Leo W. O'Brien

Leo W. O'Brien
Leo W. O'Brien
	From 1965's Pocket Congressional Directory of the Eighty-Ninth Congress
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 29th district
	In office; January 3, 1963 – December 30, 1966
Preceded by	J. Ernest Wharton
Succeeded by	Daniel E. Button
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 30th district
	In office; January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1963
Preceded by	J. Ernest Wharton
Succeeded by	Carleton J. King
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 32nd district
	In office; April 1, 1952 – January 3, 1953
Preceded by	William T. Byrne
Succeeded by	Bernard W. Kearney
Personal details
Born	September 21, 1900; Buffalo, New York
Died	May 4, 1982 (aged 81); Albany, New York
Resting place	St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York
Spouse(s)	Mabel C. Jean (m. 1925-1982, his death)
Children	1
Alma mater	Niagara University
Profession	Newspaper reporter; Radio and television commentator

Leo William O'Brien (September 21, 1900 – May 4, 1982) was an American journalist, radio and television commentator, and politician. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York for 14 years (1952-1966).[1]

Early life

Nicknamed "Obie," O'Brien was born in Buffalo, New York.[2] He graduated from Niagara University in 1922.[2] O'Brien worked as a newspaper journalist for the International News Service, and Albany Knickerbocker Press and Times-Union.[2] He later became a radio and television commentator.[2] From 1935 to 1952 he was a member of the Port of Albany District Commission.[1]

Congressman

In 1952 he was the successful Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives seat left vacant by the death of William T. Byrne.[2] He was reelected seven times and served from April 1, 1952 until resigning on December 30, 1966, a few days before the end of his final term.[2] He was not a candidate for reelection in 1966.[2]

As a member of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, O'Brien was a leading advocate for Alaska and Hawaii statehood.[1] He also helped create the Fire Island National Seashore, and strongly advocated cleanup of the Hudson River and protecting it as a scenic waterway.[1]

Later life

After leaving Congress O'Brien served as Chairman of the Albany County Planning Board and the Adirondack Study Commission.[2]

He died at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, New York on May 4, 1982.[1] He was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.[2]

Family

O'Brien married Mabel C. Jean in 1925.[3] They were the parents of a son, Robert.[3]

Legacy

Federal building

The United States federal building in Albany, New York is named after for O'Brien.[4] It is located at the corner of Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, and contains facilities including a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).[5]

Honorary degrees

In 1959, O'Brien received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in recognition of his efforts to promote Alaska statehood.[6] In 1960, O'Brien received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Niagara University.[7]

In 1961, he received an honorary LL.D. from Siena College.[8] In May 1966, O'Brien received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Albany College of Pharmacy.[7]

Other

As additional recognition of his Alaska statehood efforts, in 1964 the state government named Mount Terrance, a mountain near Haines, Alaska after O'Brien's 10-year-old grandson.[9]

References

Walter H. Waggoner (May 5, 1982). "Leo W. O'Brien, 81, is Dead; Former Albany Congressman". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
U.S. Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1669. ISBN 978-0-16-073176-1 – via Google Books.
U.S. House of Representatives (1960). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 86th Congress, Second Session. 106, Part 5. Washington, DC: US Government printing Office. p. 6031 – via Google Books.
"Honor for O'Brien Proposed". The Post-Star. Glens Falls, NY. July 29, 1972. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
"Albany Military Entrance Processing Station". MEPS Information. United States Military Entrance Processing Command. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
"Record Number Receive Degrees: O'Brien's Talk Lauds Greatest". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, AL. May 18, 1959. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
"Rep. Leo W. O"Brien To Speak To June Graduates". Alumni News. Albany, NY: Albany College of Pharmacy. May 1, 1996. pp. 1, 4.
"Honorary Degree Recipients". Siena.edu. Loudonville, NY: Siena College. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
"Alaska Mountain Named". New York Times. New York, NY. July 15, 1964.