- Teno Roncalio
Teno Roncalio (
March 23 ,1916 -March 30 ,2003 ) was a Democratic politician fromWyoming who served in theUnited States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 until 1978.Roncalio was born to an Italian immigrant family in
Rock Springs, Wyoming . DuringWorld War II , he served in theU.S. Army and was awarded aSilver Star for gallantry in theNormandy invasion .After the war, he earned a law degree at the
University of Wyoming and served as the prosecuting attorney forLaramie County from 1950 to 1956. In 1957, he was elected as chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Roncalio also was chosen as a delegate to theDemocratic National Convention in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.In 1964, he narrowly defeated Republican Rep. William Henry Harrison to win Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. Roncalio gave up the seat two years later to become the Democratic nominee for
United States Senate . He was edged out in that race by RepublicanClifford P. Hansen .In 1970, Wyoming's House seat became open again. Roncalio ran for his old job, winning by just 608 votes.
During his time in Congress, Roncalio pushed to increase Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties and advocated a balance between environmental concerns and development. He casually announced his plans to leave politics at a 1977 football game, paving the way for Republican
Dick Cheney to win his congressional seat.Roncalio returned to Wyoming, where he died of congestive heart failure in 2003. The post office in
Rock Springs, Wyoming , is named in his honor. As of 2008, he is the last Democrat to have served Wyoming in Congress.References
* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000421 Congressional Biography]
* [http://clerk.house.gov/members/electionInfo/elections.html United States House of Representatives. Office of the Clerk. Election Information]*Wire Reports. "Teno Roncalio, 87; Served Five Terms as Wyoming Congressman." Los Angeles Times. 04/27/2003. p B-18.
*T.R. Reid. "Republican Candidates Thrive in Rich, Uncluttered Wyoming." 08/29/1978. Washington Post. p A2.
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