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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Mike Sturla
| State Rep. Jake Wheatley
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MEDIA ADVISORY
House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing about effects of parental incarceration on children Wednesday in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH, July 20 – House Democratic Policy Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced that the committee will hold a public hearing regarding the Joint State Government Commission’s December report on the effects of parental incarceration on children from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the University of Pittsburgh’s O’Hara Student Center Dining Room, 4024 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh.
State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, requested the hearing and will serve as co-chair. Wheatley was a co-sponsor of H.R. 203, which was adopted by the state House in 2009 and called for the Joint State Government Commission study.
The current hearing agenda is:
· 2 p.m. – Welcome and opening remarks
· 2:10 p.m. – Panel of Advisory Committee to Review the Effects on Children of Incarcerated Parents:
Ø Dr. Helen Khanzhina, public policy analyst/project manager, Joint State Government Commission
Ø Dr. Claire Walker, executive director of the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation
· 2:50 p.m. – Panel of state and local officials:
Ø Shirley Moore Smeal, executive deputy secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Ø Patricia Valentine, executive deputy director for Integrated Program Services, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
· 3:30 p.m. – Panel from Amachi Pittsburgh:
Ø Anna Hollis, executive director
Ø Tirrell Harris, youth ambassador
Ø Ronnell Anderson, youth ambassador
· 4 p.m. – Panel from Women’s Law Project:
Ø Susan Frietsche, senior staff attorney, Western Pennsylvania Office
Ø Tara Pfeifer, staff attorney, Western Pennsylvania Office
· 4:30 p.m. – Closing remarks
The hearing is open to the public and media coverage is invited.
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