When My Daughter Stole the Show at the State Capitol
A Wheelchair, Lawmakers, and the Day Bella Reminded Me What Courage Looks Like
I never thought I'd see my daughter being recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. But there she was, our Bella, front and center during the broadcast last Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The last three months have been tough on our family. Lots of stress, worry, and hard times. But for that one special moment in Harrisburg, none of that stuff mattered.
Our Day at the Capitol
The capitol building was even bigger than I expected. You don't really understand how massive it is until you're pushing a wheelchair through those long hallways and looking for elevators. It gives you a totally different point of view.
But the long trip home - more than three hours - gave me plenty of time to think about what a special day it had been.
Meeting Important People
The best part was watching Bella talk to the representatives. From her wheelchair, she spoke with confidence that made me so proud. I just sat back and watched as she shared her ideas and stories with them.
The highlight was meeting Representative Joanna McClinton, the Speaker of the House. She is the first woman to serve as Speaker in Pennsylvania's history.
Speaker McClinton took a photo with Bella that I'll treasure forever. There was my girl, with one of the most powerful people in our state government, both of them smiling.
Bella with Rep. R. Lee James was first elected to represent the 64th Legislative District in 2012. He brings his experience as a businessman, values as a family man and commitment to public service to work with him as he represents the constituents in all of Venango County and part of Crawford County.
Bella in Her Element
What amazed me most was seeing Bella in what I call her "wheelhouse" - the place where she feels most comfortable and confident. She was encouraging the lawmakers while they were encouraging her right back.
At home, Bella sometimes struggles with everyday things. But in that big fancy building, talking about things she cares about, she was a star.
A Proud Dad Moment
As a dad, you have lots of proud moments. But seeing your child recognized by important people for being exactly who they are? That's something special.
For that one afternoon, all our daily struggles took a back seat. The anxiety, the doctor appointments, the tough days - none of it mattered. What mattered was Bella shining bright.
What I Learned
Sometimes I worry too much about Bella's future. But that day showed me something important - my girl can do amazing things when she finds her place.
The wheelchair doesn't hold her back when she's passionate about something. In fact, I think the representatives listened more carefully because they could see how much effort it took for her to be there.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring. But I do know that Bella touched some hearts in Harrisburg that day. And maybe, just maybe, she helped our lawmakers remember why their work matters so much to families like ours.
That's something worth celebrating, no matter what challenges come next.
In Harrisburg
Representatives Kyle Mullins, Torren Ecker, and Brandon Markosek introduced legislation in Pennsylvania aimed at defining and penalizing bullying, which they believe has reached a crisis point, contributing to severe mental health issues and suicides among youth.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46244
Representative Joe Ciresi is advocating for comprehensive reforms to Pennsylvania's cyber charter school law in response to findings from Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, which highlighted significant issues and misuse of taxpayer funds
Representative Melissa Shusterman has introduced legislation aimed at enhancing the safety of school children and crossing guards by requiring drivers to obey all traffic commands given by school crossing guards.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46226
Representative Danielle Friel Otten is circulating a memo regarding legislation that would require cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to notify students and families if the school is designated as "low achieving" based on state assessments and student outcomes.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46208
Senator Katie Muth plans to reintroduce legislation mandating that all public schools in Pennsylvania have at least one operational automated external defibrillator (AED) and a trained emergency response team.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46215
Senator Katie Muth is reintroducing legislation requiring all coaches and supervisors of afterschool activities to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46216
Senate Committee Meetings 04/02/2025 9:30 AM Education (LIVE STREAMED - opens in a new tab)
In The News
The Upper Darby School District has reported the tragic death of one of its students, who was fatally shot in Philadelphia. The incident occurred on Saturday, and the school district released a statement expressing their condolences and offering support to students and staff.
The four-day school week is gaining traction, with various school districts considering the shift to this alternative schedule. City Charter High School is one such institution exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks of a four-day model for its students. The school administration is engaging in discussions with teachers, parents, and students to gather feedback and assess the feasibility of such a change.
Diverse teachers are essential in Pennsylvania schools to provide representation and support for all students. A social studies educator from South Central Pennsylvania shares her experience of witnessing the impact of a lack of diversity on students of color.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/representation-matters-why-diverse-teachers-094017646.html
Teenagers in Pennsylvania are advocating for new legislation to address mental health issues. These young people are sharing their personal stories and urging lawmakers to take action to support mental health services in schools and communities.
https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/teenagers-call-for-new-mental-health-legislation-in-pennsylvania/
Wissahickon High School in Montgomery County switched to virtual learning on Wednesday because of a threat of violence. School administrators decided to take this precaution to ensure student safety.
Forest County in Pennsylvania is facing potential funding cuts for its schools because Congress has not reauthorized the Secure Rural Schools program. This program provides money to rural counties and school districts with large amounts of federal land. The delay in reauthorization is causing uncertainty about future funding.
Pennsylvania is facing a serious problem with literacy, meaning many students are struggling to read well. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 33% of fourth-graders in Pennsylvania are reading at or above the proficient level. This means that in a typical classroom, many students are not able to understand the material they are supposed to be learning. https://www.citizensvoice.com/2025/03/26/pennsylvania-must-address-its-acute-literacy-crisis/
Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at improving school bus safety. Senator Lisa Baker introduced the bill, which received unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans in the committee. The bill is designed to boost school bus safety for students. https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/pennsylvania-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-boost-school-bus-safety/