Thaddeus Kirkland
| Rev. Thaddeus Kirkland | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 159th district |
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Assumed office January 5, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Robert C. Wright |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 12, 1955 Chester, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Susie |
| Occupation | Pastor of Community Baptist Church, Chester, PA |
| Religion | Baptist |
Thaddeus Kirkland (born January 12, 1955) is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and mayor of the Chester, PA. A graduate of Chester High School class of 1973, and Cheyney University Class of 1991, Kirkland assumed office in his hometown on January 4, 2016 as mayor of the City of Chester. Before elected into to the General Assembly, he was a community service coordinator at Crozer Chester Medical Center, and there he directed outreach and educational programs for teenagers.
In the 2015 Democratic mayoral primary, Representative Kirkland defeated incumbent Mayor John Linder 1,818 to 721. Representative Kirkland has represented the 159th Legislative District since 1993. The 159th Legislative District, includes the communities of the City of Chester, Chester Township, Lower Chichester Township, portions of Ridley and Upper Chichester townships, Eddystone, Marcus Hook, Trainer, Upland and Parkside. In 2002, he was named to the PoliticsPA list of Best Dressed Legislators.
Kirkland has taken a stance that he will combat violence in the city by improving the police force and using boy cameras, as well as to improve the suffering school district as a crucial role in improving the community.
Rep. Kirkland currently sits as the Democratic Chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
Thaddeus is also the younger brother of former professional basketball player Wilbur Kirkland.
Kirkland decided to stay on as the representative of Chester, as well as serving as mayor of the Delaware County community. He is the first representative who has resigned and then rescinded his resignation. The House Democratic spokesman stated that because of this action he will not be taking a mayoral salary until he departs from the House, and instead will take his legislative pay and continue to count toward his pension credits. Kirkland has been in the House since 1992.
In the 2015-2016 session, Rep. Kirkland was the primary sponsor of several bills some examples of which are: HB 418 concerning human shaped targets at shooting ranges, HB 419 concerning crimes that could not be expunged from a criminal record, and HB 420 concerning body cameras to be worn by active duty police officers. None of these bills have yet to be vote on. Additionally, Rep. Kirkland has been involved in areas of prayer in school, video surveillance, technical training, and Head Start programs.
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