State Data Center's Lecture Series Begins with Look at Hate Crimes

                         August 6, 1998



State Data Center's Lecture Series Begins with Look at Hate Crimes



     MIDDLETOWN, Pa.     The Pennsylvania State Data Center's Fall Lecture

Series begins Sept. 24 and will include discussion on hate crimes in Pennsylvania,

population shifts in Northeast Pennsylvania, and population and economic trends in

Southeast Pennsylvania.



     The noon to 1 p.m. lectures are all free and open to the public at the Penn State

Downtown Center, 234 N. Third Street in Harrisburg.  Media are welcome to attend.



     The series kicks off on Sept. 24 with "The State of Hate In Pennsylvania...Why

Here? Why Now?"  by Ann Van Dyke of the Pennsylvania Human Relations

Commission.  Van Dyke will discuss the following: the reasons hate group membership

and activity is increasing in Pennsylvania; how hate groups recruit and use religion to

justify bigotry; the goals, philosophies and strategies of the primary hate groups

impacting Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania's Ethnic Intimidation Law and Institutional

Vandalism Law; what we learn from hate crime statistics; what the State Police ask of

communities dealing with hate groups; and the positive short and long- term actions

that have worked successfully in Pennsylvania.



     On Oct. 1, Joel Fontane, Jr., Regional Economist for the Delaware Valley

Regional Planning Commission will discuss "Evolution and Transitions in Southeast

Pennsylvania."  The discussion will touch on population and employment trends for

Southeast Pennsylvania and possible scenarios for the future.  Fontane will specifically

address the rapidly changing population of Philadelphia, the evolution of the

Philadelphia suburbs and the rising, "hot" municipalities.  The discussion will include the

employment situation in northeast Pennsylvania by sector.  Fontane will conclude with

remarks on what the future looks to bring to this region. 



     The series concludes on Nov. 12 with a panel discussion on "Population Shifts

in Pike and Monroe Counties -- Three Perspectives."  John Woodling, Director of

Planning of the  Monroe County Planning Commission, Don Vizi, Executive Director of

the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce and Larry Sebring, Superintendent of

Stroud Township, Monroe County, will discuss why this region has the highest

population growth rate in Pennsylvania and how the tremendous growth is affecting the

region as a whole and particular local governments and governmental services. 

Panelists will share their experiences and offer suggestions on how to prepare for/cope

with the changes necessary to accommodate growth.



     Pre-registration for any of the presentations is requested to ensure adequate

seating.  Call 717-948-6464 to register.





     The state-sponsored Pennsylvania State Data Center is the Commonwealth's

official source of population and economic statistics and services. It is based at Penn

State Harrisburg's Institute of State and Regional Affairs.

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Editors: For more information, contact Lesley Nearman at the Pennsylvania State Data

Center, (717)772-2710, or the Penn State Harrisburg's Public Information Office,

(717)948-6029.Source of Information:	PA State Data Center