Andrew Lawrence Somers (March 21, 1895 – April 6, 1949) was an American businessman,
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
veteran, and
Democratic politician who served 13 terms as a
U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
from New York from 1925 until his death in 1949.
Biography
He attended
St. Teresa's Academy in Brooklyn, Brooklyn College Preparatory School,
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university in the Bronx, New York City. Originally established in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers) as an academy for day students, it was la ...
, and
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, the ...
in New York City.
He engaged in dry color and chemical business.
Military service
During
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, he enlisted on July 18, 1917, as a hospital apprentice, second class, in the United States Naval Reserve Force.
Subsequently, he served as an ensign in the
Naval Reserve Flying Corps The Naval Reserve Flying Corps (NRFC) was the first United States Navy reserve pilot procurement program. As part of demobilization following World War I the NRFC was completely inactive by 1922; but it is remembered as the origin of the naval aviat ...
and was then appointed a naval aviator on September 17, 1918. He proceeded to foreign service on September 30, 1918, and served there until honorably discharged on March 4, 1919.
In January 1942, he submitted a resolution in the House of Representatives calling on President Roosevelt to petition Great Britain "to take such action as may be necessary to permit the organization of all-Jewish military units in Palestine".
["A Zionist Army?" The New York Times, January 22, 1942.]
Death
Somers died on April 6, 1949, at age 54.
See also
*
References
General references
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Somers, Andrew Lawrence
1895 births
1949 deaths
20th-century American politicians
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
Manhattan College alumni
Military personnel from New York City
Politicians from Brooklyn
Politicians from Queens, New York
United States Navy personnel of World War I
United States Navy reservists