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As majority chair of the House Subcommittee on Special Education, I was honored to offer my support for both the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Pennsylvania and the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania in their efforts to “Strike Out Social Stigma.” Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) and Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) had the privilege of welcoming Crawford County native and Grammy award-winning American country recording artist Jeannie Seely to the floor of the Pennsylvania House. On Tuesday, the House unanimously approved Rapp’s resolution honoring Seely for her 50th anniversary of becoming a member of the world famous Grand Ole Opry. I was greatly honored to present Titusville resident and Vietnam War veteran Charlie Castelluccio with my resolution which officially designates March 30, 2017 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania (House Resolution 178). I encourage everyone to thank as many Vietnam War veterans as you can for their service to our nation and for continuing the fight to ensure that today’s veterans, who return home after serving overseas, receive the respect and honor they deserve. I was greatly honored to read my resolution which officially designated March 30, 2017 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania (House Resolution 178) during the Clarendon Vets Club’s Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Dinner. Congratulations to Ellwood National Crankshaft, located in Irvine, Warren County, for being one of only six plants in the 13-county Erie region to earn OSHA's Star Voluntary Protection Award. Recently, I welcomed Jarod Peterson, who attends Beaty-Warren Middle School, to the state Capitol. Jarod did an outstanding job serving as a guest page on the floor of the Pennsylvania House. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony for Kyle Joseph Mehok. Kyle is the son of Douglas and Leann Mehok and a member of Boy Scout Troop 97 in Hydetown. To fulfill his community service requirement, Kyle refurbished and painted 12 picnic tables for the pavilion at Hasbrouck Park. Congratulations Kyle on this tremendous achievement! I was honored to be presented with the Gold Legislative Torchbearers A+ Award from Americans for Prosperity - Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) for voting 100 percent of the time during the 2015-16 legislative session to cut wasteful spending, lower the tax burden, privatize our state-run liquor system, increase worker freedom, and put Pennsylvanians in charge of Pennsylvania’s energy regulations. I was honored to receive my latest Guardian of Small Business Award from PA NFIB Executive Director Kevin Shivers in recognition of my 100 percent small business voting record during the 2015-16 legislative session. As majority co-chair of the bipartisan Pennsylvania House Pro-Life Caucus, I was greatly honored to be the featured speaker at the 2016 Stand Up for Life Rally in the state Capitol Rotunda. Sen. Scott Hutchinson and I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony for Philip Timothy Passinger. Philip is the son of Tim and Lisa Passinger and a member of Boy Scout Troop 14, which is sponsored by the Russell United Methodist Church. At this year’s Second Amendment Action Day, I spoke before hundreds of law-abiding citizens to reaffirm our God-given, Constitutional right to keep and bear arms and in opposition to all gun-grabbing legislation seeking to diminish these rights. Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to view the original charter of Pennsylvania that was issued to William Penn in 1681 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Today, the fragile charter is housed in the most highly secure and environmentally controlled area of the State Archives tower and is displayed only once a year, usually in conjunction with Pennsylvania’s Charter Day celebration. Special thanks to my co-host Sen. Scott Hutchinson and our expert presenters Forest County Sheriff Bob Wolfgang, Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene and Warren County Sheriff Ken Klakamp for helping to fill our latest Concealed Carry Seminar to capacity. It was my honor to participate in a ceremony officially designating the Route 62 Bridge In Tionesta, Forest County as the Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin/AMVETS Post 113 Memorial Bridge. I was the prime sponsor of the legislation to rename the bridge in honor of this beloved hometown hero who became the first field grade officer of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to die in action since World War II when he was killed by a suicide bomber in Ramadi, Iraq on Jan. 5 2006. I was honored to present Forest County Commissioner Basil Hoffman with a House citation recognizing his Local Government Excellence Award during DCED’s Local Government Day ceremony. Congratulations Basil on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition! On Nov. 17, I was joined by several members of AMVETS Post 113 as the House unanimously voted in favor of House Bill 1579 which would rename the Route 62 Bridge in Tionesta, Forest County, as the Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin/AMVETS Post 113 Memorial Bridge. <a href="http://www.reprapp.