FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland D-Delaware www.pahouse.com/Kirkland

Kirkland sworn in for 11^th term in state House; named chairman of Tourism and Recreational Development Committee

HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 – State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-Delaware, began his 11^th term in the state House representing residents of the 159^th Legislative District during a swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol today.

Kirkland was also named to serve as chairman of the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee by House Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon. Kirkland is the first Democratic legislator from the 159^th District to serve as a committee chairman in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

"I plan to oversee legislation that would boost the state's $16 billion travel and tourism industry to promote Pennsylvania, "Kirkland said.

Kirkland, a House member since 1993, has been instrumental in passing legislation to increase the minimum wage and has also focused on legislation to curb gun violence.

"The legislature still has more work to do to pass bills that would establish tighter controls on illegal guns," Kirkland said. "Too many lives are being lost to gun violence."

The Delaware County lawmaker said he also supports increased funding for violence-prevention programs.

Kirkland, who previously served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, assisted hurricane victims in Mississippi and promoted programs to help the poor, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, adultBasic health insurance and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Kirkland is a member of the PLBC and the Philadelphia Delegation.

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