Gruitza, Michael C., 1951-
biographical statement
Michael C. Gruitza served Mercer County’s 7th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1981-2006. He was born on May 2, 1951 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He obtained his education at Gannon University, receiving a B.A. in 1973, and Ohio Northern University, graduating in 1977 with a J.D. Since his graduation, he has been a self-employed attorney. During his time in the House, Mr. Gruitza served on the Children and Youth Committee as Minority Chair from 2001-2006; the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee as Minority Chair from 1997-1998; the State Government Committee as Minority Chair from 1999-2000; the Game and Fisheries Committee as Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Minority Chair from 1981-1996; the Professional Licensure Committee from 1981-1984; the Consumer Affairs Committee from 1983-1986 and 1993-1994; the Transportation Committee from 1983-1992; the Judiciary Committee from 1985-1994; and the Appropriations Committee from 1987-1994. He also served on the Task Force and Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estate Laws and the Task Force and Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. Early in his career, Mr. Gruitza and Representative John Wozniak went on a “Walk for Work,” walking from Pennsylvania to Washington, D. C., with a resolution from the House requesting that the Federal Government do more for areas with high unemployment rates. Helping his area economically recover from the closing of heavy industry and acquiring grants and loans that would help the area attract more businesses were some of the major efforts he made as a Representative. He also worked to reform the Decedents’ Estate Laws and the welfare system to reflect more modern needs. Gruitza retired from the legislature in 2006 to serve as a general counsel for a business in the Shenango Valley.