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American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael A. O'Pake (February 2, 1940 – December 27, 2010) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 11th District from 1973 to 2010. He served as the Democratic Whip in Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2010.[1]
Michael A. O'Pake | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 11th district | |
In office January 2, 1973 – December 27, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Robert Gerhart |
Succeeded by | Judy Schwank |
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 126th district | |
In office January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1972 | |
Preceded by | District Created |
Succeeded by | Harold Stahl |
Democratic Whip of the Pennsylvania Senate | |
In office January 2, 2001 – December 27, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Leonard Bodack |
Succeeded by | Anthony Williams |
Personal details | |
Born | Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. | February 2, 1940
Died | December 27, 2010 70) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Alma mater | Saint Joseph's University (AB) University of Pennsylvania (JD) |
Profession | Attorney |
O'Pake was born on February 2, 1940,[2] in Reading, Pennsylvania to Michael E. and Anna M. O'Pake.[3][4] He graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1957.[5][6] He received an A.B. from St. Joseph's University in 1961[5][6] and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1964.[4][7] O'Pake was described as a devout Catholic.[5]
O'Pake was elected to the General Assembly of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1968.[2]
In 1972, O'Pake was elected to represent the 11th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate.[2] In November 2000, he was chosen as the Democratic Whip for the Pennsylvania State Senate.[8] He was reelected to the Whip position for the 2011-2012 legislative term.[2] He served as the first chairman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and wrote the Child Protective Services law to help victims of child abuse.[2][3]
O'Pake died on December 27, 2010, at age 70, following complications from heart bypass surgery.[2] In 2011, Saint Joseph's University named their sports complex the O'Pake Recreational Center in O'Pake's honor.[9]
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