PA Lawmakers To Convene Hearing On Civics Education In New Hope

NEW HOPE, PA — The public is invited to attend a meeting of the PA House Majority Policy Committee, hosted by state Rep. Tim Brennan, D-Bucks, at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 at New Hope-Solebury High School.

The topic will be on how robust civics education, starting in elementary school and continuing through high school, is key to preserving the country’s democracy and inspiring young people to participate in democratic processes.

In addition to Brennan and other members of the Policy Committee, the bipartisan slate of speakers will include an introduction by Governor Mark Schweiker, 44th governor of Pennsylvania, followed by two panel discussions:

• Panel 1: PA Civics. Speakers: Rep. James Gerlach, former congressman (R), PA-6, and Rep. Joe Hoeffel, former congressman (D), PA-13.
• Panel 2: Lauren Cristella, president, Committee of Seventy, and Shannon Salter Burghardt, educator, Allentown School District, and chairperson, Educating for American Democracy Teacher Leadership Task Force

The hearing will be held over two sessions from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

NHSHS students will attend the hearing and have the chance to submit questions to the participants. Students will also hear about a scholarship opportunity from America250PA, the statewide commission established in 2018 to lead Pennsylvania’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program will award $250,000 to Pennsylvania high school seniors attending in-state colleges and universities during the 2026–27 academic year. Scholarship recipients will be chosen for their understanding of civic values as we mark 250 years of American independence.

Members of the public who would like to attend the hearing may contact Brennan’s office at 267-884-0395 or RepBrennan@pahouse.net. Attendee names will be provided to the high school ahead of time, and attendees must check in with the school security officer at the outside entrance to the auditorium.