Thomas Martin Nolan (October 24, 1916 – April 7, 1989) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 34th district from 1969 to 1970 and the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 44th district from 1971 to 1978.[2][3]
Thomas Martin Nolan | |
|---|---|
| Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate | |
| In office January 7, 1975 – September 1, 1977[1] | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Lamb |
| Succeeded by | Henry Messinger |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 44th district | |
| In office January 5, 1971 – November 30, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Jack McGregor |
| Succeeded by | Frank Pecora |
| Constituency | Parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 34th district | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1970 | |
| Preceded by | District Created |
| Succeeded by | Richard Frankenburg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1916[2] Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | April 7, 1989 (aged 72) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | World War II[2] |
Early life
editNolan was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart and 3 battle stars.[4]
Career
editHe represented the 34th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1969 to 1970.[5] He was then elected to represent the 44th senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate in 1970.[6]
During a 1971 debate, Governor Milton Shapp's proposed a 5% state income tax. Nolan was one of two democratic holdouts in the Pennsylvania Senate. When the suggested rate was reduced to 3.5%, Nolan finally agreed to vote in favor of it.[7] It was alleged that Nolan's brother Edward, was offered a bribe in exchange for convincing his brother to vote in favor of the tax.[8] The matter was referred to the FBI, the Allegheny County District Attorney, and U.S. Attorney Richard Thornburgh, but no charges were ever filed.[7]
Thom Nolan served in the Senate until 1978.
He and three other defendants, including Vince Fumo and Pete Carmiel, were accused of placing "ghost workers" on state payroll.[9] The charges were later thrown out.
He died on April 7, 1989, in Braddock, Pennsylvania and is interred at Church Hill Cemetery in Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania.[4]
References
edit- ^ https://docs.google.com
- ^ a b c Kestenbaum, Lawrence (March 24, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Nolan". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
- ^ "Pennsylvania State Senate - Thomas Martin Nolan Biography". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Pennsylvania House of Representatives - THOMAS M. NOLAN Biography". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ Cox, Harold. "House Members "N"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ Cox, Harold. "Senate Members N". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ a b "Shapp Aide Named in Bribe Try". The Daily Collegian. University Park, Pennsylvania. March 6, 1971.
- ^ "Legislator's kin spurns bribe". The Daily Collegian. University Park. February 26, 1971.
- ^ "AROUND THE NATION; 3 Mail Fraud Convictions Upset in Pennsylvania". New York Times. August 5, 1981.