Mark Rozzi leaves speaker role after challenging term
- Mark Rozzi reflected on his journey as a survivor of clergy sexual abuse and an advocate for legislative reform.
- He faced significant challenges during his tenure, especially in the last legislative session marked by political gridlock.
- Rozzi concluded by urging fellow Democrats to continue their work and expressed hope for his next chapter.
On November 12, 2024, Mark Rozzi, the Berks County Democrat and survivor of clergy sexual abuse, bid farewell from the House of Representatives speaker's podium. Elected in 2012, Rozzi became a notable advocate for legislative reform concerning childhood sexual abuse, especially following a 2018 grand jury report that highlighted the abuse of 1,000 children by over 300 priests in Pennsylvania. During his tenure, he worked alongside former Governor Tom Wolf to eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal cases against alleged abusers. However, his final legislative session was marked by gridlock with Republicans over key reforms, including a civil litigation window for survivors. Rozzi's departure signifies the end of a significant chapter in his advocacy and the complexities of his legislative efforts.