Craig L. Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craig L. Thomas
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Official portrait, 2005
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| United States Senator from Wyoming |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – June 4, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Malcolm Wallop |
| Succeeded by | John Barrasso |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's at-large district |
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| In office May 2, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Dick Cheney |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Cubin |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives for Natrona County |
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| In office January 8, 1985 – May 2, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Hinchey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Craig Lyle Thomas
February 17, 1933 Cody, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 2007 (aged 74) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery Cody, Wyoming |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Leona M. Francis (divorced), and Susan Roberts Thomas |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming |
| Occupation | Rancher |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1955–1959 |
| Rank | Captain |
Craig Lyle Thomas (born February 17, 1933 – died June 4, 2007) was an American politician. He served as a United States Senator for Wyoming from 1995 until he passed away in 2007. He was a member of the Republican Party.
In the Senate, Thomas was known for his knowledge of farming and rural areas. Before becoming a senator, he held important roles in Wyoming. He was the Vice President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau for many years. He lived in Casper for 28 years. In 1984, he was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives, where he served until 1989.
In 1989, Dick Cheney left his job as Wyoming's representative in the United States House of Representatives. Craig Thomas became the Republican choice to take his place. He won a special election in April 1989. He was re-elected to the House in 1990 and 1992. In 1994, he ran for a Senate seat and won. He was re-elected to the Senate in 2000 and 2006. He easily won against his opponents in both elections.
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Who Was Craig Thomas?
Craig Thomas was born and grew up in Cody. This town is in northwestern Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone National Park. His parents were public school teachers. In the summers, they ran a dude ranch near Yellowstone. This family interest in tourism later led Thomas to buy a small hotel in Torrington.
Education and Military Service
Thomas went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie. He earned a degree in animal husbandry, which is about raising farm animals. After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as an officer from 1955 to 1959 and reached the rank of Captain. He also earned a law degree later on.
Early Career and Political Journey
Before joining the U.S. Senate, Thomas worked with the Farm Bureau. He was also the general manager of the Wyoming Rural Electrification Administration. After serving four years in the Wyoming House of Representatives, he won a special election in 1989. This allowed him to replace Dick Cheney as Wyoming's only member in the United States House of Representatives. He served in the U.S. House until 1994.
In 1994, he successfully ran for the United States Senate. He won against the popular Democratic Governor, Mike Sullivan. He was re-elected to the Senate in 2000 with a very large majority. In 2006, he won his third term with 70 percent of the votes.
Important Work in the Senate
As the chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee, Thomas helped create laws. These laws provided money and improved how America's national parks are managed. His work helped protect these parks for the future. Because of this, he received awards from the National Parks Conservation Association.
He was also a senior member of the Senate's important Finance Committee. In this role, he worked on issues like Social Security, trade, and health care for people in rural areas. He helped pass the Central America Free Trade Agreement. As co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, he worked to improve health care for families in the countryside.
During his last year and a half in the Senate, Thomas sat at the Candy Desk. This is a special desk in the Senate chamber where a senator keeps candy for their colleagues.
Illness and Passing
In November 2006, Craig Thomas went to the hospital. He was first treated for pneumonia. A few days after the 2006 election, it was announced that he had leukemia.
He started chemotherapy treatment right away. He returned to work sooner than expected in December. In early 2007, he said he felt much better. However, he returned to the hospital for more chemotherapy. On June 4, 2007, Thomas was reported to be in serious condition. He was struggling with an infection while getting his second round of chemotherapy. He passed away that same day from problems related to leukemia.
His services were held in Casper, Wyoming. Many important people, including Senate leaders, came to pay their respects. Thomas was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Cody, Wyoming.
Who Replaced Him?
Wyoming law required the governor to appoint a new senator. The Wyoming Republican Party had to provide a list of three candidates. On June 22, 2007, Governor Dave Freudenthal appointed John Barrasso to take Craig Thomas's place in the U.S. Senate.
Honoring His Memory
After his death, the Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park was named after him. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center was dedicated on August 11, 2007. Many important people, including Vice President Dick Cheney, attended the dedication.
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office
