Thomas F. Lamb

For other people named Thomas Lamb, see Thomas Lamb (disambiguation).

Thomas F. Lamb
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 42nd district
In office
January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1974
Preceded byBernard B. McGinnis
Succeeded byEugene Scanlon
ConstituencyParts of Allegheny County
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Allegheny County district
In office
January 6, 1959 – November 30, 1966
Personal details
Born
Thomas Francis Lamb

(1922-10-22)October 22, 1922
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 2015(2015-05-07) (aged 92)
Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBarbara Joyce Lamb
RelationsMichael Lamb (son)
Conor Lamb (grandson)
Alma materDuquesne University (BA, LLB)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of serviceWorld War II[1]

Thomas Francis Lamb (October 22, 1922 – May 7, 2015) was an American politician and attorney who served as a member of both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[1]

Early life and education

Lamb was born on October 22, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of James Lamb and Agnes Dunne Lamb. Following his education at St. James Elementary and High School, Lamb earned a Bachelor of Arts from Duquesne University and a Bachelor of Laws from Duquesne University Law School.[2]

Career

During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Armed Forces. Lamb gained membership to the Allegheny County bar association and Pennsylvania Bar Association, allowing him to practice law during his career.

In 1958, Lamb was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served until 1966.[3][1] During his time as a state representative, Lamb was instrumental in making the University of Pittsburgh a state-related institution to save it from bankruptcy.[4][2]

Later, he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving from 1969 to 1974.[5] As the Democratic majority leader, Lamb led efforts concerning the environmental effects of mining, civil rights and entitlements, and the creation of the Port Authority Transit. In 1974, he did not run for re-election in order to have more time to spend with his family.[2]

Personal life

In 1957, he married Barbara Joyce, with whom he had four children, including Michael Lamb.[2] Lamb is the grandfather of Conor Lamb (b. 1984), an attorney, former federal prosecutor, Captain in the United States Marine Corps, and the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district.[6]

Lamb died in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on May 7, 2015. He was buried with a Catholic funeral.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kestenbaum, Lawrence (March 24, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Lamb". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Thomas F. Lamb Papers Finding Aid, 1968-1974, AIS.1975.09, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh.
  3. ^ Cox, Harold. "House Members "L"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  4. ^ Alberts, Robert C. (1986). Pitt: the story of the University of Pittsburgh, 1787-1987. Pittsburgh, Pa.: University of Pittsburgh Press. pp. 340–343.
  5. ^ Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "L"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  6. ^ Burns, Alexander; Martin, Jonathan (March 14, 2018). "Conor Lamb Wins Pennsylvania House Seat and Shows Democrats the Way Into Trump Country". The New York Times. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  7. ^ Thomas F. Lamb-obituary