Barbara B. Kennelly
| Barbara Kennelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vice Chairperson of the House Democratic Conference | |
|
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Leader | Dick Gephardt |
| Preceded by | Vic Fazio |
| Succeeded by | Bob Menendez |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 1st district | |
|
In office January 12, 1982 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Cotter |
| Succeeded by | John Larson |
| 67th Secretary of the State of Connecticut | |
|
In office January 5, 1979 – January 12, 1982 | |
| Governor |
Ella Grasso William O'Neill |
| Preceded by | Henry Cohn |
| Succeeded by | Maura Melley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 10, 1936 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | James Kennelly |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater |
Trinity Washington University Harvard University Trinity College, Connecticut |
Barbara Bailey Kennelly (born July 10, 1936) is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut.
Family and Education
Kennelly was born Barbara Ann Bailey in Hartford, Connecticut on July 10, 1936.[1] Her father was long-time Democratic Party leader John M. Bailey.
Kennelly studied at St. Joseph Cathedral School and graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford in 1954. She earned a B.A. from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. (now Trinity Washington University) in 1958 and a certificate from the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration in 1959.[2] In 1971, she earned a master's degree from Trinity College in Connecticut.[1]
Kennelly was married to the late James J. Kennelly, an attorney who served as Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979.[3] She has three daughters, one son, and twelve grandchildren.
Career
In 1975, Kennelly was elected to the Hartford Court of Common Council, a position she held until 1979. She served as the Secretary of the State of Connecticut from 1979 until 1982.[1]
Kennelly was elected to Congress in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William R. Cotter. She represented Connecticut's First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives for eight terms, from January 12, 1982 until January 3, 1999. During the 98th Congress, Kennelly was appointed to the Ways and Means Committee. She served on the Subcommittees on Human Resources and Select Revenue Measures. Beginning in 1987, she served on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. During the 103rd Congress, Kennelly became Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus.[1][4]
She did not seek re-election in 1998, running instead for Governor of Connecticut against Republican incumbent John G. Rowland, to whom she lost.[1]
In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed her Associate Commissioner and Counselor to the Commissioner at the Social Security Administration. She later worked at the law firm Baker & Hostetler.[4] From 2002 to 2011, she served as President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.[5] In 2006, Nancy Pelosi appointed her to the Social Security Advisory Board.[4] In 2011, Kennelly accepted a position at her alma mater, Trinity Washington University, as a distinguished professor of political science.[6]
As of 2015, Kennelly is a member of the board of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, a non-profit that provides assistance with elections in many countries.[7] She is the president of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress.[4]
The Barbara B. Kennelly Post Office Building in Hartford is named in her honor.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Kennelley, Barbara Bailey, (1936– )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ Lender, Jon; Keating, Christopher; Daly, Matthew (September 23, 1997). "Joining Governor's Race, Kennelly Changes The Political Map". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "James Kennelly, 64, Hartford Legislator". The New York Times. October 12, 1995. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Barbara Kennelly, FMC President". United States Association of Former Members of Congress. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "OVERNIGHT MONEY: Sharing the stage". The Hill. April 4, 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "The Honorable Barbara Bailey Kennelly '58, Former Member of Congress, Joins Trinity Faculty". Trinity. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "Board". International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
External links
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Barbara Kennelly in Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame
- Barbara Kennelly Papers Archives & Special Collections, Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Cohn |
Secretary of the State of Connecticut 1979–1982 |
Succeeded by Maura Melley |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Bill Cotter |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 1st congressional district 1982–1999 |
Succeeded by John Larson |
| Preceded by Vic Fazio |
Vice Chairperson of the House Democratic Conference 1995–1999 |
Succeeded by Bob Menendez |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Bill Curry |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut 1998 |
Succeeded by Bill Curry |