U.S. Senator. A member of the Republican (later Democratic) Party, he served the State of Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1981 until 2011. He attained his law degree from Yale University and following service with the United States Air Force, he settled in Pennsylvania where he established himself as an attorney of prominence whom served as Assistant District Attorney of Philadelphia from 1958 until 1964. Specter received national attention when he introduced the controversial "magic bullet" or "single bullet" theory as a member of the Warren Commission panel in 1964 whom investigated President Kennedy's assassination. He served as District Attorney of Philadelphia from 1974 until 1980 and during his tenure in the United States Senate, he was known as a Moderate Republican who supported a woman's right to choose regarding abortion. He was among one of the most powerful figures in Washington, as he chaired the Select Committee on Intelligence, served on the Veterans Affairs and Committee on the Judiciary. He gained attention during the Anita Hill inquiries in 1991, as a lead voice of the Republicans who had a memorable clash with Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy during the questioning. In addition to national and international policy, Specter personally battled severe health issues including his endurance of bypass surgery and a brain tumor. However, Specter with a strong reputation as a fighter persevered. Towards the end of his political career, he switched political affiliation (to Democrat) in an effort to be reelected. It was announced during the Summer of 2012 that he was suffering from another affliction of cancer and succumbed from the disease a few months later.
U.S. Senator. A member of the Republican (later Democratic) Party, he served the State of Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1981 until 2011. He attained his law degree from Yale University and following service with the United States Air Force, he settled in Pennsylvania where he established himself as an attorney of prominence whom served as Assistant District Attorney of Philadelphia from 1958 until 1964. Specter received national attention when he introduced the controversial "magic bullet" or "single bullet" theory as a member of the Warren Commission panel in 1964 whom investigated President Kennedy's assassination. He served as District Attorney of Philadelphia from 1974 until 1980 and during his tenure in the United States Senate, he was known as a Moderate Republican who supported a woman's right to choose regarding abortion. He was among one of the most powerful figures in Washington, as he chaired the Select Committee on Intelligence, served on the Veterans Affairs and Committee on the Judiciary. He gained attention during the Anita Hill inquiries in 1991, as a lead voice of the Republicans who had a memorable clash with Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy during the questioning. In addition to national and international policy, Specter personally battled severe health issues including his endurance of bypass surgery and a brain tumor. However, Specter with a strong reputation as a fighter persevered. Towards the end of his political career, he switched political affiliation (to Democrat) in an effort to be reelected. It was announced during the Summer of 2012 that he was suffering from another affliction of cancer and succumbed from the disease a few months later.
Bio courtesy of: Wikipedia
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