Leo W. O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 O'Brien during his final term in 1965 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office April 1, 1952 – December 30, 1966 | |
| Preceded by | William T. Byrne |
| Succeeded by | Daniel E. Button |
| Constituency | 32nd district (1952–1953) 30th district (1953–1963) 29th district (1963–1966) |
| Member of thePort of Albany District Commission | |
| In office April 30, 1935 – March 27, 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Peter G. Ten Eyck |
| Succeeded by | Raymond F. Joyce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leo William O’Brien (1900-09-21)September 21, 1900 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 4, 1982(1982-05-04) (aged 81) Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. Agnes Cemetery,Menands, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Niagara University |
| Occupation | Journalist |
Leo William O'Brien (September 21, 1900 – May 4, 1982) was an American journalist, radio and television commentator, and politician. ADemocrat, he was most notable for his seven terms of service as a member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew York from 1952 to 1966.[1]
Nicknamed "Obie," O'Brien was born inBuffalo, New York on 21 September 1900, a son of Patrick O'Brien and Agnes O'Brien.[2][3][4] Patrick O'Brien was a Buffalo-area building contractor who later became responsible for construction atNiagara University.[5] Leo O'Brien was a 1918 graduate of Buffalo'sSt. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and graduated from Niagara University in 1922.[2][6]
O'Brien worked as a newspaper journalist for theInternational News Service, and AlbanyKnickerbocker Press andTimes-Union.[2] He was active in the Legislative Correspondents' Association and served terms as member of the board of directors,[7] secretary,[8] vice president,[9] and president.[10] O'Brien later became a radio and television commentator.[2] From 1935 to 1952 he was a member of thePort of Albany District Commission.[1]
In 1952 he was the successful Democratic nominee for theUnited States House of Representatives seat left vacant by the death ofWilliam T. Byrne.[2] He was reelected seven times and served from April 1, 1952 until resigning on December 30, 1966, a few days before the end of his final term.[2] He was not a candidate for reelection in 1966.[2]
As a member of theCommittee on Interior and Insular Affairs, O'Brien was a leading advocate forAlaska andHawaii statehood.[1] He also helped create theFire Island National Seashore, and strongly advocated cleanup of theHudson River and protecting it as a scenic waterway.[1]
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After leaving Congress O'Brien served as Chairman of theAlbany County Planning Board and theAdirondack Study Commission.[2]
He died at St. Peter's Hospital inAlbany, New York on May 4, 1982.[1] He was buried atSt. Agnes Cemetery inMenands.[2]
O'Brien married Mabel C. Jean in 1925.[11] They were the parents of a son, Robert.[11]
The United States federal building inAlbany, New York is named after for O'Brien.[12] It is located at the corner of Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, and contains facilities including a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).[13]
In 1959, O'Brien received thehonorary degree ofLL.D. from theUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks in recognition of his efforts to promote Alaska statehood.[14] In 1960, O'Brien received an honoraryDoctor of Letters degree fromNiagara University.[15]
In 1961, he received an honorary LL.D. fromSiena College.[16] In May 1966, O'Brien received an honoraryDoctor of Humane Letters degree from theAlbany College of Pharmacy.[15]
In April 1951, O'Brien was one of 20 journalists nationwide whose excellence in reporting was recognized with theSigma Delta Chi Award.[17]
As additional recognition of his Alaska statehood efforts, in 1964 the state government named Mount Terrance, a mountain nearHaines, Alaska after O'Brien's 10-year-old grandson.[18]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 32nd congressional district 1952–1953 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 30th congressional district 1953–1963 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 29th congressional district 1963–1966 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
