Kevin Blaum
Encyclopedia
Kevin J. Blaum is a former American
politician who was a Democratic
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
for the 121st Legislative district of Pennsylvania
for nearly three decades.
He is a 1970 graduate of James M. Coughlin High School
. He earned a degree in Education and Political Science from the University of Scranton
in 1974. He taught Government and American History at Bishop Hoban High School
in Wilkes-Barre from 1975 until 1980. In 1975, he was elected to serve on the Wilkes-Barre City Council
at the age of 23 in spite of his young age and placement at last on the ballot. Blaum's extensive door-to-door canvassing effort, which he claims hit "all doors in the city of Wilkes-Barre," played a significant part in securing his victory.
He was first elected to represent the 121st legislative district
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
in 1980 after defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Bernard F. O'Brien in a primary and easily trouncing a Republican opponent in the general election. The door-to-door campaign of Blaum again carried him to an impressive win, especially in the primary against the legendary O'Brien.
In 1994, Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey
awarded a $19.2 million state grant to construct the 10,000 seat Mohegan Sun Arena
- initially dubbed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Convention Center - in Blaum's district. Blaum served as Chairman of the Arena Authority supervising the construction and management of the arena, and helped to lure Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
of the American Hockey League
to become primary tenants of the arena.
As chair of the House Aging and Youth Committee, Blaum crafted substantial changes in Pennsylvania's laws regarding child abuse and child protection laws, including Act 151 of 1994, which expanded the definition of child abuse to include children in "imminent risk of serious physical injury or sexual abuse," established child abuse background checks for school employees, and set up a system of reporting cases involving sexual abuse or serious bodily injury of students by school employees. He was also the architect of Pennsylvania's Underage Drinking Law and Pennsylvania's Ethics Act. He also crafted Act 20 of 1996, which eliminated many jurisdictional disputes over the collection of child support payments. He was honored with the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania's "Presidents Award" in 1996 and with Common Cause of Pennsylvania's
"Champion of Good Government Award" in 1989.
In 2004, he was elected Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus. He retired shortly after the 2006 election
and announced his retirement in December 2005 at the arena, indicating to those gathered that he wanted the construction of the arena to define his legacy. Since his retirement, Blaum has been an associate director of admission and the director of financial aid at Wyoming Seminary
in Kingston, Pennsylvania
and since 2008 he has written a weekly opinion column for The Times Leader
newspaper entitled "In the Arena."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
for the 121st Legislative district of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
for nearly three decades.
He is a 1970 graduate of James M. Coughlin High School
Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Wilkes-Barre Area School District is an urban, public school district located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Wilkes-Barre Area School District encompasses approximately 123 square miles. The district includes the city of Wilkes-Barre as well as smaller surrounding...
. He earned a degree in Education and Political Science from the University of Scranton
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to a...
in 1974. He taught Government and American History at Bishop Hoban High School
Bishop Hoban High School
Bishop Hoban High School was a Roman Catholic high school of the Diocese of Scranton, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1971, and the new building opened in 1972 after the Agnes flood. The school was named after Most Rev. Michael J. Hoban, second Bishop of Scranton...
in Wilkes-Barre from 1975 until 1980. In 1975, he was elected to serve on the Wilkes-Barre City Council
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
at the age of 23 in spite of his young age and placement at last on the ballot. Blaum's extensive door-to-door canvassing effort, which he claims hit "all doors in the city of Wilkes-Barre," played a significant part in securing his victory.
He was first elected to represent the 121st legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 121
The 121st Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Luzerne County and includes the following areas:* Ashley* Hanover Township ** Ward 02 [PART, Division 01]* Plains Township* Wilkes-Barre* Wilkes-Barre Township-Representatives:...
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in 1980 after defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Bernard F. O'Brien in a primary and easily trouncing a Republican opponent in the general election. The door-to-door campaign of Blaum again carried him to an impressive win, especially in the primary against the legendary O'Brien.
In 1994, Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey
Robert P. Casey
Robert Patrick "Bob" Casey, Sr. was an American politician from Pennsylvania. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 42nd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995...
awarded a $19.2 million state grant to construct the 10,000 seat Mohegan Sun Arena
Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza is an 8,300-seat multi-purpose arena located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, managed by SMG.Built in 1998 due to the instrumental work of Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey, Sr...
- initially dubbed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Convention Center - in Blaum's district. Blaum served as Chairman of the Arena Authority supervising the construction and management of the arena, and helped to lure Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
to become primary tenants of the arena.
As chair of the House Aging and Youth Committee, Blaum crafted substantial changes in Pennsylvania's laws regarding child abuse and child protection laws, including Act 151 of 1994, which expanded the definition of child abuse to include children in "imminent risk of serious physical injury or sexual abuse," established child abuse background checks for school employees, and set up a system of reporting cases involving sexual abuse or serious bodily injury of students by school employees. He was also the architect of Pennsylvania's Underage Drinking Law and Pennsylvania's Ethics Act. He also crafted Act 20 of 1996, which eliminated many jurisdictional disputes over the collection of child support payments. He was honored with the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania's "Presidents Award" in 1996 and with Common Cause of Pennsylvania's
Common Cause
Common Cause is a self-described nonpartisan, nonprofit lobby and advocacy organization. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican former cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, as a "citizens' lobby" with a mission focused on making U.S. political institutions more open and...
"Champion of Good Government Award" in 1989.
In 2004, he was elected Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus. He retired shortly after the 2006 election
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
and announced his retirement in December 2005 at the arena, indicating to those gathered that he wanted the construction of the arena to define his legacy. Since his retirement, Blaum has been an associate director of admission and the director of financial aid at Wyoming Seminary
Wyoming Seminary
Wyoming Seminary, founded in 1844 and currently led by President Kip P. Nygren, is a private college preparatory school located in the Wyoming Valley of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in Kingston and Forty Fort It is near the Susquehanna River and the city of Wilkes-Barre...
in Kingston, Pennsylvania
Kingston, Pennsylvania
Kingston is a municipality located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, on the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes Barre. Kingston was incorporated as a borough in 1857. Kingston has adopted a home rule charter which became effective in January 1976. It is part of the greater metropolitan...
and since 2008 he has written a weekly opinion column for The Times Leader
The Times Leader
The Times Leader is a privately owned newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.Founded in 1879, it was locally owned until being purchased by Capital Cities in 1978...
newspaper entitled "In the Arena."
External links
- State Representative Kevin Blaum official PA House website (archived)