Mike Fitzpatrick

{{Short description|American attorney and politician (1963–2020)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Mike Fitzpatrick

| image = Mike Fitzpatrick, Official Portrait, 2013.jpg

| state = Pennsylvania

| district = {{ushr|PA|8|8th}}

| term_start = January 3, 2011

| term_end = January 3, 2017

| predecessor = Patrick Murphy

| successor = Brian Fitzpatrick

| term_start2 = January 3, 2005

| term_end2 = January 3, 2007

| preceded2 = Jim Greenwood

| succeeded2 = Patrick Murphy

| office3 = Member of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners

| term_start3 = January 17, 1995{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/92627350.html?dids=92627350:92627350&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+18%2C+1995&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK%2C+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=FITZPATRICK+REPLACES+SCHWEIKER&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725022653/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/92627350.html?dids=92627350:92627350&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+18%2C+1995&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK%2C+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=FITZPATRICK+REPLACES+SCHWEIKER&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2012|title=Archives: Allentown Morning Call - FITZPATRICK REPLACES SCHWEIKER|work=pqarchiver.com|access-date=13 May 2015|date=January 18, 1995}}

| term_end3 = January 3, 2005

| predecessor3 = Mark Schweiker

| successor3 = Jim Cawley

| birth_name = Michael Gerard Fitzpatrick

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1963|6|28|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|1|6|1963|6|28|mf=y}}

| death_place = Levittown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| resting_place = Washington Crossing National Cemetery
Newtown, Pennsylvania

| party = Republican

| relatives = Brian Fitzpatrick (brother)

| spouse = Kathleen Gestite

| children = 6

| residence =

| occupation = Attorney

| alma_mater = St. Thomas University (BA)
Dickinson School of Law (JD)

}}

Michael Gerard Fitzpatrick (June 28, 1963 – January 6, 2020) was an American attorney and politician who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing {{ushr|PA|8}} from 2005 to 2007 and 2011 to 2017. He was first elected to Congress in 2004 and represented the district from 2005 to 2007, but he was defeated by Democrat Patrick Murphy in 2006.

He declined to run for his old seat in 2008 but ran again in 2010, and won a rematch with Murphy. He was re-elected in 2012 and 2014. A supporter of term limits, he did not seek re-election in 2016 and was replaced by his brother Brian. He was considered a moderate Republican, and consistently ranked among the most bipartisan members of Congress.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html|title=Our Work: The Lugar Center|website=thelugarcenter.org|access-date=2016-08-22}}

Early life, education and law career

Fitzpatrick was born in Philadelphia and raised in Bucks County. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School, now Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, in Fairless Hills. He moved to Florida to attend St. Thomas University with an academic scholarship where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1985 from the school's honors program.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Larry |title=Cancer-free, Mike Fitzpatrick works on a political comeback |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/homepage/20101019_Cancer-free__Mike_Fitzpatrick_works_on_a_political_comeback.html-2 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=October 19, 2010}}{{cite news |last1=McGinnis |first1=James |title=Mike Fitzpatrick, 'father of this county,' dies at 56 |url=https://www.theintell.com/news/20200106/mike-fitzpatrick-rsquofather-of-this-countyrsquo-dies-at-56 |work=The Intelligencer |date=January 6, 2020}}

He earned his J.D. degree from the Dickinson School of Law at Penn State University. He was named business manager of the Dickinson Journal of International Law. After graduating law school in 1988, Fitzpatrick was admitted to the practice of law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Bucks County Commission (1995–2005)

In January 1995, Fitzpatrick was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners by an 11-member panel of county judges. The appointment was made to fill the unexpired term of Mark Schweiker, who had been elected lieutenant governor.

Fitzpatrick, who was an attorney at a firm active in county affairs, was the candidate preferred by county Republican Party leaders.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB32B72F34573A2&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Philadelphia Inquirer: Search Results|work=newsbank.com|access-date=May 13, 2015|date=January 12, 1995}}

