Thomas Michael Whalen III
Encyclopedia
Thomas Michael Whalen III, also known as Thomas M. Whalen III, and more simply, Tom Whalen, (1934–2002) was a three-term mayor of Albany, New York
. A native of Albany, he was an attorney
. He graduated from Manhattan College
and Albany Law School
.
Whalen had served as a city court judge from 1969 to 1975. In 1981, as part of Erastus Corning's "Team for the Future", he was elected as President of the Albany Common Council. His election to the Common Council's Presidency, done with the full support of then Mayor Erastus Corning, set the stage for Whalen's takeover of City Hall.
After Mayor Corning's 1983 death in Boston, and in accordance with Albany's charter, Whalen, as Common Council President, became Mayor. At the time of his ascendacy to office, New York State Comptroller
Ned Regan was preparing to impose a Financial Control Board over the City of Albany. Whalen quickly set about establishing proper financial controls so that Albany could maintain control over its own finances. By all accounts he was successful.
He was a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention. He was mayor during the city's year long Tricentennial celebration, which included a restoration of the carillon
of Albany City Hall
.
He was elected on his own in 1985 and re-elected in 1989. He retired from public office on December 31, 1993, and, after an unsuccessful nomination to the federal bench, he returned to the practice of law
. He died in a car accident
at the age of 68.
Whalen was involved in improving the City's image both domestically and worldwide. In 1991, he founded the Albany-Tula Alliance with Tula
, then a city in the U.S.S.R., now Russia
.
The City was designated an "All-American City" under his leadership, attained the highest possible bond rating from Moody's and hosted many successful downtown cultural events.
The Irish
internship program at the New York State Assembly
is named in his honor. This started after Whalen joined the staff at University College Cork in 2000, and he decided to found an internship program for that college's students to go to the College of Saint Rose for experiential education
in Albany. Sadly, he died in 2002 just as the first "Irish Interns" were set to arrive in Albany.
Whalen is still remembered for his political opposition to the preservation of the pine barrens on the outskirts of Albany, which he wanted developed.
Whalen was eulogized
at Albany Law, his alma mater
. An award is granted by the Neighborhood Resource Center in his honor. The "Thomas M. Whalen III Foundation for Cultural Arts" was founded in honor by friends and family. A memorial statue of him can be found in downtown Albany's Tricentennial Park
.
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. A native of Albany, he was an attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. He graduated from Manhattan College
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
and Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
.
Whalen had served as a city court judge from 1969 to 1975. In 1981, as part of Erastus Corning's "Team for the Future", he was elected as President of the Albany Common Council. His election to the Common Council's Presidency, done with the full support of then Mayor Erastus Corning, set the stage for Whalen's takeover of City Hall.
After Mayor Corning's 1983 death in Boston, and in accordance with Albany's charter, Whalen, as Common Council President, became Mayor. At the time of his ascendacy to office, New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
Ned Regan was preparing to impose a Financial Control Board over the City of Albany. Whalen quickly set about establishing proper financial controls so that Albany could maintain control over its own finances. By all accounts he was successful.
He was a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention. He was mayor during the city's year long Tricentennial celebration, which included a restoration of the carillon
Carillon
A carillon is a musical instrument that is typically housed in a free-standing bell tower, or the belfry of a church or other municipal building. The instrument consists of at least 23 cast bronze, cup-shaped bells, which are played serially to play a melody, or sounded together to play a chord...
of Albany City Hall
Albany City Hall
Albany City Hall is the seat of government of the city of Albany, New York. It houses the office of the mayor, the Common Council chamber, the city and traffic courts, as well as other city services. The current building was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson in his particular Romanesque style and...
.
He was elected on his own in 1985 and re-elected in 1989. He retired from public office on December 31, 1993, and, after an unsuccessful nomination to the federal bench, he returned to the practice of law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. He died in a car accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
at the age of 68.
Legacy
Whalen is credited with leading a broad revitalization of both the City of Albany and the Capital District through the 1980's and into the early 1990's. His tenure is noted for its focus on prudent financial and civil service reform, opening up city hall, and using the arts and the city park system as a catalyst for growth.Whalen was involved in improving the City's image both domestically and worldwide. In 1991, he founded the Albany-Tula Alliance with Tula
Tula, Russia
Tula is an industrial city and the administrative center of Tula Oblast, Russia. It is located south of Moscow, on the Upa River. Population: -History:...
, then a city in the U.S.S.R., now Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
The City was designated an "All-American City" under his leadership, attained the highest possible bond rating from Moody's and hosted many successful downtown cultural events.
The Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
internship program at the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
is named in his honor. This started after Whalen joined the staff at University College Cork in 2000, and he decided to found an internship program for that college's students to go to the College of Saint Rose for experiential education
Experiential education
Experiential education is a philosophy of education that describes the process that occurs between a teacher and student that infuses direct experience with the learning environment and content. The term is mistakenly used interchangeably with experiential learning...
in Albany. Sadly, he died in 2002 just as the first "Irish Interns" were set to arrive in Albany.
Whalen is still remembered for his political opposition to the preservation of the pine barrens on the outskirts of Albany, which he wanted developed.
Whalen was eulogized
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
at Albany Law, his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. An award is granted by the Neighborhood Resource Center in his honor. The "Thomas M. Whalen III Foundation for Cultural Arts" was founded in honor by friends and family. A memorial statue of him can be found in downtown Albany's Tricentennial Park
Tricentennial Park (Albany, New York)
Tricentennial Park is an urban park in Albany, New York built to commemorate that city's three hundredth anniversary as an incorporated city and is the site of several statues and monuments. The park encompasses the entire block bounded by Broadway to the east, Columbia Street to the north, James...
.