Robert P. Casey

Robert Patrick " Bob" Casey, Sr. ( born January 9, 1932 in Queens, New York, † 30 May 2000, Scranton, Pennsylvania) was an American politician who served in various positions for the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Above all, through his work as the 42nd Governor of the state from 1987 to 1995, he became known to a wider public.

Early years

Born in New York's Jackson Heights Bob Casey grew up in Scranton (Pennsylvania). In 1953 he was awarded the College of the Holy Cross with a BA title (Bachelor of Arts). After studying law at George Washington University in Washington, DC he was admitted to the bar in 1956. In the following years he practiced in Washington, before he returned to Scranton in the early 1960s.

Political rise

Casey was a member of the Democratic Party. Between 1963 and 1967 he was a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania. From 1967 to 1968 he was Vice President of a Commission proposal to revise the state constitution. In the years 1966, 1970 and 1978, he ran for his party's nomination for the office of governor. But he failed every time in the primaries. Between 1969 and 1977, Casey was head of the Audit Office ( the Auditor General ) of Pennsylvania. During this time he revealed some money waste and corruption and saved the state millions of dollars through better monitoring of government spending. Due to a constitutional clause Casey was allowed in 1977, no third related term aim in this office and therefore had to give it up. He then worked for several years as an attorney in a large law firm. In 1986 he applied again by his party's nomination for the office of governor and this time he was able to prevail. He managed after the victory at the actual gubernatorial elections.

Governor of Pennsylvania

Casey took up his new post on 20 January 1987. After a re-election in 1990, he could remain in office until 17 January 1995. During this time, an economic shift from heavy industry to the electronic industry and service providers was completed in Pennsylvania. The steel industry lost ground, while modern technologies made ​​their entry. Nevertheless, the state suffered in the early 1990s under a recession, which led to a rise in unemployment. As a result, originated in Pennsylvania, the largest budget deficit of the 20th century. The governor responded with job creation measures. For this purpose, the further expansion included the infrastructure, such as the highways. Also, the environment and especially water protection were the governor 's heart. Among other things, the largest national recycling program was established in Pennsylvania. In the health sector improvements and preliminary studies were introduced. An abortion law was later rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

Further CV

During his tenure as governor was found in Casey amyloidosis, a rare genetic disease that destroys the body's organs. In June 1993, he underwent a heart - liver transplant to fight the disease. For about six months he had to be represented by Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel. When Singel then ran for the governorship in 1994, Casey refused him any assistance, which was due to a disagreement between the two men in the abortion issue. Casey's behavior has contributed to the electoral defeat of singles. Casey had originally planned to apply to the American presidency in 1996. Due to his illness, but he had to abandon this plan. On 30 May 2000 he finally succumbed to his illness. Robert Casey was married to Ellen Harding, with whom he had eight children. His eldest son Robert was also politicians and sitting since 2007 for Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.