From Straight Arrow · · 2m
John D. Rockefeller IV Dies at 89
Former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator John D. Rockefeller IV dies at 89.
In brief
Former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator John D. Rockefeller IV dies at 89. John D. Rockefeller IV, former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator, dies at 89. Originally reported by Straight Arrow.
John D. Rockefeller IV dies
John D. Rockefeller IV, former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator, dies at 89.
Family confirms death
A representative of his family confirmed the news to The Washington Post but did not disclose the cause of death.
Born in 1937
Rockefeller was born June 18, 1937, the great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller Sr.
Moved to West Virginia
He moved to West Virginia in 1964 and volunteered with Volunteers in Service to America.
West Virginia House of Delegates
In 1966, he was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and served four years as the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Governor of West Virginia
He ran for governor in 1972, lost, ran again in 1976 and won, then got re-elected in 1980.
U.S. Senate
Four years later, Rockefeller was elected to the U.S. Senate and re-elected for three additional terms.
Health care advocate
During his Senate tenure, Rockefeller was a prominent advocate for expanding health care coverage.
Children's Health Insurance Program
He was part of the 1997 effort to establish the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Coal miners' health
Rockefeller championed coal miners' health benefits and workers' rights during his Senate tenure.
Senate Intelligence Committee
He chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and led an investigation into the Bush administration’s intelligence assessments ahead of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Iraq War regret
He initially voted in support of the invasion but later expressed regret, accusing Bush of leading the nation into war on false premises.
Retired from Senate
He retired from the Senate in January 2.
Health care legacy
Rockefeller's Children's Health Insurance Program continues to provide coverage to millions of low-income children.
Coal and workers' benefits
Rockefeller's work on coal miners' health benefits and workers' rights shaped federal protections that remain in place.
Iraq War regret
Rockefeller later regretted his support for the Iraq War, criticizing Bush's handling of intelligence.
The headline
John D. Rockefeller IV, former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator, dies at 89.
