by Alex Lloyd Gross
The majority of the Pennsylvania State Representatives met in Philadelphia last night, at Congress Hall. The meeting was a symbolic gesture to celebrate America 250. Congress Hall is small and will not accommodate the entire body of the state house, so it was divided into two different sessions.
250 Years ago, things were different. There was no electricity and the building would have been lit by candlelight. The desks are the same and so are many other things. The building was re wired for electricity.
About 5:20PM the first group of law makes were allowed inside. The sessions were to last 45 minutes each and there would be two of them. Anytime politicians get together, the timelines goes away and the first session went longer than 45 minutes.
Alex Lloyd Gross /Photo-Delaware Valley News.com State Rep Kristin Marcell with her guest, Caitlyn Pickard A student at Council Rock.
During the session, lawmakers voted on two resolutions celebrating the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution nearly a decade later.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com State Rep Shelby Labs from Bucks County.
Inside, lawmakers, especially those not from this area spent time taking photos in the building, and examining what our forefathers dealt with when they passed laws in that building 250 years ago.
“I remember how I felt the first time I visited Independence Mall and saw the Liberty Bell. History came alive for me. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined that one day I would be presiding over a legislative session here,” Speaker Joanna McClinton said. “I’m hopeful that many of the students who participated in today’s programs, some who may have never visited these historic sites before, experienced those same feelings of awe and energy, because one day, it will be time for me to hand the gavel to the next generation.”
For one day yesterday, there were no democrats or republicans, only Americans. No issues were discussed and no other business was done.