- Mark Critz
-
Mark Critz 
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th districtIncumbent Assumed office
May 18, 2010Preceded by John Murtha Personal details Born January 5, 1962
Irwin, PennsylvaniaPolitical party Democratic Spouse(s) Nancy Critz[1] Children 2[1] Residence Johnstown, Pennsylvania Alma mater Indiana University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) Religion Catholic[1] Website Representative Mark Critz Mark S. Critz (born January 5, 1962) is the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, serving since the special election in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
The district, located in the southwestern portion of the state, stretches from Johnstown to the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Critz was the district director for the 12th's longtime congressman, John Murtha. Following Murtha's death, Critz won the May 2010 special election with 53% of the vote to complete Murtha's term. Critz was sworn in on May 20.[2] Critz won a full term in November 2010 to represent the 12th District in Congress.
Contents
Early life, education, and pre-congressional career
Critz was born and raised in Irwin, Pennsylvania; a suburb of Pittsburgh.[3] In 1987, Critz obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Management information systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[3]
In 1987, after graduating from college, Critz served as a manager for several retail businesses, including Spherical Concepts, American Eagle Outfitters, and Roy Rogers restaurants. From 1998 until February 2010, he served as an aide and regional director to U.S. Representative John Murtha in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district.[4]
Critz served as Murtha’s liaison to the Flight 93 Memorial committee and the Que Creek Mine disaster site.[4]
Mark was recognized for his service to the military when he was awarded the Patrick Henry Award by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). It is the highest civilian award issued by the National Guard.[5]
U.S. House of Representatives
2010 elections
- Special
Main article: Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election, 2010Critz announced on February 22, 2010 that he would resign his position with the 12th Congressional District and would seek the Democratic nomination to run in a special election to be held on May 18, 2010, to fill the seat left vacant by the late congressman Murtha.[6] On March 8, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Committee followed the recommendation of the district officials by nominating Critz. Of the 49 votes cast by the Committee members, Critz received 30.[7]
Critz was endorsed by Vice President Joe Biden, who also campaigned for Critz in early 2010. In March 2010, Critz received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO of Pennsylvania.[8] Critz received an 86% approval rating from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)[9] In April he received an endorsement from the United Mine Workers.[10] The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare endorses Mark Critz. [11]
Critz defeated Republican nominee Tim Burns 52.6% to 45.1%.[12]
- General
Critz won reelection with 51% of the vote over Republican Tim Burns with 49%.
Critz voted against the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which passed the House in July 2010 by a vote of 239-192.[13]
In 2010, Critz spent a total of $2,428,377.66 on his campaign and his top contributors were Progeny Systems, Mepco LLC, and Concurrent Technologies. [14]
Tenure
Critz voted for Congressional adjournment in Sept 2010. Adjournment foes sought extension of Bush-era tax cuts before the November elections.[15] The adjournment resolution passed 210-209.[16]
Mr. Critz received a 100% approval rating from both The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union. [17] In 2009, Critz received a 50% approval rating from Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund and a 100% approval rating from the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. [18]
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the National Association for the Self-Employed gave Critz a 100% approval rating. Mr. Critz received and 85% approval rating from The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and he received a 50% approval rating from the interest group for Federally Employed Women. [19] Mark Critz opposes "Cap and Trade" legislation, because it would hurt working families in an already economically strained area. On October 12, 2011 Mr. Critz voted no on the Free Trade Agreement with Korea to keep jobs and businesses in the United States. [20]
Mr. Critz believes that "Social Security is a contract between the government and Americans who have spent their entire lives working, and it is one the government must honor. I will fight all schemes to gamble your social security on the stock market." [21] Mr. Critz has pledged to protect Social Security believing it to be an essential feature of the American workers’ lives, providing them with a peace of mind in their later years ; Social Security must remain fair and equal. He will fight against privatization and a higher retirement age. On November 3, 2011, Mark Critz voted yes to the authorization of crowdfunding for small businesses allowing those businesses to attain funds more easily. [22]
Mark Critz is a Pro Life representative [23], and has received a 100% approval rating from the National Right to Life Committee. [24]. Furthermore, "Mark is pro-life and opposes taxpayer funding of abortion. In Congress, Mark will fight for policies that stand up for the sanctity of life." He received a 0% approval from Planned Parenthood. [25]
Mr. Critz's strongest desire is to fix the nation's economy, create more jobs and protect his home state of Pennsylvania.He is also dedicated to standing up for veterans when they return home. [26]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
Mr. Critz voted no on July 1, 2010 to limiting Afghanistan military funding to withdrawal and other specified purposes and to requiring a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also voted no on March 17, 2011 to removing troops from Afghanistan. [27]
- Committee on Small Business
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Coal Caucus
- Congressional Military Families Caucus
- Congressional Natural Gas Caucus
- Congressional Research and Development Caucus
- Congressional Rural Education Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Marcellus Shale Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Personal life
Critz, his wife Nancy, and their two children reside in Johnstown.
References
- ^ a b c "Mark Critz (D-Pa.)". WhoRunsGov. The Washington Post. http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Mark_Critz. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
- ^ Critz bests Burns in special election
- ^ a b VP Biden Campaigns For Democrat Critz KDKA, April 23, 2010. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Murtha's open Pa. seat gives GOP hope Kathy Kiely, USA Today. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- ^ [1]
- ^ 2010 Special Election announcement Mark Critz Campaign site, February 22, 1010. Accessed April 27, 2010.
- ^ Faher, Mike (March 8, 2010). "State Dems back Critz". The Tribune-Democrat. http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_067234651.html. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
- ^ PA AFL-CIO Endorses Mark Critz for Congress Mark Critz Campaign site, accessed April 27, 2010.
- ^ [2]
- ^ United Mine Workers Endorse Mark Critz for Congress Accessed April 27, 2010.
- ^ [3]
- ^ "2010 Special Election for the 12th Congressional District". Pennsylvania Department of State. http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=35&OfficeID=11. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ^ [4] Clerk of the House Roll Call 546, accessed October 8, 2010.
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6] Letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer signed by 31 Democrats, accessed October 7, 2010.
- ^ [7] Clerk of the House Roll Call 546, accessed October 7, 2010.
- ^ [8]
- ^ [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ [11]
- ^ [12]
- ^ [13]
- ^ [14]
- ^ [15]
- ^ [16]
- ^ [17]
- ^ [18]
External links
- U.S. Congressman Mark Critz official U.S. House site
- Mark Critz for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Congressional profile at GovTrack
- Congressional profile at OpenCongress
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
United States House of Representatives Preceded by
John MurthaMember of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
2010-PresentSucceeded by
IncumbentUnited States order of precedence Preceded by
Ted Deutch
D-FloridaUnited States Representatives by seniority
336thSucceeded by
Tom Graves
R-GeorgiaCategories:- 1962 births
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania alumni
- Living people
- American people of German descent
- Pennsylvania Democrats
- People from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- People from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
- United States congressional aides
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
