Andy Ireland

Andrew Poysell Ireland (born August 23, 1930) is a former U.S. Representative from Florida.

Andrew Poysell Ireland
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	James A. Haley
Succeeded by	Charles T. Canady (Redistricting)
Constituency	8th District (1977-1983) 10th District (1983-1993)
Personal details
Born	(1930-08-23) August 23, 1930 Cincinnati, Ohio
Political party	Democrat (until 1984) Republican (1984-present)
Alma mater	Yale University Columbia University Louisiana State University

Born to a wealthy family in Cincinnati, Ohio, he attended a prestigious private school within the city. He finished his high school career at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Ireland studied business at Yale University and did his graduate studies at Columbia University.

Ireland joined Barnett National Bank in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1954, and in 1962 he became the president, chairman and chief executive officer, of American National Bank of Winter Haven, Florida. From 1968 to 1970, Ireland served as a member of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ireland became involved in politics in 1966, when he successfully ran for the position of Winter Haven city commissioner. In 1981, he served as a delegate to the United Nations. Ireland was elected as a Democrat to the 95th United States Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses. However, on July 5, 1984, he switched party affiliation and continued in office as a Republican. Ireland was reelected as a Republican to the 99th United States Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses. He served in the House of Representatives from January 3, 1977, to January 3, 1993, before retiring.

See also

• List of American politicians who switched parties in office
• List of United States Representatives who switched parties

External links

• United States Congress. "Andy Ireland (id: I000029)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• The Washington Post Members of Congress / Andy Ireland

Government offices
Preceded by	Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Jacksonville Branch 1968 – 1970	Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by	Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly 1981 – 1981	Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by	Member of the Winter Haven, Florida City Commission 1966 – 1968	Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by James A. Haley	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 8th congressional district 1977–1983	Succeeded by Bill Young
Preceded by Louis A. Bafalis	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 10th congressional district 1983–1993	Succeeded by Bill Young