Pennsylvania SB 1088: An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for observance of First Defenders Day as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1306 PRINTER'S NO. 1758
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1088
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY COLEMAN, MARTIN, TARTAGLIONE, MASTRIANO, FONTANA,
ARGALL AND STEFANO, NOVEMBER 11, 2025
SENATOR DUSH, STATE GOVERNMENT, AS AMENDED, JUNE 2, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for observance of First
Defenders Day as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania. IN VETERAN
RECOGNITION, PROVIDING FOR FIRST DEFENDERS DAY.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 38 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a part to read:
PART III
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
Chapter
22. First Defenders Day
CHAPTER 22
FIRST DEFENDERS DAY
Sec.
2201. Scope of chapter.
2202. Observance of First Defenders Day as legal holiday.
§ 2201. Scope of chapter.
This chapter recognizes the contributions of the residents of
<--
<--
<--
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

this Commonwealth who defended the nation's capital during the
Civil War.
§ 2202. Observance of First Defenders Day as legal holiday.
SECTION 1. TITLE 38 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED
STATUTES IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
§ 1307. FIRST DEFENDERS DAY.
(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General
Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) On April 18, 1861, in response to President Abraham
Lincoln's call for troops to defend the nation's capital
following the commencement of the Civil War, five volunteer
militia units from this Commonwealth were the first to arrive
in Washington, DC.
(2) These units became known as the "First Defenders,"
and their prompt response symbolized this Commonwealth's
leadership and commitment to preserving the Union.
(3) The First Defenders included members of the Allen
Infantry (Allentown), the Logan Guards (Lewistown), the
Washington Artillerists (Pottsville), the National Light
Infantry (Pottsville) and the Ringgold Light Artillery
(Reading).
(4) The heroism, patriotism and sacrifice of these
volunteer militias deserve lasting recognition by this
Commonwealth.
(b) Designation.--The General Assembly designates April 18
of each year as First Defenders Day in Pennsylvania.
(c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall annually issue a
proclamation encouraging all residents, schools and veterans'
organizations to observe First Defenders Day in Pennsylvania
with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities to honor
20250SB1088PN1758 - 2 -
<--
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

the contributions of the First Defenders and all Pennsylvanians
who served in defense of the nation during the Civil War. THE
PROCLAMATION MAY NOT MANDATE A PUBLIC SCHOOL OR EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OBSERVANCE.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250SB1088PN1758 - 3 -
<--
1
2
3
4
5