I have chosen not to run for another term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

I thank you for allowing me the honor and the privilege of serving you in Harrisburg. I'm proud to have lived my entire life here, and I hope and pray that my family and I will be here in Carbon County for as long as the Good Lord allows.

This decision is about my family. I first came to Harrisburg as a single 22-year-old man following in my father's footsteps. Now I have a wonderful wife and two amazing children - all of whom I owe not only my thanks, but also a lot of missed dinners, football and baseball games, volleyball games and help with homework.

As much as I care for the institution of the House, I love my family, and it's long overdue that I put them first. After 2010 is over I know I will miss the House and the wonderful members and staff with whom I've been blessed to serve, but, I know in my heart that I am doing the right thing for myself and my family.

When I was given the honor of serving as House Speaker by the 203 members of the House I had one goal that stood apart from all others - to do everything in my power to help restore the public's trust in the finest institution of government anywhere in the world. That work is far from finished. The state House traces its roots back 328 years to William Penn's 'Holy Experiment' and I plan to spend the next year - my final year - as House Speaker improving the performance of the People's House as we continue to fight to create jobs, improve our schools and make our state a better place to live.

This decision was neither quick nor easy. The House of Representatives has been my life's work, but - after one more year of very hard work yet to come - it will be time to take another step forward in that life for myself, my family, and my loved ones.

My offices in Lansford, Lehighton and Albrightsville will remain open for the rest of 2010 - we'll still be there to help in any way we can, and I hope to continue to see you there.

These are some of the memories I cherish and yet, in some ways, I am still arriving here. I've learned along the way that the proper way to pronounce pierogie is pirohi, and that if a neighbor takes you for a ride on his four–wheeler up on Mount Pisgah, or offers you a plate of halushki, or a package of fresh venison, you are part of the community.

My father always told me that someday he would take me to Promised Land Lake, though we never made it there. He passed on in 1993, and now I am much older than he when all those events took place. I fancy myself arriving even there someday and catching a pickerel as long as your arm in a place where my line will never become tangled again.

Keith McCall