Ribicoff, << RIHB uh `kawf,` >> Abraham A. (1910-1998), a Connecticut Democrat, served in many high government posts. He served in the United States Senate from 1963 to 1981. Ribicoff was secretary of health, education, and welfare under President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and 1962. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1938 to 1942 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1949 to 1953. Ribicoff was governor of Connecticut from 1955 to 1961.
Ribicoff was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on April 9, 1910. He graduated with honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 1933. He practiced law and served as a police court judge before entering politics. As governor, he led a traffic safety program. As a senator, he called for legislation to require certain safety features on automobiles. Ribicoff died on Feb. 22, 1998.
