HARRISBURG, June 14 -- State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, joined other House members for a Juneteenth celebration in the East Capitol Rotunda. "Juneteenth is a commemoration of the end of slavery and Black freedom, but that freedom hasn't been a straight line from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to today,” Bullock said. “The struggle has been belabored and continues today. So, while we celebrate Black excellence, let us also recommit ourselves to do better as a nation and fight for a stronger democracy that ensures the promise of equity and freedom for all." Members from the Pennsylvania General Assembly joined with guests who performed spoken word poetry and African dance highlighting Black cultural achievements. Members who spoke at the celebration agreed that while Juneteenth was the start of independence for Black people in America, there is still much work to be done to truly achieve not only equality – but equity. Although Juneteenth has been celebrated unofficially since its inception, it is a newly added federal holiday that recognizes the day that Texas, the last state to have enslaved people, announced that all enslaved peoples were now free on June 19, 1865. Gov. Wolf also officially recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in 2019. Photos: Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus | Photo Gallery (pahouse.com) Read more
“Over the past several months and last few years, there has been a heightened conversation around the fact that our maternal mortality rate is getting worse,” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas. Read more
State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and PLBC members were joined by a coalition of legislators from around the state for a press conference to unveil a package of legislation aimed at streamlining police procedures and improving police-community relations at noon today in the Capitol Media Center. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Donna Bullock spoke at panel about her experiences in becoming an advocate for effective climate change solutions. The panel was developed for marking UN Earth Day 2019. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 12 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., responded to President Donald Trump’s fully implemented transgender military ban which went into effect on Friday, April 12th. “I am deeply disappointed in this transgender military ban,” Kenyatta said. “Anyone who is brave and selfless enough to want to serve this country in uniform should be allowed to serve. The President and our Supreme Court have made a serious mistake in allowing this hateful policy decision to move forward. The simple truth is that the Trump administration wants to encourage discrimination against trans people every chance it has to do so. I want to make it clear; I oppose these efforts to erase and target trans people and will do what I can to fight back.” The policy officially blocks people who have been diagnosed with a condition known as gender dysphoria from serving with limited exceptions. It also specifies that those without the condition can serve, but must do so according to the sex they were assigned at birth. LGBTQ groups and activists have called the ban cruel and irrational. The American Medical Association has said repeatedly that there is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from military service. For those not grandfathered in under the 2016 policy, the new rules require that soldiers meet the military’s prescribed expectations of their birth sex — including uniforms, haircuts, and physical Read more
HARRISBURG, April 10 – State Rep. Chris Rabb today joined other lawmakers and PennEnvironment to announce a package of bills aimed at addressing single-use plastics, pervasive issues of litter and the various environmental harms caused by a "throwaway" society. Legislation in the “Zero Waste PA” package works to address issues created by a disposable society including single-use plastics such as straws, plastic bags and Styrofoam takeout food containers, electronic waste, funding Pennsylvania’s recycling programs and more. "Cigarette litter is among the most toxic of all commonly littered items, containing a multitude of chemicals that leach into our soil and water and are harmful to all living things," said Rabb, D-Phila. "A well-planned deposit program would create a system where enterprises with proven capacity could upcycle them for safe and innovative use. This simple action would have a profound effect on our environment and leave our planet in better condition for future generations." “Every day, unwitting Pennsylvanians are barraged with products that we’re expected to purchase and use, and then throw away. Only, there is no ‘away,’” said PennEnvironment Executive Director David Masur. “Instead, it ends up in landfills where it can cause water pollution, in incinerators that cause air pollution, or blowing around in our neighborhoods in the form of litter. Nothing we use Read more
In 1821, Thomas L. Jennings became the first person of color to receive a U.S. patent. It was for 'dry scouring', an early form of dry cleaning. Read more
At a public hearing of the Pa. House Consumer Affairs Committee, Pa. state Rep. Donna Bullock questioned a representative from AARP as to how their members feel about alternative energies not only for rate relief, but also in terms of health effects. Read more
As a crime victim herself, Pa. state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell spoke in favor of strengthening Pennsylvania's crime victims protections, notifications, and involving them more directly in the process. Read more
Pa. Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Stephen Kinsey joined the Lt. Governor and colleagues to announce the new secretary of pardons. He explains why Brandon Flood is the perfect person for the job. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Patty Kim joined the Lt. Governor and colleagues to announce the new secretary of pardons. She explains why Brandon Flood is the best choice for the position. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Donna Bullock joined advocates in Harrisburg to continue her fight for equal pay across the commonwealth. She explains why she’s confident women will finally make the same as men for doing the same job. Read more
Pa. state Representative and chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Stephen Kinsey held a House Democratic Policy Hearing about addressing bullying to find ways to protect children and stop the pain. Read more
Pa. state representative and House Democratic whip Jordan Harris joined hip-hop artist Meek Mill, advocates, and legislators on both sides of the aisle to introduce probation and parole reforms. He explains why this bill is critical for families across the commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta joined advocates and a bi-partisan group of legislators to lay out a bill that would bring probation and parole reforms to Pennsylvania's criminal justice system. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Chris Rabb joined a bi-partisan group of legislators and advocates to call for reforms to the state's parole and probation laws. He explains why these changes are needed to help Pennsylvania move forward. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Stephen Kinsey hosted the House Democratic Policy Committee for a public hearing to address how to combat bullying. He discussed why addressing this issue now is critical to children across the commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald joined her colleagues for a public hearing in Philadelphia to discuss the best ways to combat bullying. She explains why we must address the issue now to protect our children. Read more
As chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Subcommittee on Women & Girls of Color, state Rep. Morgan Cephas hosted the House Democratic Policy Committee to Saint Joseph’s University in her district for a discussion on how to reduce the state’s rising rates of maternal deaths and how doulas can best be integrated in maternal care. Read more
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PHILADELPHIA, April 4 – State Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., announced today he will be hosting a Veterans and Family Members Outreach event on April 11. Burgos said the event focused on veterans will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at The Lenfest Center, 3890 N. 10th St., Philadelphia. There are a wide range of federal, state and county benefits available to qualified veterans and their families. Burgos’ staff will be informing veterans on benefits and services available to them, including assistance with applying for VA benefits and healthcare. Referrals to community resources and employment, as well as information on housing, public benefits and counseling also will be discussed. “When our veterans return home, they should not have to fight any longer just to be taken care of,” Burgos said. “We owe them so much for their sacrifices. I look forward to working with them and their families to make sure their needs are met and they can easily access the services they need for a happier and healthier life.” Interested residents may contact Burgos’ office at (215) 223-1890 with any questions or for more information. ### Attention assignment editors : Media coverage is encouraged. Read more
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