Representative Fiorello Henry La Guardia

Fiorello Henry La Guardia served as a Representative from New York in the United States Congress from 1917 to 1933. A member of the Republican Party, Fiorello Henry La Guardia contributed to the legislative process during 7 terms in office.

Fiorello Henry La Guardia’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Fiorello Henry La Guardia participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Fiorello Henry La Guardia (born Fiorello Raffaele Enrico La Guardia; December 11, 1882 – September 20, 1947) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as the 100th mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1946. He was known for his irascible, energetic, and charismatic personality and diminutive, rotund stature. A member of the Republican Party, La Guardia was frequently cross-endorsed by parties other than his own, especially parties on the left under New York’s electoral fusion laws. A panel of 69 scholars in 1993 ranked him as the best big city mayor in American history. Born to a family of Italian immigrants in New York City, La Guardia quickly became interested in politics at a young age. Before his mayoralty, La Guardia represented Manhattan in the U.S. House of Representatives and later served in the New York City Board of Aldermen. Amidst the Great Depression, La Guardia campaigned on his support for Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal programs and won the 1933 election. As mayor during the Great Depression and World War II, La Guardia unified the city’s transit system; expanded construction of public housing, playgrounds, parks, and airports; reorganized the New York Police Department; and implemented federal New Deal programs within the city. He pursued a long series of political reforms, curbing the power of the powerful Irish-controlled Tammany Hall political machine that controlled the Democratic Party in Manhattan, replacing its influence with merit-based employment and promotion in bureaucracy. La Guardia was a highly visible national political figure. His support for the New Deal and relationship with President Roosevelt crossed party lines, brought federal funds to New York City, and cut off patronage to La Guardia’s Tammany enemies. La Guardia’s WNYC radio program “Talk to the People”, which aired from December 1941 until December 1945, expanded his public influence beyond the borders of the city.