Senator Mastriano

Adams County

United Lutheran Seminary — $1,970,000

Funding will transform the seminary`s historic Refectory into a year-round public dining and events venue, preserving an important historic landmark while expanding tourism opportunities and stimulating local economic activity.

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.

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.

Adams County

Pennsylvania Ag Discovery Center — $2,000,000

This investment will support critical site preparation and infrastructure improvements, including roadways, parking, utilities and stormwater management, laying the foundation for the Pennsylvania Ag Discovery Center to become a premier educational and agricultural destination.

By merging and expanding agriculture and tourism—the two largest financial drivers in Adams County—the Pennsylvania Ag Discovery Center serves as a critical economic catalyst for the region.

July 21, 1861- The First Battle of Bull Run, known in the South as the First Battle of Manassas, was the first major battle of the Civil War. Fought near Manassas, Virginia, it shattered hopes of a quick end to the conflict and revealed the difficult struggle that lay ahead for the nation. Today, we remember the soldiers on both sides who fought in this pivotal battle and reflect on the sacrifices made during America`s most challenging chapter.

Gettysburg & Northern Railroad Co. LLC — $500,000

Funding will help restore the Gettysburg & Northern Railroad excursion service while renovating a former Gettysburg College dormitory into a multi-purpose visitor center, creating a unique destination that celebrates the region’s history and attracts new visitors.

For Gettysburg and Adams County, this project represents an opportunity to strengthen the local economy by expanding heritage tourism beyond the battlefield. A restored excursion railroad and visitor center can encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of the county, and support local hotels, restaurants, shops, and small businesses. By preserving historic assets while creating new attractions, the investment helps diversify the area’s tourism offerings and reinforces Adams County’s identity as a destination where history, culture, and community come together.

July 20th, 1969 - Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. A global audience watched on television as Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first step onto the moon. As he stepped onto the moon`s surface he proclaimed, "That`s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" - inadvertently omitting an "a" before "man" and slightly changing the meaning.

July 19, 1863 - During the American Civil War, Union troops made a second attempt to capture Fort Wagner, South Carolina. The attack was led by the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who was killed along with half of the 600 men in the regiment. This battle marked the first use of black Union troops in the war.