Biography

06/17/1927 - 04/13/2024

MURPHY, Austin John, Jr., a Representative from Washington County; born in North Charleroi, Washington County, Pa., June 17, 1927; graduated, Charleroi High School, 1945; B.A., Duquesne University, 1948; LL.B., University of Pittsburgh, 1952; staff member, University of Pittsburgh Law Review; private, 1st class, United States Marine Corps (1945-1946, World War II); corporal, United States Marine Corps Reserves (1948-1951); attorney; auditor, Monongahela; elected, council, Monongahela; solicitor, Monongahela; elected, school board, Monongahela; Assistant District Attorney, Washington County (1956-1957); member, Washington County Democratic Executive Committee; elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1958; served 5 more consecutive terms; elected, Pennsylvania State Senate (1971-January 4, 1977); appointed, Local Government Commission (1969-1976; chair, 1975-1976); appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Interstate Cooperation (1971-1976); elected, United States Congress (1977-1994); elected, delegate, Democratic National Convention (1984, 1988); died, April 13, 2024 in Carroll Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania; interred, Howe Cemetery, Coal Center, Washington County, Pennsylvania.