SR 9 — A Resolution honoring the 85th birthday and ongoing achievements of former Pennsylvania First Lady and advocate Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh.

PRINTER'S NO.   81

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



          SENATE RESOLUTION
             No. 9
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, PISCIOTTANO, FARRY, MARTIN, FONTANA,
        PHILLIPS-HILL, PENNYCUICK, LAUGHLIN, COMITTA, BROWN, CULVER,
        BAKER AND COSTA, JANUARY 22, 2025

     REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JANUARY 22, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Honoring the 85th birthday and ongoing achievements of former
 2      Pennsylvania First Lady and advocate Virginia "Ginny"
 3      Thornburgh.
 4      WHEREAS, Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh was born January 7,
 5   1940, in Hastings on Hudson, New York; and
 6      WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh earned her bachelor's degree in
 7   Philosophy and Religion at Wheaton College; and
 8      WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh went on to earn her master's degree
 9   in Education from Harvard University; and
10      WHEREAS, Following her education, Ms. Thornburgh taught third
11   grade in Lincoln, Massachusetts; and
12      WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh devoted decades of her life to
13   advocating for people with disabilities; and
14      WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh served as the Director of Interfaith
15   Initiative for the American Association of People with
16   disabilities, assisting people with disabilities and their
17   families as they sought spiritual and religious access; and
18      WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh served for 19 years as the Director
 1   of Religion and Disability Program for the National Organization
 2   on Disability in a similar role; and
 3         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh served two years as Coordinator for
 4   Programs for Persons with Disabilities at Harvard University;
 5   and
 6         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh coauthored and edited multiple
 7   writings, including the award-winning publication "That All May
 8   Worship"; and
 9         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh was married to the late Dick
10   Thornburgh, former Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 through
11   1987, Attorney General of the United States and Under-Secretary-
12   General of the United Nations, for over 60 years; and
13         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh and her late husband are the parents
14   of a son with intellectual and physical disabilities who
15   inspired her initial advocacy; and
16         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh and her late husband received
17   multiple awards for their advocacy and involvement in the
18   disability community and she has received eleven honorary
19   degrees; and
20         WHEREAS, Ms. Thornburgh has contributed greatly to the
21   welfare and flourishing of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
22         RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the 85th birthday and ongoing
23   achievements of former Pennsylvania First Lady and advocate,
24   Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh.




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