James Michael Hanley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | R. Walter Riehlman |
| Succeeded by | George C. Wortley |
| Constituency | 34th district (1965–71) 35th district (1971–73) 32nd district (1973–81) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1920-07-19)July 19, 1920 Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2003(2003-10-16) (aged 83) Geddes, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rita Ann Harrington (married 1950) |
| Children | Peter Christine |
| Residence | Syracuse, New York |
| Alma mater | St. Lucy's Academy (Syracuse, New York) |
| Occupation | Funeral Director |
James Michael Hanley (July 19, 1920 – October 16, 2003) was an American businessman,World War II veteran, and politician who representedNew York in theHouse of Representatives for eight terms from 1965 to 1981.
James M. Hanley was born inSyracuse, New York, on July 19, 1920. He attended local schools and graduated fromSt. Lucy's Academy in 1938. He was a funeral director, and the owner and operator of the Callahan-Hanley-Mooney Funeral Home.[1]
Hanley was a civic, religious, and fraternal activist, and among his activities and memberships were: the Syracuse-areachamber of commerce;American Legion;Knights of Columbus (grand knight);Elks; Syracuse-areaLiederkranz;Hibernians;Boys Town;Army and Navy Union; Onondaga CountyArc;Antique Automobile Club of America;Society of the Holy Name;Order of Alhambra; West End Social Club; St. Mary's Men's Club; honorary member of the SyracusePolice Benevolence Association; and the advisory board ofMaria Regina College.[2] In 1967, he received thehonorary degree ofLL.D. fromLe Moyne College.[2]
Hanley enlisted forWorld War II and served in theUnited States Army from 1942 to 1946.[3]
In 1964 he was a successfulDemocratic candidate for a Syracuse-based congressional district, the first Democrat to hold this seat since 1915. He served eight terms, 1965 to 1981, and was Chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service in his final term. During his Congressional career, Hanley was known as a liberal, and supported theGreat Society program ofLyndon B. Johnson, expansion ofMedicare andHead Start, and theEqual Rights Amendment.[4]
Hanley did not run for reelection in 1980; since then, no other Democrat has represented Syracuse in Congress for two consecutive terms. He worked as a government relations consultant in theWashington, D.C. area until 1990, afterwards retiring to upstate New York.[5]
He died inGeddes, New York, on October 16, 2003, and was buried at theOnondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.[6][7][8]
The federal building in Syracuse is named for him.[9]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 34th congressional district 1965–1971 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 35th congressional district 1971–1973 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 32nd congressional district 1973–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Post Office and Post Roads (1808–1947) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| (Reform in the) Civil Service* (1893–1947) | ||
| Post Office and Civil Service (1947–1995) | ||
| Note | *Name shortened fromReform in the Civil Service toCivil Service in 1925. | |
