Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. to retire
Two-term Republican from Caln says he will not seek re-election
CALN» State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. announced on Monday that he is not seeking re-election, and he will retire after 56 years of public service.
Lewis, R-74 of Caln, is currently serving his second-term which will end with the 2017-18 session. It will be his final one as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“Because of the citizens of the 74th District, I proudly worked in Harrisburg – despite the inevitable bureaucratic limitations — to represent the wishes of all Coatesville, Downingtown and Parkesburg residents,” Lewis said in his announcement. “In times of frustration when it was a challenge to come to an acceptable resolution, the great people in our communities were my motivation. I thank each resident for the incredible support and encouragement.”
His accomplishments includes securing $6 million in grants for
the Coatesville revitalization project at the intersection of Lincoln Highway East and the First Avenue area of Coatesville City. The project is expected to bring 110 new, permanent jobs and 215 construction jobs to the area. He collaborated with the Brandywine campus of the Chester County Technical College High School to ensure that the construction jobs will be awarded locally.
The redevelopment project will consist of 47,000 square feet of retail/office space. Some of the existing buildings will be demolished, but Lewis noted that the historical value of Coatesville will be maintained through the new design. A parking garage will be built, and improvements will be made to surrounding streets.
“The best part of this experience has undoubtedly been the times I have been able to get the answers someone needs or otherwise improve his or her life,” Lewis said. “I’ve discovered what a difference it makes to people when they feel their legislator is serving them as completely as possible, and I could not have done that without the amazing staff that has blessed Chester County. I thank Amber Little-Turner, Nick Deminski and Reginald Ward for their service, and wish them great success in their future endeavors.”
Lewis also recalled a highlight working with local resident, Jane Kennedy, to add Carver Court to the National Registry of Historic Places. The 194244 housing development, which Lewis called home as a child, provided housing for African-American steelworkers and their families to support the World War II defense industry. It includes nearly 90 one-story and two-story homes and was designed by giants of modern architecture Louis Kahn, Oskar Stonorov and George Howe. Adding Carver Court to the registry was a bipartisan effort also supported by Gov. Tom Wolf, who visited Chester County for the dedication in September.
“Helping residents of the district find family-sustaining jobs was one of my top priorities, demonstrated by my numerous job fairs that attracted employers and job seekers alike. Of my many legislative events, these were the most successful,” Lewis said. “However, I didn’t need a special occasion to help my constituents. With my staff, I helped thousands of constituents with both state and local issues at my three office locations.”
He also drafted a number of bills, including one unanimously supported by the House that would provide children who have incarcerated parents with stable families via adoption in a more timely fashion.
Before serving in the House in 2014, Lewis worked as an educator in the Coatesville Area Senior High School. He worked as a principal, assistant principal, special education teacher and physical education teacher.