Biography

Congressman Mark S. Critz was born and raised in Irwin, Pennsylvania. With parents from Canonsburg, Washington County and Uniontown, Fayette County, Mark has deep roots in southwestern Pennsylvania.  He graduated from Norwin High School in Westmoreland County before attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems.

Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Critz served as district director and economic development director for the late Congressman John Murtha. He was on the ground responding to the Quecreek Mine disaster and was Congressman Murtha’s liaison for the Flight 93 Memorial.

Currently serving in his second term, Congressman Critz sits on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Small Business.  In Congress, he is focusing on legislation that will help improve the economy and create jobs, support the members of our armed services and their families, and help our veterans.

Congressman Critz has received the highest civilian award issued by the National Guard, the National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS’s) Patrick Henry Award. The award recognizes local officials and civic leaders, who in a position of great responsibility distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard or NGAUS. He is a member of the Johnstown Old Timers Baseball Association, the organization that puts on Johnstown’s annual All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) tournament.

Congressman Critz married his wife Nancy on September 5, 1987; she is a speech pathologist in the Greater Johnstown School District. They live in Johnstown, Cambria County, with their twin children.   

Congressman Critz is a recipient of the following awards:

2008 - National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS’s) "Patrick Henry Award"

2010 - "Friend of the Farm Bureau Award" from the American Farm Bureau Federation 

2011 - Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans' "Social Security & Medicare Hero Award"

2011 - "Golden Triangle Award" from the National Farmers Union

2011 - Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc. (VCI) Laurel Highlands Veteran Community Award 

Download an official photo of Congressman Critz here.