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The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two-year terms from single member districts.〔Article II, section 2, ''Pennsylvania Constitution''.〕〔Article II, section 16, ''Pennsylvania Constitution''.〕 Following the 2014 elections, the house consisted of 119 Republicans and 84 Democrats. Republican Mike Turzai was elected Speaker of the House on January 6, 2015. In 2012, a State Representative district had an average population of 60,498 residents. The house is the largest full-time state legislature in the United States (the New Hampshire House of Representatives is larger but only serves part-time). ==Hall of the House== The Hall of the House contains important symbols to Pennsylvania history and the work of legislators. * Speaker's Chair: a throne-like chair of rank that sits directly behind the Speaker's rostrum. Architect Joseph Huston designed the chair in 1906, the year the Capitol was dedicated. * Mace: the House symbol of authority, peace, order and respect for law rests in a pedestal to the right of the Speaker. Its base is solid mahogany, intricately carved and capped by a brass globe engraved with the Pennsylvania coat of arms. An American Eagle perches on top. The tradition of the mace may date to the Roman Republic when attendants of Roman consuls carried bundles of sticks wrapped around an axe to enforce order. The tradition is common may also come directly from Pennsylvania's English heritage. * Murals: a colorful panorama of Pennsylvania history appear in murals by Edwin Austin Abbey. The most commanding of the series hangs behind the Speaker's rostrum and dominates the wall behind the Speaker. It is called ''The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania'' * Ceiling: a work of art in itself with its ornate geometry of gold leaf buttoned at the center by a charming painted illustration. In "The Hours", Abbey represents the passage of time in the form of 24 maidens revolving in an endless circle amidst the moon, the sun and the stars of the Milky Way.〔http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/our_house/what.htm〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pennsylvania House of Representatives」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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