Richard Schweiker, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Health and Human Services

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Richard Schweiker, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Health and Human Services's Geni Profile

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Richard Schultz Schweiker

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States
Death: July 31, 2015 (89)
Ocean City, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States
Place of Burial: Worcester Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States
Immediate Family:

Son of Malcolm Alderfer Schweiker and Blanche Reiner Schweiker
Husband of Claire Joan Schweiker
Father of Private; Private; Private; Private and Private
Brother of 1LT Malcolm A Schweiker and Sylvia S Strasburg

Managed by: Private User
Last Updated:
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Immediate Family

About Richard Schweiker, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Health and Human Services

US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Senator, US Congressman. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 14th Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Administration of President Ronald Reagan (1981 to 1983). He served the State of Pennsylvania's 13 Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1961 until 1969 and represented the State of Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1969 until 1981. Upon high school graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy and was assigned to an aircraft carrier during World War II. Following his return home, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Psychology and later worked for his family's title company. During his tenure in Congress and the Senate, he made health issues a priority and spearheaded legislation to fund research for such diseases as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. In addition, he was a proponent for civil rights, pension reform, mine safety and tuition tax relief. In 1965, he authored the Schweiker Act, which provided monetary awards to military personnel who devised money-saving ideas. During the Watergate crisis, Schweiker was among the early Republicans who called for President Nixon's resignation. In 1976, he was selected to become Ronald Reagan's running mate, however Reagan lost the Republican nomination to President Ford. After leaving Washington, he served as president of the American Council of Life Insurance. He died of complications from an infection.

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Richard Schweiker, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Health and Human Services's Timeline

1926
June 1, 1926
Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States
2015
July 31, 2015
Age 89
Ocean City, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States
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Central Schwenkfelder Garden Of Memories, Worcester Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States