James Michael Hanley (July 19, 1920 – October 16, 2003) was an American businessman, World War II veteran, and politician who represented New York in the House of Representatives for eight terms from 1965 to 1981.
Biography James M. Hanley was born in Syracuse, New York, on July 19, 1920. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Lucy's Academy in 1938. He was a funeral director, and the owner and operator of the Callahan-Hanley-Mooney Funeral Home.Williams Press, The New York Red Book, 1977, page 1070
Hanley was a civic, religious, and fraternal activist, and among his activities and memberships were: the Syracuse-area chamber of commerce; American Legion; Knights of Columbus (grand knight); Elks; Syracuse-area Liederkranz; Hibernians; Boys Town; Army and Navy Union; Onondaga County Arc; Antique Automobile Club of America; Society of the Holy Name; Order of Alhambra; West End Social Club; St. Mary's Men's Club; honorary member of the Syracuse Police Benevolence Association; and the advisory board of Maria Regina College. In 1967, he received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Le Moyne College.
World War II Hanley enlisted for World War II and served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946.U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, entry for James M. Hanley, retrieved December 16, 2013
Tenure in Congress In 1964 he was a successful Democratic candidate for a Syracuse-based congressional district, the first Democrat to hold this seat since 1915. He served eight terms, 1965 to 1981, and was Chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service in his final term. During his Congressional career, Hanley was known as a liberal, and supported the Great Society program of Lyndon B. Johnson, expansion of Medicare and Head Start, and the Equal Rights Amendment."James Hanley, 83; Congressman Was Liberal Democrat", Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2003
Later career and death
Hanley did not run for reelection in 1980; since then, no other Democrat has represented Syracuse in Congress for two consecutive terms. He worked as a government relations consultant in the Washington, D.C. area until 1990, afterwards retiring to upstate New York.Terrance Kivalan (February 13, 1981), Newhouse News Service, "Hanley Joins Law Firm", Syracuse Herald-Journal
He died in Geddes, New York, on October 16, 2003, and was buried at the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.Eric Pace (October 27, 2003), James M. Hanley, 83, Dies; Served 8 Terms in Congress, The New York TimesU.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2013, entry for James M. Hanley, retrieved December 16, 2013U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006, entry for James M. Hanley, retrieved December 16, 2013
Legacy The federal building in Syracuse is named for him.James T. Walsh, United States House of Representatives, Tribute to Former Congressman James M. Hanley, February 10, 2004
References
External links
James M. Hanley at Political Graveyard