John J. Rooney (politician)

John James Rooney (November 29, 1903 – October 26, 1975) was an American lawyer and a Democratic politician from New York. From 1944 to 1974, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Quick Facts Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from New York, Preceded by ...

John J. Rooney
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office June 6, 1944 – December 31, 1974
Preceded by	Thomas H. Cullen
Succeeded by	Frederick W. Richmond
Constituency	4th district (1944–45) 12th district (1945–53) 14th district (1953–74)
Personal details
Born	John James Rooney (1903-11-29)November 29, 1903 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Died	October 26, 1975(1975-10-26) (aged 71) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Catherine Kramm ​ ​ (m. 1953; his death, 1975)​
Children	3
Education	Fordham University (JD)

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Rooney was born in Brooklyn in 1903. In 1925, he graduated with a J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law and practiced law following his admission to the bar the next year. He subsequently served as assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, from 1940 to 1944.

In 1944, Rooney was elected by special election to the 78th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy left after the death of Thomas H. Cullen. He was re-elected in each subsequent election until opting to retire after the 1974 midterm election. He resigned from his seat on December 31, 1974, a few days before his term was to expire.

He was once called a "frank torchbearer for the so-called Catholic lobby," for his support of American aid to Francisco Franco's regime in Spain.^[1]

Rooney died on October 26, 1975, in Washington, D.C.