Welcome to this Website

On behalf of the 203 Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this website. I hope you enjoy your tour through the history of the "Speakership," the oldest elected statewide public office in the Commonwealth and the nation.

As you browse through our site you will learn that since 1682 that 135 men have served as Speaker of the House in our state. I was elected Speaker in January of 2007.

Pennsylvania has a heritage and our inheritance includes our magnificent Capitol and its art and architecture. This building is a splendid symbol of freedom - under its majestic dome the three branches of government toil to draft and pass laws, to mete out fair and equal justice and to govern. We celebrated the Capitol's 100th anniversary in October of 2006.

Thanks for visiting this site. I hope you leave with a deep appreciation for the office of the Speaker of the House and genuine respect for the institutions and traditions which have sustained our system of government for so many years.

Sincerely,
Dennis M. O'Brien
The Speaker