Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

June 5, 2025

Calling all Artists: America250PA Bringing Bell to Murrysville

The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document declaring the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.

Four days later, on July 8, 1776, historians widely agree that the Liberty Bell was rung for the purpose of convening Pennsylvania citizens.

It was then that our nation’s Declaration of Independence was first read publicly.

The history of the bell actually dates back 25 years prior. It was first ordered in 1751 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges, which is considered Pennsylvania’s original constitution.

Now, on the approach of our nation’s 250th birthday, the Liberty Bell will once again be celebrated as part of the work of America250PA, the short name for the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

As part of its programming, America250PA launched its Bells Across PA initiative. Selected artists will execute their designs on a three-foot tall, fiberglass bell sculpture, sponsored by a business or individual. The goal is to place at least one bell in each of the state’s 67 counties.

After learning of the program, I contacted local America250PA organizers to see about having one situated in the 55th Legislative District. After an exchange of ideas, in addition to placement of a bell at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, I am thrilled that there will also be a bell in the Murrysville area!

Sponsored by First Energy, the bell will be on display outdoors along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail in Murrysville.

The site selected commemorates the Haymaker Well in Murrysville, which is considered the first commercial gas well in the world. Drilled by the Haymaker brothers in 1881, the well's gas was piped to Pittsburgh to light streetlamps, marking the birth of the modern commercial natural gas industry.

The bell will be titled “MORE Energy in Westmoreland” and is intended pay homage to Westmoreland County’s history in energy production and delivery.

Now, we just need an artist!

Organizers are seeking proposals from artists living or working in Westmoreland County, who will be offered a $1,250 honorarium by America250PA upon completion to cover materials, and to compensate their time and labor.

Participation is open to all artists and groups from the acclaimed to the amateur. Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multi-media artists and other wildly creative people are all encouraged to apply. However, act quickly, as the deadline is June 16. Email Dawn Lamuth at dlamuth@golaurelhighlands.com for an application.

Leading up to 2026, America250PA has a variety of programs to celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial. For more information, visit www.america250pa.org. For events specific to Westmoreland County, visit discoverwestmoreland.com and select “America’s 250” at the top of the page. 

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Telephone Town Hall Scheduled for June 9 – I am really looking forward to my telephone town hall event scheduled for tonight, Monday, June 9, at 4 p.m. Joining me will be Murrysville resident and consumer advocate Mary Bach, who will discuss how you can protect yourself from the latest scams and fraudulent schemes. 

Scam Alert: Traffic Tickets - The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) is advising the public to stay vigilant against a recently reported text message scam involving the Pennsylvania court system.

The scam text messages claim “records show that as of today, there is an outstanding traffic ticket” which must be paid via a scam URL. The text goes on to outline fictitious actions and penalties that will be taken if the ticket is not paid including license and vehicle suspension, criminal prosecution and negative impacts to personal credit scores.

The AOPC will never place calls or send text messages to anyone soliciting payment by credit card, gift card or any other means of electronic funds transfer for any reason.

If you receive this text, contact state and/or local police as well as the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications - The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its fall 2025 semester. 

The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few.

Qualified applicants must be undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For more information or to apply, visit pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply for the fall term is July 1.


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper