September 29, 2026 · TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT · 3,683 words · 24 speakers · 166 segments
. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to call this meeting of the House Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee to order. Josh, would you please take the roll?
Chairwoman Daly. Present.
Representative Bellman. Here.
Representative Boyd. Designation.
Let me turn this on. Representative Brennan. Here.
Representative Sepita Freitas. Here.
Here. Representative Serrato. Here.
Representative Powell. On designation.
Representative Probst. Here.
All right.
Representative Prokopiak. Here.
Representative Rivera. Here.
Representative Reston here. On designation.
Representative Steele. On designation.
Representative Takak. Here. Representative Young. Here.
Chairman Warner. Here.
Representative Armann Nanny. Here.
Representative Banta. Designation.
Representative Barger. Designation. Representative Cook. Present.
Representative Cooper. Here.
Representative Flick. Designation.
Representative Jones. Designation.
Representative Pickett. Designation. Representative Smith. Present.
Representative Tordzik. Present. Representative Wentling. Here.
And I see that Representative Powell has joined us, so she's no longer on designation. Good to see you.
And Chairwoman, we have a quorum.
Excellent. Thank you, Josh. I'd like to call up the following resolutions at the same time, and they are House Resolutions 492, 497, 555, 596, 598, 622, 626, and 629. And, Josh, would you please explain all of those resolutions?
Certainly. House Resolution 492 recognizes the month of October 2026 as Polish-American Heritage Month in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 497 recognizes October 6, 2026 as German-American Day in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 555 designates December 29, 2026 as the 175th anniversary of the YMCA in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 596 recognizes September 1, 2026 as National Hotel Employee Day in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 598 recognizes the month of October 2026 as Arts and Culture Month in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 622 designates the month of October 2026 as Italian and Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 626 designates October 23rd, 2026 as Hungarian Revolution Memorial Day in Pennsylvania. And House Resolution 629 recognizes September 15th through October 15th, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Pennsylvania.
So I would like to, if any of the sponsors, prime sponsors for any of these resolutions would like to speak, could you just raise your hand and then we'll go. Whoever gets there.
No, you're not on this. You're in the next group. Okay.
But did you have words you wanted? Any words? Okay. Go ahead.
Thank you, Chair Daly and Warner, for this opportunity to speak on House Resolution 622. This resolution would designate October 26th as Italian, October 2026, as Italian and Italian American Heritage and Culture Month in Pennsylvania. This resolution recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of more than 1.4 million Pennsylvanians who proudly claim Italian ancestry. I proud to represent Newcastle and Lawrence County a community with deep Italian roots and a rich history shaped by generations of Italian immigrants My parents and grandparents were all Italian so this resolution is personal for me My grandparents came into this country with hope, determination, and a desire to build a better life for their families. They brought with them traditions, faith, hard work, and a strong sense of community, values that have been passed down through generations. Last session, this resolution passed the House, and I'm pleased to bring it forward again with bipartisan support. House Resolution 622 demonstrates that honoring Pennsylvania's Italian and Italian-American heritage is something we can come together around. Across Pennsylvania, Italian immigrants helped build our communities, our businesses, and our industries. Their contributions can be seen in our neighborhoods, restaurants, family businesses, and traditions that remain an important part of the Commonwealth. In Lawrence County, we see that heritage every day. Italian heritage is a big part of who we are. It's reflected in our restaurants, the Sunday sauce trail, and the businesses that Italian immigrants built in our community. House Resolution 622 gives us an opportunity to recognize where these families came from, what they built here, and the contributions they continue to make in our Commonwealth. I'm proud to bring this resolution forward, and I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
Thank you, Representative Brown. Let's see. Let's go back to the numbers of the resolution. So House Resolution, my understanding is Representative Serato wants to say a couple words. Are you in a rush so you can bounce? Okay.
Thank you, Madam Chair. House Resolution 596 recognizes September 1st as National Hotel Employee Day here in Pennsylvania. Behind every hotel stay are hardworking people who welcome our visitors, keep things running, and help make Pennsylvania a place people want to visit again and again. From the front desk to the housekeeping, maintenance, food, service, management, and so many other roles, these employees are an important part of our hospitality industry and our communities. This resolution is simply an opportunity to say thank you and to recognize the people whose hard work often happens behind the scenes. Thank you for your consideration of House Resolution 596.
Thank you, Representative. We can now go to House Resolution 626. Representative Gatos.
