The last time a Pennsylvanian chaired the Agriculture Committee of the United States Congress was way back in 1855, when John Littleton Dawson of Uniontown held the post. To put the timing of that into perspective, consider that Dawson was offered the governorship of the Kansas Territory by President Franklin Pierce, pre-Civil War after his service as Agriculture Chair. Certainly no Member of Congress who represented several of the counties in the Greater Susquehanna Valley has ever served as the Dean of the Pennsylvania Delegation. If the pundits are correct, and they all seem to agree, Glenn "G.T." Thompson, who will represent the counties to the west of the Susquehanna River, will make history for our area.
We had the privilege to welcome Congressman Thompson to the Valley for our Chamber's Rise & Shine Legislative Breakfast on Monday, alongside Congressman Fred Keller, whose service to the Valley has been exceptional. The conversation we had together was laser-focused on the Chamber's strategic priorities, and I'll leave the retelling of it to the excellent coverage offered by Justin Strawser of The Daily Item. Let me conclude with a little hindsight: we'd previously called this breakfast "Rise & Shine: 'It's Open for Business' Time". Now, I'll call it like it was - "Rise & Shine: 'It's Connectivity' Time". For more on rural broadband, the work of the agriculture committee, and what Congressman Thompson had to say, please continue below for the coverage from the event.