Former state Senate Leader David “Chip” Brightbill of Lebanon County, who in a nearly 25-year legislative career, left his mark on Pennsylvania with landmark legislation on economic development and environmental policy, was remembered Friday as a committed public servant and champion for his constituents following his death at 83.

Current Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman issued a joint statement on Brightbill, saying they were “incredibly saddened” by his passing and praising his “unwavering commitment to helping others.”

Brightbill, a Republican, was the architect of a model enviromental law in 1995 that led to the clean up of 10,000 polluted sites across Pennsylania and created 150,000 jobs.

He was instrumental in securing passage of legisla

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