Sticker, Bumper

Object number2009.31.1

Date1976-1988

Mediumpaper; ink

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

DescriptionSenator John Heinz bumper sticker.Dimensions3.25 x 9.5 in. (8.3 x 24.1 cm)
InscriptionsBlack text in center: "Senator JOHN HEINZ / for Pennsylvania".
MarksMaker's mark on bottom right corner.
Historical NotesThree campaign bumper stickers from Senator John Heinz reelection campaign. Heinz was elected to the Senate in 1976 ,and then reelected in 1982 and 1988. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Henry John Heinz III (October 23, 1938 - April 4, 1991) was the son of H. J. Heinz II (heir to the H. J. Heinz Company) and Joan Diehl. When his parents divorced, Heinz moved to San Francisco, California, with his mother and his stepfather, U.S. Navy Captain Clayton C. McCauley. After graduating from Yale University in 1960, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1963; soon after, Heinz enlisted in the United States Air Force. He eventually served with the 911th Troop Carrier Group, based at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport, as a member of the United States Air Force Reserve. During this time, Heinz married Teresa Sim⌡es-Ferreira on February 5, 1966 in Pittsburgh. Nine months later, their son, Henry IV, was born, followed by sons Andre and Christopher. After being honorably discharged in 1969 with the rank of Staff Sergeant, Heinz was a member of the faculty at the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University from 1970 to 1971. In 1971, he was elected by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert J. Corbett during the 92nd Congress. He was reelected to the 93rd and 94th Congresses. Heinz was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976. He was reelected to the Senate in 1982 and 1988. Tragically, Heinz and six other people were killed on April 4, 1991, when a Bell 412 helicopter collided with the Senator's Piper Aerostar plane over Merion Elementary School in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. All aboard the two aircraft and two first-grade girls playing outside the school were killed. The helicopter had been dispatched to check out a problem with the landing gear of Heinz's plane. While moving in for a closer look, the helicopter's rotor blades struck the bottom of the plane, causing both aircraft to lose control and crash. Senator Heinz is interred in the Heinz family mausoleum in Homewood Cemetery, located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Related person Henry John Heinz III

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