William V. Roth Jr.

William V. Roth Jr. was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Delaware from 1977 to 2003. Born into a prominent family, Roth Jr. was educated at Yale University and Oxford University, and began his career as a lawyer in Wilmington, Delaware. He served in the U.S. Army and later became involved in politics.

Early life and education

Roth Jr. was born on July 6, 1922, in Washington, D.C., to William V. Roth Sr. and Ethel St. Clair Roth. He attended Yale University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943, and later studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar from 1945 to 1947. Roth Jr. then attended Yale Law School, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1949.

Military and early career

During World War II, Roth Jr. served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, and later served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1966. After the war, he began practicing law in Wilmington, Delaware, and became involved in local politics. In 1954, Roth Jr. was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives, where he served for two years.

U.S. Senate career

In 1976, Roth Jr. was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate Thomas Carper's opponent, Caleb Boggs, in a tight contest. During his time in the Senate, Roth Jr. focused on issues related to taxation, trade, and national security. He served on several committees, including the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Roth Jr. was re-elected in 1982, 1988, and 1994, serving a total of six terms in the Senate.

Roth IRA and legislative legacy

One of Roth Jr.'s most notable legislative achievements was the creation of the Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which was enacted as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. This legislation allowed individuals to contribute after-tax dollars to a retirement account, which could then grow tax-free. Roth Jr. also sponsored the Roth Conversion IRA, which allowed individuals to convert traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs. His legislative legacy also includes the Delaware River Basin Compact, which was signed into law in 1980.

Post-Senate career and death

After retiring from the Senate in 2002, Roth Jr. joined the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he practiced international tax law. He also served on the board of directors of several companies, including DuPont and MBNA. William V. Roth Jr. passed away on December 13, 2003, at the age of 81, due to complications from heart disease. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Category:Delaware Republicans Category:United States Senators from Delaware Category:Yale University alumni Category:Oxford University alumni