Finding Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers: Joseph Rider Farrington (R) 1943-1954

•  Statehood for Hawaii
• Hawaiian Homes Commission Act amendments

Joseph Rider Farrington, Republican, of Honolulu, T.H.; born in Washington, D.C., October 15, 1897; moved in infancy to Honolulu, where his father had originally settled in 1894 and his parents were married and established their home in 1896; received early education at Punahou Academy, Honolulu, T.H., graduating in 1915; graduated from University of Wisconsin in 1919, with B.A. degree; enlisted in the United States Army in 1918 and was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Field Artillery; reporter, Public Ledger of Philadelphia, 1919; Washington correspondent and member of Press Gallery, 1919-23; managing editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1923-33; since 1934, president and general manager, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd., publishers of Honolulu Star Bulletin, Hawaii Farm and Home, and other publications; president, Hilo Tribune Herald, Ltd., publishers of Hilo Tribune-Herald; president, Honolulu Lithograph Co.; married mary Elizabeth Pruett, May 17, 1920; children, Beverly and John; member of Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Delta Chi, honorary journalistic fraternity, Lions International, and American Legion; active as office of Amateur Athletic Union in promoting international and world champion swimming events in Honolulu and introducing professional boxing; member first Territorial Boxing Commission in 1929; accompanied American Samoan Commission on investigation of 1930; author of American Samoan Commission's Visit to Samoa (with Reuel S. Moore); secretary, Hawaii Legislative Commission, 1932, to oppose Federal legislation restricting rights of local self-government in Hawaii; elected to Territorial senate in 1934 and reelected in 1938, serving until election to Congress in 1942; fostered legislation to strengthen municipal government in Honolulu, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, and public education; sponsored legislation to obtain equal treatment for Hawaii with the States, the plebiscite of 1940 under which Hawaii's people asked for statehood by a vote of two to one, and statehood for Hawaii; elected Delegate to Congress in 1942.

From Official Congressional directory for the use of the United States Congress, 78th Congress, 2nd Session. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1944.