Eugene Atkinson

Eugene Vincent Atkinson (April 5, 1927 – August 4, 2016)[1] was a member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Eugene Atkinson
Atkinson pictured during his first term in Congress, c. 1979
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 25th district
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byGary A. Myers
Succeeded byDistrict eliminated
Personal details
Born
Eugene Vincent Atkinson

(1927-04-05)April 5, 1927
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 4, 2016(2016-08-04) (aged 89)
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican (from 1981)
Democratic (until 1981)

Atkinson was born in the Pittsburgh Metro Area city of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. Atkinson was the director of customs for the port of Pittsburgh from 1962 to 1969. Atkinson then served as the Beaver County commissioner from 1972 to 1978. Atkinson was elected to the House as a member of the Democratic Party.

Atkinson was an early supporter of Jimmy Carter in 1976 but in 1980, Atkinson endorsed Ted Kennedy for President. At rallies for Kennedy, Atkinson praised Kennedy's leadership.

While he was on a radio call-in show in 1981, Atkinson was called by President Ronald Reagan and persuaded to support budget cuts.[2]

On October 14, 1981, Atkinson switched parties, joining the Republican Party.[3] Atkinson lost re-election by a 21 percentage point margin in 1982 to Joseph P. Kolter.[4]

Atkinson died on August 4, 2016 at the age of 89.[5]

See also

References
  1. "ATKINSON, Eugene Vincent - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  2. Lobbying phone call puts Reagan on air
  3. Maverick Democratic Rep. Eugene Atkinson of Pennsylvania -- who...
  4. Barone, Michael; and Ujifusa, Grant. The Almanac of American Politics 1988', p. 1019. National Journal, 1987.
  5. Davidson, Tom (August 5, 2016). "Eugene V. Atkinson, former congressman and Beaver County commissioner, dead at 89". Beaver County Times.

Sources
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gary A. Myers		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 25th congressional district
1979–1983		 Succeeded by
District Eliminated


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