Acting AG Henry’s nomination moves to full Senate
HARRISBURG — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted unanimously to forward the nomination of Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
Ms. Henry had served as first deputy attorney general for then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro before he was elected governor.
Ms. Henry told lawmakers that she intends to complete the two years remaining in Mr. Shapiro’s uncompleted term as attorney general but she has no intention of running to remain attorney general beyond that.
Ms. Henry was raised in Westmoreland County and graduated from Greensburg Salem public schools. She is a graduate of Allegheny College and the Widener University School of Law, worked for the Westmoreland County Legal Aid Office, and clerked for now retired Lancaster County President Judge Michael Georgelis.
Before serving as first deputy, Ms. Henry dedicated over 20 years of her career to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office — taking on crucial jobs including chief of major crimes, chief of child abuse, and first assistant. She was appointed Bucks County District Attorney with a bipartisan vote in 2008. Ms. Henry helped establish the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that assists physically or sexually abused children, focusing on reducing their trauma while involved with the judicial system.
That work drew praise from Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, who said it demonstrates that Ms. Henry is “not just well -versed in the law and the courtroom, but someone who has actively engaged in community efforts aimed at directing kids in safe and productive directions.”
Speaking to members of the committee, Ms. Henry cited examples of actions the Attorney General’s office has taken in the few months since she took the helm.
Those included making additional arrests of Jehovah’s Witness church members accused of preying on children; making large seizures of fentanyl that were being brought into the state; busting a gun-trafficking ring; establishing a law enforcement treatment initiative in Luzerne County to provide access to drug treatment to addicted defendants; and establishing a complaint hotline for residents in the wake of train derailment just across the border in Ohio.
Ms. Henry said that the Attorney General’s Office has become an important voice standing up for the rights of consumers and crime victims.
“We’ve become the voice for those who need a voice,” she said.
Ms. Henry’s nomination now goes to the full Senate.
Also on Monday, by a unanimous vote, the Senate Law and Justice Committee gave a favorable recommendation for the nomination of Maj. Christopher Paris as the next state police commissioner.
Maj. Paris now faces a confirmation vote before the Senate.
Committee Majority Chairman Mike Regan, R-Cumberland, predicted that Maj. Paris would fly through the confirmation vote. He said it was rare for a cabinet nominee to have such widespread support.
“I think the governor has made an excellent choice for the nomination here,” said Mr. Regan.
With the Paris nomination, Mr. Shapiro has drawn within the ranks of the state police for someone to lead the law enforcement agency. Committee Minority Chairman James Brewster, D-McKeesport, said he appreciates that Mr. Shapiro nominated someone from inside the agency for the top job.
“I plan to rely on the best resource we have — our people,” Maj. Paris told the committee.
A Scranton native, Maj. Paris most recently served as commander of Area 111 covering northeast Pennsylvania.