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=25525" target="_blank">For more information, click here to read my press release</a>. At the 2015 Warren County Fair, I had the pleasure of meeting Kaitlynn Barton, Kody Barton and Lakita, the brown Swiss calf, from the All Bull Kaff's Farm in Spring Creek. Joined by many family, friends and supporters, Rep. Kathy Rapp was sworn in for her sixth term to represent the 65th Legislative District, which includes all of Warren County and portions of Crawford and Forest counties. Pictured at left is Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie). The state Constitution requires members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to be sworn in for the new session on the first Tuesday in January. This year’s ceremony marked the opening of the 199th General Assembly. Rep. Rapp was once again honored to speak at several Veterans Day events throughout the 65th Legislative District, including the dedication ceremony for the Ludlow Veterans' Memorial. May God Bless America and all who defend her! In recognition of her 100 percent small business voting record during the 2013-14 legislative session, Rep. Rapp was presented with her fifth consecutive Guardian of Small Business Award by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Pictured with her are NFIB State Legislative Director Neal Lesher and NFIB State Director Kevin Shivers. Rep. Rapp had a great time visiting the Civil War Living History Encampment held at Wildcat Park in Ludlow, PA. I had a wonderful time participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited park office and visitor center at Kinzua Bridge State Park. The visitor center will house two exhibit halls and a lobby; park administrative offices; public restrooms; and classroom space. The bridge and observation deck will remain open during construction of the office and visitor center. Construction is expected to be completed next fall. On July 19, I once again attended the Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers Association (PIPP) annual meeting and pig roast at Drake Well Museum Park in Titusville. Since 1985, PIPP has been among our region’s leading voices for supporting small, independent gas and oil producers. The nonprofit association consists of over 350 independent producers, supply companies, industry personnel and supporters, who stand together against state legislation and regulations that would put even more serious restrictions on shallow well drilling. Pictured with me is Spartansburg resident Bob Brown. On June 4, I joined with many of my fellow state lawmakers and hundreds of citizen activists from Americans for Prosperity – Pennsylvania for a state Capitol rally to demand passage of legislation that would end the corrupt union practice of direct payroll deductions to collect dues and political contributions at taxpayers’ expense (House Bill 1507). Nationally syndicated conservative columnist and best-selling author Michelle Malkin (pictured with me here) was the keynote speaker. Recently, I presented 11-year-old Alex Zeigler of Warren with an official PA House citation recognizing his heroic actions that prevented his family and two other families from perishing in an apartment complex fire on Jan. 9, 2014. As a founding member of the PA House International Commerce Caucus, Rep. Rapp recently met with representatives from several different international business delegations to further ensure that Pennsylvania job creators are taking the necessary steps to become serious competitors in the global marketplace. Members of the House International Commerce Caucus continue to work closely with the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to build on Pennsylvania companies’ already successful international presence during the past several years that has resulted in $3.7 billion in new export sales and capital investment, 40,532 jobs created through foreign trade and investment, and $360 million in new tax revenue generated for the state budget. Pictured with Rep. Rapp (from left to right) are Ash Khare, (DCED), Supriya K., (India), Fabiola Yukio Yamada, (Brazil), Nicolas Bernard-Masson, (France) and Jonathan Sternberg, (Israel). Special thanks to my co-host Sen. Scott Hutchinson, our expert presenters Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene, Warren County Sheriff Ken Klakamp, Forest County Sheriff Bob Wolfgang and Forest County District Attorney Elizabeth Ziegler, our generous hosts at the Warren Holiday Inn, and, especially, the more than 250 local firearm owners who filled our first-ever Concealed Carry Seminar to full capacity. Rep. Rapp was honored to speak at several Memorial Day ceremonies throughout the 65th Legislative District. May God Bless America and all who defend her. On May 15, Rep. Rapp was joined by several local tow truck company operators during a joint House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and Judiciary Committee hearing to examine the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Emergency Towing pilot program that began operating throughout portions of western Pennsylvania last fall. Pictured with Rapp in the state Capitol Rotunda, immediately following this extensive hearing, (from left) are Robert Korbar, Johnson’s Tire Service, Tim Koebley, Koebley Towning and Recovery, Todd Rarey, Rarey’s Auto Service and Jim Dyke, Dyke’s Garage. Rep. Rapp presented local veteran Robbie Anderson (center) with an official House Citation in honor of his selection as the Warren County VFW Patriot of the Year Award for 2013. Currently residing in Sheffield, Mr. Anderson is recognized as a Master Carver who has donated his time and expertise to teaching disabled veterans the basics of carving. Anderson has also donated carved rifles to both the Warren County Veterans Council Veterans Emergency Fund and the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation to help raise funds for veterans’ needs. Also pictured is Warren County Veterans Affairs Director Ed Burris. On Feb. 2, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) had the privilege of escorting Gov. Tom Corbett to the House floor to deliver his 2014-15 budget address. Rep. Rapp was recently invited to speak to American government classes at Eisenhower High School in Warren County. Rep. Rapp and state Sen. Scott Hutchinson are surrounded by members of the John