Biography

12/27/1919 - 03/16/2006

IRVIS, K. Leroy, a Representative from Allegheny County; born, December 27, 1919 in Saugerties, Ulster County, NY; educated in the public schools of Albany; A.B., New York State Teachers College; M.A., education, University of New York, 1939; LL.B., J.D., University of Pittsburgh Law School, 1954, 1969; Doctor of Laws, Lincoln University, 1979; Doctor of Laws, State University of New York, Albany, 1986; teaching fellowship (1939); Owens Fellowship in Law; civilian attaché, War Department, aviation training division; school teacher; steel chipper, Crucible Steel, Pittsburgh; research assistant; editor, Pittsburgh Urban League Magazine; reporter, Pittsburgh Courier; secretary of public relations, Urban League of Pittsburgh; attorney; law clerk, Judges Anne X. Alpern, Loran Lewis (1955-1957); Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County; solicitor; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1958; reelected to serve 14 more consecutive terms; elected, Minority Caucus Chairman (1963-1964); elected, Majority Caucus Chairman (1965-1966); elected, Minority Whip (1967-1968, 1973-1974); elected, Majority Leader (1969-1972, 1975- May 23, 1977); elected, Minority Leader (1979-1982); elected, Speaker (May 23, 1977-1978, 1983-1988); appointed, Joint State Commission (1963-1988); appointed, Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority (PHEAA) (1981-1988); appointed, State Public School Building Authority (1981-1988); not a candidate for reelection to the House (1988); delegate, Pennsylvania’s Constitutional Convention (1968); elected, vice-chairman, Pennsylvania Delegation, Democratic National Convention (1976, 1980); chairman, credentials committee, Democratic National Convention (1988); law school professor; died, March 16, 2006 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; interred, Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.