Teno Roncalio
Encyclopedia
Teno Roncalio was a Democratic politician from Wyoming
who served in the United States House of Representatives
from 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 until 1978.
. His father Frank Roncalio was a coal miner who made extra money as a junk salesman and his mother, Ernesta, was a homemaker. During World War II
, he served in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Silver Star
for gallantry in the Normandy invasion.
In 1947, Roncalio graduated from the University of Wyoming
. He served as the prosecuting attorney for Laramie County from 1950 to 1956. In 1957, he was elected as chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Roncalio also was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. As Chairman of the Wyoming delegation to the 1960 Convention, he cast the votes that decided the nomination of John F. Kennedy
for President
.
to win Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. Roncalio gave up the seat two years later to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
. He was edged out in that race by Republican Governor Clifford P. Hansen.
, and again in 1976.
During his time in Congress, Roncalio pushed to increase Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties and advocated a balance between environmental concerns and development. He casually announced his plans to leave politics at a 1977 football game, and he did not run for re-election in 1978. He resigned from Congress in December 1978. Republican Dick Cheney
assumed the office the next month.
Roncalio died of congestive heart failure in 2003; he is interred in Cheyenne
. The post office in Rock Springs, Wyoming
, is named in his honor. As of 2010, he was the last Democrat to have served Wyoming in Congress.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
who served in the United States House of Representatives
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 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 until 1978.
Early life and education
Roncalio was born to an Italian immigrant family in Rock Springs, WyomingRock Springs, Wyoming
Rock Springs is a city in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 18,708 at the 2000 census. Rock Springs is the principal city of the Rock Springs micropolitan statistical area, which has a population of 37,975....
. His father Frank Roncalio was a coal miner who made extra money as a junk salesman and his mother, Ernesta, was a homemaker. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for gallantry in the Normandy invasion.
In 1947, Roncalio graduated from the University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
. He served as the prosecuting attorney for Laramie County from 1950 to 1956. In 1957, he was elected as chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Roncalio also was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. As Chairman of the Wyoming delegation to the 1960 Convention, he cast the votes that decided the nomination of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
for President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
.
First term in Congress
In 1964, he narrowly defeated Republican Rep. William Henry HarrisonWilliam H. Harrison (Wyoming Congressman)
William Henry Harrison was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. representative from Wyoming.-Political career:...
to win Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. Roncalio gave up the seat two years later to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. He was edged out in that race by Republican Governor Clifford P. Hansen.
Return to Congress
In 1970, Wyoming's House seat became open again. Roncalio ran for his old job, winning by just 608 votes. He was reelected narrowly in 1972 and by wider margins in 1974, when he defeated Thomas F. StroockThomas F. Stroock
Thomas F. Strook was an American ambassador, politician, and businessman.Born in New York City, Strook attended Yale University alongside future President George H. W. Bush, and was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. After graduating he served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II...
, and again in 1976.
During his time in Congress, Roncalio pushed to increase Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties and advocated a balance between environmental concerns and development. He casually announced his plans to leave politics at a 1977 football game, and he did not run for re-election in 1978. He resigned from Congress in December 1978. Republican Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
assumed the office the next month.
Later life and death
Roncalio then returned to Wyoming, where he served as Special Master in Wyoming's Big Horn adjudication of Indian Water Rights until 1982.Roncalio died of congestive heart failure in 2003; he is interred in Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the...
. The post office in Rock Springs, Wyoming
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Rock Springs is a city in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 18,708 at the 2000 census. Rock Springs is the principal city of the Rock Springs micropolitan statistical area, which has a population of 37,975....
, is named in his honor. As of 2010, he was the last Democrat to have served Wyoming in Congress.