Friendship and Public Service Through the Lives of John Dingell and Ted Kennedy
In Jolly Times in Washington, Thomas R. Jolly dedicates his book to the memory of two men he was honored to know: Congressman John Dingell and Senator Ted Kennedy. To Tom, they were far more than important members of Congress. They became dear friends, and their long years of public service left an impression on […]
Thomas R. Jolly’s Journey From Congressional Staff Member to Washington Lawyer and Lobbyist
Thomas R. Jolly spent nearly sixty years in Washington, but his career did not follow a carefully planned road. He arrived in the nation’s capital, attended Georgetown Law School, worked on Capitol Hill, and eventually became a Washington lawyer and lobbyist. In Jolly Times in Washington, Tom remembers those years through the opportunities, friendships, […]
How the 1960s Turned Thomas R. Jolly’s Interest in Politics Into a Lifelong Passion
For Thomas R. Jolly, politics was not always destined to become such an important part of life. An early interest was sparked by Professor Jack Dempsey, but it was the extraordinary events of the 1960s that transformed that interest into something much deeper. Presidents, assassinations, campaigns, voting, and the people he encountered all helped shape […]
From a Working Class Childhood to a Life in Washington
Thomas R. Jolly’s journey to Washington did not begin with wealth, political connections, or a carefully planned career. It began in a poor, working-class family and with lessons learned through work, sports, military service, education, and unexpected opportunities. In Jolly Times in Washington, Tom looks back on those experiences with humor and gratitude, showing how […]