted to change things, and she did. In a relatively short time, she turned the school district around in Lancaster, and we are all very proud of her. She is very hard working, she is very conscientious, and she has made some very, very tough decisions. At one school, in fact, I think 25 parents were involved when she got there, and when she left, that one school had 400 parents involved, working with the teachers and the principal in that school. I feel that Governor Rendell has made an excellent choice with Vicki Phillips, and I know she will do an outstanding job for education in Pennsylvania. Thank you. Madam President. The PRESIDENT. Thank you, Senator Armstrong. Thank you for those nice comments.

11 2003 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL SENATE 283 The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Wagner. Senator WAGNER. Madam President, I rise for the same purpose. I know we were shortchanged in time yesterday, and I appreciate the Majority Leader coming back to yesterday. We had an expedient roll call, which was also very appropriate, and I am sure the two individuals, Secretary Phillips and Adjutant General Lynch, were very appreciative of that, to have their confirmation completed yesterday, even though the fire alarm was ringing in the building. I rise to make some brief remarks in support of both individuals. I think Governor Rendell has made an exceptional choice with both of these people. Secretary Phillips has truly shown that she is exceptionally qualified for that position, and it is pleasing to see the overwhelming support in this Senate for her confirmation. I also want to say that Adjutant General William Lynch is also an extremely qualified individual. We all know that. He was the Adjutant General from 1999 through the end of last year, and I personally was delighted to see Governor Rendell renominate General Lynch to that extremely important position, especially at this time in our history. General Lynch is highly qualified. He is a Vietnam veteran, a veteran of Desert Storm. He has 38-plus years of experience in the military. As was indicated yesterday, we in Pennsylvania have the largest Army National Guard of any State in America. We are very proud of that. We have the fourth largest Air National Guard. We are proud of that, also. General Lynch has done an exceptional job commanding and overseeing those units. In addition, he has done an exceptional job overseeing the veterans services provided by this Commonwealth for the 1.3 million veterans of Pennsylvania, over 10 percent of our population, and a variety of other areas, Madam President, such as the veterans hospitals, six of which we have in Pennsylvania, and obviously the Scotland School for Veterans Children. So I simply rise to also indicate my strong support for General Lynch and Secretary Phillips, and I believe we have two exceptionally qualified people in those positions. Thank you. The PRESIDENT. Thank you, Senator Wagner, for your kind comments on Secretary Phillips and on Adjutant General Lynch. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Fayette, Senator Kasunic. Senator KASUNIC. Madam President, I rise today to offer floor remarks concerning the confirmation of Major General William Lynch for Adjutant General of Pennsylvania. Madam President, I am pleased to have voted for the confirmation of Major General William Lynch for Adjutant General. With America at war in the Middle East and our critical homeland security challenges pending here, Pennsylvania is fortunate to have such a seasoned and qualified military veteran commanding our Army and Air National Guard units. Capping a distinguished career that dates back 38 years, General Lynch has been our Adjutant General since From Vietnam to Desert Storm, he has earned the staunch support of Pennsylvania servicemen, guardsmen, and veterans through his life experience and his achievement. As an airman, General Lynch flew 100 unarmed reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam. He received numerous prestigious awards for his Vietnam service. During the Desert Storm War in the 1990s, General Lynch served as chief of the Guard's operations division. He commanded over 91 flying and 244 support units. A Brown University graduate, General Lynch has received over 23 major awards and decorations during his illustrious military career. Pennsylvania is fortunate, Madam President, to have such a distinguished and outstanding military leader to lead and protect us during these uncertain times. He will be an aggressive proponent for 12.3 million war veterans and their families. He will see to it that the six State veterans homes operate efficiently and professionally. We can also count on his seasoned experience and expertise as we enter this new age where the State and the nation's homeland security needs will largely depend on the cooperation between a host of emergency response agencies and their personnel. Madam President, he will be responsible for coordinating a more comprehensive and cohesive and efficient interagency response to emergencies that will be crucial to the challenge that lies before us. Madam President, it is also reassuring to know that General Lynch will continue to command, train, and supervise Pennsylvania's guard units. The best proof of the quality of his leadership is evident by the preparedness of the Pennsylvania guardsmen who have been ready for military service in Iraq. Confirming someone of General William B. Lynch's caliber rises above all partisan or political considerations. He is clearly, clearly, without a doubt, the very best for the job, and we are fortunate to have him. Thank you, Madam President. The PRESIDENT. Thank you, Senator Kasunic. ADJOURNMENT Lebanon, Senator Brightbill. Senator BRIGHTBILL. Madam President, I move that the Senate do now adjourn until Monday, April 21,2003, at 2 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The motion was agreed to by voice vote. The Senate adjourned at 12:03 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.