Senator Pat Browne takes Oath of Office

Representing parts of Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton counties in state Senate

Pat Browne today (Tuesday, May 3) wrapped up his 10-year career in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and started his new job as the state Senator representing parts of Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Senator Browne was sworn into office by Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn to represent the 16th Senatorial District, the seat that he won in an April 2005 special election.

More than 150 guests came to the state Capitol to attend the special ceremony. Monsignor John P. Murphy of St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, was a special guest of Senator Browne and delivered the invocation to open the Senate session.

"These are the people who helped me get to where I am and I am glad they could make the trip. It's only right that they share in the happiness and the ceremony of the swearing in," Senator Browne said.

Born and raised in Allentown, Senator Browne attended Allentown Central Catholic High School before graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He earned his law degree from Temple University in 1993.

Previous to his legislative service, he was employed with the accounting firms of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse as a tax manager and senior tax associate, respectively. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

"I look forward to continuing the work I started as a state Representative to develop legislation and policies that promote economic development and create job opportunities for the people of Pennsylvania and especially the Lehigh Valley," Senator Browne said. "We are in a crucial time in the Commonwealth. We must work to keep young people here. It is essential that we take whatever steps necessary to make Pennsylvania a good place to live, work and raise a family."

In 1995, as a freshman state Representative, he wrote the law that enacted the tax cuts that were key to then Governor Tom Ridge's plan to radically improve Pennsylvania's economy and to provide quality, high-paying jobs for its citizens. Senator Browne also sponsored the "Small Business Jobs Protection Act" which greatly expanded capital opportunities for Pennsylvania's small business people.

Focusing on Pennsylvania's seniors and families, then-Representative Browne sponsored the "School Property Tax Rebate Act" which was the only state-sponsored property tax reduction in Pennsylvania history. He also sponsored the "Health Cost Containment Act of 2003" which empowers patients in making health care decisions. He authored laws that increased income tax exemptions for working families, repealed the "Widow's Tax" and eliminated taxes on retirement annuities. He served on the Select Committee on Pharmaceutical Drugs which wrote the law which is providing hundreds of thousands more of the state's seniors with prescription drug coverage.

"State government has a basic responsibility to be responsive to the needs of all people," Senator Browne said. "That's the challenge we face on a daily basis and one that I look forward to addressing as a member of the state Senate."

Senator Browne resides in Allentown with his wife Heather and son, Alex.

Contact: Senator Browne (717) 787-1349

Note: Photographs are available on the Senate Republican website at www.pasenategop.com or by contacting the Senate Republican Communications Office at 717-787-6725.