Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne), long-time Democratic Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, this week announced he will retire from the Senate at the end of his current term.

"After nearly 40 years of public service to the citizens of the northeast and seven terms serving the 14th Senatorial District, it is time to retire from the Senate," Sen. Musto said.  "I have been fortunate and blessed, and I am grateful for all the kindness that has been extended to me over the years."

For many years Sen. Musto has been the regarded as a leading voice on environmental issues in the Senate and as a fierce advocate for his district.  He has been involved in the passage of every major state environmental law and program for the last 30 years.

Among the notable environmental laws and initiatives completed as a result of Musto's work:

-- Curbside Recycling: Legislation that created Pennsylvania's curbside recycling program in 1988 -- the largest in the country;

-- Land Recycling: Pennsylvania's land recycling program--Acts 2, 3 and 4 of 1995 which has become the national model program for the effective re-use of abandoned industrial property;

-- Growing Greener: Act 68 (1999) Pennsylvania's Growing Greener program that has led to the protection of open spaces and farmland preservation as well as water and sewer system upgrades;

-- Air Pollution Control: Helped adopt far-reaching changes to the Air Pollution Control Act (Act 95) that has led to steadily improving air quality;

-- Infrastructure: Supported numerous bills to improve Pennsylvania's water and wastewater infrastructure, including a 1988 law creating the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority;

-- Chesapeake Bay: Helped adopt the Chesapeake Bay Commission Agreement in 1985 committing Pennsylvania to cleanup the Chesapeake Bay;

-- Water Resources: Helped pass the Water Resources Planning Act in 2002 to require a state water plan;

-- Hazardous Sites Cleanup: Shepherded the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act in 1988 through the Senate; and

-- Establishment of Nescopeck State Park.

"It is amazing how much can be accomplished when no one worries about who gets the credit," Musto said, attributing his long tenure in the Senate and in public service to his dedicated staff and supportive family.

"My staff both in the district and Harrisburg has been quietly serving residents for nearly 40 years and doing a tremendous job meeting the needs of the local community," Musto said.   "They are hard-working, honest and determined to make sure the job is done correctly."

"They are great public servants who, along with my family, made great sacrifices over the years," Musto said.  "Being in public service is a tough job where criticism and cynicism come with the territory; but it is also a wonderful job because you can directly make a difference in the lives of people."

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said, "I congratulate Sen. Musto on his nearly 28 years of distinguished service in the state Senate. In addition to being a friend and true gentleman, Sen. Musto has been a passionate advocate for the environment.

"His imprint can be found on every major environmental accomplishment realized over the past three decades, including the state's landmark recycling, environmental education, Key '93, brownfields reuse, water resource planning, alternative energy and Growing Greener acts. None of these initiatives would be in place today without the guidance and support of Ray Musto.

"I look forward to working with Sen. Musto throughout the remainder of this legislative session on other initiatives that will further protect our natural resources.             

"His family's well-deserved gain will be the Commonwealth's loss.  Our children and grandchildren will benefit for decades to come from a cleaner environment thanks in no small part to the work of Ray Musto."

Sen. Musto is a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53.  He is a 1971graduate of King's College in Wilkes-Barre.  He holds Doctorate of Letters degrees from Kings and Wilkes Colleges.  Musto has received many awards and honors for his work in the Senate.

The veteran lawmaker served in the state House from 1971 to 1980.  He began his career when he was elected in a special election in 1971 to fill his late father James Musto's unexpired term.  Musto was then elected to Congress in a special election in 1980.   In 1982, he was elected to the state Senate.  Musto has the distinction of being among only a few public servants to serve in the U.S.Congress, the state House and state Senate.

The senator's term will conclude on November 30.

9/27/2010