Thomas Joseph Downey

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Thomas Joseph Downey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 2nd district
In office 1975 - 1993
Preceded by	James R. Grover, Jr.
Succeeded by	Rick Lazio
Born	January 28, 1949 Ozone Park, Queens, New York City
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Attorney, Lobbyist

Thomas Joseph Downey (born January 28, 1949 in Ozone Park, Queens, New York City) was a US Representative from New York

Downey graduated from West Islip High School, West Islip, New York, 1966, and went on to earn a B.S. from Cornell University, 1970. He attended St. John's University Law School, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1972-1974, and earned a J.D. from American University, 1980. He served as Suffolk County, New York legislator, 1972-1974 and delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1972. Later in 1972, he was elected as Democrat to the Ninety-fourth United States Congress; at 25, he was the youngest member of that Congress. He was reelected to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1975-January 3, 1993) and unsuccessfully ran for reelection to the One Hundred Third United States Congress in 1992. He is a resident of West Islip, N.Y.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Downey weighed in on arms control issues, serving as an adviser to the negotiation teams for the SALT and START talks. As a member of the Budget and Ways and Means Committees, he championed welfare reform and child care legislation. ^[1]

Downey made headlines in March 1985 for a confrontation with Representative Bob Dornan (R-CA) on the House floor. Downey asked Dornan about comments he had made calling Downey "a draft-dodging wimp". According to Downey, Dornan grabbed him by the collar and tie, said "It's good you're being protected by the sergeant-at-arms. If I saw you outside, it would be a different story," and threatened him "with some form of bodily harm". Dornan claimed he was merely straightening Downey's tie and refused to apologize for the incident or the derogatory comment. A Dornan aide said "It will be a cold day in hell before he gets an apology from Bob Dornan."^[2]

A close confidante of Al Gore since their days in the House of Representatives together, Downey played Jack Kemp in Gore's 1996 Vice Presidential debate rehearsals. He was set to play George W. Bush in Gore's rehearsals for the 2000 Presidential debates; however, after mysteriously receiving a package containing Bush's preparatory materials, he stepped aside to avoid the appearance of an improper advantage for his friend and candidate.

Downey is currently a lobbyist and chair of Downey McGrath Group, Inc., a lobbying firm he founded in 1993. The president is Ray McGrath, also a former US Representative from New York. Downey represented Dubai Ports World and lobbied Congress to approve the controversial ports deal. Downey argues that "they would have made this country more secure" because "DP World is one of the few companies that could have worked with us to truly improve security, both at home and abroad."^[3]

Mr. Downey is engaged to marry Carol Browner, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency. A June 2007 wedding is planned to take place on Fire Island, New York. This will Mr. Downey's second marriage and Browner's third.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.dmggroup.com/staff/thomas_downey.htm
2. ^ "Dornan Won't Apologize for Wimp Remark", Los Angeles Times, Mar 5, 1985. pg. 2.
3. ^ Downey, Thomas, "Ports would have been more secure - Editorial", March 19, 2006. accessed April 17, 2006

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

[edit] External link

• Downey McGrath bio

Preceded by James R. Grover, Jr. (R)

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 2nd congressional district 1975–1993

Succeeded by Rick Lazio (R)