Saylor was born in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1929, and Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1933. He was elected city solicitor of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1938 and served until 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 6, 1943 and served until January 1946.
Saylor was elected as a Republican to the 81st Congress, by special election, September 13, 1949, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert L. Coffey. He was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses and served until his death in Houston, Texas. During his time in Congress he became dedicated to a number of environmental causes, including the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Act, National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and in opposition to the Kinzua Dam Project . He was dubbed "St. John" by environmental advocates for his dogged work on environmental issues.
The John P. Saylor Trail in Gallitzin State Forest is named after him.
Sources
- Voice of Wild and Scenic Rivers: John P. Saylor of Pennsylvania (full text here)
Notes
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Last updated on Monday June 02, 2008 at 23:53:50 PDT (GMT -0700)
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