US Congressman. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from St. Joseph University, and entered the real estate business. He served on the Philadelphia city council before being elected in 1944 as a Democrat to represent Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He served a single term from 1945 to 1947, and was defeated in his re-election attempt by Republican James A. Gallagher. In 1948 he ran again against Congressman Gallagher, defeating him and re-claiming the 1st Congressional District seat. He would go on to become a force in local and national Democratic Party politics, winning the next thirteen elections and serving in Congress for the next thirty-four years. He grew his popularity with his constituency by coming back to Philadelphia from Washington DC most nights while Congress was in session to meet the people he represented. During his Congressional career he served as a member of the House Committee on Banking and Currency, and as chairman of its subcommittee on housing and community development. One of the key pieces of legislation be helped guide through congress was President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Housing and Urban Development Act in 1968. He was running for re-election for a fourteenth term in 1976 when he died only 15 days before the Democratic Primary in Pennsylvania. Despite his death, he was chosen by 1st District voters for their Democratic candidate, a circumstance which allowed the Democratic Committee to hand pick former Philadelphia longshoreman Michael “Ozzie” Myers as their candidate. Congressman Barrett was 79 years old at the time of his passing.
US Congressman. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from St. Joseph University, and entered the real estate business. He served on the Philadelphia city council before being elected in 1944 as a Democrat to represent Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He served a single term from 1945 to 1947, and was defeated in his re-election attempt by Republican James A. Gallagher. In 1948 he ran again against Congressman Gallagher, defeating him and re-claiming the 1st Congressional District seat. He would go on to become a force in local and national Democratic Party politics, winning the next thirteen elections and serving in Congress for the next thirty-four years. He grew his popularity with his constituency by coming back to Philadelphia from Washington DC most nights while Congress was in session to meet the people he represented. During his Congressional career he served as a member of the House Committee on Banking and Currency, and as chairman of its subcommittee on housing and community development. One of the key pieces of legislation be helped guide through congress was President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Housing and Urban Development Act in 1968. He was running for re-election for a fourteenth term in 1976 when he died only 15 days before the Democratic Primary in Pennsylvania. Despite his death, he was chosen by 1st District voters for their Democratic candidate, a circumstance which allowed the Democratic Committee to hand pick former Philadelphia longshoreman Michael “Ozzie” Myers as their candidate. Congressman Barrett was 79 years old at the time of his passing.
Bio by: RPD2
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