Veteran Advocate

Pennsylvania State Sen. Jane Clare Orie, one of the state’s most active legislators, is a friend to veterans, using her leverage and influence to ease the way for those with employment, health care and other concerns.

Orie annually sponsors Veterans Forums that showcase the achievements of veterans, with emphasis on those involved in small business. She also supports the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, which provides a comprehensive variety of services and facilities for veterans.

Elected in March 2001 to fill the vacant Pennsylvania 40th Senatorial District Seat, Orie had spent the previous four-and-a-half years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She represents parts of Allegheny, Butler and Westmoreland counties.

A lifelong resident of McCandless, Orie received a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College, then earned her law degree from the Duquesne University School of Law.

Before her election to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, she spent 10 years as a prosecutor, first as a state deputy attorney general, then as an assistant district attorney for Allegheny County.

Since her election, she has focused on issues including violence prevention and intervention, tax reform, victims’ rights, safety in schools, improved highways and drunk driving law reform.

Orie has earned membership on some of the most powerful committees in the Pennsylvania Senate, including Judiciary, Communications and High Technology, Aging and Youth, Intergovernmental Affairs, Law and Justice, and Labor and Industry. She also is vice chairwoman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee.

William McCloskey