US Congressman. He championed worker rights and educational opportunity during his 30 years on Capitol Hill. He was best known for his work to require large employers to give employees notice before a plant shutdown, as well as for his efforts on migrant labor safety, benefits for federal employees, and a wide array of education initiatives, including the middle-income student assistance act. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1958, through the Korean Conflict. Beginning his career as a lawyer and State Senator, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964 at the age of 37. His Scottish immigrant father had died in a factory fire, and he would go on to make work place safety one of his priorities in Washington. He also kept close allegiances with organized labor. Before voluntarily retiring in 1994, he had been chairman of two House panels, the Education and Labor Committee, and before that, the Post Office and Civil Service Committee. After leaving Congress, he briefly worked at a Washington law firm, moved to Florida and then returned to Ypsilanti. A few months ago, the former lawmaker accepted an award from an organization that promotes the direct student loan program, which was named after Ford in 1994.
US Congressman. He championed worker rights and educational opportunity during his 30 years on Capitol Hill. He was best known for his work to require large employers to give employees notice before a plant shutdown, as well as for his efforts on migrant labor safety, benefits for federal employees, and a wide array of education initiatives, including the middle-income student assistance act. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1958, through the Korean Conflict. Beginning his career as a lawyer and State Senator, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964 at the age of 37. His Scottish immigrant father had died in a factory fire, and he would go on to make work place safety one of his priorities in Washington. He also kept close allegiances with organized labor. Before voluntarily retiring in 1994, he had been chairman of two House panels, the Education and Labor Committee, and before that, the Post Office and Civil Service Committee. After leaving Congress, he briefly worked at a Washington law firm, moved to Florida and then returned to Ypsilanti. A few months ago, the former lawmaker accepted an award from an organization that promotes the direct student loan program, which was named after Ford in 1994.
Bio by: Always with Love