Thank you, Chairs Daly and Warner, for the opportunity to speak today on this Resolution 626. I'm asking the committee to support a resolution which will designate October 23, 2026 as Hungarian Revolution Memorial Day in Pennsylvania. I'm particularly pleased to have my co-prime sponsor and fellow Hungarian, Representative Paul Takak, on this bill as well. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 when the Hungarian people rose up against the Soviet domination and fought for their freedom and independence. It also marks the 37th anniversary of Hungary's peaceful transition from communist rule to a democrat system. This is very important and a very important day to many Hungarians, not just in Pennsylvania but throughout the nation, because it was really special for them as their community. They came here to the United States. These moments in Hungary's history also have a particular connection to Pennsylvania, as we certainly recognize Pennsylvania's Hungarian immigrant community, their history, their culture, and everything that they've brought to our nation, which has made our nation great. For generations, Hungarian immigrants have called Pennsylvania home, as they immigrated, many of them during the Second World War and after the Soviet invasion in 1956, but also prior to that when my family came in the early 1920s. Hungarian immigrants and their descendants helped build our communities and were such an important part of our steel and industrial workforce. As I mentioned, my grandparents were Hungarian. There's many, many famous Hungarians, not just in Pennsylvania but throughout the nation. Joe Namath is one, our famous football player from Beaver. we've had a number of coalitions that started Concordia in Bethlehem Bethlehem Homes in Ligonier was started in 1921 it was established as an orphanage from the Hungarian Reform Federation of America to care for children left without support after the tragic mine disaster in 1907 so today that heritage remains an important part of our region and census estimates census data estimate more than 3,500 people of Hungarian ancestry live in Pittsburgh alone, with Hungarian communities extending throughout the region. It's very important in western Pennsylvania in particular, but also there's many communities in the Philadelphia area. As we celebrate America 250, I believe that it's fitting that we also recognize the people of Hungary who fought for their own freedom, sovereignty, and independence. And as I mentioned, that there's different categories of Hungarians, too, that have contributed. And I will hold up this huge list of famous Hungarians that I encourage people to take a look at because there's quite so many. And I'll leave this for you to take a look at. But I certainly respectfully ask for the committee to vote in affirmative on House Resolution 626. And thank you for your support.
Well, thank you for that history lesson. And I think it was really very interesting, and I think it's one of the benefits in this committee. We get a lot of resolutions, but we learn a lot also about Pennsylvania. So thank you. Let's see. House Resolution 629. Representative Cepita Freches, do you have?
I'm right here. Oh, there you are. Hi, hi. Good morning. And thank you so much, Chair Daly and Chair Warner and members of the committee for allowing me the opportunity to speak on House Resolution 629. As the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, a proud Dominican American and daughter of immigrants, this resolution is deeply personal to me. Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Latinos who have helped shape Pennsylvania. And currently, in the Commonwealth, there are 1.3 Latinos. From our classrooms and small businesses to health care and public service, our community contributes to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of our Commonwealth. This resolution is also about ensuring that future generations see themselves reflected in Pennsylvania's history and recognize their place in its future. Our heritage is part of Pennsylvania's story and our contributions continue to shape it. I respectfully ask my colleagues to support House Resolution 629, and I also look forward to supporting everyone's resolution because, you know, that's the beauty of our members, of our Commonwealth. It's such a melting pot. We have so much diversity and so much to celebrate as Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Thank you so much, colleagues.
Thank you, Representative. Let's see. All right. it's uh representative you wanted to speak on one of the oh great you have it
thank you chair and um i would just like to say a few words of course in the house resolution 555 more normally known as the ymca you know everyone who has a y in their district in their town is blessed to have a cornerstone that is, you know, developing strong bodies and minds. And I know in my district, we just announced through LSA funding that we're going to be doing a complete renovation to the Y that has not been done since the 80s. And it's a great community It wraps around You go there in the morning and you get hit by the senior citizens who have done on their walks and you not getting out of there without drinking a cup of coffee with them So it a great gathering and it is so good I believe not only for our youth which that gives them a place to learn and to be able to grow, also, though, for our seniors to see them gather and to be out being healthy. And it's just great knowing that we have these facilities that will be able to help us from when we're three at a daycare to we're a senior citizen, you know, walking on a treadmill. So thank you for the time, Chair. And I appreciate my YMCA very greatly in Dubois and Ridgway. Thank you.
And I'd like to just let people know that some of the folks from the YMCA are actually here in the audience. So thank you for joining us this morning. All right. Now I have to get back to what we're doing here. So, okay. With no further discussion, I'm going to call the rolls for House Resolutions 492, 497, 555, 596, 598, 622, 626, and 629 together. Are there any negative votes? Okay. seeing no negative votes resolutions 492 497 555 596 598 622 626 and 629 passed unanimously and will be reported as committee uh as committed and next so anybody who was here thank you for your comments um now i'd like to call up house resolution 608 printers number 3854 and josh would you please
explain the resolution house resolution 608 designates november 5th 2026 as guru nanic day in Pennsylvania.
