Name James Molloy | ||
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Died July 19, 2011, Rochester, New York, United States | ||
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James Thomas Molloy (June 3, 1936 – July 19, 2011) was elected Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives during the 94th Congress in 1974 and served through the 103rd Congress. As Doorkeeper, he introduced six Presidents, several heads of state and other dignitaries in joint sessions and other congressional events. Molloy was the last Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives.
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Early life
James T. Molloy was born in South Buffalo, Buffalo, New York in 1936 to Matthew Molloy and Catherine Hayden Molloy. Educated in Buffalo, New York in Catholic schools, he worked in the grain elevators of Buffalo's waterfront and fought fires as a member of the city fire department. He worked his own way through Canisius College, becoming a member of the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Longshoremen, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Career
Molloy worked as a schoolteacher in the New York cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, and at the age of 27, became the youngest Democrat to serve as Party Zone Chairman in the State of New York. He went to Washington, D.C. in 1968 at the invitation of New York Congressman John Rooney to work in the House Finance Office. During his years of work in that office, he oversaw the growth of legislative appropriations for the House from $75 million to $126 million. He was elected Doorkeeper of the House in 1974, and remained at that post through the 103rd Congress, serving as a primary aide to Speakers Carl Albert, Tip O'Neill, Jim Wright, and Tom Foley. He was the last of 30 people to hold the position of Doorkeeper from its establishment in 1789 to its elimination in 1994. In this capacity, he introduced Presidents and heads of state to Congress, and coordinated 71 joint sessions and many other events within the House chamber.
Legacy
Molloy continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Wright Patman Congressional Credit Union, a position he held for 30 years. Molloy is the recipient of numerous honors for his life's work in public service. He has received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the New York State AFL-CIO, the President's Award from the New York State Federation of Police, and the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws from his alma mater, Canisius College, as well as the Sid Yudain Congressional Staffer of the Year Award from Roll Call.
Death
Molloy died of complications of diabetes on July 19, 2011, aged 75.