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Former U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio, D-Wyo., at age 82

Teno Roncalio (March 23, 1916 - March 30, 2003) was a Democratic politician from Wyoming who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 until 1978.

Roncalio was born to an Italian immigrant family in Rock Springs, Wyoming. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in the Normandy invasion.

After the war, he earned a law degree at the University of Wyoming and served as the prosecuting attorney for Laramie County from 1950 to 1956. In 1957, he was elected as chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Roncalio also was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

In 1964, he narrowly defeated Republican Rep. William Henry Harrison to win Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. Roncalio gave up the seat two years later to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate. He was edged out in that race by Republican Clifford P. Hansen.

In 1970, Wyoming's House seat became open again. Roncalio ran for his old job, winning by just 608 votes.

During his time in Congress, Roncalio pushed to increase Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties and advocated a balance between environmental concerns and development. He casually announced his plans to leave politics at a 1977 football game, paving the way for Republican Dick Cheney to win his congressional seat.

Roncalio returned to Wyoming, where he died of congestive heart failure in 2003. The post office in Rock Springs, Wyoming, is named in his honor.

• Congressional Biography

• United States House of Representatives. Office of the Clerk. Election Information

• Wire Reports. "Teno Roncalio, 87; Served Five Terms as Wyoming Congressman." Los Angeles Times. 04/27/2003. p B-18.

• T.R. Reid. "Republican Candidates Thrive in Rich, Uncluttered Wyoming." 08/29/1978. Washington Post. p A2.