Murray, Patty, 1950-

<p>Patricia Lynn Murray (née Johns; born October 11, 1950) is an American politician and retired educator who has served as a United States Senator from Washington since 1993, and the senior Senator since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Murray previously served in the Washington State Senate and is Washington's first female U.S. Senator.</p>

<p>Born and raised in Bothell, Washington, Murray graduated from Washington State University with a degree in physical education. She worked as a preschool teacher and, later, as a parenting teacher at Shoreline Community College. A longtime advocate for environmental and education issues, Murray ran for the Washington State Senate in 1988 and defeated a two-term incumbent. She served one term in the state senate before launching a successful campaign for the United States Senate in 1992. She has been reelected four times.</p>

<p>As a senator Murray has been a part of party leadership since 2001, having served as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Conference Secretary, Assistant Democratic Leader, among several committee chair positions. Murray garnered national attention in 2013 when she and Republican Representative Paul Ryan announced that they had negotiated a two-year, bipartisan budget, known as the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Murray is currently the sixth-most senior member of the Senate, the third-most senior Democrat, and the dean of Washington's congressional delegation.</p>

<p>As Washington state’s senior Senator, Patty Murray has a proven track record spanning more than two decades of fighting for Washington state families in the United States Senate. Serving as a member of Senate Democratic leadership since 2007, Patty has established herself as a tireless and effective leader on education, transportation, budget issues, port security, healthcare, women, and veterans issues.</p>

<p>In addition to being the first female Senator from Washington state, Patty served as the first female Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee during the 112th Congress and served as the first female Chair of the Senate Budget Committee during the 113th Congress. She is currently Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.</p>

<p>Patty was born and raised in Bothell, Washington. Her dad ran a five and dime store on Main Street, where she and her siblings all worked growing up. As a twin and one of seven children, she quickly learned the value of a strong work ethic and a country that supports those who fall on hard times when her father fell ill when she was 15. Patty’s father – a World War II veteran and a Purple Heart recipient – was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and in a few short years, his illness got so bad he couldn't work anymore. Patty’s mother, who had stayed home to raise their family, had to take care of him while also working to support their family. She found some work, but it didn’t pay enough to support Patty and her six brothers and sisters—and a husband with growing medical bills. Thankfully, they lived in a country where the government didn't just say “tough luck.”</p>