John Murphy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | John H. Ray (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Guy Molinari |
| Constituency | 16th district (1963–1973) 17th district (1973–1981) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Michael Murphy (1926-08-03)August 3, 1926 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 2015(2015-05-25) (aged 88) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathleen Murphy |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Amherst College United States Military Academy (BS) |
John Michael Murphy (August 3, 1926 – May 25, 2015) was a Democraticmember of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's16th (1963–1973) and17th (1973–1981) districts.[1] He was convicted of taking bribes in the 1980Abscam scandal. He is the last Democrat to representStaten Island in the House of Representatives for more than one term.
Murphy was born inStaten Island,New York City,New York, the son of Florence and Frank Murphy.[2] He attendedLa Salle Military Academy,Amherst College, and theUnited States Military Academy at West Point.[1]
He served in theU.S. Army from August 1944 to July 1956, first as an enlisted man before receiving his commission after four years atWest Point. During his military service he received theDistinguished Service Cross and theBronze Star, and was discharged as acaptain.[1]
He was elected as a Democrat to the88th U.S. Congress and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1981).[1] After being indicted in theAbscam bribery scandal, he ran unsuccessfully forre-election in 1980.[3] Murphy was acquitted of bribery, but found guilty on lesser charges, and served 18 months in prison.[4][5]
During his time in Congress he chaired committees dealing with maritime and oceanic matters.[6] He was a life long friend ofAnastasio Somoza since their days as students at West Point;[6] while in office, Murphy opposed the Carter administrations efforts to remove Somoza.[7]
His son,Mark Murphy, is a real-estate developer who worked as an aide toBill de Blasio during his tenure asNew York City Public Advocate.[8] On January 19, 2012, Mark Murphy announced he would seek election to the Congressional seat his father once held.[9] On November 6, Murphy lost the election to incumbentRepublicanMichael Grimm, 46.2% – 52.8%.[10]
Murphy died the age of 88 on May 25, 2015, atRichmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY of complications from a heart attack.[6]
The stakes were perhaps higher for the Republicans, who had represented the district since 1981, after Guy V. Molinari defeated John M. Murphy, a nine-term incumbent whose campaign was hobbled by his indictment in the Abscam bribery scandal.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 16th congressional district 1963–1973 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 17th congressional district 1973–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theHouse Merchant Marine Committee 1977–1980 | Succeeded by |
 | ||
Italics indicates acting chairman | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
