Bill Text: PA HR27 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring the life of Senator Michael A. O'Pake and extending condolences to his family.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-01-25 - Adopted (200-0) [HR27 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR27-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 104
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 27 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY SANTONI, CALTAGIRONE, McGEEHAN, BOBACK, B. BOYLE, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, BROOKS, V. BROWN, BUXTON, CARROLL, CAUSER, CHRISTIANA, CLYMER, COX, DALEY, DEASY, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEORGE, GILLEN, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, HANNA, HARHAI, HARKINS, HARPER, HELM, JOSEPHS, KAVULICH, KILLION, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, MATZIE, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MUNDY, MURT, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PAYTON, PERRY, QUINN, RAPP, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STABACK, STURLA, J. TAYLOR, TOEPEL, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, DeLUCA, DELISSIO, GOODMAN, GIBBONS, SAMUELSON, SCHRODER, MARSHALL AND SANTARSIERO, JANUARY 24, 2011
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JANUARY 24, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Senator Michael A. O'Pake and extending
condolences to his family.
WHEREAS, Senator Michael A. O'Pake, who was the longest-
serving member of the General Assembly representing his beloved
hometown of Reading and Berks County, died on December 27, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, Senator O'Pake was born on February 2, 1940, in
Reading and raised in the Glenside public housing project, where
he witnessed the challenges of poverty at an early age that
would later motivate him to become an advocate for the
marginalized and powerless in this Commonwealth; and
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WHEREAS, Senator O'Pake was valedictorian of Reading Central
Catholic High School and earned his bachelor's degree, summa cum
laude, from St. Joseph's University before going on to graduate
from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law; and
WHEREAS, After clerking for the Pennsylvania Superior Court
following law school, Senator O'Pake won his first election to
the House of Representatives in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Following two terms in the House of Representatives,
Senator O'Pake was elected to the Senate in 1972 and was
overwhelmingly re-elected nine times; and
WHEREAS, During a distinguished legislative career that
spanned five decades, Senator O'Pake focused especially on
serving the needs of children and families, the elderly and the
disabled, and he was the author or a principle role-player in
the enactment of numerous significant laws that have shaped
Pennsylvania in recent decades, including the establishment of
the Department of Aging, the adoption of no-fault divorce, the
passage of the Children's Protective Services Law and the
Protection from Abuse Act, the creation of a property tax and
rent rebate for seniors and the disabled and the establishment
of the State's landmark Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP); and
WHEREAS, Senator O'Pake was known as a tireless advocate for
his community and one of the most visible figures in Reading,
often attending a half dozen events in an evening; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to recognizing the special and everyday
events of his constituents, Senator O'Pake rarely missed an
Eagle Scout ceremony or graduation in any imaginable corner of
Berks County, and he was a fixture at Reading Phillies games,
where he was deemed to be as much a part of the game as the
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National Anthem; and
WHEREAS, A genuinely good man who lived his life devoted to
public service and left an enduring mark on Reading, Berks
County and this Commonwealth, Senator O'Pake will be sorely
missed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Senator Michael A. O'Pake, express profound sorrow over the loss
of this outstanding public servant and extend heartfelt
condolences to his family.
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