Roman Hruska
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| Roman Lee Hruska | |
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Senator, Nebraska
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| In office November 1954–December 1976 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel W. Reynolds |
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| Succeeded by | Edward Zorinsky |
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| Born | August 16, 1905 David City, Nebraska |
| Died | April 25, 1999, aged 93 Omaha, Nebraska |
| Political party | Republican |
Roman Lee Hruska (August 16, 1904 - April 25, 1999) was an American politician from the state of Nebraska. A Republican, Hruska was known as one of the most vocal conservatives in the United States Senate during the 1960s and 1970s. He was often known as a particularly hard-working, old-fashioned, and traditional politician.
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[edit] Life and career
Hruska was born in David City, Nebraska. His ancestors were Czech immigrants, and he was proud of his Czech heritage.
Hruska's family moved to Omaha when he completed junior high school. He graduated from Tech High in North Omaha. He attended the University of Omaha and the University of Chicago and graduated from the Creighton University law school. He settled in Omaha, Nebraska and became a lawyer. He soon entered politics, becoming a member of the Douglas County, Nebraska board of commissioners. He served as a regular member from 1944 to 1945 and as chairman from 1945 to 1952. He was vice-president of the National Association of County Officials from 1951 to 1952, and served for a time as a member of the Nebraska Board of control and the board of regents of the University of Omaha.
Hruska was elected to the United States House of Representatives from the Omaha-dominated second district of Nebraska. He served only one term, as he ran for a United States Senate seat in 1954, which was vacated by the death of Hugh Butler. Hruska won, and was reelected in 1958, 1964 and 1970 and served in the Senate until his retirement in 1976. His opponent in 1958 and 1970 was Frank B. Morrison. Hruska did not run for reelection to a fourth full term.
Hruska became an influential member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. He voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Though Congress was controlled by Democrats for his entire time in the Senate, he was known as a skillful legislator, and was said to have influenced much of the federal criminal justice system's changes during his era. He was the ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee at the time of his retirement.
[edit] In Defense of Mediocrity
Hruska is best remembered in American political history for a 1970 speech he made to the Senate urging them to confirm the nomination of Harold Carswell to the Supreme Court. Responding to criticism that Carswell had been a mediocre judge, Hruska claimed that:
- "So what if he is mediocre? There are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they? We can't have all Brandeises, Cardozos, and Frankfurters and stuff like that there."
This speech was criticized by many, and Carswell was eventually defeated.
[edit] Retirement
Hruska moved back to Omaha in 1976, and lived there until his death. On April 10, 1999, he fell, broke his hip, and died from complications during treatment.
[edit] Personal life
Hruska was married to Victoria Kuncl Hruska. They had three children: Jana, Quenton and Roman, Jr.
[edit] Trivia
At the finale of the song "Dead Puppies," a novelty song often played on The Dr. Demento Show, Bill Frenzer of the group Ogden Edsl is heard to shout "one more time for Roman Hruska!"
| Preceded by Howard H. Buffett (R) |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district January 3, 1953 – November 8, 1954 |
Succeeded by Jackson B. Chase (R) |
| Preceded by Samuel W. Reynolds(R) |
Senator from Nebraska November 8, 1954 – December 27, 1976 |
Succeeded by Edward Zorinsky(D) |
