Francis J. Myers

Francis John Myers (December 18, 1901 – July 5, 1956) was an American teacher, lawyer, and Democratic Party politician. He represented most of West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia in the United States House of Representatives from 1939 to 1945 and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate for one term from 1945 to 1951. He was Senate Majority Whip from 1949 to 1951.

Early life and education Francis Myers was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Francis and Mary (née Donnelly) Myers, who were the children of Irish immigrants. His father was a post office employee in Philadelphia for forty years, holding the position of chief auditor upon his retirement. During college, he was a member of the baseball, football, and debating teams. In addition to his teaching duties, he studied law in the evenings at Temple University Law School. He was re-elected over Republican city solicitor Frank Truscott in 1940, winning by a margin of 61%-38%. In 1942, he won a third term after defeating Republican businessman William Sylk by a ten percentage point margin.

U.S. Senate In 1944, Myers was elected to the U.S. Senate after narrowly defeating Republican incumbent James Davis by 50%-49%. He was the first Catholic to serve as Senator from Pennsylvania. At the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Myers served as chairman of the platform committee; in that position, he helped draft a party platform that strongly supported civil rights. He was Senate Majority Whip from 1949 to 1951, serving under Majority Leader Scott Lucas.

Later life and death Following his Senate career, Myers resumed the practice of law. He also served as chairman of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and as a member of the General State Authority and the Greater Philadelphia Movement.