Irving Whalley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania | |
| In office November 8, 1960 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Douglas Elliott |
| Succeeded by | John Saylor |
| Constituency | 18th district (1960-1963) 12th district (1963-1973) |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate from the36th district | |
| In office January 3, 1955 – August 18, 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Fred Hare |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Stroup |
| Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives from theSomerset County district | |
| In office January 1, 1951 – November 30, 1954 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Irving Whalley (1902-09-14)September 14, 1902 Barnesboro, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 1980(1980-03-08) (aged 77) Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Cambria-Rowe Business College |
John Irving Whalley (September 14, 1902 – March 8, 1980) was an American businessman and politician who served six terms as aRepublican member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania from 1960 to 1973.
J. Irving Whalley was born inBarnesboro, Pennsylvania to Isabella (née Ashurst) and James H. Whalley, bothEnglish immigrants.[1][2] He took his first job at age 10 in aWindber, Pennsylvania, grocery store. By age 14 he was working at the localFord garage.
Twelve years later he owned the dealership, after having worked as a mechanic, salesman,bookkeeper, delivery man and driving instructor. Whalley purchased a second dealership three years later, and would open or acquire 11 more beforeWorld War II. He eventually established a chain of 13 automobile dealerships in central and western Pennsylvania.
Whalley campaigned on issues related to the automotive industry. He fought against taxes that were considered unfair to new car buyers. Whalley also secured support for improvements to thePennsylvania turnpike and campaigned for better highways everywhere.
He was a member of advisory board ofJohnstown College branch of theUniversity of Pittsburgh. He was chairman of theSomerset County Redevelopment Authority and theWindber Planning Commission. He served as a member of the Windber School Board from 1935 to 1947.
He was a member of thePennsylvania State House of Representatives, representing one ofSomerset County's at-large seats, from 1951 to 1954. He also served in thePennsylvania State Senate from 1955 to 1960, representing the36th district.[3]
He was appointed by PresidentRichard Nixon to serve as delegate toUnited Nations for the 1969 session.
He was elected as a Republican to theEighty-sixth Congress, originally by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States RepresentativeDoug Elliott. He was subsequently reelected to the five succeeding Congresses, and was a high-ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee. He retired in 1972.[4]
The following year, Whalley was accused of taking staff salary kickbacks, but said the money was used for office purposes only. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice, was fined $11,000 and served three years probation.[5]
He was inducted into theAutomotive Hall of Fame in 1981.Whalley died at the age of 77 and is buried inGrandview Cemetery, Johnstown.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Fred Hare | Member of thePennsylvania Senate from the36th district 1955–1960 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 18th congressional district 1960–1963 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 12th congressional district 1963–1973 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
