J. Irving Whalley
John Irving Whalley (September 14, 1902 –March 8, 1980) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
Early life and business activities
J. Irving Whalley was born in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania. A go-getter from the start, Whalley took his first job at age 10 in a Windber, Pennsylvania grocery store. By age 14 he was working at the local Ford garage. Twelve years later he owned the dealership, after having worked as a mechanic, salesman, bookkeeper, delivery man and driving instructor. Whalley purchased a second dealership three years later, and would open or acquire 11 more before World War II. He eventually established a chain of 13 automobile dealerships in central and western Pennsylvania.
Public service
An interest in community service prompted Whalley to run for elective office, where he campaigned on issues related to the automotive industry. He fought against taxes that were considered unfair to new car buyers. Whalley also secured support for improvements to the Pennsylvania turnpike and campaigned for better highways everywhere.
He was a member of advisory board of Johnstown College branch of the University of Pittsburgh. He was chairman of the Somerset County Redevelopment Authority and the Windber Planning Commission. He served as a member of the Windber School Board from 1935 to 1947. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1951 to 1955 and served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1955 to 1960. He was appointed by President Nixon to serve as delegate to United Nations for the 1969 session.
House of Representatives
He elected as a Republican to the Eighty-sixth and to the Eighty-seventh Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Douglas H. Elliott, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses. He was instrumental in the development of legislation for better highways. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1972.
He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1981.
Not surprisingly, Whalley's personal motto was: "If you want it, go after it."
Sources
- United States Congress. "J. Irving Whalley (id: W000320)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard