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For Immediate Release
December 5, 2008
Contact: Carol Maravic
(717) 787-6725

Yaw Appointed as Chairman of Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee

Harrisburg – Senator-Elect Gene Yaw (R-23) has been appointed chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, which considers issues important to municipalities across Pennsylvania, including blight, subsidized housing and municipal pensions.

Yaw was one of two freshman Republican senators who were awarded committee posts by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati.

"I'm very pleased to serve as chair of this important committee, which deals with a wide variety of issues that affect folks in my district," Yaw said.  "In an era of regional economies and commuting workforces, there really isn't such a thing as an 'urban issue.' The issues in urban and suburban communities are closely related. The Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will work to ensure that policies and legislation reflect the reality that strong urban communities can benefit entire regions." 

Yaw was elected by voters of the 23rd district in November to fill the seat of retiring Senator Roger Madigan.  He will be sworn in on January 6.

"Gene has been active in county government for years and knows that municipal issues cut across cities and regions," Scarnati said. "These are challenging times for municipal pensions and the housing market, and it's important to have a sharp mind like Senator-Elect Yaw's leading this committee."