Pa. Lawmakers Take Oath For New Session of Legislature

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Thirty-two new members of the Pennsylvania Legislature –- including nearly a dozen from the Philadelphia area –- were sworn in today along with returning members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

One of those new members -- Democrat Kevin Boyle of Philadelphia's 172nd House District, who defeated former Republican House speaker John Perzel -– will join his older brother in the state House.

Moments before he took the oath as a new member, Kevin Boyle sat in the office of his older brother Brendan Boyle, who represents the 170th District, which includes parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.

"You know, I think the last time we worked together was 15 years ago, at Hechinger's," Kevin Boyle said on Tuesday.

The older Boyle says they heard their calling at an early age.

"My parents have no idea where this came from, but from a very early age we both were always very interested in sports and very interested in politics," says Brendan.

The Boyle brothers will have capitol offices across the hall from each other.

Moments after being sworn in, members of the House elected former Republican leader Sam Smith of Jefferson County to be the new speaker.

Reported by KYW Newsradio Harrisburg Bureau chief Tony Romeo.