The appointment was not without controversy, however, as some claimed the judges had acted solely on the recommendation of the county Republican Party.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/92630225.html?dids=92630225:92630225&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+21%2C+1995&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK%2C+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=BUCKS+CANDIDATE+BLASTS+JUDGES+COMMISSIONER+HOPEFUL+SAYS+11+JURISTS+BLINDLY+CHOSE+RIVAL&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725010108/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/92630225.html?dids=92630225:92630225&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+21%2C+1995&author=LESLIE+KLEIN+FUNK%2C+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&desc=BUCKS+CANDIDATE+BLASTS+JUDGES+COMMISSIONER+HOPEFUL+SAYS+11+JURISTS+BLINDLY+CHOSE+RIVAL&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2012|title=Archives: Allentown Morning Call - BUCKS CANDIDATE BLASTS JUDGES COMMISSIONER HOPEFUL SAYS 11 JURISTS BLINDLY CHOSE RIVAL|work=pqarchiver.com|access-date=13 May 2015|date=January 21, 1995}}

As Commissioner, Fitzpatrick oversaw social agencies, coordinated the response of local governments to emergencies, preserved open space, and responded to regional issues. Fitzpatrick supported a $7 million information-technology project to upgrade the county's communication and outreach abilities in light of the Information Age.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1999-10-27/news/25508217_1_gop-pair-michael-g-fitzpatrick-open-space|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822154620/http://articles.philly.com/1999-10-27/news/25508217_1_gop-pair-michael-g-fitzpatrick-open-space|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 22, 2016|title=Bucks Race Hinges On Land Use Both Sides Cite Open Space As A Key Issue In The Campaign For County Commissioner. All Three Seats Are On The Ballot.|access-date=2016-08-22}}

U.S. House of Representatives (2005–2007)

=Elections=

;2004

In July 2004, popular moderate Republican James C. Greenwood of Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district unexpectedly withdrew from his re-election campaign. In the party convention held to select Greenwood's replacement on the ballot, the more conservative Fitzpatrick won the nomination over Greenwood's choice, state Senator Joe Conti, thanks to the backing of Bucks County Republican Party boss Harry Fawkes. Fitzpatrick went on to face liberal activist Virginia Schrader in the general election.[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12535985&BRD=1685&PAG=461&dept_id=45363&rfi=6 Doylestown Patriot \–- Schrader responds to Greenwood's retirement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035651/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12535985&BRD=1685&PAG=461&dept_id=45363&rfi=6 |date=2007-09-30 }}, zwire.com; accessed November 10, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/house/?state=PA|title=Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2006 House|work=centerforpolitics.org|access-date=May 13, 2015}} Fitzpatrick won the general election against Schrader 55%–44%, with the remaining vote split between two minor candidates.{{cite news|url=http://election.cbsnews.com/election2004/county/u_s__house_pa8.shtml|title=Election Results|website=CBSNews.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031075330/http://election.cbsnews.com/election2004/county/u_s__house_pa8.shtml|archive-date=2006-10-31}} The district included all of Bucks County, a sliver of Montgomery County, and parts of two wards in Northeast Philadelphia.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

;2006

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2006#8th Congressional district}}

Fitzpatrick faced Democrat Patrick Murphy in the November general election of 2006. In January 2006, Fitzpatrick said he had donated to charity the $21,500 he received from political action committees headed by U.S. Representatives Bob Ney (R-OH), Tom DeLay, (R-TX), and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA).{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01222006-601349.html |title=$211K raised by Fitzpatrick linked to convicted lobbyist (PhillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times |access-date=2006-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118083425/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01222006-601349.html |archive-date=2006-11-18 }}

Fitzpatrick was endorsed by several environmental groups including the Sierra Club. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman in Pennsylvania who had the support of the environmentalist lobby during this election. The Cook Political Report rated the race as "Leans Republican". However, Congressional Quarterly pegged the contest as a "Toss-up". A poll released at the end of October showed Fitzpatrick trailing Murphy by three percentage points.{{cite web|url=http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/election_tags/pa_08 |title=PA-08 | TPMCafe |access-date=2006-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010232130/http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/election_tags/pa_08 |archive-date=2006-10-10 }}

In the end, the election was decided by less than one percentage point, with Fitzpatrick initially trailing by just over 1,500 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast. On November 8, with all precincts reporting, Murphy led by 1,521 votes. Philadelphia television station NBC 10 later reported that Fitzpatrick had conceded the election to Murphy.NBC10.com. [http://www.nbc10.com/politics/10271609/detail.html Fitzpatrick Concedes Defeat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193028/http://www.nbc10.com/politics/10271609/detail.html |date=2007-09-27 }}, November 8, 2006. He along with Mike Sodrel (R-IN) and Joe Schwarz (R-MI) were the only freshman Republicans to be defeated in 2006 (Schwarz in the primary).{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Tenure

In May 2006, Fitzpatrick introduced the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006, which requires most schools and libraries to actively restrict minors from access to "Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat Rooms". In late July, the "DOPA Act" overwhelmingly passed the House. Speaking before the vote was taken, Fitzpatrick said, "The social networking sites have become, in a sense, a happy hunting ground for child predators".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5230506.stm|work=BBC News|title=Social network sites face US ban|date=July 31, 2006|access-date=May 12, 2010}}

Committee assignments

Fitzpatrick served on the United States House Committee on Financial Services and the United States House Committee on Small Business.

