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B I O G R A
P H Y
Senator Michael A. O'Pake, 1527 Schuylkill Avenue, Reading, is a
lifelong resident of Berks County. He was first elected to the State
Senate in 1972 after serving two terms in the State House of
Representatives. He has been re-elected every 4 years since that
time, winning both party nominations in 1988 and 2000. He
currently is the Democratic Whip and Minority Chairman of the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and serves on the Committees on
Aging and Youth, Democratic Policy, Ethics and Official Conduct, and
Rules and Executive Nominations. Additional legislative assignments
include membership on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency, the Joint State Government Commission, the Capitol
Preservation Committee, and the Agricultural Land Preservation Board.
Senator O'Pake is a
graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School, where he was
valedictorian, Student Council President, and the recipient of numerous
public speaking awards and scholarships. He graduated summa cum laude
from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and won the Keedy Cup for
best appellate advocacy at the University of Pennsylvania Law School
where he received a Juris Doctorate. He has also received an Honorary
Doctor of Laws degree from Albright College and an Honorary Doctor of
Public Service degree from Kutztown University.
Throughout his lifetime of public service, Senator O'Pake has been
recognized as a tireless and effective advocate for children, senior
citizens, crime victims and those who cannot help themselves. He has led
the charge to protect children in Pennsylvania through, among other
things, the passage of the Child Protective Services Law in 1974 and
spearheading efforts to implement the Amber Alert Child Abduction Early
Warning System throughout the Commonwealth.. And he has sponsored major
legislation to help Pennsylvania’s senior citizens, including property
tax and rent rebate and prescription medication assistance.
Among the numerous awards he has received for his community and
legislative service are: the Department of Agriculture’s Investing in
Our Future Award (2006 and 2007); Alzheimer’s Association Legislative
Advocacy Award (2005); Ben Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement
on Behalf of Higher Education (2005); Berks County Public Libraries
Elected Official of the Year Award (2004); YMCA of Reading and Berks
County Champion of Youth Award (2004); Friend of CASA Award (2004);
Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress Keystone Fraternal Legislative Award
(2004); Legislative Fellow for Kutztown University (2000); Alvernia
College Franciscan Award (1999); Papal Messenger of Truth and Hope Medal
(1998); Saint Joseph’s University Law Alumni “Distinguished Law Alumnus
Award” (1998); Altrusa Award for "Making a Difference in the Community"
(1998); Governor's Highway Safety Award (1996); Reading-Berks Emergency
Shelter Outstanding Achievement Award (1996); Domestic Abuse Prevention
Council of Berks County 10th Anniversary Recognition Award (1995);
National Federation of Independent Businesses Guardian of Small Business
Award (1994); Champion of Youth Award of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club
(1993); Support Center for Child Advocates Outstanding Child Advocate
Award (1991); Children's Service Award from the Pennsylvania Council of
Children's Services (1988); Outstanding Pennsylvanian Award presented
by conveners of the Tenth Annual Child Abuse Conference for "being a
pioneer in the move to protect children from abuse and neglect" (1986);
The National Award for Meritorious Service to Crime Victims (1984); and
the Penna. District Attorneys Association Award for anti-crime efforts
(1978).
He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Saint Joseph’s
University and Alvernia College, the Board of Overseers of the
University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, the
Executive Board of the Hawk Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America,
the Board of Directors of Dayspring Homes, Inc. and the Advisory Board
of Penn State Berks/Lehigh Campus.
Updated: February, 2008
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