At a young age, Tim Murphy learned that hard work is the key to success. He was one of eleven children, born to working class parents who stressed the importance of family, education and self-reliance.
He worked his way through college and graduate school, eventually earning a PhD in psychology. He started a family of his own, opened a small business, went to work at hospitals across Western Pennsylvania, consulted for schools and Head Start, and taught at the University of Pittsburgh. He authored several publications, including two books: the award-winning “The Angry Child,” and "Overcoming Passive-Aggression." During this time, he became widely known as “Dr. Tim” through regular appearances on local and national radio and television.
From 1997-2002 he served in the Pennsylvania State Senate. As an elected official, and one of very few with a health care background, he found that he could help more families. He penned the state’s historic Patient Bill of Rights and increased funding for medical research, while consistently supporting responsible fiscal management of government to promote job creation and reduce the tax burden on families.
He took this commitment to Congress when he began representing the people of the 18th district of Pennsylvania in 2003.
He got to work immediately in Washington. In just his second term, Congressman Murphy was named a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He has three subcommittee assignments: Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection; Energy and Air Quality; and Environment and Hazardous Materials. Tim quickly emerged as a leader among his peers and was elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the 2003 class. He also is recognized as a leader in Congress on mental health issues, and serves as Co-chair of both the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, and the 21st Century Healthcare Caucus.
During his tenure in the state Senate, he served as chair of the Pennsylvania Committee on Aging and Youth. He utilized this unique experience to ensure the recent Medicare Prescription Drug Act would work in conjunction with Pennsylvania’s PACE program. As a result, it is estimated that PACE will save up to $150 million over the next two years.
Tim Murphy makes it a priority to bring together business and community leaders to focus on new and innovative ways to retrain our job force to better position Western Pennsylvania to face the challenges of the new world economy. Representing a district with a large number of veterans – and a member of the Sons of American Legion himself, he firmly supports our armed services and shows commitment to our veterans by working to expand benefits and improve services to veterans’ health care.
Nan and Tim Murphy reside in Upper St. Clair with their daughter, Bevin who is currently attending college. They attend St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Bethel Park.
He earned a bachelors degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University, and a his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.
A fierce proponent of community involvement, he is a strong advocate of the Rails to Trails programs, an active participant in events for Habitat to Humanity and member of several Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce.
