John J. Rooney (politician)

John James Rooney (November 29, 1903 – October 26, 1975) was an American lawyer and a Democratic politician from New York. From 1944 to 1974, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

John J. Rooney
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
June 6, 1944 – December 31, 1974
Preceded byThomas H. Cullen
Succeeded byFrederick W. Richmond
Constituency4th district (1944–45)
12th district (1945–53)
14th district (1953–74)
Personal details
Born
John James Rooney

(1903-11-29)November 29, 1903
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 26, 1975(1975-10-26) (aged 71)
Washington, D.C.
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Catherine Kramm
(m. 1953; his death, 1975)
Children3
EducationFordham University (JD)

Early life

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Rooney was born in Brooklyn in 1903. In 1925, he graduated with a J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law and practiced law following his admission to the bar the next year. He subsequently served as assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, from 1940 to 1944.

Political career

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In 1944, Rooney was elected by special election to the 78th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy left after the death of Thomas H. Cullen. He was re-elected in each subsequent election until opting to retire after the 1974 midterm election. He resigned from his seat on December 31, 1974, a few days before his term was to expire.

 
Moshe Sharett (second from left), Israel's Foreign Minister, with Congress members: Ruth Thompson, Francis Walter, and John J. Rooney (1955).

He was once called a "frank torchbearer for the so-called Catholic lobby," for his support of American aid to Francisco Franco's regime in Spain.[1]

Death

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Rooney died on October 26, 1975, in Washington, D.C.

References

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  1. ^ "Kennedy Would Resist Any Catholic Pressure", Drew Pearson (The Bell Syndicate), as printed in the Poughkeepsie Journal, 7 July 1960, p. 6. Newspapers.com
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  • United States Congress. "John J. Rooney (id: R000424)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • John J. Rooney at Find a Grave
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 4th congressional district

1944–1945
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 12th congressional district

1945–1953
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 14th congressional district

1953–1974
Succeeded by