Richard Stone (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Stone
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| United States Ambassador to Denmark | |
| In office November 21, 1991 – October 14, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Keith Lapham Brown |
| Succeeded by | Edward Elliot Elson |
| United States Senator from Florida |
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| In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Gurney |
| Succeeded by | Paula Hawkins |
| 16th Secretary of State of Florida | |
| In office January 5, 1971 – July 8, 1974 |
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| Governor | Reubin Askew |
| Preceded by | Thomas Burton Adams Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Dorothy Glisson |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 48th District |
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| In office March 28, 1967 – November 3, 1970 |
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| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Bob Graham |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard Bernard Stone
September 22, 1928 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 2019 (aged 90) Rockville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marlene Lois Stone |
| Education | Harvard University Columbia Law School |
Richard Bernard Stone (September 22, 1928 – July 28, 2019) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Stone served as a U.S. Senator for Florida from 1975 to 1980. Later, he became an Ambassador at Large to Central America. He also served as the Ambassador to Denmark.
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Early Life and Political Start
Richard Stone was born in New York City in 1928. His family was Jewish. His father, Alfred Stone, was born in Belgium. Richard moved to Florida when he was young.
He went to public schools in Dade County. Stone then studied at Harvard University, graduating in 1949. He earned a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1954. After finishing his studies, he returned to Florida. He became a lawyer in Miami in 1955.
In 1966, Stone became the City Attorney for Miami. The next year, in 1967, he was elected to the Florida Senate. He represented Dade County. In 1970, he was elected Secretary of State of Florida. He left this job in 1974 to run for the U.S. Senate.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In 1974, Richard Stone ran for a seat in the United States Senate. He faced many candidates in the Democratic primary election. He won a close second round of voting against Bill Gunter.
The Senator who held the seat before, Edward Gurney, decided not to run again. This opened up the position. In the main election, Stone won against Jack Eckerd. Stone became the second Jewish U.S. Senator from Florida. He was the first since the U.S. Civil War.
Stone officially became a Senator on January 1, 1975. During his time in the Senate, he was part of the Foreign Relations Committee. He strongly supported the Panama Canal Torrijos–Carter Treaties. These treaties were about giving control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
He also worked to get help for Israel from Congress. He was an important advisor during the 1978 Camp David Peace Treaty. This treaty helped bring peace between Israel and Egypt. Stone also served on the Agriculture Committee.
Later Career and Diplomacy
When it was time for reelection, Stone faced challenges. He lost the Democratic nomination to Bill Gunter in 1980. Stone then left the Senate a few days early.
After leaving the Senate, Stone continued his public service. From 1981 to 1982, he worked at a law firm in Washington, D.C.. He also worked as an advisor for the government of Guatemala. In 1982, he was named Vice Chairman of the President's Commission for Radio Broadcasting to Cuba.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Stone to a special role. He became the Ambassador at Large and Special Envoy to Central America. This meant he traveled to different countries in Central America. His job was to represent the U.S. and work on diplomatic issues. He left this role in 1984.
Later, in 1991, President George H. W. Bush nominated Stone to be the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. He served in Denmark from 1991 to 1993.
After his diplomatic roles, Stone also worked in business. In 1995, he became a trustee for a drug store business called Dart Drug. He later became its chief executive officer. The company was sold in 1998.
Personal Life
Richard Stone was married to Marlene Lois Stone. They had three children and five grandchildren. He passed away on July 28, 2019, in Rockville, Maryland. He was 90 years old. His death was due to complications from pneumonia and other illnesses.
See also
- List of U.S. political appointments that crossed party lines
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
