A Special Session for Rebuilding

A Special Session for Rebuilding

When disaster strikes, Pennsylvania does not wait. Throughout its history, the Commonwealth has relied on special legislative sessions—extraordinary moments when governors call lawmakers back to Harrisburg to respond to urgent challenges. From the Civil War to the Great Depression, these sessions have marked turning points when ordinary governance was not enough.

One of the most dramatic examples came in the winter of 1996. A massive blizzard blanketed the state in snow, only to be followed days later by a rapid thaw. Rivers surged, flooding communities already struggling to recover. Roads disappeared, bridges collapsed, and homes and businesses were left in ruin. Damages reached up to a billion dollars, while uncertainty over federal aid left many Pennsylvanians wondering when help would arrive.

In response, Governor Tom Ridge called a special session of the General Assembly, urging swift and decisive action. Lawmakers faced difficult choices—how to distribute limited resources, expand disaster aid, and rebuild communities while preparing for future crises. Their work extended beyond policy; it was about restoring lives, livelihoods, and hope.

The 1996 special session stands as a reminder that, in moments of crisis, government becomes immediate and essential. Pennsylvania’s special sessions reveal a lasting truth: when the Commonwealth faces its greatest challenges, it comes together to respond.

A Special Session for Rebuilding explores how special sessions have been used throughout Pennsylvania’s history to produce impactful solutions to urgent issues, demonstrating the power of leadership, collaboration, and timely action when it matters most.

Wednesday, January 17, 1962, Patriot-News newspaper clipping, www.newspapers.com
Saturday, January 13, 1996, Patriot-News newspaper clipping, www.newspapers.com
Tuesday, November 17, 1992, Patriot-News newspaper clipping, www.newspapers.com
Wednesday, January 31, 1996, Patriot-News newspaper clippings, www.newspapers.com
Photograph, aerial view of 1996 flood in front of the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, courtesy of the Historical Society of Dauphin County
Two iron pieces from the collapse section of the Walnut Street Bridge, courtesy of the Historical Society of Dauphin County
Photographs of the 1996 Blizzard, courtesy of PennLive, Wgal8, Fox43, and Philly Magazine
Photographs of the Walnut Street Bridge, courtesy of “The People’s Bridge: A History of the Walnut Street Bridge Harrisburg to Wormleysburg” by Dan Cupper.
Photograph of Senator Allyson Schwartz, courtesy of the Senate Library
Photograph of Senator John E. Peterson, courtesy of the Senate Library

Goals

The viewer will be able to identify Members of the Pennsylvania Senate who actively served as well as were involved in major military conflicts throughout the history of our country.
The viewer will recognize that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate came to the legislature with their own unique perspectives, often based on their military service/careers.
The viewer will understand that Members of the Pennsylvania Senate have gone beyond the call of duty, as evidenced by their distinguished careers during their military service.
The viewer will be exposed to the major conflicts involving the United States of America, from the 1860s until the present day. (Specifically, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, and Global War on Terrorism).

Pennsylvania Academic Standards
(History, US History, and Civics and Government) met in whole or in part* by this exhibition

Note: *The text for this exhibition is written (with the exception of field-specific language) for the sixth grade level. For more information on Pennsylvania's Department of Education Standards, and more related standards, please visit PDE SAS.

PDE Standard: 5.2.6.C: Describe the importance of political leadership and public service.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of newspaper clippings and photos highlighting the work elected officials do to help communities rebuild from a natural disaster.

PDE Standard: 5.3.6.C: Describe how local, state, and national governments provide services.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of pictures and various documents detailing services local, state, and the federal government provides for communities across Pennsylvania.

PDE Standard: 8.1.6. A: Explain continuity and change over time using sequential order and context of events.

How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various points of view, and facts related to the historical events represented in this exhibition.

PDE Standard: 8.2.5.B: Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.

How the Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: A portion of the exhibition demonstrates this standard by using various legislative documents and items from notable structures critical to Pennsylvania history.

Exhibition Team

Michael Gerdes, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate
Alexandra Acri Godfrey, Librarian of the Senate of Pennsylvania
Martavis Washington, Research & Exhibit Specialist, Senate Library
Rebekah Potteiger, Records Specialist, Senate Library
George Soule, Research Services Manager, Senate Library
Angela Candori, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
Ashley Haldeman, Executive Assistant, Office of the Secretary of the Senate

Democratic Caucus Operations Staff

Kristin Markle, Graphics Designer/Illustrator
Ashlyn Williams, Multimedia Specialist
Shannon R. Yordy, Multimedia Specialist

Republican Communications Staff

Gary Brunner, Director of Graphic Arts
Julie Neal, Photographer

Senate Print Shop/Digital Production

Chris Keller, Director
Caleb Gordon, Deputy Director
Leah Laperle, Prepress Operator

Other Organization and Individuals

Legislative Data Processing Center
Amanda C. Fontenova, Director of Library and Archives, Luzerne County Historical Society
Michelle Hamilton, Executive Director, Luzerne County Historical Society
Ken Frew, Research Librarian/Acting Archivist, The Historical Society of Dauphin County
Joe Hermitt, Photography Department Lead, PennLive The Patriot-News
Deb Kiner, Reporter, PennLive The Patriot-News
Marie Valigorsky, Archivist/Digital Outreach Section, Pennsylvania State Archives
Kevin Spangenberg, Librarian, Bureau of State Library, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Loren Nocheck, Librarian, Bureau of State Library, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Amy Woytovich, Librarian, Bureau of State Library, Pennsylvania Department of Education