Inter-congressional career (2007–2011)

After the loss to Murphy, Fitzpatrick re-entered the practice of law, taking a position with Middletown Township law firm—and major Republican Party contributor{{cite web|url=http://aboveavgjane.blogspot.com/2006/07/mike-fitzpatricks-political-origins.html|title=Above Average Jane|work=aboveavgjane.blogspot.com|date=19 July 2006 |access-date=13 May 2015}}—Begley, Carlin, and Mandio.[http://www.begleycarlin.com/Bio/MichaelFitzpatrick.asp Profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920085036/http://www.begleycarlin.com/Bio/MichaelFitzpatrick.asp |date=2008-09-20 }}, begleycarlin.com; accessed November 10, 2016.[http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-12242007-1461181.html Pay to play not a given in Bucks] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071019052619/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-12242007-1461181.html |date=2007-10-19 }}, phillyBurbs.com; accessed November 10, 2016.

In the fall of 2007, the Bucks County Commissioners asked Fitzpatrick, along with former Commissioner Andy Warren and former Common Pleas Judge William Hart Rufe to co-chair an effort to pass a ballot initiative authorizing the county to borrow $87 million for open space preservation.[http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/281-08152007-1392945.html Big push for open space support]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, phillyBurbs.com; accessed November 10, 2016. The initiative, which was also endorsed by Congressman Murphy, passed by a large margin.

;2008

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2008#8th Congressional district}}

Throughout 2007, there was much speculation that Fitzpatrick would seek to reclaim the seat in Congress that he lost to Murphy.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mcall.com/penn_ave/2007/09/add-a-name-to-t.html|title=Mcall.com: Pennsylvania Ave. Blog|work=mcall.com|access-date=May 13, 2015}} Fitzpatrick laid the rumors to rest in January 2008 by announcing that he would not be running for Congress, but instead would challenge freshman State Representative Chris King in the 142nd District.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Despite charges by some Democrats that he was "afraid to run against Murphy because he knows he would lose", Fitzpatrick claimed that he was interested in the job because of his "passion ... in solving local problems and serving the local community", as well as a desire to "change the way business is done in Harrisburg."[http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01212008-1474906.html Fitzpatrick to run for state House] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918144159/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01212008-1474906.html |date=2008-09-18 }}, phillyBurbs.com; accessed November 10, 2016.

However, a cancer diagnosis forced Fitzpatrick to end his bid for the State House in early February.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} Fitzpatrick yielded his spot on the ballot to Republican activist Frank Farry (who went on to win the seat), and supported Doylestown pharmaceutical company executive Thomas Manion for the congressional seat he once held.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2017)

=Elections=

;2010

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2010#District 8}}

On January 23, 2010, Fitzpatrick announced he would once again run for his old seat in the House of Representatives.{{cite web|last=Weckselblatt |first=Gary |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/92/2010/january/13/report-fitzpatrick-in-dc-rounding-up-support.html |title=Report: Fitzpatrick in D.C. rounding up support |publisher=PhillyBurbs.com |date=2010-01-13 |access-date=2010-08-23 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He pledged that if elected, he would only serve for a maximum of three more terms, for a total of four terms. He described Washington, D.C. as "a town of embedded politicians" with a seniority system that "rewards congressmen for political careers lasting decades and encourages members to serve in perpetuity." He called for "real reform of house rules and procedures" and "congressional term limits."{{cite web|url=http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2010/02/08/bucks_news/doc4b6b2349acb3c896091342.txt|title=Fitzpatrick pledges to limit himself to four terms|publisher=Bucks Local News|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=November 11, 2014}}

He won the Republican nomination with 77% of the vote in the May primary.{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Brian|url=http://townhall.com/columnists/BrianWalsh/2010/07/08/2010_race_of_the_day_pa-08|title=2010 Race of the Day: PA-08|publisher=Townhall.com|date=2010-07-08|access-date=2010-09-18}} A Franklin and Marshall poll taken in mid-September 2010 suggested the race was leaning towards Fitzpatrick at that time.

