Profiles in Courage

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Official Biography 

 

Born March 4, 1955, Bala Cynwed, PA; School of Journalism, Temple University (1973-1975); PA. Penna. Commission on Crime and Delinquency ("Act 44") certification, Temple University (1998), Act 44 re-certification Harrisburg Area Community College (1998-1999). Journalism career began at the age of 13 for the Doylestown, PA Daily Intelligencer and a radio news broadcaster and correspondent by 17 years of age for WBUX AM, Doylestown, contributed to KYW Newsradio, Phila, WCAU-TV, Phila, and the Associated Press, covered Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush and Pope John Paul II’s Philadelphia visit. Chairman and CEO, The Poor Richard Corp. (1976- ); chairman Second UPI Unsecured Creditors Committee (1985). Administrative assistant to State Rep. Benj. H. Wilson (1970-1972), special assistant to Phila. Councilwoman Dr. Ethel D. Allen (1973-76), New Britain Twp. Republican chairman (1973-77), chairman, New Britain Twp. Bicentennial commission (1975), mbr., New Britain Twp. Park and Recreation Board (1974). First candidate for public office and first notary public in Pennsylvania under age 21 (1973). Elected State Constable for the City of Harrisburg (4th Ward) (1997) nominated in both Democratic and Republican primaries. Re-elected (2003) after being re-nominated in both Democratic and Republican primaries. Special Master (mediator) Philadelphia Firefighters Union Local 22 v. City of Phila. (Phila. Common Pleas) (2005-2006). Elected Member, Chairman, Treasurer and Acting Ward Leader, 59th Republican Ward Executive Committee (2006). Co-Chairman, The Germantown Conservancy, Inc. (2009-). Trustee Chairman, American Trust for Voters (2007-), Chairman, National Conference of Public Officials (2006-), mbr. ACLU (2002-), board mbr. ACLU, South Central PA Chapter (2002-2006), life mbr. Germantown Republican Club, life mbr.,Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, mbr. The Pennsylvania Society, exec. dir., brd. mbr., Friends of Pennsylvania Libraries (1997), mbr.,U.S. Capitol Historical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Valley Forge Historical Society,.mbr.,Chalfont Vol. Fire Co. (1973-75), Valley Forge Vol. Fire Co. (1975-76), Chairman and Presidential designate, 250th National Fire Service Anniversary Commission (1983), Mbr.,Temple Univ. Alumi Association. Author of self-published treatises, The Great Pennsylvania Library Crisis (1997); I Shot the Constable, but didn’t Shoot the Deputy – the History of the Pennsylvania State Constable (2000), The Musmanno List — Rankings of Penna. Law Firms for Civil Rights Advocacy (2004), Government Ethics, Accountability and Productivity (late 2009 or early 2010).  Mbr., Historic Old St. George’s United Methodist Church, mbr, administrative council (1978-1988), chairman, Pilgrimage Committee (1985-88), announced candidate for local pastorship, United Methodist Church, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.  Exec. Vice President (2003-2006), President (2006-) Pennsylvania Wrestling Club, Inc., mbr. Harrisburg Judo kai (Rank 5K). Married to the former Anna May Casper, Nov. 22, 2003. Residence, Philadelphia, PA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firsts and Accomplishments

  • Pete Wirs was the first Notary Public in Pennsylvania to be appointed under the age of 21
  • Pete Wirs was the first candidate for public office in Pennsylvania under the age of 21
  • Pete Wirs is the first and only elected Republican officeholder from Pennsylvania to be elected to a ACLU Chapter Board
  • Pete Wirs was twice elected to public office in Harrisburg after winning both the Democratic and Republican primaries
  • Pete Wirs is the only litigant in recent history to successfully sue the Supreme Court of the United States on mandamus
  • Pete Wirs wrote Pennsylvania's latest library reform legislation eventually signed into law by Governor Ridge
  • Pete Wirs was honored as a "Profile in Courage" in the Congressional Record  (March 31, 2004)
  • Pete Wirs represented President Reagan as Chairman of the National 250th Fire Service Anniversary Committee
  • Pete Wirs has served as chairman of Presidential Inaugural Prayers for President Reagan (1985), President George H.W. Bush (1989) and President George W. Bush (2005)
  • Pete Wirs did the first live remote radio news broadcast in Bucks County
  • Pete Wirs reformed the New Britain Township Board of Supervisors by enlarging the board from three to five board members
  • Pete Wirs was the first Republican committeeman to be elected in the 59th Ward in several years and the first Ward Chairman in over 30 years 

 

Pete Wirs is the only person in recent history to have successfully filed suit against the United States Supreme Court.  In the matter In re Peter J. Wirs v. York County,  510 U.S. 809, 114 S.Ct. 292, 126 L.Ed.2d 242 (1993), Wirs brought an action in mandamus to fund the Civil Jury Fee Fund for the balance of fiscal year 1993.  In response to Wirs' filing, the U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee broke the deadlock over a dispute to provide supplemental filing, and finally moved the appropriations into enactment.  By the time the High Court took up the matter, the issue was resolved, with Pete Wirs and the Solicitor General concurring the petition was moot.