The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

A lifetime resident of Philadelphia, Dennis M. O’Brien has been an advocate since 1976 for the residents of the 169th Legislative District in the city’s Far Northeast. On January 2, 2007, he was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 2007-08 House session. Providing disabled children with the resources, education and opportunities they need is a crusade that O’Brien has personally taken on and attacks with a passion. He has been recognized throughout the state for advocating for those with autism spectrum disorders. He is a member on the board of directors for the Center for Autistic Children, serves as chairman of the Autism Caucus and was appointed as honorary chairman of Pennsylvania’s Autism Task Force founded by the Honorable Estelle Richman, Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare. During his 15 terms as a state representative, health care, educational choice, veterans’ rights, economic development initiatives, early intervention and maintaining nursing services have been high priorities for Dennis O’Brien. He is also a member of the Prolife Caucus, Diabetes Caucus, Firefighters and Emergency Services Legislative Caucus and is a charter member of the Irish Caucus. He was chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee from 1993 to 1996, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee from 1997 to 2002, and chairman of the Judiciary Committee from 2003 to 2006. Since first taking office, he has developed legislation imposing the death penalty for repeat murderers, strong financial and prison penalties for hit-and-run drivers; expanding of the definition of rape; providing for a second death penalty hearing if one is set aside on a technicality; mandating DNA sampling of repeat sexual offenders, convicted felons and those who are convicted of certain misdemeanor sex offenses in order to establish a criminal information database; and requiring tougher sentencing for drug dealers and violent career criminals. Born in Philadelphia in 1952, he is a graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School and La Salle University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is married to the former Bernadette M. Benson and they have three sons, Dennis Jr., Brendan and Joseph. In addition, he is on the Archbishop Ryan High School President’s Advisory Board; on the Advisory Board of the University of Pennsylvania Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research; and a member of the governor’s Commission on Gun Violence. O’Brien serves as the Republican Leader of the 57th Ward of Philadelphia.