|
|||
|
In this Update:
Marking Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
My bill designating July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania was signed into law this week. Senate Bill 511, now Act 45 of 2026, sets July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania in honor of all U.S. service members who fought on the Korean Peninsula from 1950-53. Nearly 1.8 million American soldiers served in the war. More than 36,000 lost their lives, and more than 100,000 were wounded. We owe it to those who fought and died on the Korean Peninsula to assure that their legacy is never forgotten. Without the courage of American troops and our allies, South Korea’s fate could have mirrored that of North Korea — a dictatorship marked by oppression and suffering. Read more about this new law here. My Bill to Notify Families of VA Burial Benefits Signed into Law
A bill I sponsored to ensure families of deceased service members are notified of burial benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was signed into law this week. Senate Bill 130, now Act 42 of 2026, would require licensed funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies to provide notification of a deceased service person to counties within 96 hours of receiving their remains. It would also require these entities to provide the family of the deceased service person with contact information for the county veterans affairs director. Our veterans earned their burial benefits by serving our nation. Fostering communication between surviving family members, funeral directors and county directors of veterans affairs offices will help ensure more veterans receive a proper farewell. Read more about this new law here. State Grants Awarded to Strengthen Adams and Franklin Counties
I was proud to announce that more than $5.72 million was awarded to five transformational projects throughout Adams and Franklin counties through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. From Gettysburg to Chambersburg, these projects will improve quality of life, support local jobs and position our communities for continued success. Adams County Gettysburg & Northern Railroad Co. LLC was awarded $500,000 to help restore the Gettysburg & Northern Railroad excursion service while renovating a former Gettysburg College dormitory into a multi-purpose visitor center. Pennsylvania Ag Discovery Center was awarded $2,000,000 to support critical site preparation and infrastructure improvements, laying the foundation for the center to become a premier educational and agricultural destination. United Lutheran Seminary was awarded $1,970,000 to transform the seminary’s historic Refectory into a year-round public dining and events venue. Franklin County Southgate Redevelopment was awarded $500,000 to advance the Southgate redevelopment project in Chambersburg, converting a former commercial property into a vibrant community plaza that supports downtown revitalization and future investment. Antrim Investment Group was awarded $750,000 to assist in constructing and renovating a mixed-use agricultural and community facility. Read more about these awards here. Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The chosen photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
Throwback to 1991 — Liberation of Kuwait One of my favorite memories from Operation Desert Storm. Shortly after the liberation of Kuwait City, two of my soldiers and I were welcomed into the home of this wonderful Kuwaiti family. The joy was indescribable. After months under Saddam Hussein’s brutal occupation, they were finally free. Kneeling with me is Abu Salem, whose three sons had been abducted by Iraqi forces during the occupation. By God’s grace, they were returned before the war ended. Standing behind him is Abu Ahmed, a courageous man who risked his own life to smuggle several Americans to safety during those dark days. As we laughed and celebrated together, Abu Ahmed looked at our flag and asked, “How many stars are on your flag?” “Fifty,” I answered. He smiled and said, “No… fifty-one. Kuwait should be the 51st, because we love America.” We all laughed. It was a lighthearted moment, but one I’ll never forget. Their gratitude wasn’t about politics—it was about freedom. Seeing the joy, hope, and relief on the faces of families like this reminded us why we had come. Thirty-plus years later, I still treasure this photograph—not because it marks a military victory, but because it captures the blessing of helping return a nation to freedom. Tremendous Win for Private Property Rights
Every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe and secure on their own property, and this week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the strong privacy and property protections provided by our state constitution. The court’s unanimous decision, which came in a case involving two hunting clubs and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is a major victory for private property rights across the commonwealth. It puts needed restrictions on the use of warrantless searches and correctly overturns the court’s 2007 decision in Commonwealth v. Russo. Specifically, the court held that “Article I, Section 8 provides Pennsylvania citizens with greater protection than the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution as it relates to the open fields of any landowner that has demonstrated a reasonable expectation of privacy by taking sufficient steps to exclude intruders therefrom.” State game wardens have an important and dangerous job, which we all respect. However, the court emphasized the Game Commission must also respect the lawful rights of property owners. Standing Up for Rape Crisis Services
Rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania play a vital role in supporting victims of sexual violence, and I’m pleased that this year’s budget includes a historic $12 million increase for rape crisis centers. The significant funding for rape crisis centers would not have been possible without Senate Republicans pushing for support well above the governor’s request. With total state funding now amounting to nearly $25 million, this increase almost doubles the funding available for services, including 24-hour crisis hotlines, counseling, medical and legal advocacy, prevention education and accompaniment for survivors navigating hospitals, police investigations and court proceedings. If you or someone you know have been the victim of sexual assault and need to access rape crisis services, click here to find a center located near you. Protecting Our Communities from Child Predators and Human Trafficking
We are making progress in the never-ending fight against child predators and human trafficking in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 45, which I supported and which was recently signed into law as Act 41 of 2026, will help Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement officials across the state target and prosecute human trafficking more effectively. This is a huge step forward. And in the new state budget, we also increased funding for two key programs overseen by AG Sunday – the Child Predator Interception Unit and the Human Trafficking Enforcement and Prevention program. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Investing in the Future of PA College Students
The successful Grow PA Scholarship program invests in Pennsylvania students looking to pursue a college education, develops the future of our workforce and incentivizes jobs to remain here in the commonwealth. Importantly, the program secures a commitment for students to stay and work in Pennsylvania communities after graduation, helping to address the state’s future economic and demographic challenges. With demand rising for Grow PA scholarships, the Senate secured a $10 million funding increase for the program in the 2026-27 state budget – bringing the annual funding total to $42.5 million. Grow PA, established in 2024, offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Learn more about this program here. Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol Monument
A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments could be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under legislation passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with life-long visual disabilities. Under Senate Bill 1303, the monument would be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille. The display would be sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Senate Bill 1303 here. Find Summer Getaway Ideas Here in PA
There’s plenty of summer left. If you haven’t had time for a vacation yet, or you’re looking for another getaway, there’s plenty to experience here in our commonwealth. Use VisitPA to explore by regions, such as the Pennsylvania Wilds, Great Lakes, Laurel Highlands, the Lehigh Valley, Dutch Country and more. Break it down by things to do, outdoor activities, dining and other experiences. From rivers and trails to iconic attractions and historic sites, you can start planning your trip at the VisitPA website. Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Amateur and professional photographers: Take your best photos of the landscapes, wildlife and activities in a Pennsylvania state park or forest and enter the 2026 Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation “Through the Seasons” photo contest. A panel of experts will select a Judges’ Choice in each category prior to the photos being made available for public voting on the foundation’s Facebook page. Award winners receive gift cards and may be showcased in photo exhibitions. Find rules and entry info at the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation website. All photos must be submitted by Sept. 30. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatormastriano.com | Privacy Policy |
