John Saylor | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania | |
| In office September 13, 1949 – October 28, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Coffey |
| Succeeded by | John Murtha |
| Constituency | 26th district (1949–1953) 22nd district (1953–1973) 12th district (1973) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1908-07-23)July 23, 1908 |
| Died | October 28, 1973(1973-10-28) (aged 65) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Grandview Cemetery 40°18′42″N78°55′33″W / 40.31170°N 78.92580°W /40.31170; -78.92580 (Grandview Cemetery) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Grace |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Franklin and Marshall College Dickinson School of Law |
John Phillips Saylor (July 23, 1908 – October 28, 1973) was aRepublican member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania serving from 1949 until his death from a heart attack inHouston, Texas in 1973.
Saylor was born inConemaugh Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He graduated fromFranklin and Marshall College inLancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1929, andDickinson School of Law inCarlisle, Pennsylvania in 1933. He was elected city solicitor ofJohnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1938 and served until 1940. He enlisted in theUnited States Navy on August 6, 1943 and served until January 1946.
Saylor was elected as a Republican to the81st Congress, by special election, September 13, 1949, to fill the vacancy caused by the death ofRobert L. Coffey. He was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses and served until his death inHouston, Texas. During his time in Congress he became dedicated to a number of environmental causes, including theWilderness Act of 1964,[1] the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Act,National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and in opposition to theKinzua Dam Project.[2] He was dubbed "St. John" by environmental advocates for his dogged work on environmental issues.
In 1970 the Izaak Walton League of America bestowed its highest honor, the Founders' Award, to Saylor "for two decades of unprecedented leadership in the Congress of the United States for sound resource management, the preservation of natural scenic and cultural values, the maintenance of a quality environment, and the unalienable right of citizens to be involved in resources and environmental decisions."[3]
Saylor voted in favor of theCivil Rights Acts of 1957,[4]1960,[5]1964,[6] and1968,[7] as well as the24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and theVoting Rights Act of 1965.[8][9]
Saylor and his wife, Grace, had two children.[10]
On October 24, 1973, Saylor had surgery for anaortic aneurysm atSt. Luke's Episcopal Hospital inHouston. While the operation was reported to be a success, he had a heart attack in his hospital room shortly after midnight on October 28 and died at the age of 65.[10] He is buried inGrandview Cemetery, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. TheJohn P. Saylor Trail inGallitzin State Forest is named after him.[11]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 12th congressional district 1973 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 22nd congressional district 1953–1973 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 26th congressional district 1949–1953 | |
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| National | |
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