State Rep. Kinsey ceremonially sworn-in during Germantown celebration
As one of the newest members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Stephen Kinsey was ceremonially sworn in (for a second time) during a community inaugural ceremony Friday night at Treasures banquet hall on Germantown Avenue.
Kinsey told NewsWorks it was special to host such an event “in the heart of where where folks voted for me.”
“It’s one thing to do it Harrisburg,” said Kinsey, who was formally sworn-in at the state capitol earlier this month. “But, when you bring it back to the community, you are able to share it with the folks who actually pushed the lever for you. It’s like 10 times greater.”
The ceremony
Among elected officials and community stakeholders in attendance, and speaking, were state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown and Eighth District City Councilwoman Cindy Bass along with Eugene Albert, Pam Rich-Wheeler, Bill Ryan, Derrick Green and Gregory A. Kinsey.
Michelle Tollen read a poem, Marcus L. Wiggins sang a musical selection and former Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. spoke about the history of the first African American elected officials in Philadelphia before administering the oath of office.
“It is an absolute honor to be here and to see this third generation come into office,” Goode said.
Kinsey’s wife, Melissa Still, spoke about Kinsey’s leadership as a son, father, husband and community activist.
“When you campaign, there is a blueprint on how to raise money, there is a blueprint of how you market yourself for a campaign,” she said, adding that “there’s no blueprint in politics on how you manage your personal life and balance your family. But on this journey, I believe that he and I built that road map.”
One of 28 freshman state representatives, Kinsey graduated from Germantown High School in 1976, served as chief-of-staff to former Rep. John Myers and has been involved with numerous community organizations.
His district covers parts of Germantown, Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane and Ogontz.
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