Gene DiGirolamo

A lifelong resident of Bensalem, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo began his public service career in 1990 when he was elected as Bensalem Township’s auditor. He is now serving his 13th term in the State House. During the past 24 years in Harrisburg, DiGirolamo has been a vocal advocate for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and funding, individuals with special needs, and the improvement of student athletics statewide.

For the 2019-20 session, he is serving a fifth term as Chairman of the House Human Services Committee, a position where he can effectively continue his advocacy of issues relating to drug and alcohol treatment and prevention. Gene is also a member of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.

As a long-time advocate to raise awareness of drug and alcohol addiction and ensure accessibility to treatment, he has authored legislation increasing funding for rehabilitation centers and establishing a separate state cabinet agency, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, to streamline drug and alcohol treatment services in Pennsylvania. The legislation establishing new Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs was signed into law as Act 50 of 2010. In addition, DiGirolamo authored Act 148 of 2012 to create methadone death and incident review teams in cases where methadone was either a primary or secondary cause of death.

During his tenure in the House, DiGirolamo has spearheaded House passage of numerous bills he has sponsored and he is the author of five state laws. In addition to his work with drug and alcohol education and recovery programs, his laws include helping to protect animals by toughening penalties for those who abuse dogs and cats and creating county-based victim impact panels (VIP) as part of the sentencing procedure for driving under the influence (DUI) offenders in Pennsylvania.

Gene takes tremendous pride in his service to his constituents in Bensalem and has received countless honors and awards from many service organizations located within the 18th District.  He is also engaged in a number of community activities. He previously served as chairman of the Advisory Board of the Bucks County YWCA, the Bensalem Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council and St. Mary’s Medical Center Advisory Board and served as a member to the Libertae Advisory Board and Guilda’s Club Foundation. He is a member of the Bensalem Lions Club; Kiwanis Club; Sons of Italy; St. Charles Knights of Columbus; and B3T. He is also a member of the Bensalem Business Association, Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Northeast Chamber of Commerce and the Bensalem Business Directory. He enjoys running and has coached many youth sports for the St. Ephrem’s Catholic Youth Organization. On the state level, he also serves on the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) Oversight Committee and served on the Election Reform Task Force. 

Gene and his family attend St. Ephrem Roman Catholic Church in Bensalem. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School in 1968 and has attended Delaware Valley College and Holy Family University. DiGirolamo resides in Bensalem with his wife Donna. They have two married sons, Gene Jr. and Anthony; two daughters, Gina and Mary; and five grandchildren. 

List of Awards and Honors:

• American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service – 2016
• Community Champion Award from Kencrest – 2015 
• Legislator of the Year – National Association of Social Workers – 2014 
• Commitment to Recovery Award – Self Help Movement – 2014
• Legislator of the year by ARC — 2013 
• The Peoples Award by Vision for Equality — 2013 
• The John F. Kennedy Award by Board of Directors for N.E. Community Center for Behavioral Health- 2013 
• Benjamin Rush Award by Philadelphia Psychiatric Society — 2013 
• Legislator of the Year by PHTA (horsemans assoc) — 2013 
• Legislator of the Year by PA Health Access Network — 2013 
• Award from Institute on Disability/Temple University — 2013 
• Public Servant of the Year Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness – 2012 
• Star of Distinction Award from Liberty Resources – 2012 
• Champion for Human Services Award from the Philadelphia Alliance – 2012 
• Leadership Award from the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania – 2012 
• Legislative Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center – 2012 
• Ambassador of the Year Award, Pro-A – 2005 and 2007 
• Ambassador of Recovery Award, Rase Projects Tree of Hope – 2004 
• The Raymond R. Webb Jr. Government Relations Award, PA Community Providers Association –2003 and 2012 
• Bensalem Ramblers for commitment to organization –2002 and 1997 
• Northwestern Human Services for dedication to Camp Discovery – 2001 
• Linconia Tabernacle Youth Center – 2001 
• PA Tae Kwon Do Association – 2001 
• Friend of Library, Bucks County Free Library – 2001 
• YWCA Honorary Chair – 2001 
• Gibson Road Antique Fire Association – 2001 and 1996 
• Standish Forde Hansell Award for excellence in leadership – 2000 
• Sr. Monica Laughlin and St. Katherine Drexel Shrine for contributed services – 2000 
• Man of the Year – Bensalem Lions Club – 2000 
• Support and Service Award – Cornwells Fire Co. No. 1 – 2000 
• Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission for Service and Commitment to Substance Abuse Treatment -2000 
• Montgomery County Federation of Young Republicans – 1998 
• Bensalem Music Boosters Association – 1998 
• YWCA Computer Technology Access Program for Creekside Apartments – 1997 and 1999-2000 
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – 1997 
• PA Sife Week – 1997 
• Coaching Award from Bensalem Summer Youth B-Ball – 1996 
• Cub Scout Pack 130 for appreciation of support – 1996 
• Nottingham Fire Company – 1996 
• Edington Fire Company – 1996 
• Lions International in appreciation of the Bensalem Lions Club – 1996 
• Quaker State Nationals – 1995 
• Valley AA Bullets – 1995 
• Bucks County Bears – 1994 
• Bensalem Youth Basketball – 1994 
• YWCA for appreciation of support for low-income families 
• American Bicycle Association