Joseph Manuel MONTOYA, Congress, NM (1915-1978)

MONTOYA, Joseph Manuel, a Representative and a Senator from New Mexico; born in Penablanca, Sandoval County, N.Mex., September 24, 1915; attended Regis College, Denver, Colo.; graduated from Georgetown University Law School, Washington, D.C., in 1938; admitted to the bar in 1939 and commenced the practice of law in Santa Fe, N.Mex.; elected to the State house of representatives in 1936, reelected in 1938, and was majority leader in 1939 and 1940; member, State senate 1940-1946, and served as majority whip; lieutenant governor 1947-1951; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1950 to the Eighty-second Congress; member, State senate 1953-1954; lieutenant governor 1955-1957; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-fifth Congress, April 9, 1957, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Antonio M. Fernandez; reelected to the three succeeding Congresses and served from April 9, 1957, until his resignation November 3, 1964, having been elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, November 3, 1964, to complete the unexpired term of Dennis Chavez for the term ending January 3, 1965, and at the same time elected for the six-year term ending January 3, 1971; reelected in 1970 and served from November 4, 1964, until January 3, 1977; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1976; died in Washington, D.C., June 5, 1978; interment in Rosario Cemetery, Santa Fe, N.Mex.

Bibliography

American National Biography; Vigil, Maurilio, and Roy Lujan. “Parallels in the Career of Two Hispanic U.S. Senators.” Journal of Ethnic Studies 13 (Winter 1986): 1-20.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present