Foley, Thomas Stephen (1929-2013), a Democrat from the state of Washington, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1995. Foley was speaker of the House from 1989 to 1995. Before becoming speaker, Foley was majority leader of the House. He had held that post since 1987. Foley served as majority whip (assistant leader) of the House from 1981 to 1987. He was U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001.
Foley was born in Spokane, Washington, on May 6, 1929. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1951 and the University of Washington Law School in 1957. He soon became deputy prosecutor in the Spokane County attorney’s office and, later, the assistant state attorney general for Spokane.
Foley first won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. He served as chairman of the House’s Agriculture Committee from 1975 to 1981 and as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 1976 to 1981. In the mid-1980’s, Foley helped form the positions of the House Democrats on a number of issues, including arms control, the budget, and military aid to rebels in Nicaragua. Foley died on Oct. 18, 2013.
