Biographical Statement

Italo S. Cappabianca served the 2nd Legislative District, Erie County, as a Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1979-2001. Mr. Cappabianca was known for his bipartisan activities and his loyalty to friends and colleagues.

Mr. Cappabianca was born December 19, 1936, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1955, and joined the United States Army the next year. In 1958, Mr. Cappabianca was honorably discharged, and he later decided to continue his education at Gannon University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1968.

Following his graduation from Gannon University, Mr. Cappabianca became very involved with public service within the city of Erie. From 1968 to 1979, he served on the Erie Chamber of Commerce in the Tourist and Convention Bureau, as the Treasurer of the Erie Municipal Airport Authority, and as Commissioner of the Erie Housing Authority. His devotion to Erie public service would also influence his efforts for city beautification and redevelopment later as a Representative in Harrisburg.

Mr. Cappabianca’s victory in the 1979 elections saw the beginning of a successful 22 year political career in Harrisburg, during which Mr. Cappabianca served on multiple committees, including the Appropriations Committee, the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, the Federal and State Relations Committee, the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and the Transportation Committee. He also served on the Special Bipartisan Committee Investigating the Food and Cheese Distribution pursuant to House Resolutions 56 and 130 of 1984 and 1985 the Select Committee to Investigate Non-Profit Organizations pursuant to House Resolution 201 of 1986, and the Select Committee to Study Business Activities of Non Profits pursuant to House Resolution 4 of 1987.

Mr. Cappabianca, or “Cappy”, as he was lovingly known as within the House of Representatives, was a strong advocate for the Democratic Caucus, but was celebrated for his loyalty and willingness to cross party lines when he believed the cause worthy. He delivered a rousing speech on the House floor in defense of his close friend Republican Representative Frank Serafini, and developed close friendships with Representatives on both sides of the aisle. On July 29, 1999 Mr. Cappabianca's brain cancer diagnosis shocked the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Mr. Cappabianca underwent three brain surgeries and numerous cancer therapy treatments over the next two years, and at the same time, continued to attend sessions at the House. As he said in his statement on the House floor on May 8, 2000, “I am in there fighting and I will stay in there. I will not give up on the disease.” (Legislative Journal, May 8, 2000) He was sworn into his 12th term on January 2nd, 2001 to a standing ovation, a testament to his bipartisan popularity. Mr. Cappabianca passed away on May 28, 2001, and a special memorial address was delivered in the House of Representatives on June 5, 2001

Citation:

Author: K. Mills

Citation:

Italo Cappabianca Papers, 1979-2000.

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