00:09 - We're joined by Patrick Burns, you head of Metro Philly management.

00:12 - You're also chair the Commission for America 250 Pennsylvania.

00:16 - How did you get involved with this organization?

00:18 - I heard about it about eight years ago when the legislation came.

00:22 - We were 98 years ago.

00:24 - And I've always been a history person and a market person,

00:28 - and I love to be involved in something like this.

00:30 - I think this is I remember 1776 and 1976.

00:34 - I was only 14 years old.

00:36 - And I'm thinking, Wow, that was really fun.

00:38 - I came to Philadelphia.

00:39 - And so

00:41 - I asked Governor Wolfe, and, you know, I was friends with Governor Wolfe,

00:44 - and he said, Absolutely.

00:45 - So you chose me as chair.

00:47 - So today we're at the convening of states weekend.

00:50 - What does it mean to you to see this event come to fruition?

00:54 - It's so exciting, especially to see everyone has common goals.

00:58 - Every state you talk to, we all want the same thing.

01:01 - We're learning from each other.

01:03 - Share ideas, and how

01:05 - can we really make this something special for America?

01:08 - Because America right now needs something special.

01:11 - And I think in 2026, it's going to be pretty awesome.

01:14 - Philadelphia is one of the main cities that will be highlighted

01:17 - in the nation in two years.

01:19 - What does it mean to you to see Philadelphia be in the national spotlight?

01:23 - Well, being from Philadelphia or actually from

01:25 - outside of Delaware County, it is Philadelphia.

01:29 - It's exciting.

01:30 - And it should be because this is where it all began.

01:32 - This is where the history,

01:34 - the saying just looking down the street, all of our forefathers signed everything.

01:37 - So I think Philadelphia

01:39 - needs that shot in the arm and I'm excited to be part of that.

01:42 - Is there anything in particular that will be a highlight for you this weekend?

01:46 - The highlight so far, just seeing the excitement,

01:49 - you know, talking to people from Ohio, Rhode Island and South Carolina

01:53 - and that we all have excitement and we can't believe it's almost here

01:56 - a year and a half. We're a little nervous because there's a lot to do.

01:59 - But the excitement that that's really what's inspiring to me.

02:04 - What can Pennsylvanians look forward to as we head toward

02:06 - the 250th anniversary in 2026?

02:09 - What's great about our commission is that we're dealing with all 67 counties.

02:14 - So it's just even Philadelphia is ground zero.

02:17 - It's fun to see all these different stories that we helped

02:20 - get involved with six or seven counties.

02:23 - Each county will do something special for what's important to them

02:26 - and what their history is about and where they want to go in the future.

02:29 - So that to me is exciting to see everyone in Pennsylvania

02:33 - come together, not just Philadelphia.

02:34 - Patrick, thanks for joining us. Thank you very much.