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 significantly. Legislation authorizing the monument passed the Senate, as announced by Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin), who sponsored the bill.
The proposed memorial aims to honor Gold Star families, those left behind when a service member dies. The Woody Williams Foundation and MI Charitable Foundation will erect the memorial at no cost to taxpayers.
House Bill 71 received unanimous approval from the Senate with a 48-0 vote and is now awaiting 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 previously 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,” added Kerwin.
If enacted into law, the monument will consist of four granite slabs placed east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street. Representative Joseph Kerwin represents Pennsylvania's 125th Legislative District. For further information, media contact Jennifer Fitch can be reached at 717-260-6563 or jfitch@pahousegop.com.
Alerts Sign-up