Biography

05/28/1947 -

PRESTON, Joseph, Jr.,  a Representative from Allegheny County; born in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pa., May 28, 1947; graduated, George Westinghouse High School, 1965; attended, Wilberforce University; B.A., political science, psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 1979; issues chairman, regional director, Young Democrats of Allegheny County, Pa.; Democratic Committeeman, Allegheny County; organization analyst, Allegheny County; personnel administrator, city of Pittsburgh; commercial and industrial salesman; personnel analyst, Jones and Laughlin Steel; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1982; reelected to serve 14 more consecutive terms; appointed, Special Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Food and Cheese Distribution (1984); appointed, Select Committee to Investigate the Tragedy of Teenage Suicide (1986); appointed, Select Committee to Investigate the Problem of Teenage Pregnancies and Parenting in Pennsylvania (1986); appointed, House Select Committee on Long Term Care (1986-1988); appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) (1997-2000); appointed, Joint Select Committee to Examine Election Issues (2001); appointed, Select Committee Investigating the Integration of Human Rights Standards in Pennsylvania Laws and Policies (2002); appointed, Select Committee on Information Security (2006); elected, delegate, Democratic National Convention (2004, 2008); unsuccessful campaign for reelection to the House (2012).