On November 2, Fitzpatrick defeated Murphy and was elected the Congressman for the 8th district.{{cite web|title=Franklin and Marshall College Poll |url=http://edisk.fandm.edu/FLI/keystone/pdf/key8CDsep10_1.pdf |access-date=October 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928141425/http://edisk.fandm.edu/FLI/keystone/pdf/key8CDsep10_1.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2010 }} On November 2, 2010, Fitzpatrick defeated Murphy by 53.5% to 46.5% to reclaim his old seat. He was sworn in on January 5, 2011, and has joined the Republican Main Street Partnership.

;2012

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2012#District 8}}

Fitzpatrick defeated Kathryn Boockvar 57%–43%.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2012/PA|title=2014 Election Results Senate: Map by State, Live Midterm Voting Updates|work=POLITICO|access-date=13 May 2015}}

;2014

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2014#District 8}}

Before the election, Fitzpatrick reiterated a pledge he made in 2010 that this will be his last re-election bid, due to self-imposed term limits.{{cite news|last=Tamari|first=Jonathan|title=3 area Republicans face tough reelection after shutdown|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131024_3_area_Republicans_face_tough_reelection_after_shutdown.html|access-date=October 24, 2013|newspaper=Philly.com}} In the Democratic primary, former Army Ranger Kevin Strouse defeated businesswoman Shaughnessy Naughton. Fitzpatrick defeated Strouse in the general election. After he won, he again confirmed that he would not run for re-election in 2016.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/223491-report-rep-fitzpatrick-to-retire/|title=Report: Rep. Fitzpatrick to retire|access-date=November 11, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=November 10, 2014}}

Fitzpatrick's younger brother, Brian, a lawyer and former FBI supervisory special agent in California, moved back to Pennsylvania to run for his brother's seat. Brian Fitzpatrick won the election on November 8, 2016.

Tenure

On January 5, 2011, Fitzpatrick failed to attend the swearing-in ceremony for members {{Why|date=November 2016}} and attempted to take the oath-of-office remotely at a reception.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/01/15/perkasie_news_herald/news/doc4d30d9886faf3245824835.txt|title=Bucks Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick faces ethics complaint over swearing-in snafu|work=Montgomery Media|date=January 15, 2011}} However, House rules require that the oath be taken within proximity of the Speaker. The oath was administered the following day, but two votes that he cast prior to taking the oath were nullified according to the Constitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2011/01/house_nullifies_votes_by_2_rep.html|title=House nullifies votes by 2 representatives who skipped swearing-in|work=Cleveland.com|date=January 8, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/votes-of-gop-lawmakers-who-mis.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010113747/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/votes-of-gop-lawmakers-who-mis.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2012|title=Votes for GOP members who missed oath ruled invalid|work=Washingtonpost.com|date=January 6, 2011}}

Some activists contended the reception was a fundraiser and called for an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/07/did-rep-who-skipped-swear_n_805904.html|title=Did Rep Who Skipped Swearing In For Fundraiser Break The Law?|work=huffingtonpost.com|date=January 7, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-dc-congressman-fitzpatrick-ethics-20110107,0,6435857.story|title=More trouble for Fitzpatrick?|work=www.mcall.com|date=January 7, 2011}}

A spokesperson for Fitzpatrick denied the event was a fundraiser and asserted that donations made went to cover the cost of campaign-provided buses to Washington.{{cite web|url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/01/08/more-accusations-leveled-at-rep-mike-fitzpatrick-r-pa|title=More Accusations Leveled At Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)|work=CBSPhilly.com|date=January 8, 2011}}

Fitzpatrick supported reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.{{cite news|author=Jennifer Bendery|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/violence-against-women-act-john-boehner-eric-cantor_n_2278549.html|title=Violence Against Women Act: John Boehner, Eric Cantor Pressured By Republicans To Act|date=December 11, 2012|publisher=Huffington Post}}

