Nov 13, 2008 8:20 am US/Eastern
Statements On The Passing Of Lt. Gov. Knoll
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Gov. Ed Rendell (File)
KDKA
Upon the passing of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, state and local officials are expressing their condolences.
Governor Edward G. Rendell tonight announced the passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.
"On behalf of all Pennsylvania, Midge and I extend heart-felt sympathy to Catherine's family," Governor Rendell said. "Today we mourn the passing of one of the strongest, most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania's history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine's family. She will be deeply missed.
"Even as she fought cancer in recent months, she remained upbeat and dedicated to serving the commonwealth," he said. "Catherine was a very passionate and exuberant advocate for many worthy causes. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the many people whose lives she touched."
Knoll died Wednesday at approximately 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she was recovering from treatment for neuroendocrine cancer. She was surrounded by her family.
Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Knoll will be replaced as Lieutenant Governor by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Joseph B. Scarnati III (R-Jefferson).
As lieutenant governor, Knoll played a vital role in addressing a variety of issues of critical importance to the people of Pennsylvania. She was particularly proud of her accomplishment of creating of TAP 529 Pennsylvania Tuition Account Program, which has since been renamed 'nowU.' She was also instrumental in issues including emergency management, domestic preparedness, economic development and local government. She served as the president of the Senate and chairwoman of the Board of Pardons, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, and the Local Government Advisory Committee.
Knoll was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2003, as Pennsylvania's 30th lieutenant governor; the first woman elected to the post.
A native of Allegheny County, Knoll, 78, devoted her life to public service, first as a school teacher and business woman and later advancing issues such as finance, transportation, housing, education, environmental work, human rights, small business development, and urban and rural revitalization efforts.
She contributed to her community through her longstanding service to the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Pittsburgh, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Angel's Place, the NAACP, Elder Care, Inc., Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy and the Pittsburgh Golden Triangle.
Knoll spearheaded a number of initiatives to promote safety and prosperity for Pennsylvanians of all ages.
She was a strong supporter of Project ChildSafe, which reminded gun owners to properly store firearms in the home to prevent a loaded firearm from falling into the hands of a child. Project ChildSafe distributed millions of free safety kits including cable-style gun locking devices and safety education materials at major public events.
Knoll was a strong advocate for Dress for Success South Central PA which helps disadvantaged women enter the workforce in the south central Pennsylvania region.
She was an active member of the NLGA (National Lieutenant Governors Association), working on substantive policy issues and international missions - work that is an accurate reflection of the growing role of the office of lieutenant governor. Knoll worked with other members on items ranging from education reform and international trade to health care and federalism issues. She spearheaded Pennsylvania's participation as one of 10 states involved in NLGA's education campaign regarding cervical cancer, beginning in August of 2006 — "Ending Cervical Cancer in our Lifetime."
She also helped foster collaboration among academia, industry, government agencies and technical support organizations promote the Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow, or SMART, regional alliance with Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. SMART promotes the Mid-Atlantic region's technical enterprise and intellectual vitality for the economic benefit of the region.
Knoll served eight distinguished years as State Treasurer. During her tenure, she implemented and maintained the highest standards of accountability and integrity. She also kept Pennsylvania ahead of the technology curve by building a high-tech investment center that saved Pennsylvania hundred of millions of dollars through increased efficiency and returned nearly $2 billion in interest.
Honored by organizations throughout the nation for her leadership, she accumulated a long list of firsts, among them: First woman appointed to the AFL-CIO Housing and Building Board of Trustees, Chairwoman of the Pension Committee of the National Association of State Treasurers, and various small business loan programs for women and minorities.
As Lieutenant Governor she received additional accolades in the past five years from the Greater Washington County Food Bank, Honorary Board Member, Friend of PA Harness Racing Commission, PA Prison Society Humanitarian of The Year Award, promoting a strategic alliance with DE, MD, NJ, and PA, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Women of the Year Award, Chapel of the Four Chaplains Gold Medal Award, Circle of Excellence First Women Elected to The Office of The Lieutenant Governor, Philadelphia AIDS Consortium, State Library Rare Book Room Outstanding Support.
Knoll's late husband, Charles, was a U.S. Postmaster. Their four children, Charles, Mina, Albert, and Kim Eric, are all adult professionals in their own right.
Knoll was the daughter of Nicholas and Teresa Baker. She was educated at Saint Mary's High School in McKees Rocks, Duquesne University, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato this evening issued the following statement on the passing of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll:
"Catherine Baker Knoll was one of the most dedicated public servants in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Strength and determination defined her personal life, as well as her professional and political careers. As the first woman elected to the Office of Lieutenant Governor, she will be remembered as a trailblazer. Our Commonwealth has suffered a great loss today. The thoughts and prayers of my family and all the residents of Allegheny County are with the Lieutenant Governor's family."
House Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon, issued the following statement on the passing of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.
"It is normally difficult to know when one is witnessing history, but anyone who has had the privilege of working with Catherine Baker Knoll knew that she was truly a Pennsylvanian for the ages, and the ground she broke will serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
"Beyond even her historic service as the Commonwealth's first female Lt. Governor, Mrs. Baker-Knoll leaves an amazing legacy. Her service as one of the most successful treasurers the state ever had set the standard for others to live up to, and her dedication to education will be felt for generations thanks to the innovative program she started to help students and families afford to go to college.
"Her tireless advocacy for women's issues may be her greatest legacy. As the father of a daughter, I could never thank Mrs. Baker-Knoll enough for the example she has set, and I know her work will be a keystone of the Commonwealth's history.
"My family and I offer our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Baker-Knoll's family. She will truly be missed, and never be replaced."
Upon the passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:
"Terese and I as well as the entire Casey family want to express our condolences to the family of Lieutenant Governor Knoll. Pennsylvania has lost a dedicated public servant who served our Commonwealth with distinction as State Treasurer and Lieutenant Governor.
"Catherine's life was one of service and sacrifice, courage and commitment to the common good.
"She was a proud native of Allegheny County, who was elected four times to statewide office, often by record margins.
"She will be remembered for generations because of her work in creating the Tuition Account Program which has made it possible for tens of thousands of young people to attend college.
"On a personal note, she was my friend, and I, like many Pennsylvanians will miss her indomitable spirit and her compassion for those without a voice."
Statement by former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan on the Passing of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll
"Those who knew Catherine came to know her as a person apart from politics. She was very genuine and always had a kind word. She will be greatly missed by Pennsylvanians of all stripes who call her a dear friend."
U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) tonight released the following statement on the passing of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.
"This is a sad day for Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll was a trailblazer and a dedicated public servant. For more than four decades, she served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with honor and grace. Like thousands of Pennsylvanians, I had the pleasure of calling Catherine Baker Knoll a friend, and she will be sorely missed. Kelly and I extend our condolences to her family. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
Statement by Bishop David Zubik on Catherine Baker Knoll (Released Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008)
"Catherine Baker Knoll was "old school" in the very best sense of that term. The first woman elected in Pennsylvania as lieutenant governor, she was a McKees Rocks native and a Catholic school girl who didn't take any guff from anyone and always said what was on her mind.
"Devoted spouse and mother, she often acknowledged that her greatest success was her family. A member of Saint John of God Parish, she could be seen there at Mass whenever she was in town.
"Her courage in the face of cancer showed her tenacity, her dedication to the sacredness of life, and her deep faith in God. Catherine Baker Knoll spent her life as a true public servant. As she described herself best, she was a "steel woman from the Steel City."
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