Representative Frank Joseph Guarini

Frank Joseph Guarini Jr. (born August 20, 1924) is an American politician and attorney from the state of New Jersey who served as a Democratic member of both the New Jersey Senate and the United States House of Representatives. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Frank Joseph Guarini Sr. and the former Caroline Critelli, and is of Italian descent. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City in 1942. During World War II, Guarini served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 aboard the amphibious force command ship USS Mount McKinley, an experience that preceded and informed his later public service.

Following his military service, Guarini pursued higher education under the G.I. Bill. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College in 1947. He then attended New York University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1950 and a Master of Laws degree in 1955. In addition to his American legal training, he undertook graduate work at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands, reflecting an early interest in international legal and diplomatic issues. Guarini was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1951 and commenced the practice of law in Jersey City, establishing himself professionally before entering elective politics.

Guarini’s political career began in state government. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the New Jersey Senate and served from 1965 to 1972, a period of significant social and political change in both the state and the nation. During his tenure in the state legislature, he participated in shaping policy on a range of issues affecting New Jersey’s urban communities, including his native Jersey City. In 1970, he sought higher office and challenged incumbent United States Senator Harrison A. Williams in the Democratic primary. Although unsuccessful—losing by a margin of 66 percent to 34 percent—the campaign raised his profile in statewide politics and underscored his ambitions for federal office.

Frank Joseph Guarini was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey’s 14th congressional district in 1978, taking office with the 96th Congress on January 3, 1979. He was reelected six times, serving seven consecutive terms in the House from 1979 to 1993. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, spanning the end of the Cold War, major shifts in domestic economic policy, and evolving debates over urban development and international relations. As a member of the House of Representatives, Guarini participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents from northern New Jersey, contributing to the legislative process over more than a decade. Following the 1990 United States Census, his district was eliminated in the subsequent redistricting; in a practical sense, he was succeeded by fellow Democrat Bob Menendez in the renumbered 13th district. Guarini chose not to seek reelection in 1992 and retired from Congress when his final term ended on January 3, 1993.

After leaving elective office, Guarini remained active in civic, educational, and philanthropic endeavors, particularly those connected to his alma maters and to Italian-American cultural and international initiatives. The Jersey City post office building at the corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets has been dedicated in his honor, reflecting his long association with and service to his hometown. John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, designated its campus as the Frank J. Guarini Campus, underscoring his engagement with international education and Italian-American ties. New Jersey City University named its library in his honor, recognizing his contributions to higher education and the local community.

Guarini’s longstanding support for Dartmouth College led to the establishment of the Frank J. Guarini Institute for International Education, which promotes global learning and study-abroad opportunities. In 2018, Dartmouth further recognized his philanthropy and commitment to advanced scholarship by naming its graduate school the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. At New York University School of Law, his generosity and interest in public and international law are reflected in two entities bearing his name: the Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy and Land Use Law, which focuses on land use and environmental policy, and the Guarini Institute for Global Legal Studies, which concentrates on transnational and international legal issues.

Guarini has also been honored in the broader Italian-American and transatlantic communities. In 2014, he received the America Award of the Italy–USA Foundation, recognizing his efforts to strengthen cultural and political ties between the United States and Italy. His public profile has been documented through appearances on C-SPAN and in official congressional records, and he has maintained an official website highlighting his activities and legacy. Upon the death of former Representative Al Quie in August 2023, Guarini became the oldest living former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. On August 20, 2024, he reached his 100th birthday, and as of 2025 he remains the oldest living former U.S. representative, marking a centenarian life that has spanned military service, state and national legislative office, and extensive contributions to education and public life.