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House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee unanimously approves three commemorative resolutions
Summary
The committee unanimously passed three resolutions recognizing Disability Pride Month (July 2025), Allen Day (July 27, 2025) and International Underground Railroad Month (September 2025), with members offering brief remarks about each observance.
The House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee in Harrisburg unanimously approved three commemorative resolutions on July 1, 2025, designating July 2025 as Disability Pride Month in Pennsylvania, July 27, 2025 as Allen Day, and September 2025 as International Underground Railroad Month.
The resolutions were presented and passed without recorded negative votes. Representative Khan, who spoke for the Disability Pride resolution, framed it in the context of federal civil‑rights law and ongoing state needs. “This is setting July as Disability Pride Month in Pennsylvania,” Representative Khan said, adding that the measure commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990 and that “we still have a long way to go for disability equity and disability rights here in the Commonwealth.” Khan cited the annual “Capital Crawl” — when members of the disability community physically climb the Capitol steps to draw attention to accessibility barriers — as an example of remaining obstacles to full access.
Representative Nelson spoke in support of the Allen Day resolution, which the committee recorded for July 27, 2025. “Allen was a phenomenal, phenomenal baseball player, a hall of famer now,” Representative Nelson said, noting the planned ceremony in Cooperstown. A committee member also noted that Allen began his early career in Williamsport and called the honoree a longtime Pennsylvania athlete.
Representative Poe spoke in support of the International Underground Railroad Month resolution, describing local history in Monroe County. “My town of Stroudsburg has tunnels all under the main street,” Poe said, and noted a mural and a plaque maintained by the Monroe County Historical Association marking a local Underground Railroad site.
Chair Daley called the roll for the votes and, after hearing no negative votes, announced each resolution “passes unanimously and will be reported as committed.” Chair James and other members offered brief acknowledgements before the committee adjourned.
The measures are ceremonial resolutions that formally record the legislature’s recognition of observances and local history. No implementing legislation, appropriations, or regulatory changes were proposed during the committee’s consideration.
