Matthew J. Ryan

For other people named Matthew Ryan, see Matthew Ryan (disambiguation).

Matthew J. Ryan
81st Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 6, 1981 – January 4, 1983
Preceded by	Jack Seltzer
Succeeded by	K. Leroy Irvis
In office January 3, 1995 – March 29, 2003
Preceded by	Bill Deweese
Succeeded by	John Perzel
Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 4, 1983 – November 30, 1994
Preceded by	Samuel Hayes
Succeeded by	John Perzel
In office January 2, 1979 – November 30, 1980
Preceded by	Jack Seltzer
Succeeded by	Samuel Hayes
Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 2, 1973 – November 30, 1978
Preceded by	Robert Butera
Succeeded by	Samuel Hayes
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 168th district
In office January 7, 1969 – March 29, 2003
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	Tom Killion
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Delaware County district
In office January 1, 1963 – November 30, 1968
Personal details
Born	April 27, 1932 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	March 29, 2003(2003-03-29) (aged 70) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Patricia Jenkins
Signature

Matthew J. Ryan (April 27, 1932 – March 29, 2003) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Delaware County from 1963 to 1968 and from the 168th district from 1969 to 2003 including as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1995 to 2003.

Early life and education

Ryan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a 1950 graduate of Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree from Villanova University in 1954 and a law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1959. Ryan served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956.

Career

Ryan was first elected to represent the 168th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1962. He served in the House Republican Leadership as Policy Committee Chairman from 1971 to 1972. He was the Republican Whip from 1973 to 1978, with 1973–1974 spent as the Majority Whip. He was elected Republican Leader in 1979–1980, with those years in the majority. He served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1981 to 1982. In 1983, the Republicans became the minority and Ryan became the Republican Leader again. In 1995, the Republicans regained the majority and elected Ryan Speaker of the House, a position he held until his death in 2003.

In 2002, the political website PoliticsPA named him to the list of "Smartest Legislators," calling him "quick and sharp with his Irish wit from the Speaker's rostrum" and a "man of true wisdom." In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, he was named the "Most Popular."

Legacy

The "Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Building" on the state capitol grounds

The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania is named in his honor.

In 1999, the Capitol Annex of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg was renamed the Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building.

Ryan is interred at the Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

See also

• List of Pennsylvania state legislatures

External links

• Matthew J. Ryan (Republican) at the Wayback Machine (archived December 6, 2000)