PRINTER'S NO. 3814
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 569
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY O'NEAL, NOVEMBER 6, 2024
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 6, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Expressing condolences upon the death of the Honorable Austin J.
2 Murphy, Jr., a member of the House of Representatives from
3 1959 through 1971.
4 WHEREAS, The Honorable Austin J. Murphy, Jr., died on April
5 13, 2024, in Carroll Township, Washington County, at 96 years of
6 age; and
7 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives remembers Mr. Murphy, a
8 former Representative from Washington County who served as a
9 member of both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and
10 member of the United States House of Representatives; and
11 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes Mr. Murphy's
12 community presence as a local office holder in the 1950s and a
13 practicing attorney in the Borough of Charleroi from 1953
14 through 1976; and
15 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives further recognizes Mr.
16 Murphy's continuing visibility and outreach as a Federal or
17 State legislator from 1959 through 1995; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy consistently worked for the benefit of
 1 his constituents in western Pennsylvania, including residents of
2 Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties; and
3 WHEREAS, Born June 17, 1927, in North Charleroi Borough,
4 Washington County, Mr. Murphy was a son of Austin J. Murphy,
5 Sr., and Evelyn Spence Murphy; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy graduated from Charleroi High School,
7 Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh School of
8 Law; and
9 WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, Mr. Murphy served in the
10 United States Marine Corps from 1944 through 1946, earning the
11 rank of corporal; and
12 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy served in the United States Marine Corps
13 Reserve from 1948 through 1951; and
14 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy held various local public offices before
15 his 1958 election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives;
16 and
17 WHEREAS, A six-term member of the House of Representatives,
18 Mr. Murphy continued his public service in the Senate of
19 Pennsylvania, beginning in the Session of 1971-1972; and
20 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy distinguished himself as a member and
21 chair of the Local Government Commission and member of the
22 Pennsylvania Commission on Interstate Cooperation; and
23 WHEREAS, Having won election to the 95th Congress of the
24 United States, Mr. Murphy resigned from the Senate in January
25 1977; and
26 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy was reelected to eight succeeding
27 Congresses, representing Pennsylvania's 22nd District from 1977
28 through 1993 and the redrawn 20th District through his 1995
29 retirement; and
30 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy dedicated his energies to the Coal Caucus
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 1 and labor issues while maintaining a presence at community
2 events; and
3 WHEREAS, Mr. Murphy's memberships included the Mon Valley
4 Leathernecks, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion; and
5 WHEREAS, Eileen "Mona" McNamara Murphy, Mr. Murphy's wife of
6 more than six decades, a daughter, three grandsons and three
7 siblings preceded him in death; and
8 WHEREAS, Six children, 16 grandchildren, 16 great-
9 grandchildren and a sister survive Mr. Murphy; and
10 WHEREAS, On April 19, 2024, the Mon Valley Firing Squad and
11 Honor Guard is conducting military honors at Mr. Murphy's
12 interment at Howe Cemetery, Coal Center, Washington County;
13 therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express
15 condolences upon the death of the Honorable Austin J. Murphy,
16 Jr., a member of the House of Representatives from 1959 through
17 1971; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
19 the family of Austin J. Murphy.
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