James J. Lanzetta
Encyclopedia
James Joseph Lanzetta was a member of the United States House of Representatives
from New York
.
Born in New York City
, he attended the public schools there, then graduating from the Columbia University School of Engineering
in 1917. He then graduated from Fordham University School of Law
in 1924.
Lanzetta served in the United States Army
during World War I
as a private in Company C., Three Hundred and Second Engineers, and as a sergeant first class in the First Air Service Mechanics Regiment, serving overseas from February 1918 to July 1919.
He worked as an engineer and salesman in New York City from 1919 to 1922. An assistant supervisor in the Department of Markets from 1922 to 1925, he was admitted to the bar in 1925 and commenced the practice of law in New York City. He was a member of the New York City Board of Aldermen from January 1932 to March 1933.
Lanzetta was elected as a Democrat
to the 73rd Congress
. He defeated Congressman and soon-to-be Mayor
Fiorello H. La Guardia. He represented the 20th district
(then East Harlem
) and served from March 4, 1933 to January 3, 1935. In 1934, in a close race with Vito Marcantonio
, he lost his bid for re-election to the 74th Congress
. In 1936, he did win a seat in the 75th Congress
(causing Marcantonio to suffer his first defeat in a long Congressional career), serving from January 3, 1937 to January 3, 1939. He ran again in 1938 and 1940, losing to Marcantonio both times.
After his 1938 defeat for re-election, he was appointed legislative representative of Puerto Rico
in Washington, D.C.
Although he had never visited the island, he proved popular with the its political leaders of all parties and with the Puerto Rican residents of his neighborhood. He also resumed the practice of law. On July 2, 1947, Mayor William O'Dwyer
appointed him city magistrate of New York City to fill a vacancy; later that month he was appointed to a full ten-year term. As the result of a one-day shortage of magistrates in March 1948, Lanzetta attracted notice by presiding in five courts in five hours and disposing of 500 cases, 400 of which were in Downtown Traffic Court. He served as city magistrate until May 26, 1948, when Mayor Wagner
appointed him to a ten-year term as a justice of the Domestic Relations Court of New York City. He served in this capacity until his death in New York City on the night of October 27, 1956 while visiting at the Greystone Hotel on Broadway
. He was survived by his widow, Ethel, three brothers, Patsy, Dr. Louis, and John, and two sisters, Angelina and Regina. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery
, The Bronx
, New York.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he attended the public schools there, then graduating from the Columbia University School of Engineering
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is a school of Columbia University which awards Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Financial Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Engineering degrees in engineering, applied physics and applied...
in 1917. He then graduated from Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law is a part of Fordham University in the United States. The School is located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, and is one of eight ABA-approved law schools in that city.-Overview:According to the U.S. News & World Report, 1,516 J.D. students attend...
in 1924.
Lanzetta served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as a private in Company C., Three Hundred and Second Engineers, and as a sergeant first class in the First Air Service Mechanics Regiment, serving overseas from February 1918 to July 1919.
He worked as an engineer and salesman in New York City from 1919 to 1922. An assistant supervisor in the Department of Markets from 1922 to 1925, he was admitted to the bar in 1925 and commenced the practice of law in New York City. He was a member of the New York City Board of Aldermen from January 1932 to March 1933.
Lanzetta was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the 73rd Congress
73rd United States Congress
The Seventy-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1933 to January 3, 1935, during the first two years...
. He defeated Congressman and soon-to-be Mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Fiorello H. La Guardia. He represented the 20th district
New York's 20th congressional district
The 20th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in eastern New York. It includes all or parts of Columbia, Dutchess, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. It includes the...
(then East Harlem
Spanish Harlem
East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem and El Barrio, is a section of Harlem in the northeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. East Harlem is one of the largest predominantly Latino communities in New York City. It includes the area formerly known as Italian Harlem, in which...
) and served from March 4, 1933 to January 3, 1935. In 1934, in a close race with Vito Marcantonio
Vito Marcantonio
Vito Anthony Marcantonio was an American lawyer and democratic socialist politician. Originally a member of the Republican Party and a supporter of Fiorello LaGuardia, he switched to the American Labor Party.-Early life:...
, he lost his bid for re-election to the 74th Congress
74th United States Congress
-House:Also 2 Delegates, 3 Resident Commissioners-Senate:*President of the Senate: John N. Garner *President pro tempore: Key Pittman -Majority leadership:*Majority leader: Joseph T. Robinson...
. In 1936, he did win a seat in the 75th Congress
75th United States Congress
The Seventy-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1937 to January 3, 1939, during the first two years...
(causing Marcantonio to suffer his first defeat in a long Congressional career), serving from January 3, 1937 to January 3, 1939. He ran again in 1938 and 1940, losing to Marcantonio both times.
After his 1938 defeat for re-election, he was appointed legislative representative of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Although he had never visited the island, he proved popular with the its political leaders of all parties and with the Puerto Rican residents of his neighborhood. He also resumed the practice of law. On July 2, 1947, Mayor William O'Dwyer
William O'Dwyer
William O'Dwyer was the 100th Mayor of New York City, holding that office from 1946 to 1950.-Biography:O'Dwyer was born in County Mayo, Ireland and migrated to the United States in 1910, after abandoning studies for the priesthood...
appointed him city magistrate of New York City to fill a vacancy; later that month he was appointed to a full ten-year term. As the result of a one-day shortage of magistrates in March 1948, Lanzetta attracted notice by presiding in five courts in five hours and disposing of 500 cases, 400 of which were in Downtown Traffic Court. He served as city magistrate until May 26, 1948, when Mayor Wagner
Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
Robert Ferdinand Wagner II, usually known as Robert F. Wagner, Jr. served three terms as the mayor of New York City, from 1954 through 1965.-Biography:...
appointed him to a ten-year term as a justice of the Domestic Relations Court of New York City. He served in this capacity until his death in New York City on the night of October 27, 1956 while visiting at the Greystone Hotel on Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
. He was survived by his widow, Ethel, three brothers, Patsy, Dr. Louis, and John, and two sisters, Angelina and Regina. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery
Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City and is a designated National Historic Landmark.A rural cemetery located in the Bronx, it opened in 1863, in what was then southern Westchester County, in an area that was annexed to New York City in 1874.The cemetery covers more...
, The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York.