House
of Representatives
Daily
Session Update
Organization
of the 189th Regular Session of the House of Representatives
Prepared by the Office of the
Parliamentarian
As appointed by Article 2, Section 4, of the
Constitution of
Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Kenneth Rapp presented the election returns for all candidates for membership in the House of Representatives.
The acting Speaker
acknowledged a letter of resignation from Representative Kelly Lewis dated
The Oath of Office was administered by the
Honorable Corry Stevens, Judge, Superior Court of
Pennsylvania.
In Accordance with the Provisions of Article 2
Section 9, of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the house proceeded to elect a
Speaker. Speaker John M. Perzel was re-elected unanimously.
The oath of office was then administered to
the Speaker-Elect by the Honorable Chris R. Wogan,
Judge, Court of Common Pleas,
The Mace was placed on the Rostrum indicating
that the House is in Session.
The Speaker appointed Clancy Myer as
Parliamentarian of the House.
Representative Elinor
Taylor, Chairman of the Republican Caucus announced that Representative Sam
Smith was elected Majority Leader, Representative Dave Argall,
Majority Whip, Representative Raymond Bunt, Caucus Secretary, Representative Mario
Civera Policy Chairman, Representative Merle Phillips
Caucus Administrator and Representative Brett Feese
Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
Representative Mark Cohen, Chairman of the
Democratic Caucus announced that Representative H. William DeWeese
was elected Democratic Leader, Representative Mike Veon
Democratic Whip, Representative Kevin Blaum Caucus Secretary, Representative Stephen Stetler Policy Chairman, Representative Fred Belardi, Caucus Administrator and Representative Dwight
Evans Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
A Committee consisting of Representative Gingrich, Representative Killian and Representative Gerber was appointed to notify the Senate that the House of Representatives is organized. The House and Senate are required by statute to meet in Joint Session to certify election returns for the offices of Attorney General, Auditor General and State Treasurer. A Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau is also elected.
Robert W. Zech, Jr., was elected Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
A Committee consisting of Representative Harhart, Representative Sonney
and Representative Ramaley was appointed to notify the
Governor that the House and Senate is organized.
Communications Received
The following members were selected to serve on the Committee
on Committees
George C. Hasay,
Chairman
Jerry Birmelin
Gene DiGirolamo
John Evans
John Fichter
Dennis O’Brien
Dave Reed
Jess Stairs
Thomas Stevenson
Katie True
Robert Freeman, Democratic Chairman
Camille George
H. William DeWeese
Mike Veon
Kevin Blaum
John Perzel
From
the Senate
The Clerk of the Senate being introduced, presented the following extract from the Journal
of the Senate, which was read as follows, viz:
In the Senate
RESOLVED, (the House of Representatives
concurring) That the Senate and House of Representatives meet in Joint Session
on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 in the Hall of the House of Representatives for the
purpose of witnessing the opening, counting and computing the official returns
of the election for Attorney General, Auditor General and State Treasurer, held
on Tuesday, November 2, 2004, in the several counties of the Commonwealth, and
to elect a Director for the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Ordered, That the
Clerk present the same to the House of Representatives for its concurrence. Adopted Voice Vote
The Clerk of the Senate being introduced, presented the following extract from the Journal
of the Senate, which was read as follows, viz:
In the Senate
RESOLVED, (the House of Representatives
concurring), That when the Senate recesses this week, it reconvene on Monday,
January 24, 2005, unless sooner recalled by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That when
the House of Representatives recesses this week, it reconvene on
RESOLVED, That when the House of
Representatives recesses the week of January 18th, it reconvene on
Monday, January 24th, 2005, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
Ordered, That the
Clerk present the same to the House of Representatives for its
concurrence. Adopted Voice Vote
This is not an
official record of the day’s legislative activity.
The House of
Representatives
Recessed
at
Will reconvene on
January 18, 2004
at
Unless
Sooner Recalled by the Chair