Member Biography

Biography

Michael A. O’Pake, (D11) Berks (Part) County, 1973-1982, (D11) Berks (Part) and Montgomery (Part) Counties, 1983-1992, (D11) Berks (Part) County, 1993-2010          

Early Life:

Michael A. O’Pake, born February 2, 1940, in Reading, son Michael E. and Anna M. O’Pake; valedictorian, Reading Central Catholic High School, 1957; Saint Joseph’s University, summa cum laude, A.B., 1961; University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1964; Albright College, Honorary. LL.D.; Kutztown University, Honorary Doctor of Public Service; attorney; law clerk, Honorable Robert Lee Jacobs, Pennsylvania Superior Court, 1965-1967; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1969-1972, not a candidate for reelection, 1972; elected, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1973-2010; died, December 27, 2010, while in office of the Senate, Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania; interment, Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Awards:

Pennsylvania Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Leadership Award-2007; Department of Agriculture Investing in Our Future-2006-2007; Alzheimer’s Association Legislature Advocacy-2005; Ben Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement on Behalf of Higher Education-2005; Berks County Public Library Elected Official of the Year- 2004; YMCA of Reading and Berks County Champion of Youth-2004; Kutztown University Legislative Fellow-2000; Alvernia College Franciscan-1999; Papal Messenger of Truth and Hope-1998; Saint Joseph’s University Law Alumni Distinguished Law Alumnus-1998; Governor’s Highway Safety-1996; Domestic Abuse Council of Barks County Recognition Award-1994; National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award-1994; Olivet Champion of Youth-1993.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1968-1972, not a candidate for reelection, 1972. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 11th district, Berks (Part) County, 1973-1982, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 11th district, Berks (Part) and Montgomery (Part) Counties, 1983-1992, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 11th district, Berks (Part) County, 1993-2010; Minority Caucus Secretary, 1989-1992, Majority Caucus Chairman, 1992-1994, Minority Caucus Chairman, 1995-2000; Minority Whip, 2000-2010; appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Interstate Cooperation, 1977-1980) appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, 1981-2010; appointed, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, 1983-1988; appointed, Pennsylvania Heritage Affairs Commission, 1989-1992; appointed, Joint State Government Commission, 1995-2010; appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, (PHEAA), 1995-2008; appointed, Capitol Preservation Committee, 2009-2010; appointed, board, Legislative Date Processing Center, 2009-2010; appointed, Agricultural Land Preservation Board; committee assignments, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Minority Chairman, 2001-2010), Aging and Youth, Rules and Executive Nominations; died while in office of Senate, December 27, 2010.

Authored Senate Bill 936, Wednesday November 24, 2004, P.L. 1270, No. 153, providing for the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System; authorizing and directing the Pennsylvania State Police to establish and maintain the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System.  2004 Act 153 (state.pa.us)

Authored Senate Bill 976, Tuesday, November 23, 2010, P.L. 1363, No. 126, Pennsylvania Amber Alert System Law - System Establishment, Prohibited Use, Coordination with Other Jurisdictions, Immunity and Creating Missing Endangered Person Advisory System (MEPAS). 2010 Act 126 (state.pa.us)

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

While at Reading Central Catholic High School, won the national Optimist International oratory contest, 1956.

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members O". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual, (2009-2010). Trostle, S., (Editor). (Volume 119). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; pages 3-33, 3-40. Biographies of Members of the Senate, page 3-20.

Sen. Michael A. O'Pake (1940-2010) - Find a Grave Memorial