Robert Owens Tiernan (February 24, 1929 – October 15, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician from Rhode Island. He served in the Rhode Island State Senate and was a member of the United States House of Representatives.
Robert Tiernan | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd district | |
In office March 28, 1967 – January 3, 1975 | |
Preceded by | John E. Fogarty |
Succeeded by | Edward Beard |
Member of the Rhode Island State Senate | |
In office 1960–1967 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Providence, Rhode Island | February 24, 1929
Died | October 15, 2014 Providence, Rhode Island | (aged 85)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Dorothy A. Tiernan |
Children | Michael M. Tiernan Robert O. Tiernan Jr. Christopher P. Tiernan |
Profession | Businessman politician |
Early life
editTiernan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended La Salle Academy. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Providence College in 1953 and his Juris Doctor from Catholic University Law School in 1956.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1956 and began practicing law.
Political career
editHe began his political career as a Democratic member of the Rhode Island State Senate in 1960 and served until 1967.[2] In 1967, he was elected to the Ninetieth Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative John E. Fogarty.[3] He was reelected to the Ninety-first, Ninety-second and Ninety-third Congresses, serving from March 28, 1967, to January 3, 1975. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the Ninety-fourth Congress in 1974.[4]
From April 1975 to November 1981, he was a member of the Federal Election Commission. He served as chairman of the Commission in 1980,[5] and after leaving the Commission he resumed the practice of law in Providence.[6]
Family life
editTiernan and his wife Dorothy A. Tiernan have three sons: Michael M. Tiernan, Robert O. Tiernan Jr., and Christopher P. Tiernan. His wife Dorothy died in 2001.[7]
He was a resident of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, until his death on October 15, 2014, at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence, Rhode Island after a brief illness.[8]
References
edit- ^ Capace, Nancy (2001). The Encyclopedia of Rhode Island. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 314. ISBN 9780403096107.
- ^ "Tiernan, Robert O." Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ "Rhode Island: Eroded Stronghold". Time. April 7, 1967. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ Capace, Nancy (2001). The Encyclopedia of Rhode Island. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 314. ISBN 9780403096107.
- ^ "Federal Election Commission" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ "Tiernan, Robert O." Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ "MCNALLY-L Archives". Ancestry.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ G. Wayne Miller (October 18, 2014). "Passages: Robert O. Tiernan, 85; was R.I. lawyer, state senator, congressman". Providence Journal. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
Further reading
edit- "Ralph Nader Congress Project. Citizens Look at Congress: Robert O. Tiernan, Democratic Representative from Rhode Island. Washington, D.C." by Grossman Publishers, 1972.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Robert Tiernan (id: T000265)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Photo of Rhode Island Senator Robert Tiernan
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress