Chafee Mourns Passing of Former Congressman St. Germian

Chafee Mourns Passing of Former Congressman St. Germian

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today said: “We mourn the loss of former United States Congressman Fernand J. St Germain, who left a lasting impression on Rhode Island. He was a life-long Democrat and a Woonsocket native who fiercely fought for the rights of the working and middle classes. From 1961 to 1989, he served Rhode Island’s First Congressional District in the U.S. Congress, and one of his accomplishments was a stint as the Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs. Before representing Rhode Island in Washington, he was a valuable member of Rhode Island’s General Assembly where he became a respected and revered politician. On behalf of the State of Rhode Island, I send condolences to his family.”

St. Germain served in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1989. He lost his seat when an upstart Republican lawyer from Newport beat him in the General Election. Ron Machtley attacked St. Germain's record and pulled the upset. Machtley is today the President of Bryant University.