Frank J. Becker

Frank J. Becker was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Representative from New York. A member of the Republican Party, he represented the state's 5th congressional district for six terms, from 1953 until his resignation in 1964. His tenure in Congress was marked by staunch conservatism and advocacy for a constitutional amendment concerning prayer in public schools.

Early life and education

Frank John Becker was born on July 27, 1899, in New York City. He attended local public schools before enrolling at Fordham University in The Bronx. His studies at Fordham were interrupted by the American entry into World War I, prompting him to leave university and enlist for military service. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, he returned to his education, ultimately earning his Bachelor of Laws degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Military service

In 1917, Becker enlisted in the United States Army as a private. He was assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces and served overseas in France during World War I. His service was part of the broader AEF efforts on the Western Front under General John J. Pershing. After the conclusion of hostilities, he was honorably discharged in 1919 and returned to New York.

Political career

After establishing a legal practice in Lynbrook, New York, Becker entered politics. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1949 to 1952, representing Nassau County. In the 1952 election, he successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives, defeating Democratic incumbent T. Vincent Quinn to represent New York's 5th congressional district. He was subsequently re-elected five times, serving from the 83rd United States Congress through the 88th United States Congress.

In Congress, Becker was a consistent conservative voice, aligning with the Taft–Hartley Act and opposing much of the domestic agenda of the Kennedy Administration. He gained national prominence as the lead sponsor of the "Becker Amendment," a proposed constitutional amendment designed to permit prayer in public schools following the Supreme Court decisions in Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington School District v. Schempp (1963). Despite significant support from groups like the John Birch Society, the amendment failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority in the House Judiciary Committee in 1964.

Later life and death

Frustrated by the stalled progress of his school prayer amendment and facing a potentially difficult re-election campaign in a redrawn district, Becker resigned from Congress on December 31, 1964. He returned to his law practice in Lynbrook, New York and remained active in local Republican affairs and community organizations. Frank J. Becker died on September 4, 1981, in Lynbrook and was interred at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, New York.

Legacy and honors

Becker is primarily remembered for his vigorous, though ultimately unsuccessful, crusade to amend the United States Constitution to allow organized prayer in public schools, a defining issue of the cultural conservatism of the early 1960s. His "Becker Amendment" represented a significant legislative response to the Warren Court's rulings on First Amendment issues. In his district, he was known for constituent service and support for veterans' affairs. His papers are held in the archives of Fordham University.

Category:1899 births Category:1981 deaths Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state) Category:New York (state) Republicans Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state) Category:New York (state) lawyers Category:People from Lynbrook, New York Category:Fordham University alumni Category:United States Army personnel of World War I