PRINTER'S NO. 488
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.59
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HUTCHINSON, BROOKS, LANGERHOLC, MASTRIANO, FARRY,
BAKER, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, FONTANA, BROWN, PENNYCUICK,
ROBINSON, LAUGHLIN, BARTOLOTTA, HAYWOOD, PITTMAN, K. WARD,
COSTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, VOGEL, CULVER, STEFANO, COLEMAN, DUSH,
MARTIN, GEBHARD, ARGALL, YAW, J. WARD, PICOZZI, KEEFER AND
ROTHMAN, MARCH 26, 2025
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 26, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life, leadership and memory of the Honorable Mary
Jo White and expressing heartfelt condolences to her family,
friends and colleagues.
WHEREAS, Mary Jo White was born December 27, 1941, to Joseph
and Patricia Ransford, in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from
Aquinas Girls Catholic Prep School in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Senator White earned a bachelor of arts degree from
Quincy University in 1963 and earned a Juris Doctor from the
University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1967 where she met her
husband while serving on Law Review; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation, she diligently worked as an
associate at the Law Firm of Dale and Woodward and then served
as a public defender for the residents of Venango County until
1976 when she joined Quaker State Oil Corporation for a long and
impactful career after starting in the company's law department
and quickly becoming its Vice President for Environmental and
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16 Governmental Affairs; and
WHEREAS, Her legacy is best found in representing the 21st
Senatorial District where she tirelessly advocated for sound
environmental policy, rural communities and equal rights for
women; and
WHEREAS, As a dedicated public servant, Senator White chaired
the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for
twelve years, bringing a practical approach to and active
engagement in the passage of major environmental laws and
advocating for policies that allowed for oil, gas and coal
extraction while still protecting the natural beauty of
Pennsylvania and its wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Senator White's work in environmental matters led to
her serving on the Wild Resource Conservation Fund, the Joint
Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation
Committee and the Environmental Quality Board; and
WHEREAS, Known for analyzing the facts first, Senator White
continued spirited practical public service in the consideration
of complicated issues in her role as Vice Chair of the Consumer
Protections and Professional Licensure Committee and membership
on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary and Public Health and
Welfare Committees; and
WHEREAS, Senator White was a leading advocate and champion of
the nursing profession represented by her supportive efforts for
nursing care in rural areas of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Senator White served as the first woman elected to
Senate Republican Leadership in her role as Caucus Administrator
from 2001 to 2006; and
WHEREAS, Her service went beyond her work in the Pennsylvania
Senate with passionate engagement on numerous local community
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30 boards and commitment to higher education by serving on the
Board of Trustees for the University of Pittsburgh, Clarion
University, Slippery Rock University and Westminster College, as
well as advocating for the creation of Northern Pennsylvania
Regional College and serving as its founding board member; and
WHEREAS, Senator White is survived by her loving husband of
58 years, H. William White, Jr., and their children, H. William
White, III, David White, Allison Werder and seven grandchildren;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the life, leadership and
memory of the Honorable Mary Jo White and express heartfelt
condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
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