August 20, 1862 [Foster Township, Pennsylvania] – August 7, 1944 [Los Angeles, California]
[McGroarty was designated poet laureate of California by the state legislature in 1933. He served in the 74th Congress from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1937, where he played a significant role in introducing the Townsend Bill to the legislature. McGroarty was reelected to the 75th Congress from January 3, 1937, to January 3, 1939. In 1937, he introduced a successful bill that enabled the federal government to purchase a large timber holding from the Yosemite Lumber Company, bringing the land within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. In 1938 McGroarty left his seat to run for California Secretary of State; he was defeated in the Democratic primary by incumbent Republican Frank C. Jordan. After his brief stint in politics, McGroarty resumed the profession of journalism in Tujunga, California. McGroarty died in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California on August 7, 1944, at the age of 81, and was interred at Calvary Cemetery.]
