Joseph M. Gaydos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 20th district | |
| In office November 5, 1968 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Elmer Holland |
| Succeeded by | Austin Murphy |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 45th district | |
| In office January 2, 1967 – November 5, 1968[1] | |
| Preceded by | Leonard Staisey |
| Succeeded by | Edward Zemprelli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Matthew Gaydos July 3, 1926 Braddock, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 2015 (aged 88) Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Ann Gaydos (née Gray; died March 19, 2001) |
Joseph Matthew Gaydos (July 3, 1926 – February 7, 2015) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Gaydos was the first Slovak American to serve in the United States Congress.[2]
Early life and education
Gaydos was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania. His Hungarian father was born in Northern Hungary (today mostly Slovakia), later it became part of Czechoslovakia, following World War I by the Treaty of Trianon.[3]
He attended Duquesne University and graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1951.
World War II
He served during World War II in the Pacific theater with the United States Navy Reserve, 1944–1946.
Political career
He served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1967 to 1968.[4] He served as Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Assistant Solicitor of Allegheny County, and general counsel to United Mine Workers of America, district five.
He was elected simultaneously as a Democrat to the 90th and to the 91st Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Elmer Holland.
He prioritized workers’ rights and preservation of the domestic steel industry while in Congress. He was a strong supporter of organized labor and was a leading proponent of strengthening labor laws to provide health and pension benefits, as well as job safety protections, for employees.[5]
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1992.
He died on February 7, 2015, aged 88.[6][7]
References
- ^ Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1967-1968" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ Fedor, Helen. "The Slovaks in America". loc.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
- ^ Cultural Contributions of Americans with Roots in Slovakia, svu2000.org; accessed March 2, 2015.
- ^ Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "G"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ Natasha Lindstrom (February 9, 2015). "Legislator's history turned focus to workers' rights". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- ^ Obituary-Joseph M. Gaydos, legacy.com; accessed March 1, 2015.
- ^ Natasha Lindstrom (February 9, 2015). "Legislator's history turned focus to workers' rights". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
Sources
- United States Congress. "Joseph M. Gaydos (id: G000105)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.; retrieved March 1, 2015
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Elmer Holland | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 20th congressional district 1968–1993 | Succeeded by Austin Murphy |