BARBER CONABLE JR.

Inscription

BARBER CONABLE JR.
1922-2003. SERVED DURING WWII
AND KOREAN WAR. ELECTED TO
U.S. CONGRESS 1965-1985.
APPOINTED WORLD BANK PRESIDENT
IN 1986. CHILDHOOD HOME HERE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2023

“Some men meet standards; others set them. Barber Conable has been one of the others.” — Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Barber B. Conable Jr. was born in the town of Warsaw in 1922. He would spend his formative years there before embarking on a career of national and international significance, serving as a member in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1985 and as President of the World Bank from 1986 to 1991.

After graduating from Cornell in 1942, Conable enlisted in the United States Marines during World War II. He was stationed in Japan and participated in the battle of Iwo Jima during the War. While there, Conable learned to speak Japanese.

After World War II ended, Conable returned to Cornell to attend law school, graduating with honors in 1948. Afterwards, Conable was once again called to the service of his country during the Korean War.

Conable would return to New York, eventually settling in Alexander, where nearby he opened his own private firm as a lawyer before eventually making his way into politics. First in the New York State Senate—for which he would only serve one term—before he was nominated to represent New York’s 37^th District in the House of Representatives. He would serve nine more terms in the House of Representatives.

In the House of Representatives, Barber was on the Ways and Means committee, where he would become an expert in laws relating to taxes. Getting legislation through required bipartisan alliances, which was something Conable was remarkably successful at doing.

So much so, in fact, that after stepping down following twenty years in the House of Representatives, Conable quickly landed another gig—as the 7th President of the World Bank.

As President of the World Bank, Conable was responsible for identifying needs in developing countries and providing financial support. Conable turned to his skills as a legislator to secure nearly double the appropriations then had previously been allotted to the Bank by the United States. As President, Conable worked to restructure the organization, provide support to developing nations, and increase women’s leadership and participation in these projects.

Conable served only one term as President of the World Bank before retiring. His stint was considered transformative, and while first seen as an unconventional choice—being a career politician as opposed to having an economics or financial background—he left to raved reviews.

Upon retiring, Conable returned to Alexander, where he would volunteer at several local historical organizations. He passed away at the age of 83 while in his summer home in Florida; news of his death was met with mourning from the international community.

This marker is located at his former childhood home. More information about Barber Conable Jr. can be found by following the link below.

Barber Conable, Jr.

BARBER CONABLE JR.

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