MIA and Jack Wagner, Pennsylvania Auditor General

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Sworn into office on January 20, 2009 for his second term as Pennsylvania’s 50th elected Auditor General, Jack Wagner brings 25 years of public service to his role as the Commonwealth’s independent fiscal watchdog. Wagner identified job retention and growth, fiscal responsibility, public safety and reform of the government as his administration’s top priorities. “Improving the performance of government so that it improves the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians is my mission,” Wagner said. Before he was elected Auditor General, Jack Wagner had represented Allegheny County as a State Senator since May, 1994. He served in the leadership of the State Senate and as the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. He also served on the Appropriations; Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness; Rules and Executive Nominations; and Policy Committees. Wagner was a member of the Pittsburgh City Council for 10 years, representing all city neighborhoods. He was born and reared in the Beechview neighborhood. He was Pittsburgh City Council's President from 1990-93. After graduating from South Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Wagner was employed by Duquesne Light Company in various capacities, and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for five years. While employed by Duquesne Light Company, Wagner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1966 to 1968. Wagner received a Purple Heart and other military commendations while serving in the Vietnam War in 1967. Following his military service, Wagner graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Safety Management in 1974. While a studentat IUP, Wagner worked as a paramedic with Citizens Ambulance Service. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from IUP for service to the community and the University in 1994. He serves on the boards of the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Obediah Cole Foundation for Prostate Cancer, the Veterans Leadership Program, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Sharing and Caring, Inc., and World War II Veterans of Allegheny County Memorial Fund, Inc. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, German American National Congress, Italian Sons and Daughters of America, Knights of Equity, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Lions Club, Elks Club, and Moose Club. Wagner also belongs to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Institute, and Veterans Political Action Committee. He received the Veteran of the Year award from the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also received the Clarion Young Democrats John Shropshire Award. In the fall of 2008, Wagner was awarded with a life-time, honorary membership to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Wagner is a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Beechview, where he lives with his wife, Nancy, and children, Luke and Sara. Jack is a bad golfer.