In the near future we intend to offer a condolence resolution honoring the life and achievements of former State Senator Franklin Kury who passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 89.   Senator Kury represented the 27th Senatorial District from 1973 to 1980.  He also served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1967 to 1972.   Senator Kury opted not to seek reelection in 1980.
 
Born in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1936, he was the son of Barney and Helen C. Witkowski Kury.   Senator Kury graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1961.   Besides serving in both the Senate and the House, Franklin Kury had a distinguished career marked by numerous other professional accomplishments, including staff assistant to Governor George M. Leader; state co-chair Students for Kennedy-Johnson, 1960; deputy attorney general, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, 1962; and congressional aide, United States Representative Honorable George M. Rhodes.
 
Senator Franklin Kury served in the 27th Senate District, currently represented by Senator Culver, and at the time of his death he resided in the 15th Senate District, represented by Senator Kim.
 
Franklin Kury was a leader in the enactment of environmental laws, such as amendments to the Clean Streams Act.  Most notably, he was the author and lead advocate for the environmental rights amendment found in Article 1, Section 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Senator Kury is survived by his three sons Steven, David and James.  He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Heazlett) Kury.

Please join Senators Culver and Kim in recognizing the tremendous life and legacy of the Honorable Franklin Kury.