Robert Tiernan

Robert Owens Tiernan (February 24, 1929 – October 15, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician from Rhode Island. He served in the Rhode Island State Senate and was a member of the United States House of Representatives.

For the Oregon politician, see Bob Tiernan.
Robert Tiernan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's 2nd district
In office
March 28, 1967 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byJohn E. Fogarty
Succeeded byEdward Beard
Member of the Rhode Island State Senate
In office
1960–1967
Personal details
Born(1929-02-24)February 24, 1929
Providence, Rhode Island
DiedOctober 15, 2014(2014-10-15) (aged 85)
Providence, Rhode Island
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Dorothy A. Tiernan
ChildrenMichael M. Tiernan
Robert O. Tiernan Jr.
Christopher P. Tiernan
ProfessionBusinessman
politician

Early life

Tiernan was born in Providence, Rhode Island and attended La Salle Academy. He earned his AB from Providence College in 1953 and his JD from Catholic University Law School in 1956.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1956 and began practicing law.

Political career

He began his political career as a Democratic member of the Rhode Island State Senate in 1960 and served until 1967.[2] In 1967, he was elected to the Ninetieth Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative John E. Fogarty.[3] He was reelected to the Ninety-first, Ninety-second and Ninety-third Congresses, serving from March 28, 1967 to January 3, 1975. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the Ninety-fourth Congress in 1974.[4]

From April 1975 to November 1981, he was a member of the Federal Election Commission. He served as chairman of the Commission in 1980,[5] and after leaving the Commission he resumed the practice of law in Providence.[6]

Family life

Tiernan and his wife Dorothy A. Tiernan have three sons: Michael M. Tiernan, Robert O. Tiernan Jr., and Christopher P. Tiernan. His wife Dorothy died in 2001.[7]

He was a resident of South Kingstown, Rhode Island until his death on October 15, 2014 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence, Rhode Island after a brief illness.[8]

References
  1. Capace, Nancy (2001). The Encyclopedia of Rhode Island. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 314.
  2. "Tiernan, Robert O." Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  3. "Rhode Island: Eroded Stronghold". Time. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  4. Capace, Nancy (2001). The Encyclopedia of Rhode Island. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 314.
  5. "Federal Election Commission" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  6. "Tiernan, Robert O." Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  7. "MCNALLY-L Archives". Ancestry.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  8. G. Wayne Miller (October 18, 2014). "Passages: Robert O. Tiernan, 85; was R.I. lawyer, state senator, congressman". Providence Journal. Retrieved October 19, 2014.

Further reading
  • "Ralph Nader Congress Project. Citizens Look at Congress: Robert O. Tiernan, Democratic Representative from Rhode Island. Washington, D.C." by Grossman Publishers, 1972.


U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
John E. Fogarty		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district
1967–1975		 Succeeded by
Edward Beard

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

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