Tom Foley

Tom Foley was an American politician who served as the 49th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Washington's 5th congressional district for thirty years, rising through the leadership ranks to become House Majority Whip and House Majority Leader. His tenure as Speaker, marked by a commitment to bipartisan governance, ended with his historic 1994 electoral defeat, the first for a sitting Speaker since 1862.

Early life and education

Thomas Stephen Foley was born in Spokane, Washington, to a prominent family with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. His father, Ralph E. Foley, was a distinguished judge on the Washington Supreme Court. Foley attended Gonzaga Preparatory School before enrolling at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned both his bachelor's degree in 1951 and his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 1957. His education was interrupted by service as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1951 to 1952. Before entering politics, he worked as a deputy prosecutor for Spokane County and served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington.

Early political career

Foley began his political career in 1960 as a counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Interior and Insular Affairs, working under Senator Henry M. Jackson. In 1964, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, defeating longtime Republican incumbent Walt Horan in the 5th district. He quickly gained a reputation as a thoughtful and effective legislator, with a focus on agricultural policy. Foley chaired the influential House Committee on Agriculture from 1975 to 1981, playing a key role in shaping the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. His legislative skill and collegial manner led to his election as House Majority Whip in 1981, a position he held until becoming House Majority Leader in 1987 following the ascension of Jim Wright to Speaker.

Speaker of the House

Foley was elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on June 6, 1989, after the resignation of Jim Wright amid an ethics investigation. His speakership was defined by a more consensual and institutional style, contrasting with the more confrontational politics of the era. He worked with Republican Presidents George H. W. Bush and later Bill Clinton, navigating significant legislation including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Foley's leadership was challenged by the rising Republican Revolution led by Newt Gingrich and by political attacks, including a lawsuit over his residency that reached the United States Supreme Court in the case U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton.

Post-congressional career

Following his unexpected defeat in the 1994 Republican landslide by political novice George Nethercutt, Foley retired from electoral politics. In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed him as the 25th United States Ambassador to Japan, a post he held until 2001. In this role, he worked to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and manage economic tensions. After returning from Tokyo, he served on corporate boards, taught at universities including Carnegie Mellon University, and remained an elder statesman within the Democratic Party, offering commentary on congressional affairs.

Personal life and death

Foley married Heather Foley (née Strachan) in 1968, who served as his chief of staff and was a prominent figure in Washington, D.C. political circles. The couple had no children. Known for his intellect, civility, and love of history, Foley was an avid reader and collector of books. He died on October 18, 2013, at his home in Washington, D.C., from complications of a stroke. His passing was marked by tributes from across the political spectrum, with many lamenting the decline of the bipartisan comity he championed. He is interred at St. Joseph's Cemetery in his hometown of Spokane, Washington.

Category:1929 births Category:2013 deaths Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives Category:United States ambassadors to Japan Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives