US Congressman. He received a law degree from the University of Detroit in 1935 and became an attorney. From 1945 to 1946 he was a Wayne County, Michigan Assistant District Attorney. In 1948 he won election to the Michigan Senate and served as Minority Leader from 1956 until leaving the legislature in 1962. As a state legislator, Ryan was instrumental in making Michigan one of the first states to require driver's education prior to being licensed and photos on driver's licenses. In February, 1962 he was the successful Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives seat left vacant when Louis C. Rabaut died. He was elected to a full term in November and served from February, 1962 to January, 1965. He ran unsuccessfully for renomination in 1964, and in 1966 he was an unsuccessful candidate in the Democratic primary. An active Democrat, he was a Delegate to Michigan's state party conventions every two years from 1940 through 1970 and he was a Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1956, 1960, and 1964. In 1976 Ryan became a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, serving until he assumed Visiting Judge status in 1985. He continued to hear cases until his official retirement in 2006, and for many years he marched at the head of Detroit's St. Patrick's Day parade.
US Congressman. He received a law degree from the University of Detroit in 1935 and became an attorney. From 1945 to 1946 he was a Wayne County, Michigan Assistant District Attorney. In 1948 he won election to the Michigan Senate and served as Minority Leader from 1956 until leaving the legislature in 1962. As a state legislator, Ryan was instrumental in making Michigan one of the first states to require driver's education prior to being licensed and photos on driver's licenses. In February, 1962 he was the successful Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives seat left vacant when Louis C. Rabaut died. He was elected to a full term in November and served from February, 1962 to January, 1965. He ran unsuccessfully for renomination in 1964, and in 1966 he was an unsuccessful candidate in the Democratic primary. An active Democrat, he was a Delegate to Michigan's state party conventions every two years from 1940 through 1970 and he was a Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1956, 1960, and 1964. In 1976 Ryan became a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, serving until he assumed Visiting Judge status in 1985. He continued to hear cases until his official retirement in 2006, and for many years he marched at the head of Detroit's St. Patrick's Day parade.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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