William J. Green, Jr.

Who was William J. Green, Jr.?

William Joseph "Bill" Green, Jr. was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

William J. Green was born in Philadelphia. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, and attended St. Joseph’s College, Philadelphia, PA. He was engaged in business as an insurance broker in Philadelphia, PA, in 1937. He served in the United States Army as a private in the Quartermaster Corps from March 22, 1944, to December 4, 1944.

He was elected to Congress in 1944, and after a defeat in the Republican landslide year of 1946, was reelected to Congress in 1948 and every two years thereafter until his death at age 53. He had been elected Democratic City Chairman in 1953, and, in that role, held until his death, he helped solidify Philadelphia as a Democratic stronghold.

He is the father of Bill Green, III.

The William J. Green, Jr. Federal Building, on 6th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, is named for him.