Philip W. Noel
Encyclopedia
Philip William Noel was the 68th Governor of Rhode Island from 1973 to 1977.
. He attended Brown University
where he played football
, and then went to law school at Georgetown University
, with the goal of joining the FBI. While still in school, he obtained a job from Democratic
Rhode Island Senator John O. Pastore
in the Senate post office. Noel married Joyce Sandberg, who was named Miss Rhode Island
in the 1953 Miss America
pageant.
In 1958, Noel, encouraged by Senator Pastore, ran for city council in Warwick, Rhode Island. He lost his first campaign, but was elected in 1960, and in 1966 was elected Mayor of Warwick. Noel served as mayor from 1967 to 1972, when he mounted a successful campaign to become Governor of Rhode Island. Senator Pastore announced his retirement from the Senate in late 1975. In January 1976, Noel announced a bid for the Democratic nomination to succeed Pastore.
In the spring of 1976, Noel received criticism for remarks he made characterizing the conditions of poverty
in a "black ghetto
". In May, he stepped down as chair of the Democratic National Convention
's Platform Committee as a response to the controversy over his remarks. Later the same month, he survived a helicopter crash on the University of Rhode Island
campus. Noel narrowly lost the September primary election to automobile dealer Richard Lorber. Lorber lost the general election to former United States Secretary of the Navy
John Chafee
.
After he completed his term as governor, Noel returned to his law practice. He lives with his wife in Estero, Florida
.
Biography
Philip Noel was born to Joe Noel, an auto mechanic and Emma Crudeli Noel, a jewelry worker in Warwick, Rhode IslandWarwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
. He attended Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
where he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, and then went to law school at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, with the goal of joining the FBI. While still in school, he obtained a job from Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Rhode Island Senator John O. Pastore
John O. Pastore
John Orlando Pastore was a Rhode Island Democratic Party politician who was a United States Senator from Rhode Island and the 61st Governor of Rhode Island , and was the first Italian American to hold either position.-Early life and career:Born in Providence on March 17, 1907, he attended...
in the Senate post office. Noel married Joyce Sandberg, who was named Miss Rhode Island
Miss Rhode Island
The Miss Rhode Island competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Rhode Island in the Miss America pageant.- Winners :- External links :*...
in the 1953 Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
pageant.
In 1958, Noel, encouraged by Senator Pastore, ran for city council in Warwick, Rhode Island. He lost his first campaign, but was elected in 1960, and in 1966 was elected Mayor of Warwick. Noel served as mayor from 1967 to 1972, when he mounted a successful campaign to become Governor of Rhode Island. Senator Pastore announced his retirement from the Senate in late 1975. In January 1976, Noel announced a bid for the Democratic nomination to succeed Pastore.
In the spring of 1976, Noel received criticism for remarks he made characterizing the conditions of poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
in a "black ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
". In May, he stepped down as chair of the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
's Platform Committee as a response to the controversy over his remarks. Later the same month, he survived a helicopter crash on the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
campus. Noel narrowly lost the September primary election to automobile dealer Richard Lorber. Lorber lost the general election to former United States Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
John Chafee
John Chafee
John Lester Hubbard Chafee was an American politician. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, as the 66th Governor of Rhode Island, as the Secretary of the Navy, and as a United States Senator.-Early life and family:...
.
After he completed his term as governor, Noel returned to his law practice. He lives with his wife in Estero, Florida
Estero, Florida
Estero is a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 18,176. It is the home of Germain Arena, which hosts the home games for the Florida Everblades ECHL hockey team and the Florida Firecats af2 arena football team...
.