PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There is a renewed push in Harrisburg to select a new state song for Pennsylvania in time for America’s 250th birthday, and a proposal from a Montgomery County lawmaker took a key step forward last week.
State Rep. Joe Ciresi pointed to songs like “I love New York” and “Georgia on My Mind” as state songs that double as marketing tools for tourism. He then he pulled out his phone and asked House Commerce Committee members to sing along with Pennsylvania’s current state song:
“Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Mighty is your name? Boom, boom, boom, every day shall um, all of you know this, right,” asked Ciresi.
“No, okay, so I would ask today if we can take the first step once again in writing a new song that reflects the beauty and everything we have here to offer in our Commonwealth.”
Ciresi said his resolution would set up an American Idol-type contest, with submissions from across Pennsylvania. The winning song would be announced during the Semiquincentennial celebration in July 2026.
Other lawmakers have different ideas. State Rep. Russ Diamond wrote and recorded a song, though he said he would not introduce legislation to adopt it but would support the effort if someone else did.
State Sen. Judy Schwank has introduced a bill that would make “Our Pennsylvania Home” by Dave Kline, from her home county of Berks, the new state song.
Regardless of how the song is chosen, the General Assembly would need to approve it.