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Alexander Pirnie | |
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's34th (1959–63) 32nd (1963–73) district | |
| In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | William R. Williams |
| Succeeded by | Donald J. Mitchell (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1903-04-16)April 16, 1903 Pulaski, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 12, 1982(1982-06-12) (aged 79) Canastota, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Cornell University Cornell Law School |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army (Officers Reserve Corps) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal |
Alexander Pirnie (April 16, 1903 – June 12, 1982) was an American politician.
Pirnie was born inPulaski, New York, on April 16, 1903. He received his undergraduate degree fromCornell University in 1924 and his law degree fromCornell Law School in 1926. While at Cornell, Pirnie was also a member of theQuill and Dagger Society. After attaining admission to the bar, Pirnie practiced law inUtica, New York.
In 1924, he was commissioned asecond lieutenant ofInfantry in theOfficers Reserve Corps. He later transferred to theJudge Advocate General's Corps, and volunteered to serve in Europe duringWorld War II. Pirnie served as amajor on the staff of Theater Service Forces. He received theBronze Star Medal for his wartime service, and he continued to serve until retiring as acolonel. In 1951, he was elected president of the Judge Advocate's Association. He was a longtime member of the board of visitors at the Judge Advocate General's School. Pirnie received theLegion of Merit at his 1963 retirement ceremony.
In 1958, Pirnie was a successfulRepublican candidate for theUnited States House of Representatives. He served six terms, 1959 to 1973. While in Congress, Pirnie was the ranking Republican member of the subcommittee that oversaw the1969 draft for theVietnam War. In this capacity he drew the first of the 366 capsules used to determine draft eligibility.
(The capsules contained birth dates from January 1 to December 31, including February 29, and individuals born on those days were subject to the draft based on the order in which their birth dates were drawn. The first capsule contained the date September 14, so those born on September 14 were assigned draft number 1. The last capsule drawn was June 8, and those born on that date were assigned draft number 366.)
Pirnie was a member of theInter-Parliamentary Union from 1965 to 1982.
From 1964 until Pirnie's retirement,Sherwood Boehlert served on his Congressional staff. Boehlert later served asOneida County Executive, and was a Member of Congress from 1983 to 2007.
After leaving Congress he practiced law in Utica and was president of aMohawk, New York, clothing company from 1977 to 1980.
Thefederal office building at Utica was named for Pirnie in 1984.[1]
In retirement Pirnie resided in Utica. He died inCanastota, New York, on June 12, 1982, aged 79. Pirnie was found behind the wheel of his car on the side of the road, and authorities presumed he had a heart attack and died while driving. He was buried in Pulaski Village Cemetery.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 34th congressional district 1959–1963 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 32nd congressional district 1963–1973 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
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