Bernard Tompkins

He was born on February 6, 1904, in New York City. He was an Assistant United States Attorney from 1930 to 1936, and a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General from 1937 to 1940.[1]

In November 1952, Tompkins defeated the incumbent Democratic Senator Frank D. O'Connor in the 6th senatorial district, and was a member of the New York State Senate (6th D.) in 1953 and 1954. He was Chairman of a Joint Legislative Committee on Charitable and Philanthropic Agencies and Organizations (the "Tompkins Committee") which investigated fund-raising practices in New York. The findings of the committee led to enacting a law that required registration and reporting by fund-raising organizations and individuals.[2]

In November 1954, after re-apportionment, Tompkins ran in the 8th district for re-election but was defeated by O'Connor. In November 1955, O'Connor was elected D.A. of Queens County, and a special election for the vacant Senate seat was held on February 7, 1956.[3] Tompkins defeated the Democratic nominee Thomas A. Duffy, and was again a member of the State Senate for the remainder of the session of 1956. In November 1956, Tompkins ran for re-election, but was defeated by Duffy.[4]

He died on February 7, 1965, while being interviewed by the press on the steps of the NYPD Station House at West 68th Street in Manhattan, of a heart attack;[5] and was buried at the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens.

• Bernard Tompkins at Find a Grave