Posted: | January 3, 2021 04:30 PM |
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From: | Senator Jake Corman and Sen. Kim L. Ward |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Condolence Resolution for Former Governor Dick Thornburgh |
We plan to introduce a condolence resolution honoring the life and work of former Governor Richard (Dick) Thornburgh, who passed away on December 31, 2020 at the age of 88. He was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, on July 16, 1932, the son of Charles G. and Alice Sanborn Thornburgh. He attended Pittsburgh area schools then Yale University where he earned a degree in engineering in 1954. He completed a law degree with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957; spending years as a practicing attorney while active in Pittsburgh civic affairs. In 1969, the Nixon Administration appointed him as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and held that post until 1975 until when President Gerald Ford appointed him assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. He held that post until 1977 when he returned to private law practice. Thornburgh served as Pennsylvania Governor from 1979 to 1987. During this time, he achieved numerous accomplishments and improved our Commonwealth on varied issues. In March 1979, his defining moment came barely two months into office as he was confronted with the worst nuclear accident in American history and in later years, he was praised for handling the 10 day crisis. Following this tenure as Governor, he taught at Harvard University; served as U.S. attorney general under President Ronald Regan and President George H.W. Bush, until he was appointed undersecretary general of the United Nations, serving from 1992 to 1993. Thornburgh was married to Virginia (Ginny) Judson and has four sons: Peter, David, John and William. Please join us in co-sponsoring this condolence resolution to honor the life and work of this public servant and former colleague. |
Introduced as SR17