For the Connecticut gubernatorial candidate, see Thomas C. Foley. For other uses, see Thomas Foley (disambiguation).
Tom Foley
49th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office June 6, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by
Jim Wright
Succeeded by
Newt Gingrich
25th United States Ambassador to Japan
In office November 19, 1997 – April 1, 2001
President
Bill Clinton George W. Bush
Preceded by
Walter Mondale
Succeeded by
Howard Baker
Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board
In office January 16, 1996 – November 19, 1997
President
Bill Clinton
Preceded by
Warren Rudman (acting)
Succeeded by
Warren Rudman
Leader of the House Democratic Caucus
In office June 6, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by
Jim Wright
Succeeded by
Dick Gephardt
House Majority Leader
In office January 3, 1987 – June 6, 1989
Speaker
Jim Wright
Preceded by
Jim Wright
Succeeded by
Dick Gephardt
House Majority Whip
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987
Leader
Tip O'Neill
Preceded by
John Brademas
Succeeded by
Tony Coelho
Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by
William Poage
Succeeded by
Kika de la Garza
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 5th district
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by
Walt Horan
Succeeded by
George Nethercutt
Personal details
Born
Thomas Stephen Foley
(1929-03-06)March 6, 1929 Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Died
October 18, 2013(2013-10-18) (aged 84) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party
Democratic
Spouse
Heather Strachan
(m. 1968)
Education
Gonzaga University University of Washington (BA, JD)
Tom Foley's voice
Foley on the death of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Recorded May 23, 1994
Thomas Stephen Foley (March 6, 1929 – October 18, 2013) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 49th speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, Foley represented Washington's fifth district for thirty years (1965–1995). He was the first Speaker of the House in over a century since Galusha Grow in 1862 to be defeated in a re-election campaign.[1][2]
Born in Spokane, Washington, Foley attended Gonzaga University and pursued a legal career, after graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle. He joined the staff of Senator Henry M. Jackson, after working as a prosecutor and an assistant attorney general. With Jackson's support, Foley won election to the House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Republican Congressman Walt Horan. He served as Majority Whip from 1981 to 1987, and as Majority Leader from 1987 to 1989. After the resignation of Jim Wright, Foley became Speaker of the House.
Foley's district had become increasingly conservative during his tenure, but he won re-election throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. In the 1994 election, Foley faced attorney George Nethercutt. Nethercutt mobilized popular anger over Foley's opposition to term limits, which coincided with the Republican Revolution, leaving Foley as one of the highest-profile casualties.[3] After leaving the House, Foley served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.
^Langer, Emily (October 18, 2013). "Thomas S. Foley, former House speaker, dies at 84". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
^Post, The Washington Post | The Washington (October 18, 2013). "Thomas Foley, reluctant but powerful leader, dies at 84". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
^"Thomas Foley, reluctant but powerful leader, dies at 84". Washington Post. October 18, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
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