Tom Foley | |
|---|---|
(b).jpg) | |
| 49th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office June 6, 1989 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Wright |
| Succeeded by | Newt Gingrich |
| 25th United States Ambassador to Japan | |
| In office November 19, 1997 – April 1, 2001 | |
| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Walter Mondale |
| Succeeded by | Howard Baker |
| Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board | |
| In office January 16, 1996 – November 19, 1997 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Warren Rudman (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Warren Rudman |
| Leader of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office June 6, 1989 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Wright |
| Succeeded by | Dick Gephardt |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – June 6, 1989 | |
| Speaker | Jim Wright |
| Preceded by | Jim Wright |
| Succeeded by | Dick Gephardt |
| House Majority Whip | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987 | |
| Leader | Tip O'Neill |
| Preceded by | John Brademas |
| Succeeded by | Tony Coelho |
| Chair of the House Agriculture Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | William Poage |
| Succeeded by | Kika de la Garza |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 5th district | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Walt Horan |
| Succeeded by | George Nethercutt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Stephen Foley March 6, 1929 Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2013 (aged 84) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Heather Strachan (m. 1968) |
| Education | Gonzaga University University of Washington (BA, JD) |
Thomas Stephen Foley (March 6, 1929 – October 18, 2013) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 49th speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, Foley represented Washington's fifth district for thirty years (1965–1995). He was the first Speaker of the House in over a century since Galusha Grow in 1862 to be defeated in a re-election campaign.[1][2]
Born in Spokane, Washington, Foley attended Gonzaga University and pursued a legal career, after graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle. He joined the staff of Senator Henry M. Jackson, after working as a prosecutor and an assistant attorney general. With Jackson's support, Foley won election to the House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Republican Congressman Walt Horan. He served as Majority Whip from 1981 to 1987, and as Majority Leader from 1987 to 1989. After the resignation of Jim Wright, Foley became Speaker of the House.
Foley's district had become increasingly conservative during his tenure, but he won re-election throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In the 1994 election, Foley faced attorney George Nethercutt. Nethercutt mobilized popular anger over Foley's opposition to term limits, which coincided with the Republican Revolution, leaving Foley as one of the highest-profile casualties.[3] After leaving the House, Foley served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.
- ^ Langer, Emily (October 18, 2013). "Thomas S. Foley, former House speaker, dies at 84". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ Post, The Washington Post | The Washington (October 18, 2013). "Thomas Foley, reluctant but powerful leader, dies at 84". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Thomas Foley, reluctant but powerful leader, dies at 84". Washington Post. October 18, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2023.