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For Immediate Release
April 1, 2009
Contact: Mitchell Hanna
717-397-1309

Senator Lloyd Smucker

 Thaddeus Stevens Resolution

This resolution honors Thaddeus Stevens, a prominent figure in the 19th Century, whose legacy is still to be seen in Lancaster, across the Commonwealth, and across our nation. 

As a state legislator, he was instrumental in establishing the free public school system, providing funding for colleges, and putting a constitutional limit on state debt. 

As a congressman, he was strenuously anti-slavery and a leader in securing adoption of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. 

As an indication of the depth of his principle, he insisted on not being buried in a cemetery, because most at the time were limited by race. 

Upon his death, Stevens left a generous bequest to establish a school for the relief and refuge of homeless, indigent orphans. 

Today, we know that institution as the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, which provides an outstanding industrial skills education to citizens from across Pennsylvania.  We support their important mission through the state budget each year. 

This resolution designates April 4th, the 217th anniversary of his birth, as Thaddeus Stevens Day.