THE JAMES A. FINNEGAN FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION
PROUDLY PROVIDING SUMMER INTERNSHIPS FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S FUTURE LEADERS
About the Foundation
The James Finnegan Foundation is incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for educational purposes. Formed in 1960, the Foundation was established to honor the memory of James A. Finnegan, Secretary of the Commonwealth (1955-1958).
It works to provide practical training in government and politics for outstanding undergraduate students by offering a number of ten-week paid internships in executive agencies located in Harrisburg each summer.
In addition, Finnegan Fellows meet weekly with sitting state officials for lunch. The Board of Directors is pleased to offer a profound experience to Pennsylvania's future leaders.
The James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization and has tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. If you are interested in contributing to this valuable organization, contact:
Kathy Speaker MacNett, Treasurer
The James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation
320 Market Street, Suite 600W
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2039
About James A. Finnegan
(1906 - 1958)
James A. Finnegan was born 20 December 1906 in Philadelphia. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1931. And, Mr. Finnegan served the United States Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel in the Troop Carrier Command in the United States, England, and France from 1942-46.
Finnegan served as Secretary of the Delaware River Navigation Commission under then Governor George H. Earle III, as administrative assistant to then Senator Francis J. Myers, as administrative assistant to former Congressman Michael Bradley, and as chair of the Philadelphia County Democratic Executive Committee. A member of Philadelphia City Council, he was elected its president in 1951, serving until January 1955.
Taking the oath of office on 18 January 1955, Council President Finnegan became Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor George M. Leader. He resigned this position that same December to assume the duties of campaign manager for Illinois Governor Adlai E. Stevenson's pre-convention and later presidential campaign in 1956. Governor Leader reappointed Mr. Finnegan Secretary of the Commonwealth on December 28, 1956. He served in this capacity until his untimely death, at age 52, on 26 March 1958.
