State Rep. Joseph Kerwin | Pennsylvania 125th Legislative District
State Rep. Joseph Kerwin | Pennsylvania 125th Legislative District
An initiative to establish a new memorial on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds has advanced, with legislation authorizing the monument passing the Senate. The bill's sponsor, Representative Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin), announced this development.
The proposed memorial aims to honor Gold Star families, who have lost service members. It will be constructed by the Woody Williams Foundation and MI Charitable Foundation without taxpayer funding.
House Bill 71 received unanimous approval from the Senate with a 48-0 vote and now awaits Governor Josh Shapiro's signature to become law.
"It is important these grieving families have a place to gather, reflect, pray and share in fellowship with one another. The memorial would be a permanent fixture honoring the sacrifices of not only our fallen men and women in uniform, but also their loved ones," stated Kerwin.
The House had already passed Kerwin’s bill unanimously in April while he was deployed to eastern Africa with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Task Force Paxton, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry.
"I’ve been working on this memorial project for several years and am thankful my fellow lawmakers saw the importance of permanently installing this monument on Capitol grounds," Kerwin added.
If enacted into law, the monument will consist of four granite slabs located east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street.
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