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In this Update:
* Marion Volunteer Fire Company Awards Banquet
* 2025-2026 Committee Appointments
* PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway Safety
* Free Winter Activities at State Parks
* REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7
* Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit Smoking
* Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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** Marion Volunteer Fire Company Awards Banquet
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I had a great time Saturday evening at the Marion Volunteer Fire Company Awards Banquet. I had the honor of presenting a certificate of appreciation to Amy Murray, President, and Shawn Fisher, Fire Chief. It was an honor celebrating and recognizing our firefighters. Thank you for serving our community! All respect to these heroes.
** 2025-2026 Committee Appointments
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I recently received my 2025-2026 PA Senate Committee appointments. I will continue in my roles as both Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and as Vice Chair of the Education Committee. I will also retain my previous positions on both the State Government and Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committees. My previous appointments to the Intergovernmental Operations Committee and the Game and Fisheries Committee have been replaced by appointments to the Judiciary Committee and the Local Government Committee.
I am eager to continue my service to the people of District 33, ensuring that your voices and concerns are heard and prioritized as I represent you in these important committees.
** PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway Safety
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Students are invited to participate in the Innovations Challenge ([link removed]) to help the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) increase awareness for seatbelt safety and improve driver behavior for the benefit of our roads.
The challenge, which has an award of $6,000 for the winning team, encourages ninth- through twelfth-grade students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges.
Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 31.
** Free Winter Activities at State Parks
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Staff at Pennsylvania state parks and forests host free events throughout the year for people of all ages. During winter, snow walks, bird watching, night owl hikes and more are among the activities available.
The event listing ([link removed]) can be sorted by in-person or virtual events. It can also be filtered by region and date. To make it even more convenient, a personalized list of events can be emailed to you weekly if you build an event digest email ([link removed]) to your liking. The email can be customized for your event preferences and when you wish to be notified.
** REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7
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Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or other federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights or enter a military installation or federal facility that requires ID.
To get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents to a driver licensing center for verification in person. Learn about the specific items that are required to be issued a REAL ID ([link removed]) . The website also offers the option to pre-verify online if your documents are already on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
REAL ID is optional. It is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits.
** Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit Smoking
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Quitting smoking is difficult, and not just because of the addictive properties of nicotine. Different people experience unique challenges, and personalized resources are available for veterans, women, teens, those who are age 60 and older and others.
People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text QUIT to 47848 or use the live chat feature on SmokeFree.gov ([link removed]) .
The website has lots of practical articles, including ones about how to make a plan to quit, manage cravings, cope with stress without smoking and much more. There are resources for people who want to stop using dip and vapes, as well as information about how to support a loved one who is quitting.
** Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ.
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
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