Okay. On that question, does anyone wish to speak? And Representative Curry, that includes you as the prime sponsor.
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for having me here today to speak on this important resolution. I appreciate Representative Sepere Ferretes talking about the diversity. And in the district where I represent Upper Darby is the world in one place. That's what we call it. And we have a very large Sikh community that I've gotten to know really well. And so we continue to mark this very special tradition for them. And so 2026 marks the 557th. You know, we just celebrated, we're celebrating 250. So the 557th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. For over 100 years, Sikhs have been contributing to America's communities and economy. There are strong Sikh communities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Delco, and like I said, in the home district where I represent Upper Darby. Nationwide, there are over half a million Sikhs calling the U.S. their home. And Guru Nanak rejected the caste system and affirmed the equal dignity of all people. He shaped tradition around peace, equality, and fraternity. The Sikh community who continue to follow his teachings exemplify this spirit and contribute to their communities through their economic, civic, and cultural lives. Pennsylvania has a rich history of diversity, tolerance, and cultural growth. And in that spirit, I ask today for your support in designating November 5th, Guru Nanak Day in Pennsylvania. By honoring Guru Nanak and the people who observe Sikhism today, we welcome and recognize their significant impact on the cultural fabric of our state. Thank you very much, colleagues.
Thank you, Representative Curry. Is there anyone else? I don't see any other hands up. Okay. So with no further discussion, I'm going to call the rolls for House Resolution 608. Those in favor of reporting the resolution as committed will vote aye. Those opposed, no. And Josh, will you please call the roll?
Chair Daley.
Aye.
Representative Bellman?
Yes.
Representative Boyd?
Yes.
Representative Brennan?
Yes.
Representative Sapita Frazin?
Yes.
Representative Serrato?
Yes.
Representative Powell?
Yes.
Representative Probst?
Yes.
Representative Kokopiak?
Yes.
Representative Rivera?
Yes.
Representative Rusnak?
Yes.
Representative Steele?
Yes.
Representative Taycac?
Yes.
Representative Young?
Yes.
Chairman Warner.
Yes.
Representative Arminini.
Yes.
Representative Banta.
Designation, yes.
Representative Bargir.
Designation, yes.
Representative Cook.
Yes.
Representative Cooper.
Yes.
Representative Flick.
Designation, yes.
Representative Jones.
Designation, yes.
Representative Pickett.
Designation, yes.
Representative Smith.
Yes.
Representative Tkorsutek.
Yes.
Representative Whitelang. The ayes are 26 and the nays are 0. So the ayes are 26 and the nays are 0. So House Resolution 608 will be reported as committed.
Thank you, Representative Curry, for being here today and talking about your resolution. All right. No, thank you. So we have one more resolution, so I'd like to call up House Resolution 621, printers number 3892.
I'm going to ask Josh, please explain the resolution. House Resolution 621 urges the Congress of the United States and the United States Secretary of Defense to strengthen domestic content requirements for defense systems.
uh chair warner would you like to provide a summary of your amendment oh i'm so sorry i didn't say we have an amendment so thank you josh the question is will the committee report the bill on that question chair warner will be offering an amendment a zero four
three five three so now chair warner would you like to provide a summary of your amendment yes Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this is a very simple amendment. We had some discussions in committee today about being inclusive and diversity, and I'd like to push that to this resolution, too. I have no issue with the underlying resolution. I fully support it. I think it's a good resolution. However, the way that it's worded, the resolution excludes tens of thousands of Americans and Pennsylvanians, hardworking Pennsylvanians in this Commonwealth. We have a lot of workers here that may not be a part of a union that still contribute to products for our national defense. Lockheed Martin in King of Prussia and Valley Forge General Dynamics Mission System in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre L3 Harris Technologies Gwynn Manufacturing North Wells, Pennsylvania Rhodes Industries Philadelphia Navy Green Filter in Fayette County These are hardworking men and women who they proudly make products here in America, too. They proudly support our national defense and I believe that they should and deserve to be a part of this resolution and therefore I offering this amendment Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Chair Warner. Will the committee agree to the amendment and on that question? Is there any discussion on the amendment? Representative Armanini.
I have to agree with Chair Warner on this. There are many companies throughout Pennsylvania who are not union by choice. I know in our area there are the companies. They did not want unions in where they're working, and they do a lot of work for the defense in our country. So shouldn't we be honoring all instead of just if you're a union worker? I don't think that's what this committee is about, and I believe we should be honoring both union and non-union workers, because without both of them, who knows what could happen. Thank you.
