Boback First Woman Appointed Chair of House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) has been appointed as the first woman chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee by Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) for the 2021-22 session. Boback was recently sworn into her eighth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“I am proud to be part of a team of strong legislative leaders who support our Commonwealth,” Boback said. “It is my honor to have Speaker Cutler’s and my fellow members’ continued trust and support with the chairmanship of this important standing committee.”

The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee oversees legislation concerning public safety, emergency planning and preparedness, 911 emergency telephone services, fire and emergency medical services response and training, PA National Guard and military/veterans issues, nuclear power plant safety and response programs, flood response and mitigation programs, hazardous material planning and response, emergency communication systems, and homeland security and safety programs and initiatives.

“In the district, I have made veterans and their needs a priority,” Boback explained. “I have held veterans’ outreach in our offices, as well as organized mobile veterans counseling outreach.”  Boback has held 13 annual veterans’ recognition events and expos. She is also an active member on the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center Advisory Council. She has hosted several fire and EMS seminars to keep emergency responders in her district up to date on current emergency services laws and programs. 

In the upcoming legislative session, Boback is eager to work with her colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as all of the stakeholder organizations and state agencies which her committee oversees.

For more information about this committee, or any other state-related issue, contact Boback’s Dallas district office at 570-675-6000 or her Tunkhannock office at 570-836-4777.  Information can also be found on her website at Rep.Boback.com.