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In this Update:

• 65^th Anniversary of The Johnsville Centrifuge in Warminster
• New Law Aims to Limit Student Smartphone Use in Schools
• Senate Approves Bill Providing Support to Military Community
• Easy Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs
• New PA License Plate Coming in 2025

65^th Anniversary of The Johnsville Centrifuge in Warminster

I was honored to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of The Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum this past weekend.  I joined Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, local community leaders, and prominent members of the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) and Space and Astronaut Program for the celebration that highlighted their rich history and the instrumental role the NADC had in winning the Space Race.

The Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster and key artifacts of the Johnsville Centrifuge. Established in August 1959, the Johnsville Centrifuge training program provided acceleration training, also known as G-force training, for X-15 pilots and astronauts in Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo until its closure during the 1990s. Lauded as a premier training facility for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Johnsville Centrifuge training program played a critical role in preparing astronauts for spaceflight. The one-hundred-eighty-ton centrifuge was capable of accelerating to a speed of one hundred seventy five miles per hour in a few seconds.

Today, Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of innovation forged at the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster PA and to use that history to inspire today’s youth to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) careers.  Learn More https://nadcmuseum.org/

I am pictured here presenting a citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania honoring this milestone to Sam Cravero, CEO of The Fuge, the event space where the centrifuge is the centerpiece.

New Law Aims to Limit Student Smartphone Use in Schools

Legislation to improve student mental health, academic performance and social skills by limiting student smartphone use in schools has been signed into law. The measure allows schools the option of using dedicated school safety funding for secure, lockable smartphone bags in which students deposit their mobile devices until the end of the school day.

Senate Bill 700, now Act 55 of 2024, amended the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to allow for the purchase of these smartphone bags as an eligible use of funding. As part of the grant program, school districts receive an automatic base grant of $100,000 and each intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school is provided an automatic base grant of $70,000.

Senate Approves Bill Providing Support to Military Community

The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families by creating and operating the Service Member Veterans and Their Families Fund (SMVF Fund).

Senate Bill 1192 would allow the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to lease real estate at Fort Indiantown Gap and use the proceeds to support the SMVF Fund. To ensure transparency and accountability in the fund’s operations, the bill also includes provisions for annual reporting on the revenues, expenditures and activities financed by the SMVF Fund.

The fund would be dedicated to paying for quality-of-life programs – including physical fitness, personal growth, social interaction and recreational activities – for the military community. The programs would be designed to support the readiness and well-being of the service members, veterans and their families.

Easy Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs

Rising energy costs are compounded by the hot temperatures we have been experiencing. If you’ve been shocked by your energy bill and are looking for ways to lower costs, here are some helpful tips from the Public Utility Commission:

• Check Your Thermostat – The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill.
• Clean is “Green” – Regularly clean and replace air conditioner filters and ensure air circulation paths are clear.
• Power Off – Turn off non-essential appliances and lights to reduce power use and unwanted heat.
• Don’t Cool Unneeded Space – Close off unused rooms and adjust air vents or thermostats to avoid unnecessary cooling expenses.
• Keep the Heat Outside – Seal cracks to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.

Learn more about how to stay cool while keeping your summer power bills manageable.

New PA License Plate Coming in 2025

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has unveiled a new standard license plate for vehicles.

The new plate, showcasing Pennsylvania as the birthplace of America, will be available in 2025. It features the Liberty Bell and the text, “Let Freedom Ring.” Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design.

If you would like to be one of the first to get the new license plate, sign up for updates. You will be notified when the license plate is ready to order. When the plates become available, fee information will be included with replacement instructions on PennDOT’s website and will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization. The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design.

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