Biography
State Rep. Lawrence Curry has represented the 154th Legislative District since first being elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1992. Prior to his election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Curry served as a Jenkintown Borough Councilman and two terms as a Montgomery County Commissioner.
Curry grew up in Jenkintown, and after graduating from Jenkintown High School, he earned his Bachelor’s of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
As associate professor of American civilization at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Curry developed the curriculum to teach college students and adults about the Holocaust, and he periodically lectures on the subject. He has also developed courses on various aspects of United States history, government and politics, and the value of civic participation – a topic he can speak about through his own experience.
In 1965, during the most turbulent time of the civil rights movement, Curry responded to Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s appeal to join him in the stand for equality and justice in Selma, Alabama. This was a time when the call for civil rights was often met with violence, but Curry went to Selma to march for what he believed was right.
As a state legislator, Curry continues being on the forefront of issues that affect working families, senior citizens and children, especially tax reform, equal opportunity, environmental protection, health and education.
Recently he introduced legislation that would ensure new parents are given information on risk factors associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death of Infants (SUDI), and set standards of care for hemophilia patients in Pennsylvania. Curry was named the National Hemophilia Foundation's 2009 Advocate of the Year in October 2009 for his tireless work on that issue.
Curry currently resides in Jenkintown with his wife, Shirley. The couple has three children and eight grandchildren.