On January 5, 2016, the House Committee on Financial Services reauthorized the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing with Fitzpatrick as Chairman and Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) as Ranking Member.{{cite web|url=http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/120815_task_force_resolution.pdf|title=Financial Services Resolution|date=December 8, 2015|publisher=Financialservices.house.gov|access-date=2016-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209091940/http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/120815_task_force_resolution.pdf|archive-date=December 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Over the course of a two-year period, the Task Force investigated the financial mechanisms used to fund terrorist activities, specifically the vulnerabilities of the global financial system, trade-based money laundering, assistance for developing world, and the sale and trafficking of illicit goods.{{cite web|url=http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/062316_tf_supplemental_memo.pdf|title=Financial Services Supplemental Memorandum|date=June 23, 2016|website=financialservices.house.gov|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828233135/http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/062316_tf_supplemental_memo.pdf|archive-date=August 28, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Since December 2014, Fitzpatrick has been a leading voice in Congress on medical device safety. He has pressed the FDA after dangerous medical devices remained in use after causing serious injury and death.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2016-02-27/business/70977784_1_medical-device-safety-device-makers-hooman-noorchashm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501041443/http://articles.philly.com/2016-02-27/business/70977784_1_medical-device-safety-device-makers-hooman-noorchashm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2016|title=Bucks congressman fixes on medical device safety|access-date=2016-08-22}}

On June 8, 2016, Fitzpatrick and Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced two bills to reform the medical device review and approval process. The first bill, Ariel Grace's Law, would allow victims of dangerous medical devices to seek legal recourse. The second bill, the Medical Device Guardians Act, would require physicians to identify and report unsafe medical devices and would protect them from having their reports used against them in a civil court.{{cite web|url=https://morningconsult.com/alert/reps-slaughter-fitzpatrick-introduce-medical-device-safety-bills|title=Reps. Slaughter, Fitzpatrick Introduce Medical Device Safety Bills - Morning Consult|access-date=2016-08-22}}

Fitzpatrick was ranked as the 10th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy that ranks members of the United States Congress by their degree of bipartisanship (by measuring the frequency each member's bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and each member's co-sponsorship of bills by members of the opposite party).{{Citation|url=http://www.thelugarcenter.org/assets/htmldocuments/The%20Lugar%20Center%20-%20McCourt%20School%20Bipartisan%20Index%20114th%20Congress%20House%20Scores.pdf|title=The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index|publisher=The Lugar Center|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2017}}

=Committee assignments=

Committee on Financial Services
Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Vice Chair)
Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing (Chair)

Personal life and death

Fitzpatrick and his wife Kathleen, a high school science teacher, lived in Levittown, Pennsylvania, with their six children.{{cite news |author1=Justine McDaniel |author2=Michaelle Bond |title=Mike Fitzpatrick, a former Republican congressman from the Philadelphia suburbs, has died at 56 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/mike-fitzpatrick-dead-20200106.html |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 6, 2020}}

He was affiliated with the Washington Crossing Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Temple Lower Bucks Hospital Board of Directors, the Conwell-Egan Catholic Board of Advisors, the Knights of Columbus, the Levittown Bristol Kiwanis Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Brehon Law Society. He was an Eagle Scout from the Bucks County Council and former president of that council, and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his services to Scouting.{{cite web|last=Hasel |first=David E. |year=2002 |url=http://www.lawsoflife.org/pdf/lolnewsletters/2002_Spring.pdf |title=contests New Bucks County, Pennsylvania Boy Scouts to Launch the Essay Contest |publisher=Laws of Life |access-date=2016-11-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325091029/http://www.lawsoflife.org/pdf/lolnewsletters/2002_Spring.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-25 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.fitzpatrickforcongress.com |title=Mike Fitzpatrick for Congress2006 |access-date=2008-03-26 |publisher=FitzpatrickforCongress.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313004134/http://www.fitzpatrickforcongress.com/ |archive-date=2008-03-13 }}

Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2008. He reported five months later that the cancer went into remission after chemotherapy.{{cite news|author=John Mullane |title=A second chance |url=http://www1.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/219-11272008-1628677.html |work=Bucks County Courier Times, archived at WebCite |date=2008-11-27 |access-date=2009-03-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524083749/https://www.webcitation.org/5f3whCgAu?url=http://www1.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/219-11272008-1628677.html |archive-date=May 24, 2024 }}

Fitzpatrick died from melanoma at his home in Levittown on January 6, 2020, at age 56.{{cite web|url = https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theintell/obituary.aspx?n=michael-gerard-fitzpatrick&pid=194961496|title = Michael Gerard Fitzpatrick|access-date = January 8, 2020|website = Legacy.com}}

References

Sources

{{cite web|title=Michael G. Fitzpatrick Biography|work=fitzpatrick.house.gov|url=http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/Biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831013906/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/Biography/ |url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-08-31}}