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defense of the pay raise by claiming that "immigrant cow-milkers" make as much as legislators. The dinner has become an annual event, with the lack of lighting and heating becoming part of the tradition. The event has undergone several name changes: in 2006 it was called the "Pennsylvania New
Society
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The organization later changed its name to The
Pennsylvania Society and became a nonprofit charitable organization. It was incorporated in 1903, and currently claims 2,000 members. While it sponsors a high school essay contest, the main function of the organization is to organize the weekend retreat.
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on the final night of the weekend. In 2005, about 1,500 individuals attended. However, much of the "real action" takes place in the invitation-only dinners and receptions hosted by businesses, candidates, and lobbying firms throughout the weekend. In an attempt to attract more attendees, hosts have
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In 1899 James Barr Ferree, an historian and native
Pennsylvanian living in New York City, invited 55 fellow Pennsylvanians also living in New York to join him for dinner at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel. While enjoying a meal together, they decided to form a group known initially as “The Pennsylvania
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Each year, the Gold Medal recipient selects a
Pennsylvania charity of his or her choice, which receives a donation from the Society. All told, millions of dollars have benefitted these worthy organizations. And to honor scholarship, students compete annually for the Society's Benjamin Franklin
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For more than 120 years, The
Pennsylvania Society has been dedicated to uniting members in fellowship with Pennsylvanians from all walks of life who share a deep affection for the state, pride in giving back to the Commonwealth, and a commitment to civil engagement. With no affiliation to any
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to discuss current affairs in their native state. The dinner became a recurring event and the group began calling themselves "The
Pennsylvania Society of New York." It later developed into an annual gathering of Pennsylvania politicians and businessmen on New York City's "neutral ground."
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calling for the event to be moved within
Pennsylvania. "Everybody who is anybody, and everybody who wants to be somebody, is there.""The three-day crush of Manhattan cocktail parties known as the Pennsylvania Society is a requisite stop for aspiring candidates and potential donors."
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The
Pennsylvania Society has become known as the "unofficial start of the next year's big political season" because of its reputation as a place for potential political candidates to make contacts, meet fundraisers, and make a name for themselves early in the electoral process.
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Society of New York.” Their goal was to establish a society “uniting all
Pennsylvanians at home and away from home in bonds of friendship and devotion to their native or adopted state” and would meet for dinner every year, same time, same place.
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A non-profit, charitable organization with members around the world, the
Society welcomes all Pennsylvanians. It is in its third century of existence and is the oldest organization of its kind in the country. New members are always welcome.
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particular political party, business or profession, The Pennsylvania Society maintains its centuries-long commitment to civility, where members celebrate service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with an abiding respect for one another.
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suggested that the $ 20–$ 40 million economic impact from the event would best be directed to a city in Pennsylvania, but said "since I can't get a budget passed, I'm going to leave that for another day." In 2005,
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The tradition for Pennsylvania's political and business retreat dates to 1899, when James Barr Ferree, a native Pennsylvanian living in New York invited a group of 55 other Pennsylvanians living in New York to the
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In 1903, when the organization was incorporated, the name was shortened to “The Pennsylvania Society.” As the years passed, that dinner at The Waldorf Astoria became the hallmark event of The Pennsylvania Society.
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of the late 19th century, when Fricks and Carnegies and Pews dominated Pennsylvania's commercial and political scene. Slender elements of its original purpose endure. However, it is primarily a hell of a party."
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Budoff, Carrie; John Sullivan (December 12, 2004). "Political networking in a N.Y. weekend. "Everybody who is anybody, and everybody who wants to be somebody" works the Pa. Society's 3-day schmooze-athon".
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Jordan, Lara Jakes (December 15, 2003). "Political, business bigwigs live it up – as usual – in N.Y. The annual Pennsylvania Society weekend offers chances for the elite to make merry and make deals".
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Gelbart, Marcia; Carrie Budoff (December 11, 2005). "Pa. pols just can't resist N.Y. bash. The annual gathering of the Pennsylvania Society has attracted plenty of powerful folks, as usual".
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The Pennsylvania Society provides fellowship with Pennsylvanians who share a deep affection for Pennsylvania, pride in giving back to the Commonwealth, and a commitment to civil engagement.
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impression of him by saying, "Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent." Several events have become well known for drawing high-powered guests, including the events hosted by the
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The gathering began as an exclusively Republican event, but it now includes a sizable number of Democrats. The early years of the meeting were reminiscent of the stereotypical
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Public watchdogs have criticized the event as a chance for "wealthy special interests to mingle with the movers and shakers in state government" or as a gathering for "
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Many attendees downplay the Pennsylvania Society's corrupt image, with Ken Davis, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, telling the
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style dinner. The hosts decorated the capitol with toy pigs, the mascot of the anti-pay-raise movement, and stuffed cows, mocking
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are in New York City. The event, described as "part parody, part celebration" of the November repeal of the controversial
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601:(December 9, 2005). "State pols gather for annual soiree; Candidates head to New York City to wine and dine donors".
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Worden, Amy (December 11, 2005). "It was Little Debbie, not Big Apple Potluck politicking in the Capitol".
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Political pundits frequently note the irony of holding the Pennsylvania Society in New York. In 2003,
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372:"I don't know anybody who's been bought at Pennsylvania Society. Rented, maybe – but not bought."
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Eshleman Jr., Russell E. (December 15, 1997). "PA. Political, Business Luminaries Cluster".
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Attendees have been known to enjoy the New York City tourist attractions, including the
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The Pennsylvania Society and Executive Order No. 002-04, Philadelphia Board of Ethics
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said in 2003 that the Pennsylvania Society is "a magnificent re-creation of the
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Scholar Award, a writing competition open to Pennsylvania high school juniors.
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Adams, Helen Colwell (November 25, 2007). "Reform ahead? You be the judge".
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The main attraction of the weekend is the "Pennsylvania Society Dinner," a
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Dinner," in 2007 it was the "Real Pennsylvania Society Dinner."
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gained significant praise from attendees. In a 2005 event,
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Pennsylvania politicos painting Big Apple red this weekend
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cigar lounge hosted by Republican national committeewoman
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Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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238:was able to raise $ 46,000 for his
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518:"Benjamin Franklin Scholar Award"
206:hired top tier guests, including
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226:. In 2004, an evening at an
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524:. The Pennsylvania Society
498:. The Pennsylvania Society
441:. The Pennsylvania Society
310:Pennsylvania State Capitol
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70:Second weekend in December
626:The Philadelphia Inquirer
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355:Philadelphia City Council
312:while the members of the
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306:anti-pay raise activists
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156:Origins and organization
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232:Christine Toretti Olson
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242:and $ 130,000 for the
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685:(December 8, 2006). "
665:"Tale of Two Galas".
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671:. December 8, 2006.
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264:and the era of the
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445:October 12,
212:Lewis Black
208:Jon Stewart
94:Inaugurated
83:Location(s)
30:‹ The
757:Categories
646:Gar Joseph
388:References
350:Ed Rendell
298:Gene Stilp
262:gilded age
119:.pasociety
642:John Baer
318:pay raise
199:black tie
75:Frequency
39:is being
376:See also
341:and the
333:Location
43:. ›
32:template
322:potluck
291:fat cat
253:Former
112:Website
102: (
67:Date(s)
214:, and
89:, U.S.
78:annual
530:2009
504:2009
447:2009
300:and
189:The
121:.com
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