Discussion · House of Representatives
Madeleine Dean Democrat
“I am honoring former Pennsylvania State Senator Franklin Kury, who died recently. He wrote the state amendment that gives people the right to clean air and water.”
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to a champion for environmental protection, former Pennsylvania State Senator Franklin Kury, whom I had the privilege of meeting. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Franklin Kury passed away on August 16. He was 89. A devoted public servant, Kury was first elected as State representative in Northumberland County before serving as State senator. His lasting legacy was the writing and passing of our environmental rights amendment, Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which guarantees Pennsylvanians the right to ``clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values.’’ It affirms that Pennsylvania’s natural resources are the common property of our Commonwealth, and it makes us, Pennsylvanians and legislators, the stewards of our environment for generations yet to come. Every legislator supported it. Article I, Section 27 was the first of its kind, though several States have now followed Kury’s lead. It is a testament to its creator, who understood that we each have the right to enjoy but bear a responsibility to pass along a clean, healthy, safe environment. Mr. Speaker, may his memory be a blessing, and may we continue his unwavering love of our planet.”
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to a champion for environmental protection, former Pennsylvania State Senator Franklin Kury, whom I had the privilege of meeting. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Franklin Kury passed away on August 16. He was 89. A devoted public servant, Kury was first elected as State representative in Northumberland County before serving as State senator. His lasting legacy was the writing and passing of our environmental rights amendment, Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which guarantees Pennsylvanians the right to ``clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values.’’ It affirms that Pennsylvania’s natural resources are the common property of our Commonwealth, and it makes us, Pennsylvanians and legislators, the stewards of our environment for generations yet to come. Every legislator supported it. Article I, Section 27 was the first of its kind, though several States have now followed Kury’s lead. It is a testament to its creator, who understood that we each have the right to enjoy but bear a responsibility to pass along a clean, healthy, safe environment. Mr. Speaker, may his memory be a blessing, and may we continue his unwavering love of our planet.