Remembering the ‘visionary’ author of Pennsylvania’s environmental rights amendment

Former state legislator Franklin Kury was instrumental in securing a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a healthy environment as a basic right for Pennsylvania. He authored Article 1, Section 27, which was approved by voters and added to the state's constitution in 1971. The amendment declares people have a right to clean air, pure water, and mandates that the Commonwealth act as a trustee to conserve natural resources.