Thank you, Representative. Anybody else have comments?
I would just like to add on that my understanding of this resolution is that AAU approached the prime sponsor about having a resolution for this, and I think it was really an important idea to do that. But I can't find a reason to not acknowledge, as Chair Warner described, all of the other people who are working on things. I think that I'm glad that the union brought it forward, and I hope that they're welcoming the other partners that they have in doing this kind of work. and I will be voting yes on this. So, thank you.
Now, all right, so we have to vote. Seeing no more comments, I'm going to call the roll. And Josh, go ahead. All right.
Chairwoman Daly.
Yes.
Representative Bellman.
Representative Boyd
Representative Brennan
Representative Cipita Freitas
Representative Serrato
Representative Powell
Representative Probst
Yes.
Representative Prokopiak.
No.
Representative Rivera.
Yes.
Representative Rusnok.
No.
Representative Steele.
No.
Representative Takak.
I think he just left.
Okay. Then I guess he's a no. So no.
Representative Young.
Yes, also. She left. No. No.
Chairman Warren yes.
Representative Armeneny yes, Representative Banta. Designation yes, Representative, barger, designation, yes. Representative Crook. Yes. Representative Cooper.
Yes.
Representative Flick. Designation yes, Representative Jones, designation , Representative Pickett, designation , Representative Smith. Yes.
Representative Tordzik. As a member of the union since 1999, the Screen Actors Guild, I will support all workers and vote yes.
And Representative Wentling. So on the amendment, the ayes are 19 and the nays are 7. The amendment is adopted.
The question remains, will the committee report the resolution as amended? And Representative Dukes is here. Would you like to make a comment about your resolution?
There we go. There we go. Chair Daly, Chair Warner, committee, thank you for having me and taking up this resolution that I proposed. So pretty much what it is, it's a resolution, again, to urge the U.S. Congress, as well as the Department of Defense to strengthen our domestic manufacturing when it comes to defense weaponry, excuse me, supplies for U.S. military across the globe. It also, you know, initially was to, you know, support all union-made work as well that we see a lot here in Pennsylvania. I always consider Pennsylvania a union town, especially hailing from the city of Pittsburgh, you know, Steel City and always a big labor part of the state as well as all across the state too. And it has a lot of union members who are on both sides of the aisle. So that's something that I've been seeing growing in the last few years. So that's why I think it's important that we urge our federal U.S. Congress to, you know, make more weapons, defense weapons, ammunition, et cetera, here in the U.S. because right now I believe federal law allows that number to be 55%, which I think could be higher. And this resolution would urge that to be 75%, especially when you're fighting any wars or anything. I think we should use American-made weapons to defend ourselves across the globe from enemies foreign-wide. But, yeah, I just want to give a few remarks on that, and I appreciate it. I hope you guys would vote for it out of committee, and hopefully we can get on the floor. And that's all I have to say right now about the resolution. So thank you all again. I appreciate it.
Thank you very much, Representative. So would anyone else like to comment on the – this is the amended resolution now. Go ahead, Chair Warner.
Representative Dukes, thank you very much for bringing this resolution up. I fully support this resolution. anything that we can do to have more products made in america is fantastic in a right step forward but more importantly you kind of highlighted on it for the sake of our own national defense we should not rely on other countries for our own products we should fully be supplying our products for our national defense with things made right here in america by american workers thank you
Sure. So I don't see anyone else that wants to comment, so with no further discussion, I'm going to call the roll. And then this time I'm going to ask if there's any negative votes on the resolution as amended. Or we can call the roll. Why don't we call the roll? Josh, you can call the roll.
Chairwoman Daley.
Yes.
Representative Bellman?
Aye.
Representative Boyd?
Yes.
Representative Brennan?
Yes.
Representative Cepeda Freitas?
Yes.
Representative Serrato?
Yes.
Representative Powell?
Representative Procopiak?
Yes.
Representative Rivera?
Yes.
Representative Rusnock?
Yes.
Representative Steele?
Yes.
Representative Taycac?
Yes.
Representative Young?
Yes.
Chairman Warner? All Republicans will be voting in the affirmative.
All right. Do you want to give me the numbers? No, I'm going to say the resolution will be reported as amended. 26 is the number. 26 is the number. Okay. So on the question, the ayes are 26, the nays are zero. The resolution will be reported as amended. So thank you, Chair Warner. and do you have anything else you want to say generally? Okay. Well, thank you all very much. The meeting is ended. Thank you.