25 Facts About Robert Stafford

Robert Theodore Stafford was an American politician from Vermont.

Robert Stafford is best remembered for his staunch environmentalism, his work on higher education, and his support, as an elder statesman, for the 2000 Vermont law legalizing civil unions for gay couples.

Bert Robert Stafford was a 1901 graduate of Middlebury College who practiced law in Rutland, and was President of the Rutland County National Bank.

Robert Stafford served as Rutland County's State's Attorney, and was mayor from 1915 to 1917, President of the Vermont Bar Association in 1930, and Chairman of the Vermont Board of Education.

Robert Stafford attended the schools of Rutland and was a 1931 graduate of Rutland High School.

Robert Stafford received his Bachelor of Science degree from Middlebury College in 1935.

Robert Stafford briefly attended the University of Michigan Law School before earning his LL.

Robert Stafford became active in politics as a Republican and served as Rutland's grand juror from 1938 to 1942.

In 1942, Robert Stafford joined the United States Navy Reserve for World War II and was commissioned as an ensign.

Robert Stafford then carried out intelligence officer postings at the Navy Department in Washington, DC, and at Navy bases on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Robert Stafford later requested sea duty and served as senior watch officer aboard USS West Point, the Navy's largest troop transport ship.

Robert Stafford returned to Rutland in February 1946 while continuing to serve in the Navy Reserve.

In October 1951, Robert Stafford returned to active duty during the Korean War era.

Robert Stafford was assigned as gunnery officer aboard USS Mission Bay, a Reserve training ship berthed in Bayonne, New Jersey, and served until February 1953.

Robert Stafford remained in the Navy Reserve after his second deployment and retired at the rank of captain in March 1971.

Robert Stafford served as Rutland County's State's Attorney from 1947 to 1951.

Robert Stafford is one of Vermont's few governors who did not serve in the legislature.

Robert Stafford's governorship was notable for initiatives to streamline state government, including creation of the Agency of Administration.

In 1960, Stafford was the Republican nominee for Vermont's lone seat in the US House of Representatives, supported by all factions of his party because he was regarded as the strongest challenger to Democrat William H Meyer, who had broken the Republican Party's 100 year hold on statewide offices by winning election to Congress in 1958.

Robert Stafford won, and was reelected four times, serving in the House from January 3,1961, to September 16,1971.

Robert Stafford voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, and 1968, as well as the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In September 1971, Stafford resigned his seat in the House to accept appointment to the Senate, temporarily filling the vacancy caused by the death of Winston L Prouty.

Robert Stafford served for slightly over 17 years, until his retirement in 1989.

Robert Stafford chaired the Committee on Environment and Public Works from 1981 to 1987.

In 2000, Robert Stafford lent credibility to Vermont's movement to allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.