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The Latest
From My Office
Aug 30, 2021
Science & Technology
Rep. Franklin Leads Efforts to Protect Public Buildings from Lightning

Drawing from his intensive studies of electricity, Rep. Franklin (IG-01) made a public letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee to include funding for safety in public buildings in the event of lightning storms. Each year, lightning is responsible for about 24,000 deaths, about 241,000 injuries and millions of dollars in property damage around […]

News & Announcements

Oct 8, 2021
International Affairs

Rep. Franklin Garners France’s Support for American Independence

Rep. Franklin set sail from Philadelphia for France in 1776, with a mission to negotiate and secure a formal alliance and treaty. For the next year, Rep. Franklin made key partnerships with influential officials throughout France. France continued to secretly support the Patriot cause with shipments of war supplies, but it wasn’t until the American […]

Aug 30, 2021
Energy

Rep. Franklin Introduces Energy Saving Stoves

Many people in colonial homes die every year because of the various hazards of indoor fireplaces. Through his invention of this new energy efficient stove, Rep. Franklin aims to limit the amount of smoke that poured into the home and maximize the amount of heat captured from the fire. The use of these fireplaces in […]

Aug 30, 2021
Government

Rep. Franklin and colleagues sign the Declaration of Independence

As colonies demanded more independence they arrived to the conclusion that they could not reach an agreement with Britain. The colonies were economically tied to Britain and needed commercial agreements with other European countries. The only way Europeans would sign trade agreements was if America was recognized as an independent country.   In June 1776 […]

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Issues

Science & Technology

A scientist and a civic-minded activist, Representative Franklin called upon his scientific intuition and skills to address broad societal questions at the time the US was founded. From lightning rods to bifocal glasses, Representative Franklin believes that “As we benefit from the inventions of others, we should be glad to share our own…freely and gladly.”

Education

Since Representative Franklin did not have the monetary means to be formally educated, he searched for truth and knowledge on his own. He believes in the power of knowledge, and he does his best to spread that knowledge and help others obtain it themselves, as he did. From building public libraries to local universities, Representative Franklin is doing everything he can to promote education and make knowledge accessible to the public.

Government

Government is aptly compared to architecture; if the superstructure is too heavy for the foundation the building totters, though assisted by outward props of art. But leaving it to everybody to mould the similitude according to his particular fancy, I shall only observe that the people have made the most considerable part of the legislature in every free state; which has been more or less so in proportion to the share they have had in the administration of affairs. The English constitution is fixed on the strongest basis; we choose whomsoever we please for our representatives, and thus we have all the advantages of a democracy without any of its inconveniences.

Recent Votes

H.R.
1752
Jul 1, 2021
Science & Technology

Increase Safety of Public Building During Storms

outcome

Bill Passed

how i voted

Voted Yes

what it means for you

Install lightning rods in public buildings to protect them from a direct lightning strike and, in particular, a lightning-initiated fire.

H.R.
1731
Aug 18, 2021
Social Sciences

Lending Libraries Act

outcome

Bill Passed

how i voted

Voted Yes

what it means for you

To establish lending libraries and allow members to borrow its collection of books.

H.R.
1765
May 4, 2021
International Affairs

The Stamp Act

outcome

Bill Rejected

how i voted

Voted No

what it means for you

This act requires local residents to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

“Where liberty is, there is my country.”

— Ben Franklin

Upcoming Events

Open Office Hours – Center City

whenSep 10, 2025 / 10:00 am EST
where
Lending Library
1314 Locust Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

Open Office Hours – Old City

whenOct 01, 2026 / 10:00 am EST
where
Philadelphia Historical Library
1401 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

Virtual Town Hall

whenNov 05, 2026 / 6:00pm EST
where
Zoom