Nailor, Jerry L., 1946-
biographical statement
Jerry L. Nailor served the 88th District, Cumberland County, as a Republican in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1989-2008. Mr. Nailor was born on July 27, 1946 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to Jacob S. (III) and Ada M. Nailor. He was educated at Mechanicsburg Area High School and Harrisburg Area Community College where he received an A.A. in 1971. Before earning his college degree, Mr. Nailor served in the United States Army in Aviation Electronics from 1964-1967 and worked as a computer operator for Pennsylvania Blue Shield from 1968-1970. After receiving his degree, Mr. Nailor served as the Deputy Controller in Harrisburg from 1971-1979 and Treasurer of Cumberland County from 1980-1988.
In 1988, Mr. Nailor ran for State Representative, and after succeeding in the election, began serving his first term in 1989. While serving in the Pennsylvania House, Mr. Nailor served on the Commerce Committee (2003-2006; Subcommittee Chair on Economic Development from 2003-2004), Education Committee (1997-2002; Subcommittee Chair on Basic Education from 2001-2002), Finance Committee (1991-1996; Vice Chair from 1995-1996), Military and Veterans Affairs/Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee (1989-2008; Vice Chair from 1993-1994), Professional Licensure Committee (1997-2006; Secretary from 1997-1998 and Vice Chair from 2005-2006), State Government Committee 1989-1990, 1995-1996), and Tourism and Recreational Development Committee (1993-2008; Subcommittee Chair on Travel Promotion from 1999-2000 and Chair from 2007-2008). His experience gained while serving in the military is evident not only in his committee assignments, but also in the attention to veterans in his legislative work and in his district. Several other issues which Mr. Nailor championed were: banning live animal prizes, teaching of American Sign Language as an alternative to foreign language in high school, promoting the Yellow Breeches Creek, benefits for emergency workers, and legislative reform.
During his tenure as representative, Mr. Nailor responded to the 1989 prison riots at the Camp Hill Correctional Institution, a prison that lies within his district. As a result, he generated research and legislation regarding prison overcrowding and assault by prisoners. Also, he fought to stop Harrisburg State Hospital from closing in 2005.
Mr. Nailor retired from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2008. In a Patriot News article from November 24, 2007, Mr. Nailor stated, “This can be the job of a lifetime, but it’s not the job for a lifetime,” choosing to retire “because he want[ed] to do other things in his life.” According to another newspaper (unidentified) article from November 13, 2007, Mr. Nailor was described as a “true gentlemen and one of the genuinely nice people who have chosen to devote themselves to the often difficult task of public service.”