Childhood and Education Journey of Patrick Leahy in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Patrick Leahy. A timeline of key moments.

Patrick Leahy is an American politician and attorney who served as a U.S. Senator for Vermont from 1975 to 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, he held the position of president pro tempore of the Senate twice, from 2012 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2023.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

March 31, 1940: Patrick Leahy Born

On March 31, 1940, Patrick Joseph Leahy was born. He later became a U.S. Senator for Vermont.

Others born on this day/year

1957: Graduation from St. Michael's High School

In 1957, Patrick Leahy graduated from St. Michael's High School in Montpelier.

1961: Graduation from Saint Michael's College

In 1961, Patrick Leahy graduated from Saint Michael's College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.

1962: Leahy Marries Marcelle Pomerleau

In 1962, Patrick Leahy married Marcelle Pomerleau.

1964: Graduation from Georgetown University Law Center

In 1964, Patrick Leahy received his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center.

December 2, 1981: Vote for MX Missiles Amendment

On December 2, 1981, Patrick Leahy voted for an amendment to Reagan's MX missiles proposal to divert funds and research alternative missile basing methods.

December 23, 1982: Vote for gasoline tax increase

On December 23, 1982, Patrick Leahy voted for a five-cent per gallon increase on gasoline taxes to finance highway repairs and mass transit.

October 19, 1983: Vote for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On October 19, 1983, Patrick Leahy voted for a bill establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

March 1984: Vote against school prayer amendment

In March 1984, Patrick Leahy voted against a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing silent prayer in public schools, and against Reagan's proposal for school prayer.

1987: Filed lawsuit against Agriculture Secretary Richard Edmund Lyng

In 1987, Patrick Leahy filed lawsuit against Agriculture Secretary Richard Edmund Lyng.

1988: Judiciary Committee Comments

In 1988, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Leahy stated Senate Democrats would refuse hearings for any Supreme Court nominee until after the 1988 presidential election if Reagan could not produce an acceptable nominee.

May 1989: Urged withdrawal of Agriculture Department proposals

In May 1989, Patrick Leahy urged the Agriculture Department to withdraw proposals regarding the reduction of federal inspections.

February 1992: Proposed Loan Guarantee Plan

In February 1992, after a meeting between Secretary of State James Baker and Zalman Shoval failed, Patrick Leahy, after being informed by Baker, announced that he would introduce his own plan for the loan guarantee package for Israel if the U.S. and Israel could not reach an agreement in the following weeks.

1992: Leahy wrote the foreword to The Dark Knight Archives, Volume 1

In 1992, Patrick Leahy, a comic book fan, wrote the foreword to "The Dark Knight Archives, Volume 1", which is a collection of the first four Batman comic books.

November 20, 1993: Voted for North American Free Trade Agreement

On November 20, 1993, Patrick Leahy voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

December 1994: Downsizing of Agriculture Department

In December 1994, Patrick Leahy cosponsored legislation that led to the downsizing of the Agriculture Department, which announced the closing of 1,274 field offices around the U.S. and an estimated savings of over $3 billion over five years.

1994: Leahy backstage at Grateful Dead show

In 1994, Patrick Leahy, a self-proclaimed Deadhead, was pictured backstage at a Grateful Dead performance.

1995: Leahy cameos in Batman Forever and Batman: The Animated Series

In 1995, Patrick Leahy made an uncredited cameo in the film "Batman Forever" and voiced a territorial governor in the "Batman: The Animated Series" episode "Showdown".

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1996: Leahy wrote the preface essay for Batman: Death of Innocents

In 1996, Patrick Leahy wrote the preface essay for "Batman: Death of Innocents", which is a graphic novel about the horrors of landmines.

1997: Leahy appeared as himself in the film Batman & Robin

In 1997, Patrick Leahy appeared as himself in the film "Batman & Robin".

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October 1999: Voted for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

In October 1999, Patrick Leahy voted for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, designed to ban underground nuclear testing.

2001: Leahy Targeted in Anthrax Attacks

In 2001, Senator Leahy was one of two senators targeted in the anthrax attacks. The anthrax letter addressed to him was intercepted before reaching his office.

2004: The Honors College at UVM was founded

In 2004, The Honors College was founded at the University of Vermont.

2008: Leahy appeared in The Dark Knight

In 2008, Patrick Leahy appeared in "The Dark Knight" as a fundraiser guest who confronts the Joker.

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2012: Leahy appeared in The Dark Knight Rises

In 2012, Patrick Leahy appeared in "The Dark Knight Rises" as a Wayne Enterprises board member who defended the legacy of the Wayne family.

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2012: Leahys Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

In 2012, Patrick and Marcelle Leahy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

2018: Marcelle Leahy's uncle Antonio Pomerleau dies

In 2018, Marcelle Leahy's uncle, Antonio Pomerleau, a prominent real estate developer and philanthropist, passed away.

2019: Leahy Becomes Only Remaining Watergate Baby in Congress

After Minnesota Representative Rick Nolan retired from Congress in 2019, Leahy became the only remaining Watergate baby in Congress.

2020: Leahy Endorses Bernie Sanders's 2020 Presidential Campaign

In 2020, Leahy endorsed fellow Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign.

May 2021: Leahy Leaning Toward Running for Ninth Term

In May 2021, it was reported that Leahy was "leaning toward" running for a ninth term and asking his Senate colleagues for support.

November 15, 2021: Leahy Announces He Will Not Run for Ninth Term

On November 15, 2021, Leahy announced that he was not running for a ninth term in the Senate.

March 18, 2022: Leahy Becomes Longest-Serving Member of Congress

Upon the death of Representative Don Young on March 18, 2022, Leahy became the longest-serving current member of Congress.

August 2022: Leahys Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversary

In August 2022, Patrick and Marcelle Leahy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

January 2023: Leahy's Last Term Ends

Leahy's last term ended in January 2023, and he was succeeded by Peter Welch; he was the last United States senator to have served in the 1970s.

March 2023: Leahy Joins University of Vermont as Distinguished Fellow

In March 2023, Patrick Leahy joined the University of Vermont (UVM) as a president's distinguished fellow. In this position, he participates in research and academic and engagement projects he initiated while in the Senate, and serves as advisor and mentor to students and faculty members.

May 2023: UVM Names Honors College for Leahy

In May 2023, UVM announced that it had named its Honors College for Patrick Leahy. The Honors College was founded in 2004 and is intended to host original research and student-faculty collaborations.