HR 334 — A Resolution remembering the distinguished life and service of the Honorable Ralph D. Pratt, former six-term member of the House of Representatives, who died August 18, 2025, in New Castle, Lawrence County, at 85 years of age.

PRINTER'S NO.   2407

                    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 334
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY M. BROWN, BERNSTINE, WENTLING AND BONNER,
        OCTOBER 6, 2025

     TO UNCONTESTED CALENDAR UNDER RULE 35 OCTOBER 6, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Remembering the distinguished life and service of the Honorable
 2      Ralph D. Pratt, former six-term member of the House of
 3      Representatives, who died August 18, 2025, in New Castle,
 4      Lawrence County, at 85 years of age.
 5      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives joins in commending
 6   Ralph D. Pratt's talents as a research chemist and chemical
 7   engineer, including his work on behalf of the Gemini space
 8   program; and
 9      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives honors Mr. Pratt's
10   contributions to State government as an assistant attorney
11   general, labor relations coordinator and legislator; and
12      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives notes Mr. Pratt's
13   dedication to our legal and judicial systems as an attorney and
14   judge; and
15      WHEREAS, Elected to the House of Representatives from the
16   10th District, Mr. Pratt represented Lawrence and Mercer
17   Counties from 1975 through 1982 and Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer
18   Counties from 1983 through January 6, 1986; and
19      WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt was appointed to the Joint Legislative Air
 1   and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee in the
 2   early 1980s; and
 3         WHEREAS, Elected in 1985 to a newly created third seat on the
 4   Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, Mr. Pratt's focus on the
 5   bench extended from family-related cases to civil cases and
 6   trials; and
 7         WHEREAS, From 2000 through June 2004, Mr. Pratt managed and
 8   supported the county court and minor court systems and related
 9   agencies as president judge; and
10         WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt heard cases as needed as a senior judge;
11   and
12         WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt attended New Castle schools and Lincoln
13   High School in Ellwood City; and
14         WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt held a bachelor of science degree in
15   chemistry from Baldwin-Wallace College and a juris doctor degree
16   from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; and
17         WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt earned master's degrees in health law from
18   the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
19   and judicial studies from the University of Nevada; and
20         WHEREAS, Mr. Pratt's early study of statutory law and legal
21   sanctions relating to physician assistants was published in
22   1972; and
23         WHEREAS, The House of Representatives expresses condolences
24   to Mr. Pratt's family, with grateful recognition of his
25   significant work as a public servant; therefore be it
26         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives remember the
27   distinguished life and service of the Honorable Ralph D. Pratt,
28   former six-term member of the House of Representatives, who died
29   August 18, 2025, in New Castle, Lawrence County, at 85 years of
30   age; and be it further

20250HR0334PN2407                    - 2 -
1      RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
2   Mrs. Susan Pratt.




20250HR0334PN2407                - 3 -