Matthew J. Ryan
Matthew J. Ryan | |
---|---|
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
In office January 6, 1981 – January 4, 1983 | |
Preceded by | Jack Seltzer |
Succeeded by | Leroy Irivs |
In office January 3, 1995 – March 29, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Bill Deweese |
Succeeded by | John Perzel |
Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
In office January 4, 1983 – November 30, 1994 | |
Preceded by | Samuel Hayes |
Succeeded by | John Perzel |
In office January 2, 1979 – November 30, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Jack Seltzer |
Succeeded by | Samuel Hayes |
Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
In office January 2, 1973 – November 30, 1978 | |
Preceded by | Robert Butera |
Succeeded by | Samuel Hayes |
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 168th district | |
In office January 7, 1969 – March 29, 2003 | |
Preceded by | District Created |
Succeeded by | Tom Killion |
Constituency | Part of Delaware County |
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Delaware County district | |
In office January 1, 1963 – November 30, 1968 | |
Personal details | |
Born |
April 27, 1932 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Died |
March 29, 2003 70)[1] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Patricia Jenkins |
Matthew J. Ryan was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for over 40 years and served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Ryan was a 1950 graduate of Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree from Villanova University in 1954 and a law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1959.[2] Ryan served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956.[3] The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania is named in his honor.[4]
Ryan was first elected to represent the 168th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1962.[2] He served in the House Republican Leadership as Policy Committee Chairman from 1971 to 1972.[2] He was the Republican Whip from 1973–1978, with 1973–1974 spent as the Majority Whip.[2] He was elected Republican Leader in 1979–1980, with those years in the majority.[2] He served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1981–1982.[2] In 1983, the Republicans became the minority and Ryan became the Republican Leader again.[2] In 1995, the Republicans regained the majority and elected Ryan Speaker of the House, a position he held until his death in 2003.[2][3]
In 2002, the political website PoliticsPA named him to the list of "Smartest Legislators," calling him "quick and sharp with his Irish wit from the Speaker's rostrum" and a "man of true wisdom."[5] In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, he was named the "Most Popular."[6]
In 1999, the Capitol Annex of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg was renamed the Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building.[3] The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania is named in his honor.[4]
External links
- Matthew J. Ryan (Republican) at the Wayback Machine (archived December 6, 2000)
References
- ↑ Cox, Harold (November 3, 2004). "Pennsylvania House of Representatives – 2003–2004" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Matthew J. Ryan (Republican)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2000-12-06.
- 1 2 3 Fuoco, Linda Wilson (2003-03-31). "Obituary: Matthew J. Ryan / Long-serving Pa. House speaker". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PG Publishing Co.
- 1 2 http://www.vet.upenn.edu/schoolresources/communications/publications/bellwether/58/dedication.html
- ↑ "Smartest Legislators". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2002. Archived from the original on 2002-01-15.
- ↑ "Keystone State Yearbook Committee". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2001. Archived from the original on 2002-08-03.