Gertsch Memorial Association Honor Guard Post 77 who participated in her Modern Day Military Veterans recognition ceremony which honored local United States military veterans who served from the Persian Gulf War through the present day including the ongoing War Against Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Rapp presented Modern Day military veterans or surviving family members with citations and medals in appreciation for their dedicated service to the Commonwealth and the nation. Here she is pictured with local veteran Chip Wenzel and his wife Sue. The keynote address for Rep. Rapp’s Modern Day Military Veterans recognition ceremony was delivered by U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Waugaman (Ret.) whose more than 10 years of military service as a vehicle mechanic included being stationed in Iraq during 2009. He is currently a science teacher at the Tidioute Charter School. Rep. Rapp and state Sen. Scott Hutchinson are pictured with cadets from the Warren County Civil Air Patrol who participated in her Modern Day Military Veterans recognition ceremony which honored local United States military veterans who served from the Persian Gulf War through the present day including the ongoing War Against Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Representative Rapp presented an official House citation marking the 50th Anniversary of the Kinzua Bridge State Park to Bendigo Complex State Park Manager Mitch Stickle and representatives from the Kinuza Bridge Foundation. A copy of the citation was also sealed into a time capsule for the next 50 years to be opened and read in the year 2063. Rep. Kathy Rapp speaks in support of independent oil producers at a press conference at the Drake Well Museum in Titusville. Hosted by the Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers, the event highlighted challenges threatening the future of this 150-year-old industry. Rep. Kathy Rapp was among more than a dozen speakers at a press conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers (PIPP) at the Drake Well Museum in Titusville. The event was designed to send a message to Harrisburg that regulations geared toward large-scale unconventional wells are not only unnecessary for shallow well drillers but also may result in the downfall of the industry. Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren), Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Warren) stand under the portrait of Charles Warren Stone whose lifetime achievements of public service, which included representing the people of Warren County as a state representative, state senator, lt. governor and U.S. congressman were officially recognized by resolutions adopted in both the state House and Senate this week. On May 22, Rep. Rapp participated in a legislative tour of SCI Forest State Penitentiary in Marienville. Part of the tour included a presentation and demonstration from the PA Department of Corrections Drug Interdiction Unit and dog handlers. The handlers demonstrated the types of searches used such as an area search for drugs and a search of a person for contraband. Representative Rapp once again joined together with dozens of pro-Second Amendment lawmakers and hundreds of Pennsylvania gun owners on the state Capitol steps for PA Second Amendment Action Day. Representative Rapp and Senator Scott Hutchinson pose next to a very life-like wildlife display by local taxidermist Jason Morrison of Buckhaven Wildlife Art at the 2013 Warren Outdoor Expo. Rep. Rapp has once again been recognized as a Guardian of Small Business by the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) for her outstanding voting record on key pro-business legislation during the 2011-12 legislation session. This is her fourth consecutive Guardian of Small Business award since first taking office in January 2005. Facilities Manager Julia McCRay recently gave Representative Rapp a personal tour of the Forest County Visitor Center’s new local artisan gallery. Representative Rapp visits one of her favorite locations along Tionesta Creek. Representative Rapp shot the first basket to open the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament/Warren County Burgerfest held at Betts Park. Representative Rapp posed next to a very life-like bear display by local outdoor sports enthusiast Tom Carlson at the Warren Outdoor Expo. Representative Rapp welcomed Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley and Representative Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) to the 2012 Polar Bear Plunge. Rep. Kathy Rapp met with Erin Connelly (center right), the new Allegheny National Forest supervisor, at her Warren office with Reps. Scott Hutchinson (far left) and Matt Gabler (far right). Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) attended Gov. Tom Corbett’s official bill signing of House Bill 755 on Jan. 24. This new law amends the County Code to makes it easier for county veterans’ affairs directors to attend annual statewide association meetings and stay up to date on the latest veterans programs. Rapp originally introduced this legislation in 2006 thanks to Warren County Veterans Affairs Director Edgar Burris bringing this issue to her attention. On the 2012 anniversary of Roe versus Wade, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) hosted a state Capitol press conference to build momentum for passage of her Women’s Right-to-Know Act. Already receiving bipartisan support from 113 legislative co-sponsors, House Bill 1077 would give every pregnant woman in Pennsylvania the right to choose whether or not to view an ultrasound of her unborn child within 24 hours of undergoing an abortion. Rep. Kathy Rapp co-chairs a House Finance Committee hearing regarding Marcellus Shale Impact Fee proposals at the Warren Holiday Inn.
 
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