THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, PILEGGI, COSTA, LEACH, O'PAKE, YAW, ALLOWAY, GORDNER, EARLL, D. WHITE, MENSCH, VANCE, BAKER, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, STACK, FARNESE AND BROWNE, JUNE 23, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 23, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Congratulating the Commonwealth Court on its 40th anniversary.

WHEREAS, The Constitutional Convention of 1967-68 recommended

the creation of a new constitutional intermediate appellate

court in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The voters of Pennsylvania on April 23, 1968

approved various amendments to the Constitution including a new

Judiciary Article which incorporated a provision creating the

Commonwealth Court; and

WHEREAS, During the 1969 Session, the General Assembly

enacted the "Commonwealth Court Act"; and

WHEREAS, On March 17, 1970, Governor Raymond Shafer nominated

the original seven judges of the Commonwealth Court and they

were confirmed by the Senate the same day; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth Court heard its first case in

September 1970; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth Court has issued more than 50,000

decisions since its creation in 1970; and

WHEREAS, The decisions of the Commonwealth Court have had a

great impact on the People of Pennsylvania and have greatly

contributed to the rule of law in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The decisions of the Commonwealth Court have in

significant ways defined the relationship between the People of

Pennsylvania and the government of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The decisions of the Commonwealth Court have

analyzed and sometimes reshaped the relationships between the

legislative, executive and judicial branches of State

Government; and

WHEREAS, Thirty-two distinguished Pennsylvanians from

different areas and diverse backgrounds have served as

commissioned judges on the Commonwealth Court since its

creation; and

WHEREAS, Numerous senior judges have served with distinction

on the Commonwealth Court; and

WHEREAS, The judges of the Commonwealth Court have earned the

Commonwealth Court the reputation as one of America's finest

intermediate appellate courts and have established the

Commonwealth Court as a leader in judicial efficiency; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth Court during the past 40 years has

been a national leader in defining and developing the contours

of Administrative Law; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth Court on June 22, 2010 observed its

40th anniversary with a lecture and dinner; therefore be it 

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Commonwealth Court as

one of America's premier intermediate appellate courts; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate offer its congratulations to the

judges and staff of the Commonwealth Court, both past and

present, as they celebrate the court's 40th anniversary; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate observe with pride the 40th

anniversary of the Commonwealth Court; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the Honorable Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, President Judge,

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 5th Floor, Pennsylvania

Judicial Center, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.