Dates

• Majority of material found within 1924 - 2001

Extent

15 boxes Linear Feet (Patrick “Pat” James Stapleton, Jr., (January 7, 1924- March 13, 2001) was born in Chambersville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Patrick J. Stapleton, Sr., and his wife Bertha Stadtmiller Stapleton. He grew up in Indiana, and he graduated from St. Bernard School and Indiana Area High School. He graduated from high school in 1943, earning varsity letters in track and basketball. Stapleton served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1947. He attended Penn State University for one year before enlisting in the U. S. Navy, and he graduated from Indiana State Teachers College (ITSC) with a Bachelor of Science Social Studies in 1950. His wife, Madeline “Maddie” Feidle Stapleton, also graduated from Indiana Area High School and ISTC. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1947. They were married on June 10, 1950. Stapleton was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania on June 8, 1970. From 1970 to 2000, Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr., represented the 41st district in the State Senate. He was the first Democrat to represent the district, which includes Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland counties. His office in Indiana was at 581 Philadelphia Street. Throughout his political life, Senator Stapleton would remain “a big proponent of higher education, especially at the state-supported schools, because those schools served people of average means.” Senator Stapleton served on the IUP Council of Trustees for 30 years, and he served as council chairman for 27 years. The Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr. Library at IUP was named in his honor in 1981. Senator Stapleton received the IUP Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992, and he received the IUP President’s Medal of Distinction in 2000. During his tenure as a Pennsylvania State Senator, Stapleton served as the Minority Policy Committee Chairman from 1983-1992 and 1994-1996. He was the Majority Policy Committee Chairman from 1992-1994, and he was elected Minority Caucus Administrator in 1997. He served on the following senate committees: Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Appropriations, Environmental Resources & Energy, Military & Veterans Affairs, Rules & Executive Nominations, and Transportation. Senator Stapleton announced his retirement from the State Senate on January 7, 2000. He passed away on March 13, 2001 in Pittsburgh. Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr., was laid to rest at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Indiana, Pennsylvania. State Route 119 between Indiana and Homer City was renamed the Patrick J. Stapleton Highway. The Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr., Papers reflect the personal and business life of Senator Stapleton. The collection is divided into four series. Series I represents files including biographical information, correspondence, newspaper articles, photographs, press releases, subject files, and election materials. Series II contains memorabilia including framed photographs, plaques, and artifacts. Series III contains audio and visual recordings mostly on audio cassette tape and VHS video tape. Series IV has oversized materials.)

Language of Materials

English