Senate Approves Robbins' Resolution Recognizing Widener University for Military Scholarship

Scholarship Provides Free Tuition for Children of Soldiers Killed in Line of Duty

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) recognizing Widener University for the establishment of a scholarship program -- the Children of Active & Reserve Educational Scholarship (CARES) -- which provides a free education at Widener to any dependent of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who was killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Robbins was joined by several of his colleagues in the General Assembly, as well as Widener President, Dr. James T. Harris III, and Major General Robert P. French, Deputy Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, at a Capitol press conference promoting this program.

"Since September 11th, ninety-one (91) Pennsylvanians have been killed in action, including most recently Lieutenant Colonel Michael McLaughlin, the first field grade officer of the Pennsylvania National Guard to die in action since World War II," said Sen. Robbins. Lieutenant Colonel McLaughlin, a resident of Mercer County, left behind two daughters, one of whom is ready to enter college. Scholarship programs like this -- as well as that provided in Act 129 of 1998 -- will provide some relief in times of uncertainty for the families of our fallen heroes. I would like to thank Widener University for taking this initiative on their own. More importantly, I would like to encourage other colleges and universities to take similar steps."

Senate Resolution 213 was adopted in the Senate; while a companion measure, House Resolution 549, was adopted in the House.

Widener University's main campus is located in Chester, PA (Delaware County), with a branch campus in Exton, PA (Chester County), and a law school located in Harrisburg, PA (Dauphin County).

Act 129 of 1998, the "Police Officer, Firefighter, Correction Employee And National Guard Member Child Beneficiary Education Act," provides for a free education of children of a National Guard member or certain other emergency personnel killed in the line of duty at any community college, state-owned, or state-related institution of higher education.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322