Political Quotes

“What my amendment will do is to transfer Schuylkill, Pennsylvania from the Eastern Judicial District of Pennsylvania to the Middle Judicial District of Pennsylvania. This provision overwhelmingly passed the House as part of H.R. 2294, the Federal Courts Improvement Act. However, the other body has notified us that they will not be able to address this piece of legislation in this session because of the few remaining legislative days on the calendar. So this is an amendment of convenience, an amendment of convenience to the citizens of Schuylkill County who are now forced to drive in excess of 2 hours to Philadelphia to serve on jury duty or for other court business. If Schuylkill County is moved to the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the citizens of Schuylkill County will only have to travel a distance of about 55 or 60 miles, less than an hour on interstate 81, to the State Capital of Harrisburg. This is a noncontroversial amendment, Mr. Chairman. Both chief judges of the Eastern District and of the Middle District have no opposition to it. The Bar Association of Schuylkill County is in favor of it.”