John H. Chafee

(Great-nephew of Henry F. Lippitt. Father of Lincoln D. Chafee), a Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Providence, Providence County, R. I. , October 22, 1922. Graduated, Deerfield (Mass. ) Academy 1940. Graduated, Yale University 1947 and Harvard Law School 1950. Admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1950 and commenced practice in Providence. Served in United States Marine Corps 1942-1945, 1951-1953. Served in Rhode Island house of representatives 1957-1963. Governor of Rhode Island 1963-1969. Secretary of the Navy in the Cabinet of President Richard Nixon 1969-1972. Unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate in 1972. Elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in November 1976 for the term commencing January 3, 1977. Subsequently appointed by the Governor, December 29, 1976, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Pastore for the term ending January 3, 1977. Reelected in 1982, 1988, and 1994, and served until his death due to heart failure on October 24, 1999. Senate Republican Conference chairman (1985-1991), Committee on Environment and Public Works (1995-1999). Interment in family plot. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 9, 2000.