Oakar, Mary Rose (1940–)

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Oakar, Mary Rose (1940–)

American politician. Born Mar 5, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio; dau. of Joseph Oakar and Margaret Oakar; Ursuline College, Cleveland, BA, 1962; John Carroll University, Cleveland, MA (1966); graduate studies at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London (1964), Westham Adult College in Warwickshire (1968), and Columbia University (1963).

Eight-term Democratic US congressional representative from Ohio, taught English, drama and speech at a high school and community college (1963–75), both in Cleveland; was a member of Cleveland City Council (1973–76); served as Democratic State Central committeewoman (1973–75) and as alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention (1976); from Ohio's 20th Congressional District, elected to 95th US Congress (1976) and 7 succeeding Congresses (Jan 3, 1977–Jan 3, 1993); worked her way up to position of vice chair of Democratic Caucus in 99th and 100th Congresses; also chaired the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police and Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, and worked on the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and Select Committee on Aging; was unsuccessful in her reelection bid to the 103rd Congress (1992).