PRINTER'S NO. 3725
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 558
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY FLICK, OCTOBER 7, 2024
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 7, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Remembering the Honorable Robert C. Wise, a five-term former
2 member of the House of Representatives from the 83rd
3 District, Lycoming County, who died September 3, 2024, at 99
4 years of age.
5 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives joins in honoring
6 Robert C. Wise for his distinguished leadership and generous
7 service to the residents of Lycoming County, central
8 Pennsylvania and this Commonwealth; and
9 WHEREAS, As a legislator focusing on legislative ethics,
10 higher education and conservation, including clean streams, Mr.
11 Wise faithfully served consecutive terms in the House of
12 Representatives from 1965 through 1974; and
13 WHEREAS, Active in legislative reform, Mr. Wise chaired the
14 first House Ethics Committee in 1969; and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise served on the State Government Committee
16 and the Game and Fisheries Committee in his first term and was
17 appointed to the Education Committee in his second term; and
18 WHEREAS, An early supporter of a unified Statewide higher
19 education system, Mr. Wise continued his service on the House
 1 Education Committee over multiple terms, chaired the
2 Subcommittee on Higher Education and was a legislative delegate
3 to the State Board of Education; and
4 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise later served as an appointed member of the
5 State Board of Education; and
6 WHEREAS, Born May 21, 1925, in Williamsport, Mr. Wise
7 enlisted in the United States Navy Officer Training Program at
8 the University of Notre Dame after his 1943 graduation from
9 Williamsport High School; and
10 WHEREAS, At the California Institute of Technology, where he
11 transferred, Mr. Wise worked toward his meteorology degree and
12 determined that he wanted to study law; and
13 WHEREAS, Commissioned as a Navy ensign, Mr. Wise was a
14 weather officer on an arctic icebreaker; and
15 WHEREAS, Released from active duty, Mr. Wise began to
16 practice law and entered public service after his 1948
17 graduation from Dickinson School of Law; and
18 WHEREAS, Recalled to active duty from 1952 through 1954, with
19 the rank of lieutenant, Mr. Wise completed his military service
20 at a Fleet Weather Center; and
21 WHEREAS, As a respected attorney with more than five decades
22 of service, Mr. Wise was a member, since 1949, and former
23 president of the Lycoming Law Association and former Lycoming
24 County assistant district attorney; and
25 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise earned public recognition and public
26 support through his work as assistant district attorney; and
27 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise enjoyed door-to-door campaigning and
28 advertising in his growing Lycoming County district, aided by
29 family, friends and volunteers; and
30 WHEREAS, Given his background in law and his legislative
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 1 record, Mr. Wise was elected in joint session of the General
2 Assembly as Director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference
3 Bureau; and
4 WHEREAS, From January 20, 1975, through January 3, 1977, Mr.
5 Wise contributed to bureau policy and publications and advised
6 members and staff from all caucuses; and
7 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise's abilities as an effective listener,
8 arbitrator and consensus builder were notable; and
9 WHEREAS, Through his involvement in Williamsport area bands
10 and his dedication to nonprofit and charitable organizations,
11 including the American Legion and the Scottish Rite, Mr. Wise
12 further enriched his community; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Wise's three children, his grandchildren and his
14 great-grandchildren and friends joined in honoring his life
15 September 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Williamsport,
16 where he was a lifetime member; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives remember the
18 Honorable Robert C. Wise, a five-term former member of the House
19 of Representatives from the 83rd District, Lycoming County, who
20 died September 3, 2024, at 99 years of age.
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