Leo O'Brien :
- Author:
- O'Brien, Leo W., 1900-1982.
- Call Number:
- MSS APAP-267 local
- Abstract:
- The Leo O'Brien Papers document his service in the U.S. Congress representing Albany, New York. The O'Brien Papers consist of subject files, the largest series, correspondence, and communications containing newspaper clippings and speeches. Researchers should note the many materials focusing on O'Brien's interest in Alaska and Hawaii statehood and governance of U.S. territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Please note that O'Brien's predecessor Representative William T. Byrne created the earliest materials in this collection from 1939 and the early 1940s. O'Brien retained select papers of Byrne's, filed them and later added his own materials on the same subjects to the files.
- Historical Note:
- Leo W. O'Brien was born in Buffalo, Erie County, New York on September 21, 1900. He graduated from Niagara University in Niagara, New York in 1922. He pursued a career in journalism and worked for The International News Service, The Albany Knickerbocker Press, the Albany Times-Union and other newspapers. He was a newsman and radio and television commentator in Albany for 30 years. A Democrat, O'Brien was elected in 1952 in a special election to fill Representative William T. Byrne's seat after Byrne's death. O'Brien was subsequently elected for a full term and then returned to Congress for the next six terms, retiring in 1966. O'Brien first represented the 32nd Congressional District, and, after redistricting, the 30th and later the 29th. O'Brien was a member of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and led the Statehood for Alaska and Hawaii movement. He sponsored legislation to create the Fire Island National Seashore and also supported plans to protect the Hudson River. O'Brien was later chair of the Albany County Planning Board and the Adirondack Study Commission. O'Brien died at 81 years of age on May 4, 1982 and was survived by his wife, son, and eight grandchildren.
- Physical Description:
- 6.25 cu ft.
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted with the exception of select files noted on the finding aid which contain individual constituent information of a sensitive nature.
- Notes:
- Part of the Archive of Public Affairs and Policy. local
- Subjects:
- Law United States Territories and possessions, Statehood (American politics), Law U.S. territories and possessions, Politics and government, and Statehood (American politics)
- Genres/Forms:
- Bills (legislative records) aat, Legislative records. aat, Clippings. aat, Correspondence. aat, Photographs. aat, and Files by subject. aat
- Names:
- O'Brien, Leo W., 1900-1982, Byrne, William Thomas, 1876-1952, and Byrne, William Thomas, 1876-1952
- Corporate Names:
- United States. Congress. House, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Subcommittee on Pacific Affairs, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Subcommittee on Territories and Insular Possessions, United States. Alaska International Rail and Highway Commission, United States. Alaska International Rail and Highway Commission, United States. Congress. House, and United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Subcommittee on Pacific Affairs
- Geographic Terms:
- New York (State) Politics and government and New York (State)
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