Jimmy Farrugia (May 14, 1922 Tarxien – November 25, 2006 Pietà ) was a Maltese politician of the Nationalist Party and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Biography
After attending school at the Malta Lyceum, he studied medicine at the Royal University of Malta , graduating in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a Candidate of Philosophy (Ph.C.). After receiving his Medical Doctor (MD) degree in 1946, he worked as a general practitioner in the social system of the General Workers Union from 1950 to 1962.
In 1952 he became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in London . In 1965 he also became Medical Consultant to Dar tal-Providenza , the first home for persons with physical or mental disabilities in Malta. For a number of years he was also President of Catholic Action and the Lay Council Movement .
Farrugia began his political career in the 1976 House of Representatives election, where he represented the Nationalist Party and rose from the 4th electoral district. During that time he was also temporarily Minister of Culture in the Nationalist Party's shadow cabinet . He was also an intermediary between doctors and the government during the 1977 doctors' strike. He rose again as a member of parliament during the legislative period from 1981 to 1987. At times during this period he served as Acting President of the Republic of Malta.
In July 1987 he became Speaker of the House of Representatives, succeeding Joseph M. Baldacchino . In 1988 he was succeeded by Lawrence Gonzi .
In 1999 he became ambassador to the Holy See as the successor to former Speaker Daniel Micallef and remained in this position until 2005.
In 1996, along with a number of other politicians, he received the commemorative medal for the 75th anniversary of Maltese autonomy.
He was one of three Maltese speakers to die in 2006. The other two were Joseph M. Baldacchino and Kalċidon Agius .