Biography

Michael Hanna, Sr. was born on August 25, 1953 in Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Hanna attended Lock Haven High School, graduating in 1971. He went on to receive his bachelor of arts degree in political science at Lock Haven State Teachers College, (Currently Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania) in 1977. In 1980, Hanna received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. For eight following years, Michael Hanna was an attorney and solicitor in Woodward Township. He was a gubernatorial appointee for the Independent Regulatory Review Commission from 1983-1984. In terms of his public service, Hanna was a member of the Clinton County Democratic Executive Committee and elected to Democratic State committee. He was elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1991 term and re-elected for 13 more consecutive terms, during which he was appointed for Center for Rural Pennsylvania (2003-2006), appointed to the board of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (2005-2018), Joint State Government Commission (2011-2018). He was elected Minority Whip from 2011-2018 and elected delegate of the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and again in 2016. Hanna left the PA House in 2018, when he was not a candidate for re-election.

Throughout Hanna’s career, he focused his attention on higher education concerns with funding. He attended a number of higher education rallies and events. He also advocated for increased safety in public recreation and gaming, and increased access – particularly related to Sunday hunting. He was a strong advocate for natural resources and the environment, focusing his concerns on fracking and oil and gas in Pennsylvania.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records: